Archives for May 2017

Càrn Mòr ‘Celebration of the Cask’ New Arrivals From Abbey Whisky!

May 31, 2017 by Gary Leave a Comment

Mortlach 21 Year Old – 1995 | Single Cask 4122 | Càrn Mòr
£120.00

New Arrivals

Mortlach 21 Year Old – 1995 | Single Cask 4122 | Càrn Mòr
£120.00
Country: Scotland
Region: Speyside
Age: 21 Years Old
Strength: 52.6%
70cl
Vintage: 1995
Bottler: Carn Mor

Westport 22 Year Old – 1995 | Single Cask 360091 | Càrn Mòr
£102.00
Country: Scotland
Region: Highland
Age: 22 Years Old
Strength: 52.6%
70cl
Vintage: 1995
Bottler: Carn Mor

Glenlossie 19 Year Old – 1997 | Single Cask 6749 | Càrn Mòr
£99.00
Country: Scotland
Region: Speyside
Age: 22 Years Old
Strength: 54.2%
70cl
Vintage: 1997
Bottler: Carn Mor

Clynelish 1972 Rare Old | Bottled 2016 (Gordon & MacPhail)
£1,250.00
Country: Scotland
Region: Highland
Age:
Strength: 42.3%
70cl
Vintage: 1972
Bottler: Gordon & MacPhail

Talisker Distillery Exclusive 2017
£120.00
Country: Scotland
Region: Island
Age:
Strength: 48%
70cl

Ben Nevis 10 Year Old
£37.20
Country: Scotland
Region: Highland
Age: 10 Years Old
Strength: 46%
70cl

Blanton's Original Single Barrel #154
£49.90
Country: America
Region: American
Age:
Strength: 46.5%

BILLY LEIGHTON’S REDBREAST DREAM CASK – An Exclusive Tasting Of A Rare Dram!

May 25, 2017 by Gary Leave a Comment

#RedbreastDreamCask – ready to rock!

Last Saturday I had the good fortune to be part of Redbreast Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey’s www.facebook.com/RedbreastSinglePotStill, a Facebook LIVE tasting of a rare and exclusive Redbreast Irish whiskey to celebrate World Whisky Day 2017.

Head Blender Billy Leighton had hand-selected a Redbreast single cask and Billy then led the 20-minute tasting with Redbreast Apprentice Blender Dave McCabe, from warehouse A1 in the grounds of the Midleton Distillery, to a global audience of whiskey fans.

#RedbreastDreamCask is a single cask single pot still Irish whiskey that offers a unique take on Redbreast’s full bodied flavour profile, renowned for its signature Christmas cake character – the result of a strong contribution from Oloroso sherry casks.

A surprise was in store for us all!

Leighton and McCabe took whiskey fans on a whistle-stop journey through the history of Redbreast and shared the qualities that make the range the definitive example of single pot still whiskey from Ireland.

Finally, Billy let us know exactly what we would be tasting. The dram we were to sample was drawn from Cask 41207 with a final 46.7% ABV. This olorosso sherry cask is a recask from 2011.

Before that it spent 25 years in re-fill ex-bourbon barrel making this dram just over 31 years old!

So, what did I think? Here are my tasting notes …

Tasting Notes – Redbreast Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey – 31 Years Old (46.7%)

Colour: Beautiful, rich, mahogany colour with glorious depth.

Nose: Blood oranges, rich dark fruits, blackcurrant.

Palate: Succuluent dark fruits, blackcurrants and blood orange abounds. Vanilla caramel adds a creamy accompaniment.

Finish: Black coffee, fresh pepper and very, very long!

Overall: This is a rich feast of flavours! The nose is exceptional and promises very great things. The taste does not disappoint, it is intense and satisfying. A rare treat and my tastebuds have rarely been so spoiled!

Redbreast is available to buy from these Whisky Merchants:-

Edencroft Fine Wine & Spirit Specialists
Master of Malt
The Whisky Exchange
The Green Welly Stop

Irish Distillers’ Scoops Ten Top Tasting Awards!

May 23, 2017 by Gary Leave a Comment

The Redbreast Family

The Irish Distillers family of prestige Irish Whiskeys has been awarded 10 gold or above medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and International Spirits Challenge 2017. Top honours were awarded to Redbreast 15, Best Single Pot Still Whiskey and Best Irish Whiskey, and Midleton Very Rare, Best Blended Irish Whiskey, at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Redbreast 15 Year Old Whiskey

In addition, Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength claimed its third Double Gold medal in a row at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition – a testament to the consistency in quality of Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey craftsmanship at the Midleton Distillery. The array of gold medals, around half of the 22 decorations awarded to Irish Distillers across the two prestigious tastings, cements Redbreast as the most awarded Single Pot Still Whiskey in the world.

Yellow Spot 12 Year Old followed up a near-perfect 99/100 points at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge with a Gold medal at the International Spirits Challenge, whereas Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy was honoured by the same competition with the sixth Gold medal since its release in 2011.

In total, the prestige range from Irish Distillers secured four Double Gold and six Gold medals across the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC) and International Spirits Challenge (ISC):
· Redbreast 15 Year Old: Best Irish Whiskey, Best Pure Pot Still Irish Whiskey and Double Gold medal (SFWSC)
· Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength: Double Gold medal (SFWSC)
· Midleton Very Rare: Best Blended Irish Whiskey and Double Gold medal (SFWSC)
· METHOD AND MADNESS Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Finished in Chestnut: Double Gold medal (SFWSC)
· Midleton Dair Ghaelach: Gold medal (SFWSC)
· Redbreast 21 Year Old: Gold medals (SFWSC and ISC)
· METHOD AND MADNESS Single Malt Irish Whiskey Enhanced with French Limousin Oak: Gold medal (SFWSC)
· Yellow Spot: Gold medal (ISC)
· Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy: Gold medal (ISC)

We are delighted with the continued success of Redbreast and the breadth of Midleton’s prestige Irish Whiskey family in global spirit tasting competitions – our whiskeys continue to achieve great things and we are incredibly proud of them. The quality of our whiskeys is testament to the hard work and dedication of the production team at Midleton Distillery, past and present.

Lest we forget the skilled distillers and blenders that laid down and observed these whiskeys mature over the years, in the hope that they would be enjoyed years later – it’s great to see that they certainly are being enjoyed!
– Billy Leighton: Head Blender at the Midleton Distillery, County Cork

Now in its 17th year, the San Francisco World Spirits Challenge is one of the most influential spirits competitions in the world and is judged by a line-up of esteemed drinks journalists, producers and experts. Run each year in partnership with respected drinks trade bible, Drinks International, the International Spirits Challenge is one of the most authoritative and influential spirits competitions in the world and celebrates its 22nd anniversary this year.

New Kilchoman Sauternes Cask From Abbey Whisky – Maximum 1 per Customer!

May 23, 2017 by Gary Leave a Comment

Kilchoman Sauternes Cask Matured
£88.98

New Arrivals

Macallan 1988 Speymalt | Bottled 2016
£275.00
Country: Scotland
Region: Speyside
Age:
Strength: 43%
70cl
Vintage: 1988
Bottler: Gordon & MacPhail

Macallan 1998 Speymalt – Bottled 2016 / Gordon & MacPhail
£86.40
Country: Scotland
Region: Speyside
Age:
Strength: 43%
70cl
Vintage: 1998
Bottler: Gordon & MacPhail

Kilchoman Sauternes Cask Matured
£88.98
Country: Scotland
Region: Islay
Age: 5 Years Old
Strength: 50%
70cl
Vintage: 2011
Bottler: Distillery Bottling

Teeling 14 Year Old – The Revival Vol III
£100.80
Country: Ireland
Region: Irish
Age: 14 Years Old
Strength: 46%
70cl

Discover A Different Dram From Jura This Father’s Day!

May 19, 2017 by Gary Leave a Comment

Jura’s Origin and Superstition expressions

Jura Single Malt Whisky’s special edition bottle wraps make the perfect gift

Finding the perfect dram for dad just got easier this year thanks to Jura Single Malt Whisky, which has created two special edition bottles (complete with gift tag); each bringing the flavours in two classic Jura whiskies to life through beautifully illustrated gift wraps.

Jura Origin is aged in American White Oak ex-bourbon casks for 10 years

Gift buyers can discover the different sides of Jura’s Origin and Superstition expressions through striking visual tasting notes, helping uncover the subtle hints of flavour to be found in each drop.

Carefully sourced natural ingredients bring to life a range of light yet complex flavours to the Jura collection, and in Origin and Superstition, there’s something to suit all palates this Father’s Day:

· Jura Origin is aged in American White Oak ex-bourbon casks for 10 years, with notes of caramel, honey and soft liquorice. This signature liquid was born during the rebirth of the Jura Distillery in 1963 and marks the start of Jura’s long line of hand-crafted whiskies. With a light, delicate and warming honey finish, it’s the perfect accompaniment to good conversation and spending quality time with loved ones.

· Jura Superstition is lightly peated and matured in American White Oak ex-bourbon casks, resulting in a different flavour to explore in each drop. With hints of smoke, honey and pine, Superstition is the perfect accompaniment to a Father’s Day BBQ.

Jura Superstition is lightly peated and matured in American White Oak ex-bourbon casks

Quite often we’re familiar with the flavours that our loved ones like, but with lots of different options to choose from, selecting that special single malt for someone else can be a daunting task!

With no gift wrapping required, our new special edition Origin and Superstition bottles are not only a beautiful and convenient present but the illustrated tasting notes mean people can visually navigate the world of whisky through the unique flavours found in Jura. Choosing which one to buy is a pleasurable problem to have!
– Graham Logan: Jura Distillery Manager

Each pack will also include the chance to win a trip to discover the different sides of Jura for themselves on the unique island, nestled off the West Coast of Scotland. The opportunity to win a holiday and distillery visit for two is an added bonus for five lucky recipients who are fortunate enough to receive a special edition bottle of Jura this Father’s Day.

The special edition bottles are available to purchase now from independent stores and multiple retailers – RRP £35.

Latest Kilkerran Releases Now Available From Abbey Whisky!

May 18, 2017 by Gary Leave a Comment

Kilkerran 12 Year Old
£42.98

New Arrivals

Kilkerran 12 Year Old
£42.98
Country: Scotland
Region: Campbeltown
Age: 12 Years Old
Strength: 46%
70cl

Kilkerran 8 Year Old Cask Strength
£54.00
Country: Scotland
Region: Campbeltown
Age: 8 Years Old
Strength: 56.2%
70cl

Longrow 18 Year Old | 2017 Release
£89.98
Country: Scotland
Region: Campbeltown
Age: 18 Years Old
Strength: 46%
70cl

Kilchoman 100% Islay 7th Edition
£68.48
Country: Scotland
Region: Islay
Age:
Strength: 50%
70cl
Vintage: 2010
Bottler: Distillery Bottling

Compass Box Double Single | Spring Limited Edition 2017
£139.32
Country: Scotland
Region:
Age:
Strength: 46%
70cl

Ardmore 1998
£66.90
Country: Scotland
Region: Speyside
Age:
Strength: 43%
70cl
Vintage: 1998
Bottler: Gordon & MacPhail

Caol Ila 2004 Connoisseurs Choice | Bottled 2017
£42.24
Country: Scotland
Region: Islay
Age:
Strength: 46%
70cl
Vintage: 2004
Bottler: Gordon & MacPhail

Speyside 10 Year Old – 2007 | Cask 0119 | The Cooper's Choice
£57.98
Country: Scotland
Region: Speyside
Age: 10 Years Old
Strength: 46%
70cl
Vintage: 2007
Bottler: The Vintage Malt Whisky Company

Glenrothes 9 Year Old – 2007 | Cask 1929 | The Cooper's Choice
£59.98
Country: Scotland
Region: Speyside
Age: 9 Years Old
Strength: 46%
70cl
Vintage: 2007
Bottler: The Vintage Malt Whisky Company

Bunnahabhain 15 Year Old – 2001 | Cask 9533 | The Cooper's Choice
£89.88
Country: Scotland
Region: Islay
Age: 15 Years Old
Strength: 46%
70cl
Vintage: 2001
Bottler: The Vintage Malt Whisky Company

Ben Nevis 20 Year Old – 1996 | Cask 2212 | The Cooper's Choice
£108.00
Country: Scotland
Region: Highland
Age: 20 Years Old
Strength: 46%
70cl
Vintage: 1996
Bottler: The Vintage Malt Whisky Company

Laggan Mill 7 Year Old – 2009 | Cask 321578 | The Cooper's Choice
£49.98
Country: Scotland
Region: Islay
Age: 9 Years Old
Strength: 46%
70cl
Vintage: 2009
Bottler: The Vintage Malt Whisky Company

Deanston 9 Year Old – 2006 | Cask 9702 | The Cooper's Choice
£57.00
Country: Scotland
Region: Highland
Age: 9 Years Old
Strength: 46%
70cl
Vintage: 2006
Bottler: The Vintage Malt Whisky Company

Glentauchers 7 Year Old – 2009 | Cask 700424 | The Cooper's Choice
£49.98
Country: Scotland
Region: Speyside
Age: 7 Years Old
Strength: 46%
70cl
Vintage: 2009
Bottler: The Vintage Malt Whisky Company

Mackmyra Ten Years
£68.10
Country: Sweden
Region: Swedish
Age: 10 Years Old
Strength: 46.1%
70cl

Teeling Brabazon Bottling Series 1
£67.48
Country: Ireland
Region: Irish
Age:
Strength: 49.5%
70cl

Springbank 21 Year Old | 2017 Release
£192.00
Country: Scotland
Region: Campbeltown
Age: 21 Years Old
Strength: 46%
70cl

Join Us For A Redbreast Rare Tasting on Facebook LIVE!

May 12, 2017 by Gary Leave a Comment

Save the date!

Celebrate World Whisky Day 2017 with an exclusive tasting of a rare
Redbreast cask hosted by Head Blender, Billy Leighton, on Facebook LIVE!

Redbreast Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey is inviting whiskey drinkers around the world to tune into #RedbreastDreamCask; a Facebook LIVE tasting of a rare and exclusive Redbreast Irish whiskey to celebrate World Whisky Day 2017 at 7pm on Saturday 20th May.

Head Blender Billy Leighton has hand-selected an exceptional Redbreast single cask to mark the occasion and will reveal the age, cask type and tasting notes during the tasting. Billy will lead the 20-minute tasting with Redbreast Apprentice Blender Dave McCabe, from warehouse A1 in the grounds of the Midleton Distillery, to a global audience of whiskey fans.

Leighton and McCabe will take whiskey fans on a whistle-stop journey through the history of Redbreast and share the qualities that make the range the definitive example of single pot still whiskey from Ireland, followed by a tasting of the precious whiskey and a short Q&A.

I’ve poured over our maturing casks at Midleton and have drawn a special expression of Redbreast that demonstrates the character of the family and reinforces single pot still whiskey as the quintessential style of whiskey from Ireland.

I’m looking forward to leading the tasting with Dave and slowly revealing the secrets of this mysterious whiskey on Facebook LIVE – it promises to be unmissable experience, as my dream Redbreast cask will never be tasted like this again.
– Billy Leighton: Head Blender at Midleton Distillery

To participate, log on to the Redbreast Facebook page at 7pm on 20th May: www.facebook.com/RedbreastSinglePotStill

Jura Bottles a Festival of European Flavours with new Limited Edition Malt!

May 12, 2017 by Gary Leave a Comment

Jura Tastival 2017

Jura Single Malt Whisky has announced the launch of its Tastival 2017 bottling, a unique Limited Edition single malt that marks the distillery’s annual island whisky festival, set to take place on 1 June 2017.

Available from 1st June!

The festival celebrates new ways to enjoy whisky through exciting flavour experiences that everyone can enjoy – whether new to whisky or a well-established fan – and Jura’s Tastival 2017 bottling fully embraces this ethos.

This Non Chill-Filtered, cask strength Limited Edition expression marries some of Jura’s finest aged spirits, is enhanced in both first fill American White Oak ex-bourbon barrels and hand-selected Graham’s Port Pipes sourced from Portugal’s lush Douro Valley. Customers will get notes of chewy liquorice, black forest fruits and creamy white chocolate on the nose, and orange zest, walnut cake, glazed pineapple and Crème De Cassis on the aftertaste.

Jura Tastival 2017 is the first Limited Edition release to be overseen by new Jura Distillery Manager, Graham Logan, who took over from Willie Cochrane in September 2016.

Tastival is all about welcoming people to Jura with open arms – not only to our island festival, but to our whisky – whether you’re a single malt expert or are trying it for the first time.

The creativity that goes into our Tastival event programme is well reflected in this Limited Edition expression, meaning everyone can enjoy a taste of our Festival – whether they can make it to the island or not.
– Graham Logan: Jura Distillery Manager

Tastival guests will have an exclusive first try of this year’s Limited Edition bottling at the island festival on 1 June, where the whisky will be available to buy. A full event programme, plus information on localised Tastival events to take place in Europe will be announced in the coming weeks.

Ticketed sessions vary between £15 – £45, with entry to the heart of the action in the Cooperage costing just £5 (including goody bag and two drams). Tickets on sale now.

Getting there from Islay: Jura will operate a free passenger ferry and coach shuttle service to and from the Port Feolin ferry station. For more information see www.jurawhisky.com.

Jura Tastival 2017 will be available online and in shops globally (excluding US) RRP £85 from 1st June.

Tasting Notes

Jura Tastival 2017 (Cask strength – 51% ABV)
Non Chill-Filtered – NAS
Limited Edition | RRP £85
Enhanced in both first-fill American White Oak ex-bourbon barrels and hand-selected Graham’s Port Pipes

Colour: Amber gold with flashes of crimson mahogany
Nose: Black Forest fruits, chewy liquorice, ripe plums and creamy white chocolate
Palate: Orange zest, walnut cake, glazed pineapple and Crème de Cassis

Tomatin 36 Year Old Multi-Award Winner Now Available From Edencroft!

May 11, 2017 by Gary Leave a Comment

Tomatin / 36 Year Old
£500.00

Edencroft has 2 New additions to it’s range this week including the multi-award winning Tomatin 36 Year Old (Best Scotch, Best Single Malt Scotch and Best Distillers’ Single Malt Scotch at the recent prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition.).

New Arrivals

Cu Bocan / The Original
£37.50
Country: Scotland
Region: Highlands
Age:
Strength: 46.%
70cl

Summary: Country/Region: Scotland/Highland's.
ABV: 46%
Unit: 70cl
Cù Bòcan is matured in a combination of Sherry, Virgin Oak and Bourbon casks.
Aroma: Coconuts and cream with some botanic notes, parsley and coriander. The smoke emerges after a minute followed by a mix of lime, grapefruit and tangerines with rich almond and aniseed.
Palate: Initially feather light, followed by honey smoke. The rich spice of cloves, cinnamon and star anise create an enigmatic elegance.
Finish: Light with a hint of sweet smoke.

Tomatin / 36 Year Old
£500.00
Country: Scotland
Region: Highlands
Age:
Strength: 46.%
70cl

Summary: Country/Region: Scotland/Highland's.
ABV: 46%
Unit: 70cl
Cask Type: Matured in a combination of Bourbon barrels and Oloroso Sherry Butts.
Added to the range in 2015, this 36 year old whisky is smooth and creamy. The contents have been vatted from a combination of ex-Bourbon and ex-Oloroso Sherry casks to create a delicious whisky released in small batches.
Ratings: BEST SCOTCH AND BEST SINGLE MALT SCOTCH AND BEST DISTILLERS' Single Malt Scotch – 20 Years and Older AND DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL / 2017 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Tomatin Distillery has today (Wednesday 3rd May) announced that its 36 Year Old Single Malt has scooped the top prize at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition, havingbeen awarded ‘Best Scotch'.
A judging panel of high-calibre industry experts awarded the oldest Single Malt in Tomatin’s core range with four awards in total. The 36 Year Old clinched the highly sought after title of ‘Double Gold’, 'Best Distillers’ Single Malt Scotch 20 years and older', 'Best Single Malt Scotch' and finally 'Best Scotch', beating off stiff competition from hundreds of brands and distillers around the world.
Added to the range in 2015, Tomatin's 36 year old whisky is smooth and creamy. The contents have been vatted from a combination of ex-Bourbon and ex-Oloroso Sherry casks to create a delicious whisky released in small batches. The most recent batch was released in 2016 with just 800 bottles available worldwide, receiving 96.5 in the 2017 Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible.
Tomatin received 14 medals in total, with the 12 year old, 14 year old, 18 year old, 36 year old and 1988 Vintage achieving top in each category.
Stephen Bremner, Tomatin Sales Director, said, "We are delighted that our drive and dedication to become one of the best whisky distillers in the world has been recognised by these prestigious awards. This is unquestionably one of the distilling world's highest honours and marks another exciting milestone for Tomatin."
Founded in 2000, this was the 17th San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Each year the awards recognise exceptional products in the spirits industry and some of the finest products from around the world.