Archives for 2022

The SMWS May Virtual Whisky Tasting – Sampling Five Rare Distillery Drams!

June 3, 2022 by Gary Leave a Comment

Distillery 19 Highland Rare Release: Hazelnut Bubble Gum!

Last Tuesday I had the pleasure of attending The SMWS May Virtual Tasting on Facebook!

Host Madeleine Schmoll was joined by Society favourites: Master Brand Ambassador, John McCheyne & SMWS Benelux Country Manager, Bob Wenting to guide us through five rare distillery drams!

The drams tasted on the night were:-

■ Distillery 5 Lowland Rare Release: Lime and Thyme

■ Distillery 19 Highland Rare Release: Hazelnut Bubble Gum

■ Distillery 36 Speyside Rare Release: A reward for patience

■ Distillery 93 Campbeltown Rare Release: Change faster than a chameleon

■ Distillery 53 Islay Rare Release: Throw the cork away!

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

■ Distillery 5 Lowland Rare Release: Lime and Thyme

Cask Type: 1st.fill ex-bourbon barrels

18 years old

55.8% ABV

Distillery: Auchentoshan

Nose: Apples, citrus and tropical fruits with some additional toffee thrown in.

Palate: Cane sweetness, fruity toffee and coconut chocolate coupled with a full bodied savouriness.

Finish: A dry finish with a fair bit of spice coming through and white woodiness.

Sadly, Not available to buy – But – See All That The SMWS Has To Offer!

■ Distillery 19 Highland Rare Release: Hazelnut Bubble Gum

Cask Type: 1st.fill ex-bourbon barrels

18 years old

55.6% ABV

Distillery: Glen Garioch

Nose: Crisp green apples, dried mango slices, vanilla custard with sweet biscuit & there’s hints of woodiness in there as well – WoW!

Palate: Creamy with an oily mouthfeel. Palate of banana and custard cream biscuits.

Finish: Very smooth finish with a building hint of spice to counteract what is a pretty sweet dram!

Sadly, Not available to buy – But – See All That The SMWS Has To Offer!

■ Distillery 36 Speyside Rare Release: A reward for patience

Cask Type: 2nd. fill oloroso & bourbon barrels

10 years old

57.6% ABV

Distillery: Benrinnes

Nose: Sweet mashed banana big time! Tropical fruits follow along rather sheepishly. Porty red wine and ginger spice come along later.

Palate: Banana with porty red wine, ginger and sweet, dark chocolate.

Finish: Sweet, astringent finish.

Sadly, Not available to buy – But – See All That The SMWS Has To Offer!

■ Distillery 93 Campbeltown Rare Release: Change faster than a chameleon

Cask Type: 1st.fill ex-bourbon barrels

8 years old

59.7% ABV

Distillery: Glen Scotia

Nose: A subtler nose for me but I eventually get lemon, citrus and oatmeal.

Palate: The palate is completely different from the nose! Slightly oily and creamy, throat lozenges, toffee and salt.

Finish: Gloriously creamy, sweet finish with some peppery spiciness.

Sadly, Not available to buy – But – See All That The SMWS Has To Offer!

■ Distillery 53 Islay Rare Release: Throw the cork away!

Cask Type: 1st. fill ex-oloroso hogsheads

8 years old

58.4% ABV

Distillery: Caol Ila

Nose: Gorgeous savoury smokehouse! Sweet peat, liquid oily smoke, burning embers and a rush to the kitchen for snacks!

Palate: Tasty smoke, peat and I especially love the way the peaty brine combines with such treacly sweetness!

Finish: Basically the palate continues with an additional salty, antiseptic and tar finish.

Sadly, Not available to buy – But – See All That The SMWS Has To Offer!

On the night I most enjoyed “Distillery 53 Islay Rare Release: Throw the cork away” – just gotta’ Love the peat!

Many thanks to SMWS (@SMWSUK) for such an enjoyable evening and for sending the samples!

About The SMWS

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society is a club unlike any other.

As well as being a place to connect with other like-minded whisky lovers, they are also internationally renowned for their mission: “to provide our members with an adventurous and fun journey of discovery of the world’s widest collection of single cask whiskies.”

Conceptualised in the late 70’s and established in 1983, the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, now 35 years old, has branches and partners bars in 19 countries globally. The Society has a selection of over 500 casks every year, each cask yielding a few hundred or less whisky bottles which are unique to that cask.

Rather than name their Whiskies after the distillery, the Society has a coding system. The Society also creates fantastic tasting notes summaries for their Whiskies and other bottles. The whiskies are straight from the cask single malt, undiluted, without chill-filtration or colouring at cask strength.

More recently the Society has been named Independent Bottler of the Year in Whisky Magazine’s prestigious Independent Bottlers’ Challenge (IBC) competition.

Jura Announces 2022 Distillery Exclusive To Celebrate Fèis Ìle!

June 1, 2022 by Gary Leave a Comment

Jura’s limited edition 2022 Distillery Exclusive!

Jura Single Malt whisky is celebrating the return of the popular Fèis Ìle festival with a very special community gathering and the launch of a limited-edition 14 Year Old Distillery Exclusive, crafted inside a specially selected cask waiting patiently in one of the island distillery’s warehouses!

The new whisky will be available from the 3rd June, the date that Jura Distillery marks its official day as part of the Fèis Ìle celebrations, which this year will see the whisky community at the distillery come together with islanders for a gathering that also includes Deer Island Rum and Lussa Gin.

Just 700 bottles will be available …

The 2007 limited Jura Distillery release was matured in Cask No.1892, a hand-selected Sherry butt from Jerez in Southern Spain, for 14 years. Just 700 bottles will be available of this exquisite liquid which boasts a golden orange colour and a cask strength of 57.2% ABV.

The distillery team had earmarked this cask as a potential island exclusive and it was easy to see why. The fruity, aromatic qualities we’ve found around the 2007 vintage, combined with the rich, warming notes from its time in a single Sherry butt make for a compelling expression of Jura’s distinct character.

Trying it with Mark and the team on the island, we quickly realised it would be the ideal candidate for 2022’s Fèis Ìle Distillery Cask, celebrating the return of this great festival.
– Joe Ricketts: Lead Whisky Maker for Jura

With an inviting nose expressing warm sweet spice, prunes soaked in Armagnac, crystal malt, dried peach, green banana and bitter orange, this 14 Year Old single cask malt delivers dried stone fruit and sweet citrus on the palate, together with notes of chocolate mint, medium roasted coffee and pistachio, before finishing with a lovely citrus blossom lift.

We knew this was a special cask destined for great things. Our distillery team had shortlisted it as a potential future distillery exclusive and Joe agreed.

We’ve worked harder than ever to ensure this celebratory bottling is ready for Jura Day, filling, wax dipping and completing every single bottle with hand-written labels all on island. A fitting tribute to the great community here.
– Mark Bruce: Jura Distillery Brand Home Manager

The 700 bottles will be available to purchase exclusively from the distillery visitor centre on the 3rd of June before the remaining allocation of bottles is made available for pre-sale to select international markets via the Jura Whisky website, with an RRP of £120

There will be no tours or tastings in the distillery this year, however the visitor centre will be open to all and distillery staff look forward to greeting everyone keen to get their hands on a bottle of Jura 2022 Fèis Ìle Distillery Exclusive. Deer Island Rum, Jura Brewery, Lussa Gin and The Island Bakehouse will also be running activities throughout the day and, for the islanders themselves, along with anybody lucky enough to be staying overnight, there will be live music from Glaswegian sensation Trail West supported by local band Pete Smoke and the Roaches, from 8pm in the local community hall.

Product information:

Distillery Exclusive Fèis Ìle Edition 2022 (14 Year Old, 2007 Vintage)

ABV: 57.2%

Available in 70cl

Colour: Orange gold

Nose: Cocoa dusting, warming sweet spice, prunes soaked in Armagnac, crystal malt, dried peach, green banana and bitter orange

Taste: Dried stone fruit, sweet citrus, chocolate mint, medium roasted coffee and pistachio

Finish: Finishes with a citrus blossom lift

Jura is also available to buy from these Whisky Merchants:-

Compare prices for Jura!

About Jura:

Jura is an island nestled off the West Coast of Scotland. With only one road, one pub, one whisky distillery and 212(ish) people, Jura is as beautiful as it is remote.

The distillery was established in 1810 and reborn in 1963 to revive the community.

Inspired by our history and our island home, we create single malt with a true passion for the craft of whisky making.

Are You Ready For The SMWS Flavour Hunters Virtual Tasting?

May 30, 2022 by Gary Leave a Comment

Distillery 53 Islay Rare Release: Throw the cork away!

ARE YOU READY FOR THE FLAVOUR HUNTERS VIRTUAL TASTING?!

Tuesday 31 May, 8pm

Join the Flavour Hunters Festival at home with a virtual tasting pack – tasting and exploring five festival bottles from this year’s Rare Releases.

It’s going Live on the SMWS UK Facebook page or on SMWSSilverscreen, their YouTube channel on May 31st!

The Drams To Be Sampled On The Night Are:

Distillery 36 Speyside Rare Release: A reward for patience
Distillery 5 Lowland Rare Release: Lime and Thyme
Distillery 19 Highland Rare Release: Hazelnut Bubble Gum
Distillery 93 Campbeltown Rare Release: Change faster than a chameleon
Distillery 53 Islay Rare Release: Throw the cork away!

Watch the event Live on the SMWS UK Facebook page or on SMWSSilverscreen, their YouTube channel!

Join the event on their SMWS Facebook Page

Join the event on their SMWSsilverscreen Page

Shop Whiskies from The Scotch Malt Whisky Society

About The SMWS

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society is a club unlike any other.

As well as being a place to connect with other like-minded whisky lovers, they are also internationally renowned for their mission: “to provide our members with an adventurous and fun journey of discovery of the world’s widest collection of single cask whiskies.”

Conceptualised in the late 70’s and established in 1983, the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, now 35 years old, has branches and partners bars in 19 countries globally. The Society has a selection of over 500 casks every year, each cask yielding a few hundred or less whisky bottles which are unique to that cask.

Rather than name their Whiskies after the distillery, the Society has a coding system. The Society also creates fantastic tasting notes summaries for their Whiskies and other bottles. The whiskies are straight from the cask single malt, undiluted, without chill-filtration or colouring at cask strength.

More recently the Society has been named Independent Bottler of the Year in Whisky Magazine’s prestigious Independent Bottlers’ Challenge (IBC) competition.

Sampling Kilchoman Loch Gorm 2022 – An Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky That Is An Annual Treat!

May 27, 2022 by Gary Leave a Comment

Loch Gorm is their only annual limited edition matured entirely in oloroso sherry casks!

The annual ‘Loch Gorm’ from Kilchoman Distillery has once again been released! And Kilchoman has kindly sent me a sample to try. (Thanks kilchomandistillery.com / @Kilchomanwhisky!)

Named after Islay’s largest freshwater loch neighbouring the distillery, Loch Gorm is their only annual limited edition matured entirely in oloroso sherry casks!

The 2022 edition was matured in oloroso sherry butts previously used by Bodega José y Miguel Martín for a minimum of eight years. The 22 casks selected are a combination of 20 fresh and 2 refill casks. (To find out more see my blog post on the release announcement)

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

Kilchoman kindly sent me a sample to try – Thanks!

Tasting Notes – Kilchoman Loch Gorm 2022 – Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (46%)

Nose: Inviting, sweet, peaty smoke hits me straight away – very stimulating to the taste buds! There’s also crisp, green apples with an added citrus zest, plus toffee and a little woodiness.

Palate: Mmm … liquid, fruity smoke with rich dark chocolate mixed in for good measure! The tastiness continues with liquorice, slight blackcurrant and a little citrus.

Finish: Warming, gentle spice, toffee with some tobacco dryness and a slightly antiseptic edge.

Overall: A Fantastic dram and a great dram to round an evening off. Come to think of it … it’s a great dram to begin the evening with and to continue the evening with as well!

Once again, many thanks to kilchomandistillery.com (@Kilchomanwhisky) for sending me the sample!

Kilchoman is available to buy from these Merchants:-

Compare prices for Kilchoman!

About Kilchoman

Kilchoman Distillery is a small family run farm distillery based on the rugged west coast of Islay. The distillery was established by Anthony Wills in 2005, the idea was to build a new distillery which took whisky production back to its roots. Anthony and wife Kathy have been joined by their three sons; George, James and Peter.

Kilchoman Loch Gorm 2022

Kilchoman produces its 100% Islay single malt from barley which is grown in fields surrounding the distillery and completes every stage of the whisky-making process at the distillery, including traditional floor malting. Kilchoman is the only distillery in Scotland to do this.

Since the first bottling was released in 2009, Kilchoman has quickly established itself as a high quality Islay Single Malt Whisky with these notable awards:

– The IWSC 2022 competition – Machir Bay scored 98 points and was awarded ‘Gold Outstanding’. 100% Islay was also awarded a “Gold Award’ and scored 95 points.

– The International Spirits Challenge 2022 – Machir Bay and Sanaig were both awarded Gold Medals.

– Kilchoman’s exceptional quality was recognised at the prestigious International Whisky Competition (IWC) when Anthony Wills was named Master Distiller of the Year 2013.
– In 2016 both core expressions won major awards with Sanaig named Best Single Malt Scotch Whisky – no age statement at the IWSC and Machir Bay came first as Best Islay Single Malt Scotch in the International Whisky Competition.
– Machir Bay was also awarded a Gold Medal in 2015 at the International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC) with Loch Gorm being awarded a Silver Outstanding Medal and 100% Islay a Silver at the prestigious awards.
– Kilchoman won Malt Advocates Artisan Whisky of the Year 2011, only three years after the first bottling was released.

Fèis Ìle Is Back & Kilchoman Celebrates With A Special Festival Release!

May 25, 2022 by Gary Leave a Comment

The Islay Festival
27th. May to 4th. June 2022!

Fèis Ìle is back!

After two years of being restricted to online events, Kilchoman are delighted to be gearing up to welcome everyone back to Islay in person and to celebrate Anthony Wills, Kilchoman Founder, has selected some very special casks!

The 2022 Fèis Ìle is a combination of 5 first fill bourbon barrels filled in 2006, making this a 16-year-old release!

With just 7 casks filled in 2005, these represent some of the earliest casks ever filled at Kilchoman.

Limited to 865 bottles and only available to purchase in person from the distillery shop on the day.

Kilchoman Distillery hosts their Fèis Ìle Day on Thursday 2nd June 2022. Throughout the day there will be various masterclass tastings, tours, activities, live music and entertainment as well as a great selection of drams and whisky cocktails at the bar.

Kilchoman Distillery hosts their Fèis Ìle Day on Thursday 2nd June 2022

Awards

Award season for 2022 is now underway and Kilchoman have been receiving numerous accolades for their core range whiskies.

• The IWSC 2022 competition – Machir Bay scored 98 points and was awarded ‘Gold Outstanding’. 100% Islay was also awarded a “Gold Award’ and scored 95 points.

• The International Spirits Challenge 2022 – Machir Bay and Sanaig were both awarded Gold Medals.

Kilchoman is also available to buy from these Merchants:-

Compare prices for Kilchoman!

About Kilchoman

Kilchoman Distillery is a small family run farm distillery based on the rugged west coast of Islay. The distillery was established by Anthony Wills in 2005, the idea was to build a new distillery which took whisky production back to its roots. Anthony and wife Kathy have been joined by their three sons; George, James and Peter.

Kilchoman produces its 100% Islay single malt from barley which is grown in fields surrounding the distillery and completes every stage of the whisky-making process at the distillery, including traditional floor malting. Kilchoman is the only distillery in Scotland to do this.

Since the first bottling was released in 2009, Kilchoman has quickly established itself as a high quality Islay Single Malt Whisky with these notable awards:

– The IWSC 2022 competition – Machir Bay scored 98 points and was awarded ‘Gold Outstanding’. 100% Islay was also awarded a “Gold Award’ and scored 95 points.

– The International Spirits Challenge 2022 – Machir Bay and Sanaig were both awarded Gold Medals.

– Kilchoman’s exceptional quality was recognised at the prestigious International Whisky Competition (IWC) when Anthony Wills was named Master Distiller of the Year 2013.
– In 2016 both core expressions won major awards with Sanaig named Best Single Malt Scotch Whisky – no age statement at the IWSC and Machir Bay came first as Best Islay Single Malt Scotch in the International Whisky Competition.
– Machir Bay was also awarded a Gold Medal in 2015 at the International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC) with Loch Gorm being awarded a Silver Outstanding Medal and 100% Islay a Silver at the prestigious awards.
– Kilchoman won Malt Advocates Artisan Whisky of the Year 2011, only three years after the first bottling was released.

Leon Webb Joins Tamnavulin As Their New Distillery Manager!

May 25, 2022 by Gary Leave a Comment

TAMNAVULIN ANNOUNCES NEW DISTILLERY MANAGER!

Leon Webb joins Tamnavulin following distillery’s success at Spirit of Speyside Festival!

The award-wining Speyside distillery Tamnavulin has appointed experienced whisky maker Leon Webb as its new Distillery Manager. His arrival further bolsters the distilling team at the world’s fastest growing Single Malt1, which recently won gold at The Spirit of Speyside Awards for Tamnavulin Spanish Grenache Cask.

Leon joined the team in early May, returning to his native Scotland following a period of five years in Canada, working as Master Distiller and Blender for the well-respected Shelter Point Distillery on Vancouver Island, B.C.

Originally from Aviemore in the Scottish Highlands, Leon graduated with an MSc in Brewing and Distilling from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, before embarking on his distilling career in both Scotland and Canada, producing a number of award-winning liquids.

He joins Tamnavulin’s Distiller Sam Douglas and Blender Kirsty Hodge, who has been working closely with the distillery in recent years, as part of the wider Whyte & Mackay Distilling Team, which is headed up by Master Whisky Maker and Blender Gregg Glass.

Leon will be a fantastic addition to Tamnavulin and our Distilling Team. I am confident he will build on all the great work already done at the distillery and make a great contribution to the extraordinary growth of the Tamnavulin brand around the world.

Leon joins Tamnavulin at an exciting time, fresh after the Spirit of Speyside Festival.
– Shane Healey: Distillery Director at Whyte & Mackay

Tamnavulin recently announced the addition of a White Wine Cask Edition to its core range

The single malt brand was brought back to life in 2016 as a quintessential signature Speyside malt whisky. The fruit-forward liquids produced are all double-matured and enhanced through wine cask finishes, released at an affordable price point.

Numerous award wins later – coupled with a rapid growth in demand from consumer and trade alike have quickly established Tamnavulin as a leading example of quality Speyside whisky – testament to a distillery and whisky making team that will be further bolstered by Leon’s experience.

Tamnavulin recently announced the addition of a White Wine Cask Edition to its core range, building on the popularity of the brand’s Red Wine Cask Editions.

Tamnavulin is available to buy from these Merchants:-

Compare prices for Tamnavulin!

About Tamnavulin

On the Southern edge of Speyside, in the foothills of the Cairngorm Mountains, lies Tamnavulin Distillery. Built in 1966, the Distillery takes its name from the Gaelic for ‘mill on the hill’, the distillery was named after the historic woollen mill which still sits next to the distillery. After closing in 1995, the distillery underwent a major refurbishment before it was re-opened in 2007. The first whisky from the newly opened distillery was launched in 2016, much to the anticipation of whisky fans.

Tucked away on the edge of the River Livet, set on the bank of the Allt’ a Choire, Tamnavulin draws water from underground springs in the Easterton hills formed by snowmelt from the surrounding mountains. This water is naturally filtered through ancient limestone rock before reaching the distillery, resulting in some of the purest spring water to be found in Scotland.

The small group of skilled, time-served craftsmen began creating Tamnavulin’s signature Speyside malt whisky over fifty years ago using the finest ingredients combined with age-old distilling expertise and sophisticated techniques.

Since its launch in 2016, Tamnavulin has driven a successful path which has seen it become the fastest growing single malt globally in 2020 (IWSR ‘000’s 8.4L cases) and the no.4 brand by volume in the UK (Nielsen Scantrack/Kantar date to 9th of October 2021).

Join The SMWS “Flavour Hunters” Virtual Tasting – Five Rare Releases – One Great Evening!

May 23, 2022 by Gary Leave a Comment

SMWS Festival Tasting Pack 2022!

JOIN THE FLAVOUR HUNTERS VIRTUAL TASTING!

Get Your SMWS Festival Tasting Pack 2022!

£35.00

Tuesday 31 May, 8pm

Join the Flavour Hunters Festival at home with a virtual tasting pack – tasting and exploring five festival bottles from this year’s Rare Releases.

It’s going Live on the SMWS UK Facebook page or on SMWSSilverscreen, their YouTube channel on May 31st!

Each Festival Pack Contains:

Watch the event Live on the SMWS UK Facebook page or on SMWSSilverscreen, their YouTube channel!

Goto the SMWS Facebook Page

Goto the SMWSsilverscreen Page

More recently the Society has been named Independent Bottler of the Year in Whisky Magazine’s prestigious Independent Bottlers’ Challenge (IBC) competition.

Redbreast Dream Cask Double Cask Edition Released To Celebrate World Whisky Day!

May 20, 2022 by Gary Leave a Comment

Redbreast Dream Cask Double Cask Edition!

Redbreast Irish Whiskey, produced by Irish Distillers at its world-renowned Midleton Distillery in Co. Cork, is launching the fifth edition in its celebrated Dream Cask series to mark World Whisky Day 2022!

Redbreast Dream Cask Double Cask Edition is a 30 year old single pot still Irish whiskey which captures the quintessential Redbreast style while celebrating innovation and craftmanship. The fifth edition represents a truly unique addition to the series, marrying two dream casks, hand selected by Master Blender, Billy Leighton and Blender, Dave McCabe, to create one exceptional whiskey.

To create this extraordinary whiskey, Leighton and McCabe each hand selected their favourite cask from Midleton’s inventory before combining them to create one heavenly whiskey. The first cask, chosen by Leighton, was originally laid down in a first fill oloroso sherry butt in May 1990, while the second – chosen by McCabe – was laid down in a first fill bourbon barrel in November 1991.

Each cask, reflective of the two distinct components of the Redbreast DNA, was chosen at its optimum maturity, then combined to showcase the unique traits imparted by each of the following three decades of ageing.

A 30 year old single pot still Irish whiskey which captures the quintessential Redbreast style!

Bottling these outstanding casks together at precisely the right moment has resulted in an incredibly complex Irish whiskey that harmoniously balances the vanilla sweetness and caramel creaminess from the bourbon barrel and the deep, dark fruitiness from the sherry butt.

With an ABV of 56.9%, the resulting liquid is rich in robust spice with wood-driven characteristics and notes of dark-roasted coffee, sweet liquorice, orange peel and smoked almonds amplified by the wine cask’s influence.
– Billy Leighton: Master Blender

Launching for World Whisky Day, 714 bottles of Redbreast Dream Cask Double Cask Edition will be available exclusively through an online ballot hosted on Redbreast’s online members’ club The Birdhouse at an RRP of €550. Each of the 500ml bottles will be presented in a keepsake book, made from recyclable cardboard*, detailing the latest instalment in the Dream Cask journey.

The ballot will be open for entries from Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, England, Scotland and Wales from 23rd May. When the ballot closes on 30th May, successful participants will be given an opportunity to purchase a limited-edition bottle of Dream Cask Double Cask Edition.

The Dream Cask collection has always been about sharing our most rare and special casks with Redbreast fans around the world and we are thrilled to showcase two distinct casks within this release.

For this 2022 expression, we set out to create a perfectly aged single pot still whiskey that captured the qualities and virtues of its Dream Cask predecessors, but with a new and distinctive twist of marrying these two casks just at the point of bottling. We are delighted with the results and are excited to share this next chapter in the unfolding story of Redbreast.
– Billy Leighton

714 bottles of Redbreast Dream Cask Double Cask Edition will be available

The traditional Redbreast style is so often associated with the influence of sherry casks that we sometimes overlook the role bourbon casks play in its composition. I am honoured to have been able to select my perfectly aged dream bourbon cask for this year’s Dream Cask and to pay homage to that unbeatable harmony that makes Redbreast so special.

We are incredibly fortunate that we have the variety of aged stock at Midleton Distillery to explore and make our dreams a reality. Sharing our discovery with whiskey drinkers across the world is one of the most exciting and joyful aspects of my role to date.
– Dave McCabe: Blender

Tasting Notes

Nose: A rich and complex balance of aromas. A suggestion of dried herbs and earthy tones combine with hints of antique furniture, anise, hazelnut and tobacco. Autumnal fruits, black cherry and cassis build in perfect harmony with oak and sherry wine influences.

Taste: Lucious and full with warming spices and soft tannins at first. Notes of dark roasted coffee, honey-menthol and sweet liquorice follow, complementing the pot still spices. Orange peel and smoked almonds add their own unique and subtle touch.

Finish: Long and satisfyingly rich with the precise balance of fruits, spices and oak lingering until the very end.

Redbreast Whiskey is also available to buy from these online Merchants:-

Whyte & Mackay Celebrates International Success!

May 19, 2022 by Gary Leave a Comment

Tamnavulin Distillery

Whyte and Mackay’s collection of iconic whiskies, led by The Dalmore, was awarded 24 Gold Medals at the International Spirits Challenge 2022!

The whisky house, led by pioneering Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass and Master Distiller Richard Paterson OBE, is the largest growing Single Malt brand owner globally, boasting an impressive portfolio that includes Jura and Tamnavulin.

The Dalmore Distillery

Speyside single malt Tamnavulin once again impressed the ISC judges, securing a Gold medal for each of its five entries, including the recently launched Tamnavulin White Wine Cask Edition.

This is the latest addition to its range of double cask matured whiskies, which also includes gold medal recipients Tempranillo Cask Edition and Spanish Grenache Cask Edition. The distillery, which was established as a brand in 2016, continues to perform well and is the fastest growing single malt worldwide.

Hot on its heels is island distillery Jura, the second fastest growing single malt worldwide[3]. Jura was awarded seven medals by the ISC judges, including four Golds: Jura 18 Year Old, Jura 21 Year Old Tide, Jura 21 Year Old Time, Jura Red Wine Cask Finish. This achievement comes only four years since the historic island distillery was relaunched.

Gold medals were also presented to The Woodsman Blended Scotch Whisky and King of Trees 10 Year Old, created by Whyte and Mackay’s Whisky Works development arm by following a rare maturation process using wood from 200 year old Scottish Oak trees.

In addition to the fantastic success our distilleries are seeing around the world, it’s an honour to continue to receive awards and accolades across our portfolio. This is testament to the hard work our entire team shows every day.

We have plenty of exciting whiskies to be revealed later in the year, which we can’t wait to share with the world.
– Gregg Glass: Master Whisky Maker

Jura Distillery

Award Summary:

Whisky Medal

The Dalmore 15 Year Old Gold

The Dalmore Cigar Malt Gold

The Dalmore Portwood Reserve Gold

The Dalmore Quintet Gold

Jura Red Wine Finish Gold

Jura 18 Year Old Gold

Jura 21 Tide Gold

Jura 21 Time Gold

Tamnavulin Red Wine Cask Gold

Tamnavulin Sherry Cask Gold

Tamnavulin Spanish Grenache Gold

Tamnavulin Tempranillo Gold

Tamnavulin White Wine Cask Gold

Whisky Works King of Tree’s 10YO Gold

Kilchoman Releases Their Annual Limited Edition Loch Gorm 2022!

May 18, 2022 by Gary Leave a Comment

It’s Loch Gorm Day!

The eagerly anticipated Loch Gorm from Kilchoman Distillery is once again ready for its annual release!

Named after Islay’s largest freshwater loch neighbouring the distillery, Loch Gorm is their only annual limited edition matured entirely in oloroso sherry casks!

Kilchoman Loch Gorm 2022

The sherry soaked oak adds layers of rich fruity character which balances beautifully with classic Kilchoman peat smoke and citrus flavours.

Having selected casks that range in age from eight to fourteen years old, this year’s vatting combines both the youngest and oldest casks we’ve selected for recent editions of Loch Gorm.

The freshness of the eight year old casks combined with the layered complexity of the older casks gives it a fantastic balance of rich, fruity oloroso influence which pairs beautifully with the citrus sweetness and peat smoke of Kilchoman.
– Anthony Wills: Kilchoman Founder

Tasting Notes: Kilchoman Loch Gorm 2022

Nose: Intense sweet pipe smoke, followed by waves of freshly cut strawberries and candied lemon peel. Lighter notes of Neroli (orange blossoms), soft toffee and cloves.
Palate: An initial note of dark chocolate and toasted walnuts, gentle tobacco smokiness, hints of caramel and dates accompanied by subtle warming peat smoke.
Finish: Long and evolving with cinnamon and liquorice wood, chocolate bitters and lingering earthy smoke.

Selected casks that range in age from eight to fourteen years old, this year’s vatting combines both the youngest and oldest casks we’ve selected for recent editions of Loch Gorm.

Kilchoman is available to buy from these Merchants:-

About Kilchoman

Kilchoman Distillery is a small family run farm distillery based on the rugged west coast of Islay. The distillery was established by Anthony Wills in 2005, the idea was to build a new distillery which took whisky production back to its roots. Anthony and wife Kathy have been joined by their three sons; George, James and Peter.

Kilchoman produces its 100% Islay single malt from barley which is grown in fields surrounding the distillery and completes every stage of the whisky-making process at the distillery, including traditional floor malting. Kilchoman is the only distillery in Scotland to do this.

Since the first bottling was released in 2009, Kilchoman has quickly established itself as a high quality Islay Single Malt Whisky with these notable awards:

– Kilchoman’s exceptional quality was recognised at the prestigious International Whisky Competition (IWC) when Anthony Wills was named Master Distiller of the Year 2013.
– In 2016 both core expressions won major awards with Sanaig named Best Single Malt Scotch Whisky – no age statement at the IWSC and Machir Bay came first as Best Islay Single Malt Scotch in the International Whisky Competition.
– Machir Bay was also awarded a Gold Medal in 2015 at the International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC) with Loch Gorm being awarded a Silver Outstanding Medal and 100% Islay a Silver at the prestigious awards.
– Kilchoman won Malt Advocates Artisan Whisky of the Year 2011, only three years after the first bottling was released.

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Archives for 2022

■ Distillery 5 Lowland Rare Release: Lime and Thyme

■ Distillery 19 Highland Rare Release: Hazelnut Bubble Gum

■ Distillery 36 Speyside Rare Release: A reward for patience

■ Distillery 93 Campbeltown Rare Release: Change faster than a chameleon

■ Distillery 53 Islay Rare Release: Throw the cork away!

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