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New Deanston Whisky Arrivals At Edencroft!

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Deanston / 18 Year Old.
£78.50

New Arrivals

Deanston / Virgin Oak.
Deanston / Virgin Oak.
£35.00
Country: Scotland
Region: Highlands
Age: 
Strength: 50.6%

Summary: 

COUNTRY/REGION: Scotland/Highlands.

CATEGORY: Single Malt.

DISTILLERY: Deanston.

BOTTLER: Distillery Bottling.

CASK TYPE: Virgin Oak.

ABV: 50.6%

NOSE: Heady virgin oak, bursting with lemon zest and sweet barley sugar, with delicious notes of apple and nutmeg.

PALATE: A delightful sweetness, evoking memories of candied fruits and vanilla toffee, balanced with heather honey.

FINISH: A satisfying light spice, with a rewarding burst of honeyed malt and sweet oakiness.
Deanston / 12 Year Old.
Deanston / 12 Year Old.
£40.00
Country: Scotland
Region: Highlands
Age: 
Strength: 46.3%

Summary: 

COUNTRY/REGION: Scotland/Highlands.

CATEGORY: Single Malt.

DISTILLERY: Deanston.

BOTTLER: Distillery Bottling.

CASK TYPE: Ex-bourbon casks.

ABV: 46.3%

NOSE: Fresh hays of summer, malty cereal, rich creamy toffee and honeyed heather, balanced with sweet oak and barley sugar.

PALATE: Smooth creamy sweetness with sumptuous hints of fruit, malty honeyed spiciness and soft vanilla.

FINISH: Crisp and satisfying with a tingle of cloves which linger, then gently fade.
Deanston / 16 Year Old 2002 Organic Oloroso.
Deanston / 16 Year Old 2002 Organic Oloroso.
£100.00
Country: Scotland
Region: Highlands
Age: 
Strength: 50.6%

Summary: 

COUNTRY/REGION: Scotland/Highlands.

CATEGORY: Single Malt.

DISTILLERY: Deanston.

BOTTLER: Distillery Bottling.

BOTTLING SERIE: Limited Edition.

DISTILLED: 18th December 2002.

AGE: 16 Year Old.

CASK TYPE: Organic Oloroso Cask Finish.

NUMBER OF BOTTLES: 528

ABV: 50.6%

Inspired by the Industrious Spirit of their founders, the senior blender finished this unique single malt for 2 years in organic oloroso sherry casks. But first he watched patiently, letting it mature peacefully at the heart of the historic distillery for 14 years. The result is a golden dram that offers heady notes of honeyed oak & chocolate-covered toffee.

Limited to 3492 bottles, this deliciously distinctive organic-certified limited edition offers a sweetly lingering finish in every drop.

COLOUR: Light amber gold.

NOSE: Dried fruit, honey, toffee, with hints of sweet malt and citrus.

PALATE: Dried fruit, with hints of toffee and chocolate, honey, rich oak, sweet malt and subtle citrus and spice.

FINISH: Lingering dried fruit and honey.
Deanston / 17 Year Old 2002 Organic PX Cask Finish.
Deanston / 17 Year Old 2002 Organic PX Cask Finish.
£140.00
Country: Scotland
Region: Highlands
Age: 
Strength: 49.3%

Summary: 

COUNTRY/REGION: Scotland/Highlands.

CATEGORY: Single Malt.

DISTILLERY: Deanston.

BOTTLER: Distillery Bottling.

BOTTLING SERIE: Organic PX Finish.

DISTILLED: 2002

BOTTLED: 2020

AGE: 17 Years Old.

CASK TYPE: Organic PX Finish.

NUMBER OF BOTTLES: 3102

ABV: 49.3%

Limited to 3102 bottles, this new release is only the 3rd Organic whisky ever launched by Deanston. Deliciously sweet and a product of their 100% natural process, this is not one to miss.

This limited edition single malt represents 17 years well spent, made with organically sourced barley, the first 14 of which were spent in whisky refill casks. During the finishing, it developed a delicious sweetness, with notes of caramel, maple syrup and sherry soaked raisins.

COLOUR: Burnished copper.

NOSE: Very dry, slightly sulphury notes roll back to reveal sweet dried fruits, raisins and dates.

PALATE: Sweet caramel, mouth coating maple syrup, mixed candied peel and sherry soaked raisins

FINISH: Long sweet finish, fading to honeyed cashews.
Deanston / 17 Year Old 2002 Pinot Noir Cask.
Deanston / 17 Year Old 2002 Pinot Noir Cask.
£110.00
Country: Scotland
Region: Highlands
Age: 
Strength: 50%

Summary: 

COUNTRY/REGION: Scotland/Highlands.

CATEGORY: Single Malt.

DISTILLERY: Deanston.

BOTTLER: Distillery Bottling.

BOTTLING SERIE: Pinot Noir Finish.

DISTILLED: 13th December 2002.

AGE: 17 Year Old.

CASK TYPE: Pinot Noir Finish.

NUMBER OF BOTTLES: 5604

ABV: 50%

One of the new limited editions, this is the first time using this type of cask for Deanston whisky.  Limited to 5604 bottles, this 17 year old single malt is light and crisp with a delicious malty creaminess.

ABOUT 2002 PINOT NOIR CASK: Given that Pinot Noir grapes are good enough to make Champagne, that most regal of sparkling wines, we hoped Pinot Noir casks might be worthy of creating a finish for our soft and honeyed malt. And you know what? They most definitely are. Notes of vanilla, citrus and sweet white wine are delivered with a zing so zesty, you can practically hear them.

NOSE: Light and crisp, orchard fruits followed by creamy vanilla and oak, giving way to a subtle hint of green grape.

PALATE: Dry, acidic, slight maltiness with a rich hit of tannin.

FINISH: Long acidity, giving way to a milk malty creaminess.
Deanston / 18 Year Old.
Deanston / 18 Year Old.
£78.50
Country: Scotland
Region: Highlands
Age: 
Strength: 46.3%

Summary: 

COUNTRY/REGION: Scotland/Highlands.

CATEGORY: Single Malt.

DISTILLERY: Deanston.

BOTTLER: Distillery Bottling.

AGE: 18 Years Old.

CASK TYPE: First-Fill Bourbon.

ABV: 46.3%

This annual batch release is sweet and spicy with notes of barley sugar, gingerbread and a dry, warming finish.

Originally laid down in second fill casks, this 18 year old was finished in first fill Bourbon from Kentucky, before being returned to the heart of our vaulted warehouse at Deanston Distillery. With meter thick stone walls and roof, this unique warehouse ensures a steady temperature that provides year round, smooth and even maturation. The result? The Deanston signature profile, of sweet, honeyed fruit with a deep rich finish, has been amplified to reach perfection – a Deanston 18 Year Old that is the very best that nature, knowledge and patience can provide.

COLOUR: Lemon gold.

NOSE: Quite aromatic, with balanced American oak notes. Floral, malty, grassy, vanilla and honey with hints of tobacco and nutmeg.

PALATE: Sweet and spicy, citrus, barley sugar, gingerbread, Manuka honey and white pepper flavours.

FINISH: Dry and spicy with a warming gingery honeyed tail.

Fettercairn Distillery Launches ‘The Warehouse Collection’ – Their Small Batch Single Malt Whiskies!

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The Warehouse Collection pays homage to the places where Fettercairn comes of age!

Fettercairn Distillery, today, embarks on an exciting new journey, with the launch of its first ever collection of small batch single malt whiskies. The Warehouse Collection pays homage to the places where Fettercairn comes of age, the 14 dunnage warehouses which boast incredible scarce treasures in the form of maturing stock.

Limited to just 3,600 bottles, the first in the Collection, Warehouse 2 Batch No.001 brings together five different cask styles all filled back in 2010 and matured in Warehouse 2, where high humidity combined with a relatively cool and temperate environment makes it mark on the maturing spirit.

Warehouse 2 Batch No.001 brings together five different cask styles

This new release is testament to the guardianship of the distillery team, and the passion and drive of the whisky maker in exploring, uncovering and discovering some of the most awe-inspiring spirit the distillery has available to bottle.

Just as the spirit of discovery has guided the creation of Fettercairn Warehouse 2 Batch No.001, the desire to share the specific details of this discovery process with drinkers and fans has been paramount. By inviting drinkers on this journey, this is a release where nothing is hidden and the fullest transparency is front and centre on the bottle.

For some time, I’ve wanted to share the secrets and treasures which lie within our unique dunnage warehouses at Fettercairn. We’ve had the opportunity to create something quite special with this new collection that celebrates the treasure trove of beautiful casks we have at Fettercairn.

I’m looking forward to whisky drinkers discovering these for themselves. The collection means we can also continue to build on the long history of experimentation and exploration at Fettercairn, which sits firmly at the heart of the series, whilst also starting to reveal what might come next from the distillery.
– Gregg Glass: Whisky Maker

Bottled at a higher strength of 49.7% ABV to preserve the distillery character, Fettercairn Warehouse 2 Batch No. 001 Has been crafted using hand selected first fill American and European oak casks; filled with spirit that flowed from the Fettercairn stills in 2010 and has since been maturing in Fettercairn Warehouse 2. These casks each impart their own influence on the spirit and include unseasoned casks and sherry seasoned butts from Vasyma, sherry barrels from Tevasa, ex-bourbon barrels and Port Pipes.

Fettercairn Warehouse 2 Batch No. 001 is Limited to just 3,600 bottles

Celebrating the distillery’s tropical style achieved from the distinctive copper cooling ring distillation process, Warehouse 2 Batch No. 001 promises an intriguing and rewarding experience. Melon, pear and honey with vanilla and ginger thrill the nose whilst creamy coffee, grapefruit, spiced apple and cinnamon to satisfy the palate.

Fettercairn Warehouse 2, Batch No.001 will initially launch in the UK via The Whisky Shop from 1st March, priced at £55. Wider UK distribution will commence from mid-March and into other key markets including the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and France during March. The Collection’s 2nd release will continue the journey, with availability later in 2021.

Fettercairn Whiskies are also available to buy from these Merchants:-

Tasting notes

Nose
Light, elegant and truly refined as enticing floral notes of fleshy honey dew melon, Doyenne du Comice pear, cape gooseberries and freshly baked brioche covered in Scottish heather honey. In the background ginger spice, creamy caramel, Madagascan vanilla pod and poached peaches

Taste
The alluring aromas are immediately transferred onto the palate as creamy coffee latte, tangy grapefruit segments, spicy apple tart laced with cinnamon and Turkish Delight take centre stage. However with a small edition of cool still water this helps to release another layer of exuberance with warming flavours of Devonshire fudge, vanilla cake, maple syrup and fresh clementines. A compelling whisky of genuine charm.

Sampling The Lakes Distillery Newest Release: “The One” Moscatel Cask Finished Whisky!

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Moscatel adds a new dimension to The Lakes Distillery’s The One whisky!

Seduced by the floral nature of Moscatel wine, The Lakes Distillery has unveiled the latest cask finished expression of The One fine blended whisky.

The One Moscatel has been finished in hand-selected Moscatel wine casks

An uplifting and fragrant whisky, The One Moscatel has been finished in hand-selected Moscatel wine casks from southern Spain. It complements a series of cask finished whiskies which demonstrate the influence oak and cask seasoning has on the flavour elevation of a singular blended whisky.

Similar in style to PX, albeit less sweet, the Moscatel wine is made with grapes from the small town of Chipiona, in the Cádiz province of Andalucía.

Benefiting from the Soleo process – sun-drying the grapes before pressing them – the resulting reduction in water and relative change in sugar level alters the viscosity, flavour and aroma of the juice, giving rise to fresh and floral characters in the cask.

With The Lakes Single Malt at its heart, the blended whisky has been expertly crafted by The Lakes’ Whiskymaker, Dhavall Gandhi, using select Scotch grain and malt whiskies from the Highlands, Speyside and Islay.

The influence of the Moscatel cask creates a delicate and fragrant whisky, perfect for enjoying neat or with a mixer.

… easy to drink on its own but versatile enough to enjoy in a refreshing highball or cocktail!

Using an identical recipe for each expression enables us to showcase the impact oak and cask seasoning has on the whisky’s flavour.

The floral characteristics of Moscatel, in combination with American oak, have transformed the blend into a fresh and uplifting whisky which is easy to drink on its own but versatile enough to enjoy in a refreshing highball or cocktail.
– Dhavall Gandhi: The Lakes Distillery Whiskymaker

Bottled at 46.6% ABV, non-chill filtered and natural colour, The One Moscatel Cask Finished Whisky has a recommended retail price of £48 and is available from LakesDistillery.com from 25th February 2021.

The Lakes Distillery have kindly sent me a sample of their new dram to try (thanks!)

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

Tasting Notes – The One Moscatel Cask Finished Whisky (46.6%)

Nose: Sweet toffee with apples and appetising hints of dry sherry.

Palate: Honeyed, syrupy, cane sweetness with vanilla, toffee. Some fruitiness then starts to break through.

Finish: Clean finish with a little dryness and some pepper. Quite a long finish.

Overall: A morish whisky from The Lakes Distillery with that familiar honeyed sweetness adding to it’s qualities.

A dash of soda will go down well with this dram I think as it offsets the sweetness. But then again, why not sit back, relax and enjoy it as a ‘one-piece’? (See what I did there?!)

The One Moscatel is available now!

Other Lakes Distillery Whiskies (& Gins) are available to buy from:-

About Lakes Distillery

On the shore of Bassenthwaite Lake, near Keswick, in The English Lake District, The Lakes Distillery creates an exceptional collection of whiskies, gins and vodkas and attracts over 100,000 visitors each year.

Twice named ‘one of eight distilleries to visit before you die’ by the World Whisky Day campaign, the visitor centre, bistro and tour has held Visit England’s Gold accolade for the last three years and was voted the Icons of Whisky Visitor Attraction of the Year 2019 by Whisky magazine.

On 7 September 2019, The Lakes Distillery unveiled the first in a series of widely available single malt whisky releases that will showcase their house style, defined by whiskymaker Dhavall Gandhi.

The Lakes’ Story

The Lake District has long been a crucible for creativity, a place in which the imagination can flourish, and it’s no different for The Lakes Distillery. Taking inspiration from the UNESCO World Heritage Site where our state-of-the-art distillery has been built meticulously within a 160-year-old farmstead on the banks of the River Derwent, the idea of distilling being distinct individual elements is not how we look at the art. Rather it is part of a continuum, a net of possibilities where everything is interlinked. Change one element and the effect will change everything else.

Only by understanding how flavours are created throughout the spirit’s journey through the distillery can our whiskymaker fully comprehend the possibilities. That is why, unusually, Dhavall Gandhi is actively involved at every stage. It is holistic whisky-making, to ensure every flavour possibility is achieved.

Find out more about our whisky story at www.LakesDistillery.com

Recent Awards

Named by The London Stock Exchange Group as one of the ‘1000 Companies to Inspire Britain 2020’ and 19th fastest growing brand in Alantra’s 2019 Food and Beverage Fast 50, The Lakes’ portfolio of award-winning spirits includes single malt whisky, blended malt whisky, blended whisky, gin and vodka. Recently, they received the following prestigious World Drinks awards:
2020:
World’s Best English Single Malt Whisky, No Age Statement (Gold Award) – The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.2
International Spirit’s Challenge (ISC), World Single Malt Whisky (Gold Award) – The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.2
International Wine And Spirit Competition (IWSC), Spirit Gold Award – The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.1
2019:
World’s Best Blended Malt Whisky, No Age Statement (Best in English Category) – Steel Bonnets
World’s Best Blended Limited Release Whisky, No Age Statement (Best in English Category) – The ONE Sherry Expression
World’s Best Gin (Gold Award) – The Lakes Gin
World’s Best Gin Liqueur (Gold Award) – The Lakes Rhubarb & Rosehip Gin Liqueur
World’s Best Vodka (World’s Best) – The Lakes Vodka
World’s Best Chocolate Liqueur (World’s Best) – The Lakes Salted Caramel Vodka Liqueur

Game of Thrones Whiskies Sale At The Whisky Exchange!

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SAVE UP TO 29% ON
GAME OF THRONES SINGLE MALT WHISKIES!

GAME OF THRONES WHISKY SALE
The Game of Thrones range of single malts is a collection of whiskies from some of Scotland’s best-known distilleries – including Lagavulin, Oban and Mortlach – at great prices. You can even pick up a batch-strength Clynelish, bottled at 51.2%, for less than £40!
Cardhu Gold Reserve House Targaryen
Cardhu Gold Reserve
House Targaryen
WAS £48.75
Mortlach 15 Year Old Six Kingdoms
Mortlach 15 Year Old
Six Kingdoms
Matured in first-fill ex-sherry casks and ex-bourbon casks, this single malt showcases Mortlac’s weighty spirit in dramatic style. A rich, fruity whisky with notes of fresh cream and woody spice.
WAS £120
Singleton of Glendullan Reserve House Tully
Singleton of Glendullan Reserve
House Tully
WAS £39.25
Clynelish Reserve House Tyrell
Clynelish Reserve
House Tyrell
Earthy, dry and punchy at 51.2% ABV, Clynelish Reserve offers a palate rich with leather, wood and plenty of zesty tropical fruit.
WAS £49.75
Oban Bay Reserve Nigh's Watch
Oban Bay Reserve
Nigh's Watch
Lagavulin 9 Year Old House Lannister
Lagavulin 9 Year Old
House Lannister
Peat smoke mingles with citrus-fruit sweetness and flowing, golden caramel notes in this 9-year-old Lagavulin. Smoky, sweet and vibrant whisky.

Compass Box Releases ‘Menagerie’ – Exploring Scotch Whisky’s Wilder Side!

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A Blended Malt that explores Scotch whisky’s wilder side!

Compass Box Scotch Whiskymaker has launched their latest limited edition Menagerie – a Blended Malt that explores Scotch whisky’s wilder side!

With the Compass Box Whiskymakers continually striving to push boundaries, they were inspired to search out malts with a touch of the wild about them.

A limited edition of 7,741 bottles distributed globally

Underneath fruitiness or maltiness lurk subtly animalic notes, qualities either built in thanks to distillation, or gained from subsequent maturation. By bringing all these elements together Compass Box has created their latest limited edition, Menagerie.

The whisky is a blend of single malts from four distilleries: Mortlach Distillery, Deanston Distillery, Laphroaig Distillery and Glen Elgin Distillery, combined with Compass Box’s Highland Malt Blend. The lead Whiskymaker is James Saxon.

Scotch whisky has a huge variety of flavour profiles – when whiskymaking, we pay attention to those parcels that deviate slightly from fruity, floral and spicy – ones that taste that little bit wilder than others.

And it is these strange and beautiful creatures that we have brought together to create our Menagerie.
– James Saxon: Lead Whiskymaker

Tasting Notes:

Menagerie boasts a complex aroma of baking spices, leather, tar and musky fruits.
The palate is engagingly lush with even more fruit, while oily smoke and forest floor notes linger in the finish.

– Bottled at 46% ABV. Natural colour, not chill-filtered blended malt Scotch whisky.
– RRP: £90 for a 70cl bottle. ABV: 46%.
– A limited edition of 7,741 bottles distributed globally.
– Available from: compassboxwhisky.com

Compass Box is available to buy from these Merchants:-

ABOUT COMPASS BOX

We are Scotch whiskymakers. This word ‘whiskymaker’ is our word – it does not appear in a dictionary. And for 20 years we have been relentlessly focused on reinventing Scotch whisky, with every new blend designed to help make the world of whisky a more interesting place. Of course, we have not done it on our own. We have collaborated with some of the world’s most visionary bartenders and designers to really push the boundaries of what is possible. We have won more awards for innovation than any other producer in Scotland because we are always experimenting. Always looking for sparks of creativity that will deliver something totally compelling, yet completely surprising. Whiskies that just must be experienced. This vision motivates us as whiskymakers. Our blends are consistently rated equal to or better than the great single malts of Scotland by the most respected voices in the industry. Six-time Whisky Magazine Innovator of the Year. 2020 Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame Inductee, John Glaser, Founder of Compass Box.

JOHN GLASER, WHISKYMAKER

American ex-pat John Glaser is the founder and head whiskymaker of Compass Box, the boutique Scotch whisky blending house widely recognised in the industry for their innovative approach to the creation and enjoyment of whisky. John began his career on a path to become a winemaker, before re-routing himself through the corporate world and ending up as a Marketing Director for Johnnie Walker in London. With a desire to do things differently, John started Compass Box from the kitchen of his west London home in 2000 in order to bring the joys of Scotch whisky to more people. From the beginning, his vision has been to create one of Scotland’s finest and most compelling whisky companies, re-imagining the standards for quality and style in the industry. In 2020, John was inducted into the Whisky Magazine’s Hall of Fame. Two decades later, Compass Box now has two blending rooms in London, a team of 20 working internationally and stocks of maturing whiskies in Scotland. In 2020, Compass Box celebrates its 20th anniversary. With a forward-looking approach and unrelenting focus on creativity and integrity, John and his team continue to take forward his mission to make the world of Scotch whisky a more interesting place.

Flora & Fauna, Edradour Exclusives – All New At The Whisky Exchange!

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Diageo’s Flora & Fauna range!

Diageo Flora And Fauna Collection
Far from new but often overlooked, this iconic collection of single malts from Diageo was originally released to highlight the character of some of the company’s lesser-known distilleries and let distillery staff taste the whiskies they made. Now available to the general public – though in some instances increasingly difficult to come by – several Flora & Fauna bottlings are held up as definitive examples.
New Exclusives from Edradour and Ballechin
New Exclusives from Edradour and Ballechin
The Whisky Exchange has released two new whisky exclusives and they’re cracking drams!

They are a pair of sherried drams from Edradour distillery, namely:-
Up-cycling your Christmas drinks part 5 – Cognac & Calvados
Up-cycling your Christmas drinks part 5 – Cognac & Calvados
Part five of our series of blogs on up-cycling your leftover Christmas drinks has landed and i’s packed with ideas for how to use up any Calvados and Cognac yo’ve still got lying around. It turns out both are deceptively versatile drinks/cooking ingredients!
New Riff Barrel Proof Whiskey
New Riff
Barrel Proof Whiskey
The darling of American whiskey since it hit UK shelves back in 2019, New Riff and its no-holds-barred approach to making bottled-in-bond bourbon and rye whiskey has only gone from strength to strength. With that in mind, w’re very excited to have a few recent bottlings of barrel-proof rye and bourbon available right now.

Midleton Very Rare 2021 Released – First Midleton Vintage Whiskey From Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman!

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The First Midleton Very Rare vintage from Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman!

Irish Distillers has opened a new chapter in Irish whiskey as they reveal Midleton Very Rare 2021 – the 38th edition in the renowned and highly collectable range and the first in the series to be masterfully created by Irish Distillers’ new Master Distiller, Kevin O’Gorman!

Kevin O’Gorman took several months to explore the finest casks in the Midleton inventory

The Midleton Very Rare legacy began over four decades ago when the then masters, ever keen to create exemplary expressions, began setting aside small amounts of exceptionally performing whiskey for a new luxury offering in the world of Irish whiskey. Today, Midleton Very Rare is globally renowned as the pinnacle of Irish whiskey.

In keeping with tradition, #MidletonVeryRare2021 is a balanced blend of rare and hand-selected single pot still and single grain Irish whiskeys from Midleton’s extensive inventory. It includes whiskey aged between 15 and 36 years and matured in lightly charred ex-bourbon American oak barrels.

Making his first selection as Master Distiller, Kevin O’Gorman took several months to explore the finest casks in the Midleton inventory as he sought to put his own mark on this eagerly awaited annual limited-edition release. Drawing on his experience in both distillation and maturation, O’Gorman elevated the grain whiskey contribution for the 2021 vintage to create a delicate and elegant whiskey.

In order to maintain a luxurious, balanced aroma and taste profile, O’Gorman selected a perfect mix of first fill and second fill casks to enhance the wood contribution while allowing the pot still component to express itself.

Midleton Very Rare 2021 vintage will be the first to be launched at the start of the year

The result is a whiskey of great finesse, with a floral, perfumed character. The higher selection of grain whiskeys extends the spectrum of flavours and aromas to include baked orchard fruits, lime zest and kiwi, perfectly rounded off with mild pot still spices and soft waves of vanilla from the exceptional bourbon casks.

It is a great honour to become the custodian of this extraordinary Irish whiskey family and to have my signature adorn our 2021 vintage.

The journey to launching this vintage began almost 40 years ago. Continuing the work of my predecessors was both a daunting and extremely enjoyable process that allowed me to explore some of our rarest casks and create an exceptional blend that sits seamlessly within the family.

I am particularly proud to have been able to include distillate that was laid down in 1984, the year the collection was first conceived by Master Distiller Emeritus Barry Crockett, from who I have learned so much.

For me, this vintage adds a new dimension and elegance to the style and quality for which the range is renowned. I couldn’t ask for a better way to begin my chapter as Irish Distillers’ Master Distiller.
– Kevin O’Gorman: Master Distiller

Midleton Very Rare 2021 is available online and in Ireland now!

Beginning a new tradition under the guardianship of Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman, the Midleton Very Rare 2021 vintage will be the first to be launched at the start of the year, in response to consumer demand.

As the new Midleton Very Rare calendar establishes this year, Ireland, online platforms and select markets will retain an allocation for a second sales period in late autumn to ensure availability before the festive period, in keeping with customer expectations.

Bottled at 40% ABV, Midleton Very Rare 2021 is available online and in Ireland now, and will hit shelves in the UK, USA, Global Travel Retail, Australia, Germany, France and Canada in the coming months at the RRP of €180.

Shop online: midletonveryrare.com

Midleton is also available to buy from these Merchants:-

Sampling New Edradour & Ballechin Exclusive Bottlings From The Whisky Exchange – Put Simply – They’re Two Cracking Drams!

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New Edradour and Ballechin from The Whisky Exchange!

The Whisky Exchange has released two new whisky exclusives and they’re cracking drams!

They are a pair of sherried drams from Edradour distillery, namely:-

Established in 1825 and claimed to be the smallest distillery in Scotland, Edradour distillery was traditionally run by three men, but now there are just two. Only eighteen casks are produced each week!

Previously owned by Pernod Ricard, since 2002 Edradour has been owned by the Signatory Vintage Scotch Whisky Company.

The Whisky Exchange has kindly sent me a sample of each to try (Thanks @WhiskyExchange!)

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

Tasting Notes – Edradour 2008 11 Year Old Exclusive Bottling (58.3%)

Distilled on 28/11/2008
Bottled on 08/05/2020
Matured in first-fill sherry butt #372 for 11 years
58.3% ABV
709 bottles
£79.95



Nose: Rich, creamy sherry with generous whiffs of red wine. Add in some green crunchy apples and finish up later with caramel vanilla fudge and that’s a great nose right there!

Palate: Satisfying mouthfeel, cane sweetness and creamy sherry.

Finish: Smooth and punchy but the peppery chilli is held nicely in check via the sherry sweetness.

Overall: I haven’t tasted a sherried dram like this before – it’s highly sherried and very tasty to boot! Highly recommended for those who’ll love a punchy, sherry dram!

Tasting Notes – Ballechin 2005 14 Year Old Exclusive Bottling (58.8%)


Distilled on 15/08/2005
Bottled 08/05/2020
Matured in second-fill sherry hogshead #158 for 14 years
58.8% ABV
296 bottles
£94.95



Nose: Smokey gloriousness! A vintage smokehouse vibe. Coastal, peaty and earthy with polished wood and old library books later on – classy and educational!

Palate: Cane sweetness with some lovely barbecue smokiness and added treacle.

Finish: Warming and full of glow – it’s punchy, peppery warmth goes right down to my toes!

Overall: THAT DRAM IS GORGEOUS! To say I love it is an understatement! It’s smokey but the balance of sweetness allows it to be enjoyed by all, not just the hardcore smoke fans.

The Old & Rare ‘Virtual’ Whisky Show With Free To Watch Masterclasses!

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Four masterclasses live-streamed on Facebook across three days: 25, 26, 27 February!

The famed annual celebration of Old & Rare Whisky is returning, and for the first time will take place virtually.

There will be four masterclasses live-streamed on Facebook across three days: 25, 26, 27 February 2021. Each class will be available to watch for free, with tasting packs available to purchase for those who wish to follow along with the hosts on Zoom.

The show is famed for celebrating the discovery of extremely rare whiskies produced in bygone eras, and this year will be no different.

The show founders – Sukhinder Singh, co-founder of The Whisky Exchange, and whisky experts Angus MacRaild and Jonny McMillan – and Billy Abbott, The Whisky Exchange ambassador, will be joined by a variety of guests to lead the classes, sharing a lifetime of invaluable expertise and passion for old spirits!

WAXY WHISKY MASTERCLASS
WAXY WHISKY
MASTERCLASS
25 February 2021
7pm (GMT)
£200

One of the key hallmarks of older-style single malts is the elusive characteristic we call ‘waxines’. In this tasting, our hosts will be joined by Roe and Co head distiller Lora Hemy and whiskyfun.com creator Serge Valentin to explore this flavour profile in depth with some famous and lesser-known examples.

LONGMORN MASTERCLASS
LONGMORN
MASTERCLASS
26 February 2021
7pm (GMT)
£175

As a single malt, Longmorn has developed a cult following among whisky aficionados as a hidden treasure of Speyside. In this class our hosts will be joined by The Whisky Exchange’s Old and Rare Spirits Manager Diego Lanza and Catawiki whisky specialist Jeroen Koetsier for a deep dive into Longmorn to discover what makes the distillery’s older whiskies so special.

GORDON & MACPHAIL OLD & RARE MASTERCLASS
GORDON & MACPHAIL
OLD & RARE MASTERCLASS
27 February 2021
4pm (GMT)
£150

Gordon & MacPhail’s distillery label bottlings are frequently excellent but are often overlooked. Our hosts will be joined by Diego Lanza and Jason Vaswani from The Whisky Exchange Old & Rare Spirits team to showcase some of the best examples of more recent years, distilled between 1953 and 1972.

OLD-STYLE PEAT MASTERCLASS
OLD-STYLE PEAT MASTERCLASS
27 February 2021
7pm (GMT)
£225

The flavour of peaty whisky has changed over the years. This tasting will dig deep and examine some stunning examples of single malts that express starkly differing aspects of peat flavour. Our hosts will be joined by Scotch Whisky Research Institute senior scientist Frances Jack, and photographer, author and smoky whisky expert Marcel van Gils.

Elixir Distillers’ Gets The Go Ahead For It’s New Islay Distillery!

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Elixir Distillers’ new Islay distillery gets the green light!

The Argyll & Bute council planning committee has granted planning permission to Elixir Distillers to build its much anticipated new distillery in Islay, Scotland!

Born from a love of Islay and its whiskies, co-founders of Elixir Distillers Sukhinder and Rajbir Singh have taken a big leap forward in their dream to build an Islay distillery. The plans combine the best elements of tradition and modernity in both design and production.

Elixir Distillers is a creator, blender and bottler of fine spirits

The news that our planning application has been accepted is fantastic. We’ve worked closely with the Argyll & Bute planning committee to create plans for a distillery that fits into the landscape and supports the community.

We want to create whiskies that inspire both the people of Islay and Islay whisky fans world-wide, enhancing the already glowing reputation of Islay whiskies, while also becoming an integral part of the community.
– Sukhinder Singh: co-founder of Elixir Distillers

The design of the distillery features an exterior that keeps with the traditional look of the other south coast distilleries on Islay, alongside some modern touches that reflect the individual landscape of the site on which it will be built. The interior will include floor maltings capable of supplying over 50% of the full one million LA capacity of the distillery.

Elixir Distillers’ plans include housing on-site, a visitor’s centre and a multi-purpose educational facility. They also intend to create an apprentice programme to train the next generation of distillers, and hope to work with the local community and Scotch Whisky industry to create other initiatives to support the environment and people of Islay.

The next steps for the Elixir Distillers team will be to finalise details of their plans, with the objective of breaking ground in 2021. The name of the distillery will be announced at a later date.

We take great pride in being able to learn, as whisky enthusiasts and use that knowledge as a guide to find and bottle great whisky including our Independent bottlings brands Port Askaig and Elements of Islay.

Having our own distillery will be a fantastic opportunity to apply the same methodology and passion for flavour in a drive to make truly great spirit to enhance the incredible reputation that Islay single malt already has.
– Oliver Chilton: Head Blender at Elixir Distillers


About Elixir Distillers
Elixir Distillers is a creator, blender and bottler of fine spirits, seeking to combine aesthetically beautiful design with delicious, characterful spirits.

Their expertise is primarily Scotch whisky, together with rum, Irish, Japanese and American whiskies and tequila.

Their core brands include Port Askaig, Elements of Islay, Single Malts of Scotland and Black Tot which they export to more than 20 international markets.

Every member of the Elixir Distillers team is a spirits enthusiast with immense product knowledge, looking to produce the world’s next great drink.

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