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Sampling Three Bourbons And A Whiskey – Made In A Way Only A Rebel Can!

September 12, 2023 by Gary Leave a Comment

Three Bourbons & A Whiskey!

Rebel Bourbon (and Whiskey!) was our sampling delights for last Wednesday nights @TweetTastings – once again ably hosted by Steve from The Whisky Wire.

And it was a cracker!

On the sampling menu was:-

Rebel 100 Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Rebel Straight Rye Whiskey

Rebel Bourbon Tawny Port Finish

Rebel 100 Bourbon Cabernet Sauvignon Finish

If you want to catch up on what all the tweet tasters had to say you can view their comments by searching for the hash tag #RebelBourbon on X (Twitter)

So, what did I think?

Here are my tasting notes … and the one which was my favourite on the night!

Tasting Notes – Rebel Bourbon 100 Kentucky Straight (50%)

This member of the Rebel family is bottled at 100 proof/50% ABV, compared to its standard Kentucky Straight Bourbon, which is bottled at 40% ABV.

Rebel 100, which is a wheated bourbon comprised of a mashbill of wheat, corn and malted barley, was matured for at least 4 years in new charred American white oak barrels.

Nose: Lots and lots of orange and syrupy sweetness. Toffee and apple and a little woodiness also getting cherry and furniture polish.

Palate: Love the spicy blood orange! Syrupy sweet with cola and toffee mixed in – perfect for adding ice to!

Finish: Dry peppery finish.

Available to buy from these Merchants:-

Tasting Notes – Rebel Bourbon Straight Rye Whiskey (45%)

ABV: 45%
Age: NAS
Casks: American white oak barrels

Rebel Straight Rye Whiskey, has been produced using a mashbill of 51% rye, 45% corn and 4% malt.

Nose: Very vanillary – cream soda like! Fainter orange flavours than the Kentucky Straight with toffee, some lemon and faint polish.

Palate: Subtler than the previous whiskey but there’s stronger creamy vanilla, sweet liquorice and faint blackcurrant.

Finish: A fruity spicy hit at the end with some more forest fruit flavours and a dry finish.

Available to buy from these Merchants:-

Tasting Notes – Rebel Bourbon Tawny Port Finish (45%)

ABV: 45%
Age: NAS
Casks: Initially matured in American white oak barrels before being finished in Tawny Port casks

Rebel Bourbon Tawny Port Finish, which was the brands third limited-edition cask finish release, launched in 2021, and is exclusive to the UK and select European markets.

Nose: Not giving up it’s secrets easily this one …. a faint, porty colour to this whiskey and after a while there’s some woody toffee, maybe a little cherry. There’s the usual orange and some creamy chocolate.

Palate: Very sweet, creamy chocolate with orange, bags of smooth spice and some menthol – a happy surprise after the ‘shy’ nose!

Finish: Sweet spicy finish with some porty additions.

Available to buy from these Merchants:-

Tasting Notes – Rebel Bourbon 100 Bourbon Cabernet Sauvignon Finish (50%)

ABV: 50%
Age: NAS
Casks: Initially matured in American white oak barrels before being finished in Cabernet Sauvignon wine casks

Launching in the UK this autumn. RRP: £40.00

Only 6,000 bottles are being produced!

Nose: ‘Tis a woody one for sure … apple and some cherry pie with a vanilla pastry!

Palate: Sweet pastry with fruit filling including vanilla, orange and hints of lemon and cherry – a sweet woodiness with gentle spice and kinda morish!

Finish: A healthy spice finish tops off a cracking bourbon!

Available to buy from these Merchants:-

My Favourite On The Night

1. Rebel 100 Bourbon Cabernet Sauvignon Finish
2. Rebel 100 Kentucky Straight Bourbon

The Sauvignon Finish took me by surprise actually – I wasn’t expecting this to be my favourite but I found the menu of flavours intoxicating!

Many thanks to Steve at The Whisky Wire (@TheWhiskyWire / @TweetTastings) for a great evening and @ChapmanPoolePR for sending the samples.

And of course, Rebel Bourbon (@ChapmanPoolePR), without whom!

My fellow Tweet Tasters on the night were:-

@TheWhiskyWire @1_womans_whisky @LeaskPatrick @redessa @PadWhisky @whiskyrover @GascoyneNick @Whisky_And1 @neatdrams @whiskeychap @KingsofYearron @whiskyRubhach @drinkersite @ocdwhisky @MaltWhitson @dramofwar @WhiskyWings @sprungatom @Whisky_Rich @FiShoop @mynameisgone @whiskytip @exploringwhisky

Fettercairn Releases Their 2023 Limited Edition 16 Year Old Whisky!

September 12, 2023 by Gary Leave a Comment

For 2023, Fettercairn have delved into their treasure trove of stock to offer a characterful whisky that has enjoyed maturation in first fill ex-Port Pipes and fully matured ex-Bourbon casks!

Pioneering Single Malt Whisky Distillery Fettercairn has unveiled the fourth annual release of their limited-edition 16 Year Old expression. For 2023, Fettercairn have delved into their treasure trove of stock to offer a characterful whisky that has enjoyed maturation in first fill ex-Port Pipes and fully matured ex-Bourbon casks!

Demonstrating the skill and imagination of the Fettercairn whisky makers, the 2023 edition of Fettercairn 16 Year Old offers a finely balanced spirit that accentuates the beauty of the distillery’s unique tropical style.

Bottled perfectly at 46.4% ABV (non-chill filtered), Fettercairn 16 Year Old presents with a rich, golden amber, in natural colour. To smell, warm aromas of tropical fruit are layered with berry fruits, rich cacao, sugared almonds and floral top notes.

Fettercairn 16 Year Old 2023 edition

To taste, expect to enjoy seasonal blackberries and raspberries which interweave with natural vanilla and caramel notes. Soft plum is balanced with fresh baked ginger cake and cherries while aged oak spice accentuates the tropical house characteristics.

Fettercairn 16 Year Old and its rolling annual maturation series was created for curious whisky lovers who were keen to explore more from the innovative distillery and their unique, tropical house style.

Located at the foothills of Scotland’s Cairngorm’s, Fettercairn not only use the crystal-clear mountain water as an ingredient, their stills are drenched in it from the outside, thanks to a distinctive and unique copper ring which adorns the top of the still. This cools the copper, allowing only the finest vapours to rise and ultimately achieves Fettercairn’s light spirit which popularly suggest notes of mango, orange, banana and pineapple.

First launched in 2020, each annual limited-edition release has enjoyed expert experimentation in creation, through a range of finishes and malts under the careful watch of award-winning Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass1 and the talented team at Fettercairn.

The 2022 release brought together a maturation combination of Oloroso, Pedro Ximenez and ex-Bourbon casks, while the second release in 2021, enjoyed maturation with first and refill Oloroso and rare, aged first fill Palo Cortado Sherry butts. The inaugural release in 2020 was a distillate of chocolate malted barley, initially matured in American white oak ex-Bourbon casks, before enhancement in select sherry and port casks.

Beyond experimental releases such as the Fettercairn 16 Year Old, the Warehouse Collection and the pioneering innovation of the Scottish Oak Matured Fettercairn 18 Year Old2, Fettercairn has yet more to explore. The distillery also offers a select collection of rare and aged whiskies, including 40, 46 and 50 year old expressions, as well as the core 12, 22 and 28 Year Old expressions.

Fettercairn 16 Year Old 2023 edition will be available from September, priced at £82 for a 70cl bottle, from premium specialist whisky retailers in key markets including the UK, France and Germany. A 1 litre version will be available for selected markets, including Travel Retail.

Compare prices for Fettercairn!

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

About Fettercairn – fettercairnwhisky.com

Fettercairn Distillery is a hidden gem – a Single Malt Scotch Whisky Distillery located in the heart of a thriving agricultural community, Aberdeenshire – ‘The Garden of Scotland’.

A spark of whisky making ingenuity is what makes Fettercairn special. A sense of wonder has been a constant theme back to 1824, as illustrated by our beautiful copper cooling ring, which produces a uniquely tropical style of new make spirit, and our Scottish Oak Programme from which we developed our Fettercairn 18 Year Old Scottish Oak.

Today we continue to take a progressive outlook and make new unexpected journeys in flavour led whisky making. We invite curious whisky lovers and connoisseurs to explore and enjoy Fettercairn Single Malt.

About Gregg Glass- Master Whisky Maker – Icons of Whisky Distiller of the Year, Scotland 2023

Respected whisky maker Gregg Glass joined Whyte and Mackay in 2016, where he has been a leading light in the rejuvenation of Fettercairn alongside Distillery Manager Stewart Walker.

Gregg enjoyed a childhood in the heart of whisky making country, the Black Isle. With 22 years in industry notably 11 years at innovative whisky maker Compass Box, Gregg joined Whyte and Mackay in 2016 to work alongside renowned Master Distiller Mr Richard Paterson OBE.

Gregg has enjoyed 15 years career as a blender and whisky maker. At Whyte and Mackay Gregg has led whisky development for Fettercairn Single Malt Whisky, Jura Single Malt Whisky and in 2017 launched Whisky Works – an independent innovation wing of Whyte and Mackay.

Gregg is devoted to his craft and believes in flavour-led hands-on whisky making. Gregg is passionately involved in every aspect of the whisky making process from ‘acorn to glass’ and since 2020 leads whisky making across the Whyte and Mackay portfolio.

Award-Winning Whisky Makers Whyte and Mackay

Whyte and Mackay is home to a collection of multi-award-winning Single Malt Whiskies including The Dalmore, Jura and Fettercairn. With a premium spirits portfolio that includes contemporary whisky brands Shackleton, Woodsman and John Barr, alongside popular alcohol brands Wildcat, Fundador and Harveys Bristol Cream and Aperitivo. In the UK the company produce Whyte & Mackay, an award-winning ever-popular Blended Whisky, which recently launched the market-leading ‘Whyte & Mackay Light’ – a lighter spirit drink from Scotland, bottled at a lower ABV.

In 2020 the company were publicly recognised by the First Minister of Scotland for their support of the national pandemic response. Whyte and Mackay are official partners to SAMH – Scottish Association for Mental Health, which saw Whyte and Mackay employees worldwide complete a virtual-race-around-the-world to raise awareness for the charity.

Founded in Glasgow 1844, the whisky makers celebrated their 175 year anniversary in 2019. Today Whyte and Mackay have offices from New York to Singapore. In Scotland, Whyte and Mackay operate a state-of-the-art Bottling Hall and Distribution Centre in Grangemouth and a Whisky Production and Warehousing Centre in Invergordon.

Whyte and Mackay’s whisky making is led by Master Distiller Richard Paterson OBE and pioneering Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass.

Isle of Harris Distillers To Release The Island’s First Single Malt Scotch Whisky – And You Are Invited!

September 7, 2023 by Gary Leave a Comment

Isle of Harris Distillery

Become a part of Scotch whisky history and join Isle of Harris Distillers at 2:30pm on Friday 22 September for the first taste of The Hearach, the first single malt Scotch whisky ever released from the Hebridean isle of Harris!

Inviting people from across the world to witness the inaugural dram of this historic malt, the Tarbert-based distillery will be hosting a live stream via its website, allowing lovers of malt whisky and the Isle of Harris to join the ceremony and be part of this momentous occasion.

Isle of Harris Distillers are known for their iconic Scottish Gin

The Hearach, named after the Scottish Gaelic name for a native of Harris, has been hand crafted by a local team on the Isle of Harris. Each and every element of the malt whisky symbolises the incredible location it calls home – distilled, matured, married and bottled by Hearachs, its flavour has been strongly influenced by its island home and is a spirit of complexity and character.

In the first reveal of the bottle and the distinctive whisky it holds, the event on Friday 22 September will bring together people from across the world, united by a passion for whisky and a desire to support the Harris community, a desire which lies at the heart of everything the distillery does.

Live Gaelic singing performances will also mark the occasion, alongside speeches from a number of the team, before the first dram is tasted.

The Hearach has been many years in the making, so we’re delighted to be able to share it with the world later this month. A delicious single malt, it encapsulates the feel and flavour of life on Harris, bringing the island to lovers of fine spirits in much the same way as our ever-popular gin does.

Most importantly though, as with our gin, it has been created with the future growth of the island in mind – from employment opportunities to wider support of the island economy. We look forward to marking the occasion in true Harris style, with a cèilidh joined by friends from near and far.
– Simon Erlanger: Managing director at Isle of Harris Distillers Ltd

Opened in 2015, the distillery was built to act as a symbol of hope and optimism for the Harris community

The first seven batches of The Hearach single malt will be available to purchase on Saturday 23 September at 10am, both online via the Harris Distillery website and at the distillery itself. The whisky will then be made available from October in bars, restaurants, and specialist retailers across the UK and in over 20 countries globally.

With queues anticipated at the distillery on 23 September, visitors are advised to dress for the island weather but will be kept warm with entertainment from the distillery team.

Opened in 2015, the distillery was built to act as a symbol of hope and optimism for the Harris community by creating sustainable jobs for local people and supporting the wider island economy for generations to come.

Starting life with a team of just 10 locals, today the distillery family numbers some 48 full-time staff, making the Tarbert-based business the biggest private employer in Harris.

The distilling team is testament to the company’s commitment to the development of young people’s careers, with four distillers with an average age of 25 making whisky under the mentorship of head distiller, Norman Ian Mackay.

For more information on The Hearach or the Isle of Harris Distillery, visit harrisdistillery.com

Powers Irish Whiskey Launches Brand-New Permanent Expression – “Powers John’s Lane Cask Strength!”

September 5, 2023 by Gary Leave a Comment

Powers John’s Lane Cask Strength!

Proudly honouring the history of Powers Irish Whiskey, Irish Distillers is excited to announce a new, permanent expression to the Powers family, Powers John’s Lane Cask Strength!

Launching 12 years after the introduction of Powers John’s Lane whiskey, this twelve-year-old cask strength edition will be batch-released each year.

A celebration of the 18th and 19th century heritage of John’s Lane Distillery when Powers whiskey was sold straight from the barrel at cask strength, the higher abv, 57.8% in the initial 2023 release, amplifies the much loved full bodied character of the original, reaching new flavour heights.

Born from the same meticulous attention to detail that created Powers John’s Lane whiskey, the distillers at Midleton Distillery in Cork have crafted Powers John’s Lane Cask Strength, a highly anticipated release.

Characterised by soft pot still spices that are integral to the flavour profile of the Powers brand, the intensity in the cask strength edition is magnified to create a wonderfully complex liquid. An initial medley of rich aromatic woodland notes intertwines with worn leather and tobacco, before cocoa, treacle toffee, crushed black peppercorn, and dried herbs assail the senses.

Bold pot still spices mingle with creamy vanilla, manuka honey and warming notes of nutmeg on the palate, before a wonderful spice-laden finish of toasted oak coated in a gentle honey sweetness.

Powers John’s Lane Cask Strength will be available on general release from 2 October!

A brand of firsts, Powers whiskey continually challenged the old way of doing things and advocated careful experimentation throughout the years.

With a rich heritage that goes back to its establishment in 1791, John’s Lane Distillery’s well-earned reputation is brought back to centre stage with the launch of this new permanent cask strength Powers expression.
– Eric Ryan: Powers Distiller

Powers John’s Lane Cask Strength will be available exclusively at the Palace Bar in Dublin until its general release on 2 October, when it will be available in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Dublin Airport and online at MidletonDistilleryCollection.com at RRP €90.

Powers Whiskey is available to buy from these Merchants:-

Tasting notes:

Aroma: An intense medley of woodland aromas intertwined with worn leather and tobacco. Layers of charred wood and cocoa meet with concentrated treacle toffee while the pot still spices continue to build towards additional notes of black peppercorn and dried herbs.

Taste: Rich pot still spice facets trailed by creamy vanilla, manuka honey and dried apricot. Additional nutty notes of freshly grated nutmeg work in harmony with the sweet wood-derived elements and bold spice intensity.

Finish: Toasted oak wrapped with honey sweetness that gently recedes, leaving the distillate-led nature of the spirit to endure until the end.

About Irish Distillers

Irish Distillers is Ireland’s leading supplier of spirits and wines and producer of some of the world’s most well-known and successful Irish whiskeys. Led by Jameson, our brands are driving the success of Irish whiskey globally. Jameson is the world’s fastest-growing Irish whiskey, achieving +10% net sales growth globally in FY23. Our brands are exported to 130+ markets around the world.

Irish Distillers was formed in 1966, when a merger took place between John Power & Son, John Jameson & Son and Cork Distilleries Company. In 1988 Irish Distillers joined Pernod Ricard, gaining access to unprecedented levels of investment and an extensive global distribution network.

In 2022, we announced a multi-million euro investment in a carbon neutral roadmap for Midleton Distillery in addition to our plans to invest in a new distillery on a site adjacent to our existing operations in Midleton.

We employ over 800 people across our operations in Cork and Dublin.

“Peat smoke carried on a coastal breeze!” – The Latest Whiskies From The SMWS!

August 31, 2023 by Gary Leave a Comment

Peat smoke carried on a coastal breeze
Cask No: 53.438

New Arrivals From The Scotch Malt Whisky Society!

Old & Dignified

Cigars, sauternes and sautéed sultanas
Cask No: 66.246
Cask Type: refill ex-sherry butt
Distillery: Ardmore
Origin: Scotland
ABV: 51.8%
£475.00

Qty left: 18

Spicy & Dry

Crème brûlée, butterscotch and blowtorched bananas
Cask No: 12.74
Cask Type: 1st fill HTMC barrel
Distillery: Benriach
Origin: Scotland
ABV: 59.2%
£125.00

Qty left: 54

Peated

Peat smoke carried on a coastal breeze
Cask No: 53.438
Cask Type: refill ex-bourbon hogshead
Distillery: Caol Ila
Origin: Scotland
ABV: 60.9%
£65.50

Qty left: 60

Deep Rich & Dried Fruits

Fruit wallop
Cask No: 13.103
Cask Type: 1st fill ex-oloroso hogshead
Distillery: Dalmore
Origin: Scotland
ABV: 60.4%
£74.10

Qty left: 72

Juicy Oak & Vanilla

Vanilla crescent cookie
Cask No: 73.151
Cask Type: 2nd fill ex-bourbon barrel
Distillery: Aultmore
Origin: Scotland
ABV: 59.6%
£64.80

Qty left: 72

Peated

Elasto-peat
Cask No: 4.360
Cask Type: 1st fill ex-bourbon barrel
Distillery: Highland Park
Origin: Scotland
ABV: 62.8%
£65.00

Qty left: 78

Deep Rich & Dried Fruits

Raisin toffee jam
Cask No: 2.138
Cask Type: 1st fill ex-oloroso butt
Distillery: Glenlivet
Origin: Scotland
ABV: 55.0%
£102.00

Qty left: 78

Spicy & Sweet

Angelica’s tangy explosion
Cask No: 35.333
Cask Type: 1st fill ex-bourbon barrel
Distillery: Glen Moray
Origin: Scotland
ABV: 60.4%
£57.00

Qty left: 78