Whiskey News

Dunville’s: Preserving a Historic Irish Whiskey Brand (Episode 980: November 27, 2022)

Sun, 27 Nov 2022 23:36:13 +0000

During the golden age of Irish Whiskey, Belfast-based Dunville’s was one of the biggest brands on the market. While the brand was almost lost to history, it was revived a decade ago by the family-owned Echlinville Distillery in Northern Ireland. Using vintage sourced whiskies, the Dunville’s brand has been preserved for new generations of Irish Whiskey fans. We’ll talk with Echlinville’s Jarlath Watson about the Dunville’s heritage and building new traditions as the distillery prepares to release its own whiskies starting in 2023.

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Whiskey Review: Whiskey Del Bac Normandie

Sun, 27 Nov 2022 19:00:57 +0000

We review Whiskey Del Bac's Normandie. It's an American single malt made with mesquite-smoked barley and finished in Calvados casks.

Read the full article at Whiskey Review: Whiskey Del Bac Normandie

1947 Varvassi wreck off The Needles was the Island's Whisky Galore PHOTOS and VIDEO - Yahoo Eurosport UK

Sun, 27 Nov 2022 16:00:00 +0000

1947 Varvassi wreck off The Needles was the Island's Whisky Galore PHOTOS and VIDEO Yahoo Eurosport UK

Scotch Whisky Prices Jump as Investors Seek Haven, FT Says - Bloomberg

Sun, 27 Nov 2022 13:32:32 +0000

Scotch Whisky Prices Jump as Investors Seek Haven, FT Says Bloomberg

Why is single cask whisky so expensive?

Sun, 27 Nov 2022 13:03:04 +0000

When I'm in the pub and being introduced to new friends, it isn't long before TopWhiskies comes up in conversation. I'm like a proud parent. Inevitably, a phone comes out, we look at the website, and talk about the single cask whiskies we have in stock.

I think it's fair to say some people may be a bit surprised at the price points. And that's understandable. High-end whisky is a treat, a little luxury in life. But I thought it may be useful to briefly comment on why single cask whisky can be so expensive. So, here are five contributing factors to the cost of single cask whisky.

A quality product

Single cask whiskies are (usually!) of very high quality. If the brand is doing their job right, these are amongst the best examples of a particularly distillery or style you'll find.

High quality bottles mean finding high quality casks of whisky. And such casks don't come cheap. They themselves command a premium. This cost in the fundamental input into single cask whiskies is reflected in the end price. You are buying quality.

Rare and unusual whiskies

Linked with quality is the rarity factor. Not every cask of whisky is good enough to be released as a single cask expression. Indeed, most casks of whisky are not good enough - it's only a small proportion that will make the grade. Rarity influences cask price, which in turn affects the end cost of the bottles.

But there's another angle to rarity. Single cask whiskies are an opportunity to try different, unique, and special whiskies. Those that are a different style. That use a particular type of whisky cask, like port casks. Or that are exceptionally well-aged. Again, these factors mean there are inherently fewer casks that meet the grade.

Artisan releases

Single cask whiskies are artisan releases. Care and attention goes into every aspect of their creation. From selecting the best casks of whisky. Through considering how best to age and finish them. To the bottling process and how they're presented.

And, in line with an artisan product, you're buying something that's inherently limited edition. Exactly how many bottles of whisky are made depends on the size of the whisky cask. But usually there will be only around 300 bottles.

The role of tax and Alcohol Duty

Single cask whiskies can be bottled at any strength, from 40% upwards. However, given the artisan nature of single cask whisky, it is often bottled at high strength. As a broad range, 50% to 60%, ish. Where this is the natural strength of the whisky when emptied from the cask, it is known as 'cask strength'.

Single cask whiskies are usually bottled at high / cask strength as it puts the whisky drinker in charge. They can choose their ideal strength, either enjoying it at the natural cask strength, or adding a little water to bring the ABV down to their preferred strength.

The only catch in this approach is tax. We can never escape tax. And in the case of whisky, as well as standard VAT, producers have to pay 'alcohol duty'. The higher the bottling strength, the more HMRC will take in Alcohol Duty. This means that if you're comparing two bottles of differing strength which are, in every other respect, exactly the same, they will be priced differently.

Alcohol tax in the UK, and therefore payable on single cask scotch whisky, is £28.74 per litre of pure alcohol. So let's look at two examples that illustrate the above point. Let's assume everything about two 700ml bottles of whisky is exactly the same, except one is bottled at 40% and the other at 60%. The Alcohol Duty on the first bottle will be £28.74 x 0.7 litres x 40% ABV, which is £8.05. And the tax on the second bottle will be £28.74 x 0.7 litres x 60% ABV, which is £12.07.

Alcohol tax is a key contributor to the cost of cask strength single cask whiskies. This is particularly true up to the £100 mark, where the combination of VAT and Alcohol Duty will be a sizeable percentage of the total sum. For example, a 700ml bottle of single cask whisky at 60% ABV and priced at £75 will include £12.50 of VAT and £12.07. So, a total of £24.57 goes to HMRC, basically a third of the bottle price in this example.

Small, passionate teams

Single cask whiskies can be released by any brand, including distilleries themselves. But, many of the single cask whiskies you'll find on the market are released by independent bottlers. Indie bottlers specialise in selecting exceptional casks and bottling them as single cask releases.

Many independent bottlers are small companies. In fact, they're often just one, two or three people. A small family business. Run by passionate whisky lovers, who pour their heart and soul into every whisky they bottle.

A small team doesn't necessarily have a direct bearing on cost. Although I would suggest that big companies can drive their costs lower in comparison with small family businesses. But what I would say is that every one of your hard-earned pounds you spend with independent businesses goes a long way. You are supporting someones hopes and dreams. And that, I feel, counts for a lot.

Is single cask whisky worth it?

Yes, single cask whisky can be expensive and is a treat. But yes, single cask whisky is worth paying a, reasonable, premium for. You are buying a high quality rare whisky that is bottled as an artisan product often by small independent family companies. As long as you're buying from a reputable brand or specialist, you are getting great value for your money, with an exceptional whisky to enjoy.

TopWhiskies specialises in independent bottlers and single cask whisky. You can find our full range of single cask whiskies here. And if I can help you with any recommendations, I'd be delighted. You can contact me here.

Thanks for reading, Ed

What is single malt scotch whisky made of? The 3 + 3 Ingredients list.

Sun, 27 Nov 2022 11:59:05 +0000

Single malt scotch whisky is made of three main ingredients: malted barley, water, and yeast. These natural ingredients have been used in much the same ways for hundreds of years. And, where we're talking specifically about what single malt scotch whisky is made of, it has to be these three specific ingredients. You can't use, for example, grains other than malted barley.

Beyond these three main ingredients, there are three further factors at play. They don't meet the traditional definition of an 'ingredient', but they are key to developing a whisky's flavour. These are: oak casks, time, and peat.

Let's look at these ingredients in greater detail.

Malted barley used in making single malt scotch whisky

Malted barley is the source of sugar that the yeast consumes to produce alcohol. It is also one of the key contributors to flavour.

The type of barley used has changed over the years. This change is the result of farming, and developing crops that produce higher yields. In simple terms: more modern crops produce more grains, which means more sugar to create a greater amount of alcohol when fermented.

Heritage barley types

Heritage barley types used in the past include Oxbridge, Prisma, Chariot and Golden Promise. As lower-yield varieties, these are not commonly used today. However, as new artisan distilleries look for heritage crops to revive and experiment with, they may yet see a revival.

Current barley varieties

The most common varieties of barley used today are Belgravia, Concerto, Propino, Quench and Shuffle. The barley can be grown anywhere, the Scotch Whisky Association doesn't state that it has to be Scottish barley. That said, one of the emerging trends that artisan whisky distilleries are adopting to set themselves apart from the competition is to source their barley locally - even to grow it themselves. This "field to bottle" control and transparency helps create a unique, quality whisky.

Modern barley types

Modern barley varieties being experimented with in whisky include Moonshine, Odyssey, Chronicle and Overture. As farmers look for barley varieties that are sustainable, hardy, and high-yield, we can expect the types of barley to slowly evolve over time. More variety then gives distillers more choice as to what they use to make their whiskies.

Creating malted barley

Malted barley is created through a process known as 'malting'. The grains of barley are carefully dampened and laid out on a warm floor. They are then left to germinate - to start growing. As the grain of barley starts to grow, it begins breaking down its store of sugar. It is that sugar which feeds the yeast during the fermentation. Before the barley grows too much, its growth is stopped by heating the grain - and killing the germination. This ensures enough sugar is left for fermentation.

The role of water in making scotch whisky

Making whisky is a water-intensive process. You need a lot of water. So it's no coincidence that whisky distilleries are usually found near springs or rivers. Particularly historic distilleries. As an ingredient, water can be used at three key points in making whisky, during fermentation, before filling casks, and at bottling.

Using water to create wort

Added to the crushed malted barley to create a 'wash', which is then fermented into 'wort'. Wort is like a beer, which can then be distilled to create new make spirit, the starting point for single malt scotch whisky.

Adding water to new make before filling casks

Added to the new make distillate, to bring the ABV of the spirit down to an appropriate level for filling casks. Whether water is added, and if so how much is used, depends on the distillery's chosen filling strength. To give you a rough idea, new make spirit is usually around 68% ABV. Water can then be added to bring the spirit down to 63.5% before a cask is filled.

Adding water when bottling single malt whisky

Added to the matured single malt scotch whisky, before it is bottled. Most whiskies on the market are sold at a reduced bottling strength. 40% ABV is the strength you will see the most often. Mid-range strengths are 46-49%. But unless the whisky is bottled at natural cask strength, by definition at least some water has been added to bring the ABV down.

Sourcing water to use in making whisky

Because water is such a key ingredient in making single malt scotch whisky, where that water comes from can be a key consideration. Many distilleries will protect their water source, trying to gain exclusivity over it. It becomes part of their heritage, their story, and their marketing. For example, sister distilleries Glenfiddich and Balvenie who draw water from the Robbie Dhu springs.

The logic is that the minerals in the water will effect the fermentation process, influencing the flavour profile. Given the distillation process, and recognising the major impact the maturation phase, experts are divided on how important the water source truly is. But certainly purists will argue it is at least one of the variables in creating flavour.

Types of yeast used in making scotch whiskies

Yeast is a fungus. A friendly fungus - humans have used yeast for thousands and thousands of years. It plays a key part in making bread. And, it plays a key part in making alcohol. From beer and cider, to wine, and to whisky - yeast is crucial.

You don't need to add a lot of yeast. Around 2 to 2.5% of the wash volume will be enough for the magic to happen. Once added, the yeast feeds off the sugars present in the malt barley wash to create alcohol and flavour compounds during fermentation. The yeast used during fermentation needs to be able to:

Convert sugar into alcohol (ethanol) efficiently
Create desirable flavours
Survive long enough in a hot, high ethanol and high sugar environment to complete their crucial work
And, remain stable during storage before use

All the types of yeast used in making whisky come from one species: Saccharomyces Cerevisiae. There are different types of yeast that distillers can choose to use, within this species. Most distillers will use a combination of two styles: brewer yeasts and distillers yeasts. By using a combination of the two, they can ensure they use all the sugar in the wash (maximising alcohol) while also producing desirable flavours.

The role of wooden oak casks in making scotch whisky

Fermentation is when a whisky is born. Distillation is where a whisky gains its strength and clarity. But maturation is where the whisky's flavours fully develop.

After distillation, a whisky is clear and colourless. It does have flavour and aroma, and high-quality new make spirit can be delicious. But, put side by side with an aged whisky, it won't have the same depth and breadth of flavour. And, it may be less refined - with more prickle and alcohol heat.

The maturation phase adds flavour, broadens dimensions, and smooths any rough edges. And this maturation phase happens in wooden barrels. The Scotch Whisky Authority regulates that these have to be specifically oak casks. But a range of sizes and types of whisky cask are allowed.

There are two main species of oak used in scotch whisky casks. American oak, Quercus Alba, and European oak, Quercus Rober or Quercus Patraea. American oak softens whisky, and adds notes of vanilla and a creamy character. European oak has a greater wood flavour, with added spice and a dry character.

Looking briefly beyond Scotch whisky, other woods are used. Mizunara oak, Quercus Mongolica, is prized for Japanese whisky. And yes, woods other than oak can be used. Not for scotch whisky, but for other categories. Method and Madness in Ireland have used a wide range of weird and wonderful woods for their Irish whiskey, for example chestnut.

You could well argue that the oak casks aren't so much an ingredient as they are a tool for making whisky. And I'd see what you meant by this nuance. However, I include it in the ingredients list as it does play a more active roll in developing flavour than one may think.

As the whisky interacts with the wood a series of chemical exchanges happen. Some chemicals are removed from the whisky. Some are added. And some interact, developing new flavours. Let's take one example: the vanilla note you'll find in a lot of whiskies (particularly American whiskey). This flavour comes not from the malted barley, water or yeast. It's not created during fermentation or distillation. Instead, it comes from vanillin, a molecule found in wood, which is absorbed into the whisky during maturation. And if you're wondering why this vanilla flavour is particularly prominent in American whiskey, this is because the oak casks used are first fill - and so the effect is stronger.

The oak casks used in making single malt scotch whisky often held something else, before the whisky was added. Often, that was American whiskey - as oak casks are a common byproduct of making American whiskeys. But it can also be other drinks. You can read about the use of sherry casks in making whisky here, and about the use of port casks in making whisky here.

Making single malt scotch whisky takes time

So, if I was stretching the definition of 'ingredients' with the oak casks above, I'm definitely breaking it with this one. But, let me explain. Developing flavour while aging in oak casks takes time. Lots of time. The Scotch Whisky Authority states that a scotch has to be aged for a minimum of three years. But, in reality, many whiskies are aged for much longer than three years. Think about the age statements that you may find in a supermarket: I bet you'll often see '12 Years Old'. And a whisky can go up to 30 years, 40 years, or even older.

So, time plays a key role in making flavour. You have to be patient and let the oak cask work its magic over time. And, given how the length of time the cask is left to age has such a material impact, this is why I include time in this list.

The use of peat in making smokey whiskies

Peat is centuries-old vegetation that has part-decayed and part-survived. It becomes compressed over hundreds of years, into a kind of fibrous dense soil, thick with that old vegetation. It can be cut into brick shapes and then dried.

Peat has long been used as a source of fuel. In Scotland and Ireland in particular, it was burned to provide heat to cook with, boil water with, and keep the home warm. And, peat is sometimes used in making whisky.

It's important to note that not all scotch whiskies are made using peat. Only some. Where it is used, peat is burned to create heat which dries the malted barley, stopping it from growing, and keeping the sugar locked in the grains.

During this process, the peat gives off smoke. Picture that fibrous vegetal soil brick I described, burning on a fire. I bet you can imagine the smoke coming off it. That smoke will gently permeate the drying grains of barley. And some of the smoke particles will remain in the grains, through fermentation and distillation, and into the whisky. This adds a smokey earthy character to the final single malt whisky.

So again, not a typical ingredient, and not a ubiquitous one. But, peat can be used to add an extra flavour dimension to whiskies.

Feeling thirsty?

I hope you've enjoyed this article about the ingredients whisky is made of. If you're feeling thirsty, I have a great selection of single malt scotch whiskies available here. They're all from small independent brands, who are passionate about artisan whiskies made using the very best ingredients.

And, if you enjoyed this article, you may enjoy reading my article about the chemistry of whisky here.

Thanks for reading, Ed

Old Fitzgerald Bottled in Bond Bourbon Review (Fall 2022)

Sun, 27 Nov 2022 10:30:42 +0000

By Richard Thomas

Rating: A

Old Fitzgerald Bottled in Bond Bourbon
(Credit: Heaven Hill)

My first thought when I read about the Old Fitz Bonded coming out this season looked back on when the series was first launched, and how the croakers derided the series as a rip-off, complaining that one of their old favorites had been replaced by an ordinary bourbon with a heavily marked up price tag. As usual, the croakers were wrong, and never more so than they are in Fall 2022.

Old Fitzgerald Bottled in Bond was never ordinary, as the bi-annual series is always bottled in bond and has produced middle aged (12 to 15 years old) bourbon for the most part. Middle aged bourbon ceased to be ordinary when Elijah Craig went from 12 years old to NAS, and middle aged bonded bourbon was never ordinary. Now add that Old Fitzgerald is a wheated bourbon brand. But this current installment underlines why you should never take advise from an anonymous toxic nerd on the internet with a Sharpie, because it’s 19 years old.

I’m not from the school that preaches older whiskey is always better. For example, I’d be the first to tell you Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year Old was consistently too oaky, at least for my taste. Still, it’s worth noting that this oldest-yet Old Fitz is in the same age range or older than all the bottles bourbon fans are so passionate about. Moreover, I think Heaven Hill has a pretty good track record for releasing ultra-aged bourbons that avoid over-oaking, and that was certainly the case with this Old Fitz Bonded 22.

The Bourbon
The look of the 100 proof pour is a deep reddened amber. The nose spoke to the long resting period in white oak straight away. Sharing center stage with the traditional brown sugar and vanilla was a heap of earthy cocoa and hoary leather, these two things tied together by a modest tropical note reminiscent of coconut and jackfruit. The flavor builds on this by morphing the tropical note into something herbaceous, drawing in mint and anise. An oaky current runs throughout the experience, holding steady and never overpowering the pour.

I adored this batch of Old Fitz, so much so that after doing my evaluation I fetched my Norlan Rauk Tumbler and poured myself a double. And then I finished off my sample. The overpowering part of it wasn’t the aged oak; instead, it overpowered my sense of restraint, so I drank the entire 200 ml hip flask sample bottle in a single evening.

The Price
Officially, this bottle is $240. Good luck finding it at that price!

Whisky and wrinkles inspire success for Gray's textiles students - Inverness Courier

Sun, 27 Nov 2022 09:07:02 +0000

Whisky and wrinkles inspire success for Gray's textiles students Inverness Courier

Bimber Debuts First Peated Single Malt Whisky – English Whisky News

Sun, 27 Nov 2022 08:06:25 +0000

Bimber debuts first peated single malt whisky

Bimber becomes first 21^st century English distillery to entirely floor malt and kiln its peated spirit onsite

‘Bimber The 1^st Peated’ displays an ‘in-bottle’ PPM in order to kickstart a new dialogue about what’s actually inside a bottle of peated whisky

London’s Bimber Distillery today announced the upcoming release of ‘The 1st Peated’ – the distillery’s inaugural peated single malt whisky. Crafted from a marriage of four heavily peated American oak ex-bourbon casks, The 1^st Peated is entirely composed from the distillery’s earliest fully peated distillation that took place in May 2019.

The release consists of 1,140 bottles at an ABV of 54.1% and possesses an ‘in-bottle’ PPM of 14.4. Bottles are priced at £130 and will be available via a weighted ballot on the Bimber website from Monday 28^th November.

The 1^st Peated began its journey at Bimber’s single farm (Fordham & Allen in Basingstoke) where 100% of the distillery’s barley is grown. Two-row Concerto was transported to London where it was steeped 3 times over 40 hours before being turned every 8 hours over the following 5 days. The barley was then dried using a combination of dry and wet Aberdeenshire peat by the Bimber team in a custom-made kiln.

The pungently smoked grains were than mashed and fermented for seven days in the distillery’s iconic in-house crafted washbacks, before being unhurriedly distilled using two directly-fired alembic pot stills.

The four casks married together to create The 1^st Peated (#463. #464, #470 and #471), were selected to produce the perfect partnership of Bimber’s fruity and textural single malt whisky style with the intensity of fragrant and smouldering Highland peat smoke.

Speaking of the launch, Bimber Founder and Master Distiller Dariusz Plazewski said “The team and I are truly thrilled to be able to share The 1^st Peated with whisky lovers. This release represents a major milestone on the continued journey of Bimber and of our single malt London whisky. Not only is it the culmination of several years of investigation and passion, but being entirely produced by-hand, in-house – it is also truly embodies our continued dedication to traditional production methods.”

The 1^st Peated is presented with an ‘in-bottle’ PPM, standing in contrast to most other the whiskies which indicate the initial phenolic content of the barley prior to distillation. Distillery spokesperson Matt McKay noted the reasoning behind this decision by stating “For too long the debate about peat levels has been a race to the top. Producers have sought to display the biggest PPM numbers possible without ever trying to contextualise to customers what these numbers mean in terms of the actual peated character of a whisky once it is inside of a bottle.

Barley PPMs ignore the fact that at every stage of the whisky-making process there is a decrease in the volume of phenols present. They also ignore the large variations that distinct production methods across different distilleries have on this inevitable decline. A 50 PPM barley utilised at one distillery will not directly equate to 50 PPM barley used by another. By presenting The 1^st Peated with an in-bottle PPM we’re looking to kickstart a dialogue about PPMs which hopefully leads to a more considered reflection of what’s actually inside a bottle of whisky.”

Bimber The 1^st Peated

A marriage of four heavily peated ex-bourbon barrels (#463. #464, #470 and #471),

Nose: Pineapple juice and apricot cobbler sit alongside creamy toffee whilst damp, feathery smoke envelopes fallen leaves and touches of salinity.

Palate: A weighty arrival delivers immediate peat influence – smouldering logs, leaf mulch and smoked vanilla fudge. The development unleashes a wave of bright, vibrant fruitiness together with wood spice.

Finish: Mentholated oak with lingering vivid fruit sugars.

70cl

14.4 PPM (in-bottle)

54.1% ABV

RRP £130

Available via weighted ballot from 28^th November

About Bimber

Bimber Distillery produces world-class single malt whisky, handcrafted with passion in West London. As a leading distiller of English whisky, we combine generations of rich distilling heritage with the finest quality ingredients to create the ultimate craft whisky experience.

www.bimberdistillery.co.uk

Benriach The Sixteen at The Whisky Shop – Scotch Whisky News

Sun, 27 Nov 2022 08:05:06 +0000

Benriach The Sixteen

For fans of The Ten, this has the same cask make-up yet is elevated in richness and complexity by age

£77.00
PRE-ORDER NOW

Benriach The Sixteen Description

The iconic age statement from Benriach was in recent years not produced due to very high demand, but it is back with a bang! For fans of The Ten, this has the same cask make-up yet is elevated in richness and complexity by age. Matured in a combination of bourbon, sherry and virgin oak, and bottled at 43% abv at natural colour.

Discover a wisp of smoke alongside aromas of baked apples, hazelnut and ginger-spiced apricots, leading to flavours of stone fruits, nutty oak and honeyed malt. Bottled at 43% abv at natural colour.

MORTLACH DISTILLERY 14 Year Old 2007 First Editions Cask #19732 at The Whisky Barrel – Scotch Whisky News

Sun, 27 Nov 2022 08:04:58 +0000

MORTLACH DISTILLERY 14 Year Old 2007 First Editions Cask #19732

2007 vintage single sherry butt bottled by Hunter Liang & Co. for the First Editions series. Just 181 bottles. Expect apples, blackcurrants, and raisins with a rich palate of of berries, dark chocolate, light smoke, and sultanas. A nose of apples, blackcurrants, and raisins. The palate is rich with notes of berries, dark chocolate, light smoke, and sultanas. The finish is long, with lingering fruit.

Buy – Mortlach 14 Year Old – £95 / $94* / €91*

Mortlach Distillery was established in 1823 on the banks of the River Dullan in the Speyside whisky region. Mortlach is equipped with wooden worm tubs, six stills of assorted shapes and sizes and three spirit safes in order to run a unique two and a half times or partial triple distillation process. Official bottling of Mortlach single malt are few, however, independent bottlers recognise the great quality of Mortlach whisky particularly following long maturation in sherry casks. Gordon & MacPahil released a stunning bottling of 70 year old Mortlach single cask malt whisky distilled in 1938 and matured in a single sherry hogshead until bottling in 2009.

Whisky Auctioneer November 2022 Auction Now Live – Whisky Auction News

Sun, 27 Nov 2022 08:03:24 +0000

November 2022 Auction // 25 November – 5 December 2022

Now Live: November Auction

A warm welcome to our November Auction. Featuring over 10,000 rare whiskies, this is a unique opportunity to bid on some of the world’s most sought-after bottles.

This month we feature the Dalmore Decades No.5 Collection for the first time – one of just 15 presentation sets ever produced, wonderful old and rare selections from Bowmore and The Macallan, old-vintage expressions from the likes of Rosebank and Balblair, alongside incredible rare bottlings of Pappy Van Winkle.

Read our exclusive article where we explore the Dalmore Decades Collection.

View a small selection of auction highlights below.

Browse our live auction

A Whisky Auctioneer First – Rosebank 1967 R.W. Duthie for Europvin

“A Masterpiece of Time” – Dalmore Decades Collection

An Islay Icon – Bowmore 1967 Largiemeanoch 12 Year Old

The Macallan Old & Rare Highlights

Islay’s Lost Jewel – Port Ellen 12 Year Old James MacArthur

Blue Run Releases Their Second Rye

Sun, 27 Nov 2022 08:02:33 +0000

Blue Run Spirits has released the second rye whiskey in their line-up, Blue Run Emerald Rye Whiskey. This marks the first Blue Run Rye Whiskey to be contract distilled by Blue Run Liquid Advisor Jim Rutledge at Castle & Key Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky and the first Blue Run Rye to be bottled at barrel proof.

Blue Run Emerald Rye serves as the follow up to Blue Run Golden Rye Whiskey, a Gold Medal winner at the 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Emerald, a limited collection, was crafted from just 189 barrels and embraces the distinct, spicy characteristics of Rye Whiskey, yet with the approachability and depth of a fine Bourbon. Blue Run Whiskey Director Shaylyn Gammon expertly blended Emerald to highlight a myriad of Blue Run’s favorite flavor characteristics.

“This was an incredibly fun project to work on as I asked the Blue Run team what aspects of Rye Whiskey they truly loved,” said Gammon. “I then went about focusing my blend on those key attributes, zeroing in on fragrant herbs, fresh peppers and robust spice. Those three prominent notes provide the foundation for a complex, deep flavor experience all the way through to the finish.”

Adding to the complexity, several Emerald barrels were aged at different locations more than fifty miles apart in Bardstown and Frankfort. The difference in aging environments helped contribute to the blend’s approachability at this high of proof. In addition, Shaylyn crafted Emerald with whiskies born from three different mash bills with varying degrees of the core grain of rye, creating a rich liquid palette for her to work with when applying her award-winning blending skills.

On the nose, Emerald Rye has dreamy butterscotch and creamy caramel leading to toasted oak and spicy peppers. The palate is awakened with a quick hit of buttercream and shishito peppers followed by a blast of apples and pears evolving into a woody sprinkling of cloves and rye spice. The finish will leave you with lasting memories of leather, oak and brown butter.

Blue Run’s signature butterfly medallion on the bottle glimmers with anodized emerald green, making it easily identified by whiskey enthusiasts and collectors alike. Designed by renowned Nike sneaker designer and Blue Run cofounder Devon McKinney, Emerald is the second butterfly medallion in Blue Run’s Rye Whiskey series inspired by precious objects.

Blue Run Emerald is available for $109.99 SRP and is barrel proof at 116.7.

Scotch Malt Whisky Society MANGO & MARMALADE DUO: BUY BOTH TOGETHER FOR £290 – Scotch Whisky News

Sun, 27 Nov 2022 08:01:40 +0000

MANGO & MARMALADE DUO: BUY BOTH TOGETHER FOR £290

38.35 HIBISCUS TEA BENEATH A MANGO TREE & MARMALADE OVERDRIVE

What a combination of flavours and at a very special price. Both bottlings bring different taste experiences to the party and showcase the unique diversity of the Society’s whisky. Being able to sample a Closed Distillery bottling next to a new generation of Society experimental blended malt whiskies is something quite unique. If you do the maths, Cask No. 38.35 is priced at £280 so this is an exceptional offer.

MANGO FOR ME

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ

Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

Three GREAT Peated whiskies for 2023 – Ralfy Whisky News

Sun, 27 Nov 2022 08:00:08 +0000

Three GREAT Peated whiskies for 2023

Robert Mondavi Rye Barrel Aged Red Blend Review

Sun, 27 Nov 2022 07:55:06 +0000

By Richard Thomas

Rating: B+

Robert Mondavi Rye Barrel-Aged Red Blend
(Credit: Richard Thomas)

It wasn’t until after I had already written up Mondavi’s bourbon barrel-aged Cabernet Sauvignon that I learned the winemaker has also released a rye barrel aged red wine. Bourbon barrel-aged wines are a relatively small niche on liquor store shelves, but they are very much an established thing now. Rye barrel aged wines, on the other hand, are not. I wasn’t even aware anyone was using former rye whiskey barrels for aging wine before I was told about the Modavi example, and a cursory look around for other examples revealed only one more.

That said, this expression has been around since at least 2018, so that I hadn’t heard of it can be fairly said to be at least half my own fault. Mondavi also has a rum barrel-aged Merlot, but that is way outside the scope of what we do here on The Whiskey Reviewer.

The Wine
However much I appreciated the vanilla/caramel aspect that bourbon barrel-aged wines take on, I now wonder if rye might not be the way to go. The cookie spices in the rye really sing through, and they complement the dark berry and fruit notes of the wine far better than I think vanilla does.

Take this bottle’s sibling, the bourbon barrel-aged Cab Sav. As much as I like that wine, it’s a little too sweet and syrupy to be put on the table with a meal. It’s best use is for stand alone drinking or maybe with a sweet treat. This rye barrel wine is more rounded, and therefore much better for general purposes… which is the way it should be for a red blend in the first place.

I gave to two Mondavi whiskey barrel wines the same grade, but for different reasons. While the bourbon barrel wine got its marks for really leaning into the bourbon aspects, and thus filling a particular niche well, this rye barrel red blend scores points for just being all-around good.

The Price
You’ll probably find this item for $14.99, but I’ve seen it marked down to $10.99.

Templeton Rye Ships This Year’s Stout Cask Finish

Sun, 27 Nov 2022 06:59:45 +0000

Iowa’s Templeton Distillery has shipped the 2022 Stout Cask Finish expression from their Barrel Finish Series. This Imperial Stout Cask Finish is the fourth expression in Templeton’s Barrel Finish Series, a limited-edition release sold on allocation and not to be missed.

First introduced in 2019, the Barrel Finish Series focuses on utilizing unusual wood treatments and sourcing unconventional flavors to elevate each expression. This year’s release concentrates on providing a fantastic flavor profile of coffee and chocolate, adding depth and complexity to Templeton’s portfolio. Originally matured to perfection for six years in American oak flame-charred barrels, the Stout Cask Finish is expertly finished in bourbon barrel-aged chocolate coffee stout casks for three

Previous expressions from the Templeton Rye Barrel Cask Finish Series include the Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish (2021), the Caribbean Rum Cask Finish (2020), and the Maple Cask Finish Series (2019).

“This year, our Stout Cask Finish expression provides a fresh perspective and has proven disruptive within our Barrel Finish Series, mixing subtle coffee tones with rye pepper and spice,” said Blair Woodall, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Templeton Distillery. “This new-to-market release is sure to elevate any classic cocktail.”

It is available in limited quantities in both the USA and select international markets including the EU for $54.99 (750ml). 46% ABV.

6 OTT luxury advent calendars this Christmas, from diamonds to whisky - Style

Sun, 27 Nov 2022 00:00:10 +0000

6 OTT luxury advent calendars this Christmas, from diamonds to whisky Style

Whiskey Reviews: Pursuit United Blended Straight Rye, Blended Straight Bourbon

Sat, 26 Nov 2022 19:00:46 +0000

We review Pursuit Spirits' Pursuit United Bourbon and Rye. Both are blended straight whiskeys from the team behind the Bourbon Pursuit podcast.

Read the full article at Whiskey Reviews: Pursuit United Blended Straight Rye, Blended Straight Bourbon

Popular online whisky brand to open pop-up store in Fraserburgh - Aberdeen Live

Sat, 26 Nov 2022 14:14:49 +0000

Greater Victoria spirits are high with the return of whisky fest - Sooke News Mirror

Sat, 26 Nov 2022 13:00:00 +0000

Greater Victoria spirits are high with the return of whisky fest Sooke News Mirror

Rick Steves’ Europe: Edinburgh packs a cultural punch - Lumina News

Sat, 26 Nov 2022 11:00:23 +0000

Rick Steves’ Europe: Edinburgh packs a cultural punch Lumina News

Whiskey & Wealth Club celebrates record-breaking quarterly results as it moves into its fifth year

Sat, 26 Nov 2022 08:07:11 +0000

Raise a glass to another rise in results: Whiskey & Wealth Club celebrates record-breaking quarterly results as it moves into its fifth year

With financial markets once again in turmoil, Whiskey & Wealth Club has bucked the trend yet again by recording exceptional results that demonstrate the demand for this alternative asset investment.

The multiple award-winning Whiskey & Wealth Club has reported record results for Q2 and Q3 of 2022, building on its extraordinary growth since being founded in 2018 by Jay Bradley and Scott Sciberras. Despite huge inflation and a drop in investor confidence in the traditional financial markets, Whiskey & Wealth Club has achieved turnover of just under £15,000,000 in Q2 and Q3, an increase of 148% from £5,965,279 in 2021.

While other markets have seen dramatic losses, Whiskey & Wealth Club has gone from strength to strength in challenging conditions. As an alternative asset class, casked whiskey has proven popular with investors looking to put their money into a tangible commodity, with its value tied to its age, quality, scarcity and the reputation of the brand rather than the more volatile performance of the market and the whims of politicians and traders. Along with an extensive knowledge of whiskey, Whiskey & Wealth Club can attribute much of its success to only dealing in casks of whiskey from award-winning and established brands with proven records, including Bladnoch, Bunnahabhain, and Boann.

This extraordinary success was on show at the recent BITA Gala evening where a bourbon cask of single malt from the multiple award-winning The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. sold at auction for an incredible £20,000. Bidders clearly recognised the future value of a cask of single malt from the company responsible for crafting a whiskey judged to be the world’s Best Irish Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards 2022, and the competition for this cask was fierce.

Award wins help bolster the value of casked whiskey – another reason why Whiskey & Wealth Club works exclusively with Irish whiskey and Scotch whisky brands with award-winning prowess. This auction price also demonstrates the value placed on innovatively well-crafted, premium whiskey, with casks typically enjoying annualised returns of around 8-18% based on historical data.

Whiskey & Wealth Club Founder, Jay Bradley said “In the current climate we’re seeing increased interest from clients looking to purchase cask whiskey as a way of spreading their risk and diversifying their portfolio. At Whiskey & Wealth Club we’re seeing demand for the best quality whiskeys soar and we expect this to continue even when the financial markets settle down.”

CEO & Founder Scott Sciberras agreed, “Despite the challenges of the last few years, Whiskey & Wealth Club has surpassed all expectations and demonstrated that our groundbreaking model is increasingly attractive for investors. While financial markets across the world are in turmoil, the growing value of whiskey as it matures is seen as a more reliable asset and brings our clients confidence.”

Whiskey & Wealth Club offers the opportunity to purchase cask whiskey at wholesale prices, with insurance and storage included in the purchase price. After a number of years, the owner can decide on a number of exit strategies, including bottling for their own use, extending the storage period to mature the whiskey further, selling on to another investor or collector, or to an existing brand or new distillery.

This is a fast-expanding market, with Irish whiskey sales in 2021 reaching 14 million cases and the global market size projected to reach $11 billion by 2030. Equally, Scotch whisky is the single most traded spirit in the world, accounting for 75% of Scotland’s entire food and drink export revenue with exports worth over £4 billion annually. Whiskey & Wealth Club is in the process of opening an office in Sydney, Australia to meet the growing demand from emerging markets such as Asia, allowing it to offer the enjoyment and opportunity of cask whiskey ownership to a global audience. With a younger demographic of drinkers turning to whiskey, savvy investors have seen the long term potential in an asset that matures in both taste and value in the cask.

For more information on Whiskey & Wealth Club visit www.whiskeywealthclub.com

About Whiskey & Wealth Club

Whiskey & Wealth Club offers investors, consumers and collectors the opportunity to buy cask whiskey at wholesale prices. The casks are then stored in a secure bonded warehouse to mature for five, ten or even fifteen years, before selling for a profit or bottling. The company was founded on a simple idea: to share the enjoyment and potential rewards of wholesale cask Irish whiskey or Scotch whisky ownership with clients around the world.

Whisky Hammer “Our November Auction ENDS SOON” – Auction Whisky News

Sat, 26 Nov 2022 08:06:37 +0000

Our November Auction ENDS SOON!

Place your bids until Sunday 27^th November.

www.whiskyhammer.com

Every month, we present an incredible selection of whiskies and other fine spirits to our members right across the globe. You will find everything here from limited edition releases and vintage bottles to whole casks of rare whisky. There is certainly something for everyone – whether you are looking to collect, invest or enjoy!

Bowmore – 35 Year Old (1964) Oddbins & 38 Year Old (1964)

Ardbeg – 1965

Karuizawa – 2000 (Single Cask Flower & Bird Series)

Macallan – Private Eye (Gold)

Hanyu – Eight of Diamonds (1991) & Ace of Spades (1985)

Selling whisky? Why not arrange the pick-up of your bottles using our global courier service? If you’re based in Scotland, you might want to arrange the personal collection of your bottles. Wherever you’re based in the world, we will make getting your bottles into our monthly auction as simple as possible. Get in touch with the Whisky Hammer team now by dropping them a message at sales@whiskyhammer.co.uk.

Get the new GlenDronach Cask Strength with Free Delivery

Sat, 26 Nov 2022 08:05:01 +0000

GlenDronach Cask Strength Batch 11

Here are a round-up of bottles at The Whisky Shop, some new, some trending, and some back in stock! GlenDronach’s latest batch of their cask strength series of drams is here at a powerful 59.8% abv and beautifully sherried. Get a bottle of this limited dram whilst we still have some (including FREE DELIVERY too!).

View all New Releases →

Glendronach Cask Strength
Batch 11 2022

The latest batch has been matured in a combination of Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks, bottled at 59.8% abv and showcasing flavours of maple syrup, cinnamon, and milk chocolate combining with notes of dried fruit and marmalade.

£75.00
BUY NOW

This non-age-statement expression has been matured in a combination of Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso sherry casks. The result is a rich, woody, and sherried single malt. This whisky is the eleventh release in the distillery’s Cask Strength series. Bottled at 59.8% abv, the dram boasts a natural deep bronze colour.

This whisky has notes of black treacle, mulled wine, and honey-drizzled nuts on the nose, with some hints of toasted oak coming through. Flavours of maple syrup, cinnamon, and milk chocolate combine with notes of dried fruit on the palate. These flavours move into a long finish full of black cherry, marmalade, and butterscotch.

WIN! Start Your Own Scotch Whisky Collection! - Man of Many

Sat, 26 Nov 2022 08:00:00 +0000

WIN! Start Your Own Scotch Whisky Collection! Man of Many

Scottish whisky Balvenie, Korean artisans collaborate to create art - The Korea Herald

Sat, 26 Nov 2022 07:01:00 +0000

Scottish whisky Balvenie, Korean artisans collaborate to create art The Korea Herald

India’s newest whisky comes from the Himalayas in Jammu - Condé Nast Traveller India

Sat, 26 Nov 2022 06:30:08 +0000

India’s newest whisky comes from the Himalayas in Jammu Condé Nast Traveller India

'Seven out of 10' drunk assaulted police officers - Derbyshire Live

Sat, 26 Nov 2022 05:00:00 +0000

'Seven out of 10' drunk assaulted police officers Derbyshire Live

Winter Village opens in Finnieston - including rooftop bar, Winter BBQ and more - GlasgowWorld

Sat, 26 Nov 2022 01:01:23 +0000

Winter Village opens in Finnieston - including rooftop bar, Winter BBQ and more GlasgowWorld

The Three Whisky Happy Hour: Special Non-Crypto Thanksgiving Edition - Ricochet.com

Fri, 25 Nov 2022 22:40:35 +0000

The Three Whisky Happy Hour: Special Non-Crypto Thanksgiving Edition Ricochet.com

New Zealand’s Cardrona Offers Up A Pinot Cask Whisky

Fri, 25 Nov 2022 22:00:56 +0000

New Zealand’s Cardrona Distillery, celebrating a seventh year of production, recently released a new pinot cask whisky expression.

Read the full article at New Zealand’s Cardrona Offers Up A Pinot Cask Whisky

Laws Whiskey House Launches “Intention” From Its Origins Series

Fri, 25 Nov 2022 21:00:01 +0000

Denver’s Laws Whiskey House recently shared its Intention, the latest expression in the Laws Whiskey House Origins Series.

Read the full article at Laws Whiskey House Launches “Intention” From Its Origins Series

Skrewball Whiskey Gets Festive With New Peanut Butter Eggnog

Fri, 25 Nov 2022 20:00:53 +0000

Skrewball Whiskey, known for its very popular peanut butter flavored whiskey, has introduced a new eggnog in time for the holidays.

Read the full article at Skrewball Whiskey Gets Festive With New Peanut Butter Eggnog

Whisky Review: Rare Perfection 15

Fri, 25 Nov 2022 19:00:52 +0000

We review Rare Perfection 15. It's a 15-year-old Canadian whisky made with a four grain bourbon-style mash bill that aged in a cold warehouse.

Read the full article at Whisky Review: Rare Perfection 15

Old Elk Debuts Its Special Edition 2022 Infinity Blend

Fri, 25 Nov 2022 18:00:58 +0000

Old Elk Distillery in Colorado, operating under the guidance of Master Distiller Greg Metze, recently released the second edition of its Infinity Blend Series.

Read the full article at Old Elk Debuts Its Special Edition 2022 Infinity Blend

Why You Should Buy Costco’s Latest Kirkland Signature Scotch Whisky Releases - Forbes

Fri, 25 Nov 2022 14:29:23 +0000

Why You Should Buy Costco’s Latest Kirkland Signature Scotch Whisky Releases Forbes

Holiday Gift Guide: The Best New Scotch Whisky Of 2022 - Forbes

Fri, 25 Nov 2022 14:25:36 +0000

Holiday Gift Guide: The Best New Scotch Whisky Of 2022 Forbes

Smooth beginner-friendly whiskeys for your first taste of on-the-rocks goodness - Lifestyle Asia India

Fri, 25 Nov 2022 14:16:51 +0000

Smooth beginner-friendly whiskeys for your first taste of on-the-rocks goodness Lifestyle Asia India

The Dublin Whiskey Fire of 1875

Fri, 25 Nov 2022 14:15:00 +0000

The Dublin Whiskey Fire of 1985, also known as The Great Liberties Whiskey Fire of 1875 took place on June 18 that year, resulting in the loss of 13 lives and over €6 million worth of damage in whiskey alone. James Smith, William Smith's father, confirmed at his son's inquest that he was a laborer, single, and 21 years old at the time of his death.

That occurred on Tuesday night. The previous Friday, William and John McGrane met in the north inner city of Dublin at the intersection of Bow Street. Word of a massive fire devouring the Liberties was fast circulating. On June 18, 1875, at 10 o'clock at night, the two young men made the decision to traverse the city to look.

Malone's malt house and a bonded warehouse on Chamber Street, where around 5,000 barrels of whiskey and other alcoholic beverages were being housed, were checked earlier, at 4.45 p.m., and everything was in order. The alarm was set off at 8 o'clock, according to a story in The Irish Times.

COTSWOLDS DISTILLERY WHISKY GIFTS FOR CHRISTMAS - What To Drink Now - Verge Magazine

Fri, 25 Nov 2022 13:21:12 +0000

COTSWOLDS DISTILLERY WHISKY GIFTS FOR CHRISTMAS - What To Drink Now Verge Magazine

How Diageo's recent M&A highlights the innovation changing whisky - just-drinks.com

Fri, 25 Nov 2022 09:34:34 +0000

How Diageo's recent M&A highlights the innovation changing whisky just-drinks.com

Outlander star Sam Heughan gets first UK listing for whisky brand - The Drinks Business

Fri, 25 Nov 2022 09:09:20 +0000

Outlander star Sam Heughan gets first UK listing for whisky brand The Drinks Business

LOCH LOMOND LAUNCHES NEW REMARKABLE MAKERS SERIES

Fri, 25 Nov 2022 08:53:19 +0000

Loch Lomond Whiskies, has announced the launch of the first expression from its new collaborative Remarkable Makers series.

Loch Lomond Distillery Edition 9 Year Old (57.1% ABV) is a single cask single malt Scotch whisky, which has been produced using chardonnay wine yeast.

Loch Lomond Distillery Edition 9 Year Old

Working with liked-minded passionate creators and artisan craftspeople from other industries, the campaign intends to lift the lid on the complex whisky making process by explaining the nuances of its approach and showcasing how the slightest variations in method make incredible differences.

The new Loch Lomond Remarkable Makers Series, launches with its first collaborator, Bread Ahead, a popular London bakery chain, which was selected to show the parallels of whisky and bread making – two age old crafts that use simple ingredients to create maximum flavour.

By taking people on a journey into the world of bread, Loch Lomond and Bread Ahead are helping to educate people on whisky, inspiring a new appreciation for ingredients and bringing to life the method in an innovative and simplified way.

Specifically, the collaboration explains the role of yeast in whisky and uncovers the story of Loch Lomond’s new Distillery Edition, that has been crafted using chardonnay wine yeast, an unusual ingredient in whisky making. Chardonnay wine yeast creates an intense zesty fruit and citrus flavour when added to whisky, and a fresher, sweeter flavour when added to bread.

This first release in the new series is said to capture Loch Lomond Distillery’s innovative approach to whisky making, underpinned by its use of its unique Straight Neck Stills. The only distiller in Scotland to use the Straight Neck Stills, Loch Lomond is able to carefully manipulate the flavour at the point of distillation creating a lighter and distinctively fruit single malt, which is characterised by notes of citrus and orchard. When combined with the chardonnay wine yeast, the fruit flavours become supercharged creating an incredibly intense whisky that appeals to a broad range of whisky lovers.

Commenting on the launch, Michael Henry, Loch Lomond Whiskies’ Master Blender, said: “There is a certain mystery to whisky-making, which is often seen as an infinitely complex form of science and art. While there are just three ingredients in whisky making – water, barley and yeast – there are endless possibilities to explore, with the most subtle changes in method creating distinctive differences in flavour, colour and alcohol concentration.”

He went onto say: “Recognising that most people don’t have the desire to delve into the highly technical details, we are setting out to work with a collection of Remarkable Makers from other industries who exude the same passion and innovation in their fields, as we do in ours. By doing so, we hope to lift the curtain on whisky making, educating consumers in a new way, simplifying the process and taking them into our world through that of other creators.”

Limited to 265 bottles, Loch Lomond Distillery Edition 9 Year Old, is now available from the Loch Lomond Whiskies website, for a RRP of £65.00.

Posted by Steve Rush

TWE Black Friday 2022 Edition review

Fri, 25 Nov 2022 05:52:51 +0000

I’m going to go out on a limb and suggest that throughout the course of today you’re going to hear one thing repeatedly said about this year’s TWE Black Friday release - “It’s just a Caol Ila.” I’m also going to go out on a limb and tell you why I believe that this all too regularly intoned, throwaway dismissal does a disservice to one of the world’s most versatile distillates.

Now Open: Comiskey Distillery Is Eatons Hill's New Vodka, Gin, Rum, Bourbon and Whisky-Making Joint - Concrete Playground Brisbane

Fri, 25 Nov 2022 01:37:17 +0000

Now Open: Comiskey Distillery Is Eatons Hill's New Vodka, Gin, Rum, Bourbon and Whisky-Making Joint Concrete Playground Brisbane

Review: Black Mixcellence: A Comprehensive Guide to Black Mixology

Thu, 24 Nov 2022 19:00:03 +0000

We review Black Mixcellence: A Comprehensive Guide to Black Mixology, by Tamika Hall with Colin Asare-Appiah. It highlights the history of Black bartenders in the United States, and includes 70 cocktail recipes.

Read the full article at Review: Black Mixcellence: A Comprehensive Guide to Black Mixology

Cocaine dissolved in liquid and carried in whisky bottles seized at Mumbai airport - ThePrint

Thu, 24 Nov 2022 17:00:05 +0000

Cocaine dissolved in liquid and carried in whisky bottles seized at Mumbai airport ThePrint

Gareth Bale Becomes Shareholder And Ambassador For Penderyn Welsh Whisky - Forbes

Thu, 24 Nov 2022 14:22:08 +0000

Gareth Bale Becomes Shareholder And Ambassador For Penderyn Welsh Whisky Forbes
Gareth Bale invests in Welsh whisky distiller Penderyn just-drinks.com
Gareth Bale takes ownership stake in Welsh whisky firm Penderyn Wales Online
Gareth Bale makes 'significant investment' into distillery ahead of World Cup Daily Mail
View Full Coverage on Google News

Lidl release limited edition £39 19 year old Ben Bracken Islay whisky - Scotsman Whisky

Thu, 24 Nov 2022 12:18:24 +0000

Lidl release limited edition £39 19 year old Ben Bracken Islay whisky Scotsman Whisky