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Arran 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky Gift Pack

£34.99 – £39.99

Scotch whisky brand anCnoc voted ‘outstanding’ at the International Wine and Spirit Competition  

anCnoc Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky is celebrating after five of its core and limited edition expressions were recognised at this year’s International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC).

The 18 year old malt from the Aberdeen-based distillery scored the highest, winning the coveted title of Gold Outstanding. Matured in hand-selected Spanish oak ex-sherry casks and American oak ex-bourbon casks, the 18 year old’s unique flavour profile stood out for the judges who commented on its layers of complexity and ‘well balanced long, sustained finish’.

Also placing highly was anCnoc’s 22 year old, which impressed the judges with a long finish and ‘silky smooth and beautiful balance’ and won gold, whilst Cutter from the Peaty Collection and the 12 year old won silver.

The prestigious IWSC ceremony, now in its 45th year, sets the international benchmark for quality and recognises excellence in the wine and spirits industry worldwide. Each year it receives entries from many of the world’s top wine and spirit producers in over 90 countries.

Judging for the competition take place in two stages, with a blind tasting by an expert panel drawn from 300 qualified industry judges, followed by a technical analysis before the results are unveiled.

anCnoc Brand Manager Stephanie Allison commented: “We had a very strong performance this year and are thrilled that both our limited edition releases and expressions from the core collection received such recognition from the panel. An IWSC award, particularly a Gold Outstanding, is a badge of quality and distinction which we’re proud to have to our name.”

For further information visit www.ancnoc.com

The Last Chance Luxury Malts

The final stocks of some of the most collectable whiskies in the world are now available to order only at The Whisky Shop. From the luxurious Macallan No 6 and Balvenie Tun 1509 to the closed distillery gems from Rosebank and Port Ellen. If you like collectable whisky, look no further!

The Balvenie Tun 1509 Batch 2

The Balvenie Tun has attracted a cult following all over the world with each release usually selling out within days. Their latest release could prove to be even more popular with only 643 bottles available to purchase within the UK.

This release has been created using 32 casks, 23 of which were American oak and 9 were European sherry. Each cask was hand selected by master blender David Stewart.

£250 Buy Now

The Macallan No 6 – 1824 series

This incredibly rare Macallan has been crafted from a hand selected first fill sherry seasoned oak cask resulting in a whisky that is full of the most luxurious rich flavours imaginable. To match this unparalleled whisky comes the sublime, handcrafted crystal decanter in which the whisky is housed in. Luxury defined!

Limited to one per customer and sold strictly on a first come first served basis.

£2800 Buy Now

Port Ellen 35 year old

Part of the Diageo Special Releases Collection 2014.

A limited edition, natural cask strength single malt from Port Ellen, a closed distillery on the Isle of Islay. One of the most rare and highly sought after malts, this is the fourteenth of a limited series of annual releases and is the oldest release of Port Ellen ever to come from the original distillers. Annual allocation ensures availability of this irreplaceable malt for just a little longer.

£2400 Buy Now

Rosebank 21 year old

Part of the Diageo Special Releases Collection 2014.

A limited edition, natural cask strength single malt which was distilled at the Lowland distillery, Rosebank, which closed in the following year. This is the third limited release in this series and is interesting to compare with the previous 25 year old 1981 and 21 year old 1990 releases.

Distilled in 1992 and matured in refill American Oak casks, there are only 4,530 individually numbered bottles worldwide.

£300 Buy Now

Purr-fect Additions to the Team

We are delighted to announce the arrival of not one, but two furry feline additions to become the Distillery’s Official Mousers.  Purr-fectly named Glen & Turret, they are following in the famous pawsteps of a long and distinguished line of exceptional distillery cats.  Read the full story here and if you want to see more images of our new furry feline friends have a look at our Facebook page.

Glen Scotia 24 Year Old

‘Leather Bound Ledger’ 1991 vinatge single sherry cask bottled 2015 by Wemyss Malts

Buy – $119.86

This week Joe Ellis reviews the Glenfarclas 105 Cask Strength.

https://youtu.be/Euj3CaBZiX0

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CONTRASTING CASKS 

New limited edition packs released from Tomatin Distillery

The Tomatin Distillery Co Ltd has released a limited edition pack of Tomatin Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky called Contrast – a unique comparison of fully matured Bourbon and Sherry whiskies from Tomatin Distillery.

In each pack, there are two 350ml bottles each containing a vatting of casks from 1973, 1977, 1988, 1991, 2002 and 2006, with one of the vattings being from Ex-Bourbon casks and the other from Ex-Sherry casks. Bottled at 46%, both whiskies are non-chill filtered and natural colour, and display greatly contrasting colours and flavours.

Casks from the same six years were selected and vatted by Tomatin’s Distillery Manager, Graham Eunson – “It is well accepted that up to 70% of the final flavour of Scotch Whisky is derived from the cask it was matured in. We wanted to directly compare the effect of different casks on the same whisky – the actual contrast between these two whiskies is far greater than we had anticipated. These are two incredible whiskies which consumers will enjoy comparing side by side in their own home.”

There are 5,400 of this limited edition pack available and it is expected to retail at £99.99. 

Bourbon Matured:

AROMA Golden syrup and honey. Lemon & lime. Almond and macadamia nuts, vanilla and custard.

PALATE Sweet vanilla custard and lemon sponge. Pineapple chunks, raspberries and icing sugar.

FINISH Sweet, fresh and mellow. 

Sherry Matured:

AROMA Toffee-apple crumble, Christmas pudding, raisins and treacle.

PALATE Cinnamon and cloves, peppercorns. Thick cut marmalade.

FINISH Oily, spicy and chewy.

The company has also announced the launch of its final release in the Cù Bòcan Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky Limited Release Trilogy – The Bourbon Edition.

The Bourbon Edition is the third and final release in a trilogy of limited editions showcasing the flavours which make up the standard edition of Cù Bòcan; Sherry, Virgin Oak and Bourbon. The Sherry Edition was released in 2014 and the Virgin Oak Edition earlier this year. Fully matured in First Fill Bourbon casks, this edition is rich and creamy with hints of smoke and sweet citrus.

There are 6,000 bottles available worldwide (except USA) and it is expected to retail at £49.99.

AROMA Toffee and honey are prominent. The smoke is distant at first but continues to emerge and then slowly fades to reveal pineapple and pear drops. A rich and creamy vanilla custard lingers.

PALATE Velvety smooth coconut and vanilla. Milk chocolate covered marshmallows, almonds and toffee. Citrus fruits, especially orange and lime, have a significant presence.

FINISH Long lasting and sweet.

Notes

1. The Tomatin Distillery Co Ltd is a producer and blender of Scotch whisky, boasting a strong core range of single malt whiskies along with a range of popular blends.
2. Website: http://www.tomatin.com/   Facebook: www.facebook.com/Tomatin1897         www.facebook.com/CuBocan Twitter: www.twitter.com/Tomatin1897
3. The distillery was established in 1897, and while historically the whisky produced was primarily sold for use in other brands of blended whisky, the company is now very focussed on growing the Tomatin single malt brand in its own right.
4. Tomatin Distillery also produces Cù Bòcan Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
5. The company’s most popular blends are The Antiquary, The Talisman and Big ‘T’.
6. The distillery is owned by Japanese company Takara Shuzo: http://www.takarashuzo.co.jp/english/index.htm

Linkwood distillery 1997 18 year old 52.3%

252 bottles with only 18 bottles available in London.

Nose: sweet floral notes with some citrus. Pineapple and limes. Palate: long peppery notes start off the palate then its praline chocolates with honey and sweet ripe pears and fresh cut sweet grass. (Summer highlands) Finish: marzipan and coconut, a slightly drying note gives way to Lemmon grass. Astonishing array of flavours from the Linkwood distillery.

Linkwood distillery 1997 18 year old 53.5%

234 bottles with only 18 bottles available in London.

Nose: Sweet with lots of juicy citrus notes ; satsumas and some pineapple chunks. Palate: White chocolate and a little herbal. A touch of spice comes through a growing nutty creaminess. Finish: Refreshing zestiness mingles with light grassy / floral notes.

Is this my favourite or is it the other?? Best settle for both I guess.

Stephen at Cadenhead’s London

THE ENGLISH WHISKY COMPANY HRH Pricess Charlotte

Bottled on the 2nd May 2015 to celebrate the birth of HRH Princess Charlotte in an edition of just 499

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