Artbeg exhibition evokes 200 years “Past, Present and Future” of Ardbeg’s untamed single malt.

200 years of Ardbeg whisky are to be celebrated in an exhibition which captures the untamed spirit of the world’s smokiest, peatiest single malt. Artbeg, which draws on the Distillery’s past, present and future, comprises a series of complex, layered artworks that evoke the intriguing heritage and unorthodox personality of Ardbeg and its homeland, the small Scottish island of Islay.

The Artbeg exhibition, which can be viewed on the walls of the Distillery and on www.ardbeg.com, marks Ardbeg Day (30th May), a global, annual celebration of all things Ardbeg. This year’s festivities, themed “Past, Present and Future”, are particularly special, celebrating the Distillery’s 200th anniversary.

Artbeg consists of 20 inspiring digital collages created by photographer Peter Heaton, himself an ardent fan of Ardbeg single malt. Heaton found inspiration for his unusual works on a visit to Islay in 2014. By layering photographs of the Distillery and surroundings with material from Ardbeg’s archives, his exhibits encourage the viewer to take a deeper look at the single malt’s heritage and island home.

In one work a striking image of the 9th Century Kildalton Cross, which stands near the Distillery, is layered with a vintage map of Islay and a press clipping alluding to Ardbeg’s renaissance in 1997. In another, the buildings of Ardbeg appear to rise out of archived, handwritten letters sent to the Distillery, as the artist engages with the whisky’s past and present, while hinting at its future.

The exhibition will be displayed on the outer wall of the Distillery’s West Maltings building and a selection of works will also feature on www.ardbeg.com. Distillery visitors will be able to share their impressions of the Distillery on the website by uploading their own photographs.

Peter Heaton said: “I have always had a fascination with Islay and its single malts, particularly Ardbeg. The exhibition interprets the Distillery over time and I wanted to create layered, complex imagery which would encourage people to give the work some time and think about the theme of past, present and future.”

Mickey Heads, award-winning Ardbeg Distillery Manager, said: “This exhibition provides an intriguing twist on the story of Ardbeg – and contains more than a few surprises. The complexity of these remarkable images makes you stop and think about the whisky’s heritage and its future”.

Tastival 2015 Bottling gets Jura in the Festival Spirit

Jura release limited edition Tastival 2015 bottle to celebrate annual island whisky festival

A limited edition Jura Tastival bottling 2015 is unveiled today, marking the launch of the island’s Tastival 2015 celebrations on 27 & 28 May. The intriguing notes of this expertly crafted single malt – casked in Sparkling Rose Wine barriques, exclusive to Jura – deliver a festival of flavour for whisky lovers.

With only 3,970 bottles available, Jura Tastival 2015’s rich and fruity flavour is influenced by its maturation in specially selected sparkling wine barrels from the chalk cellars of the House of Bouvet Ladubay in Saumur, Maine-et-Loire, France. The whisky is non-chill filtered and bottled at cask strength, 52% ABV.

Distilled in 1997 and bottled 18 years later, Jura Tastival 2015, is full of distinctive flavour notes. Fans of the brand may detect raspberries and a hint of spice on the nose, with tangy blackcurrants and ginger spiced pears to taste.

A collaboration with Drygate Brewing Co. will also see a limited edition craft beer released to pair with Jura Tastival 2015, inspired by the aromatic single malt. Made in an extremely limited run, this beer will be available to taste at an on island craft beer session held as part of Tastival 2015, or on tap at Drygate during the week of the festival.

Willie Cochrane, Jura Distillery Manager: “Our annual Tastival celebrations are much anticipated by Jura fans, so it’s fitting that we release an extraordinary, limited edition single malt each year to mark the occasion.

“This year’s festival focuses on bringing taste to life, and Jura Tastival 2015 does just that, with a fruity, character-filled dram, that we’re sure our customers will interpret in a number of exciting ways.”

Jura Tastival 2015 is on sale now for £85 at the whisky festival and from selected whisky specialists.

www.jurawhisky.com

www.twitter.com/jura_whisky

www.facebook.com/jurawhisky

Instagram: jura_whisky 

NOTES                                                             

About Jura:

Jura is an island nestled off the West Coast of Scotland. With only one road, one pub, one distillery and 200 people, Jura is as beautiful as it is remote.

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

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

MEMBER OFFER: EDINBURGH WHISKY SOLSTICE 2015 

The Society and The Whisky Lounge team up once more to put on an absolute belter of a day. A real summer celebration of all things whisky, proving once and for all that whisky really can be a drink for all seasons. As well as a whole carnival of whiskies, expect amazing food, a smattering of delicious ale and a light dusting of cocktails – and all in the stunning surroundings of Edinburgh’s beautiful (and normally private) Queen St Gardens.

Members get entry for two for only £50 – not to be missed!

Details & Tickets >

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

This week Joe Ellis reviews Overeem Port Cask/Cask Strength Tasmanian Single Malt.

https://youtu.be/QwIyfipxtmk

http://Twitter.com/whiskytube

https://www.facebook.com/whiskytube

GLENDRONACH LAUNCHES THE HIELAN’, A REMARKABLE 8 YEARS OLD SINGLE MALT

AWARD-WINNING GlenDronach is today (May 28, 2015) proud to launch The Hielan’, a stunning new 8 years old Highland single malt from its Forgue, Aberdeenshire, distillery.

This innovative expression, specially selected by Master Blender Billy Walker to complement the distillery’s burgeoning range of outstanding malts, has been lovingly matured and married in a combination of the finest bourbon and sherry casks.

The intriguing name is a heartfelt tip of the hat to the extraordinary Forgue distillery, GlenDronach’s spiritual home in the Highlands and one of Scotland’s oldest distilleries. Founded in 1826 by the inventor, pioneer and entrepreneur James Allardice to produce “the guid GlenDronach”, it has been instrumental in creating some of the world’s finest richly sherried malts.

The 8 years-old The Hielan’ is a phenomenal, fragrant whisky, redolent of spices, sultanas, raisins, butterscotch and sweet sherry. Billy Walker’s tasting notes show this remarkable expression, at 46% vol, is set to become yet another stellar GlenDronach.

Appearance: Amber with a burnished copper glow.

Nose: Rounded waves of orange blossom and a citrus twist flow over buttery, golden sultanas, sundried raisins and ripe yellow plums, all dusted with a touch of vanilla.

Palate: Crisp, vibrant oak spices warm soaked sultanas, apricot jam and gingerbread; all rounded by delicate hints of butterscotch, cocoa and toasted almonds.

Finish: Classic sherry overtones with a contrasting crisp dimension demonstrate the complexity of the traditional Highland character.

GlenDronach’s selection of malts ranges from twelve years through fifteen, eighteen, twenty-one and twenty-four to the Recherché at 44 years old, but there was a gap in the market for an 8 years old to lead into the portfolio.

Its sweet, creamy taste and classic sherry signature tell you immediately it is a very fine GlenDronach, a rich and immensely satisfying dram which delivers in the mouth exactly what it promises on the nose.

For more information, go to http://www.glendronachdistillery.co.uk/

ANOTHER JAPANESE MASTERCLASS!!!

Last year we had one hell of a relaxed, unique, never ever ever ever done before Japanese masterclass. The biggest and the smallest distillery in Japan battled in one steaming Masterclass. It became one of last year’s highlights.

This year we are back with yet again an already legendary Japanese Masterclass. We proudly present the ” Shinshu MARS distillery Masterclass” hosted by Japanese Whisky, pop culture, and Japan in general expert: Niels Viveen!

We expect that you can book your Masterclasses in July. Of course only people with a Maltstock ticket can book Masterclasses.
So if you haven’t done so, don’t wait any longer. You will feel more relaxed with a Maltstock ticket.

BILLY ABBOTT – WHISKY EXCHANGE

Billy Abbott from the Whisky Exchange and Speciality Drinks will host one of the Masterclasses.

He will present some really nice expressions from their new range.

We are looking forward to these great masterclasses!! Buy one of the last available tickets. See you at Maltstock

WE ARE RUNNING OUT OF TICKETS!

We are running out of tickets! Please if you want to come to Maltstock be sure and go to our webshop fast.

Buy your ticket at our ticketshop
Be sure you buy your tickets soon, so you can look forward to going to Maltstock in a very relaxed way.

http://www.maltstock.com

Cabins
The cabins were a great success last year! This year, we sold them out within weeks.

Agenda:
25-06-2015, Blauwe Druif Nijmegen – Sietse Offringa Tasting

TO THE INTERNET AND BEYOND!

OUR WEB STORE IS NOW LIVE AND ACTIVE!

We’ve undergone somewhat of an evolution here at Milroy’s this year. When we re-opened in February we were a bricks-and-mortar-store only (admittedly with two magnificiently reviewed bars), before long we were taking mail orders by telephone, then, in a controversial move into the future, by email (who’d have thought!?). Now, begin the drum roll and cue a brass band fanfare, our online shop is now open for business! Finally, you can browse all of the fantastic whiskies and spirits we stock from the comfort of your sofa/office/BT-Openzone wifi spot…

We’ll be adding lots of new exciting products to the website over the next couple of months, not to mention a full list of our tasting events for the rest of the year later this week.

To top it all off we are offering next day delivery for all UK orders (if ordered before 16:00) so you can get your hands on that whisk(e)y a little bit quicker.

Below are a few whisky classics selected by our shop staff to get you started. As always keep an eye on your emails for all your release news and more!

STAFF PICKS

Arran Amarone Cask Finish, 46%

There isn’t much not love about the Arran Malt. This distillery opened in 1995 and has gone on to produce one of Scotland’s finest single malt whiskies. This expression spends the final months of its maturation in amarone wine casks. Amarone is a wine made from semi-dried grapes, the effect that these casks have on the whisky is to give it notes of chocolate coated raisins and freshly picked cherries. The whisky also takes on a rosé-like hue. This is a great drinking whisky for the summer when the heavier malts are less appealing! £39.95

Glendronach 12 Year Old, 43%

We often say that it’s compulsory to enjoy Glendronach to work at Milroy’s, this is largely because it always works its way into staff top ten lists – as contractual obligations go it could be a whole lot worse! The 15 Year Old often steals the limelight but the 12 Year Old has a delightfully soft mouthfeel without compromising on that trademark, rich, Glendronach character. £34.75

High West Rendezvous Rye Whiskey, 46%

Before the recent surge in interest in Bourbon and rye whiskey High West was perhaps a lesser known brand. At the first American whiskey tasting we hosted, we cracked a bottle of this Utah blended rye whiskey open, fast forward a couple of years and it was one of our best selling products. This is rye-to-the-max with near perfect balance, no doubt thanks to the skills of High West’s master blender. High West is also a regular ingredient in the cocktails in The Vault beneath us for the mixologists amongst you! £51.50

2ND AUCTION ENDS TODAY!

The latest auction at whisky.auction ends tomorrow from 7.30pm, so if you haven’t looked at the wide range of whiskies available, don’t miss your chance. To make it easier for bidders, each category has a different end time – this is a great way of simplifying placing your final bids, without having to bid on multiple items in a rush. These are the closing times for each category:

• 7.30pm – Books, jugs, memorabilia and miniatures
• 7.40pm – American, blends, grains, Irish, other whisky and fine spirits
• 7.50pm – Japanese
• 8pm – Islands
• 8.10pm – Lowland
• 8.20pm – Highland
• 8.30pm – Speyside
• 8.40pm – Campbeltown
• 8.50pm – Islay

Highlights from the current whisky.auction:

• Johnnie Walker Celebration Blend 1805 – currently leading the auction, with many Japanese whiskies hot on its heels
• there are plenty of Port Ellen bottles, with some at low prices
• from Highland Park, we have the 40 Year Old and a 1957 Berry Bros & Rudd bottling
• don’t miss out on The Macallan, and the American whiskey selection
• plenty of miniatures, available including The Macallan in Linley Miniatures Trinket Box, Glenfarclas Coronation 1953 and the extended old blends selection
• finally, if you’re looking for everyday drinking whiskies, we have many releases from the 1980s – a great opportunity to explore a style of whisky that is hard to find.

Our next auction will start on Monday 29 June – If you have bottles to sell, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Isle of Arran Distillery Reveals Online Community Selected Bottling

The Isle of Arran Distillery has today announced the release of its first White Stag bottling. Chosen by a panel comprised of White Stag members, only 214 bottles are available worldwide.

In January of this year, a panel of White Stag members gathered in Oran Mor in Glasgow to taste five cask samples. The 10 members of the panel selected the cask without any input from the Distillery team, with their comments forming the tasting notes for the malt. After a spirited evening, the Sherry Hogshead 97/737 was selected. Turning 18 Years old on the 23^rd May, this first White Stag bottling will be available online from the 15^th June.

The tasting notes for this Single Malt promise an enticing dram: A warm and buttery nose with a subtle pear note, nuances of vanilla, marzipan and apricots lead to a smooth palate of chocolate mousse and toasted marshmallows. With a deep finish of chilli and dark chocolate, this complex dram enjoys the Arran hallmarks of citrus and honey making for a strong and rounded experience enhanced by few drops of water.

The White Stags are an online community open to all lovers of the Isle of Arran’s unique single malts. Free to sign up, it has become a thriving online forum with members travelling across the world to meet up for tastings and events. Members also receive the quarterly White Stage Gazette and access to password protected pages with extra tasting notes and advance previews on all Isle of Arran bottlings.

In order to get their hands on a bottle of this exclusive release, whisky fans will need to join the White Stag club online where they will find the coupon code needed to complete check out in the Arran Whisky shop. The bottling will not be available anywhere else. It arrives just as the White Stag club is re-launched with a new logo and calendar of events.

Retailing at £95, and with the bottle proudly emblazoned with the names of those who selected it, the distillery hope for this to be the first of many White Stag bottlings inspired but their dedicated and passionate community. Demand is expected to be high.

To join the White Stag community, go to http://www.arranwhisky.com/stag  .

Notes to editors:

For more information visit http://www.arranwhisky.com/

* Accolades for Isle of Arran Distillery include Winner for: Best New Exporter (2004), Queen’s Award for International Trade (2005), Scottish Distiller of the Year (2007) and Scottish Drinks Producer of the Year (2007.)

Product awards include: Best Whisky Liqueur (2007), ‘Best Single Malt Scotch 12 Years & Under’ for The Arran Malt Amarone Cask Finish (2008) ‘Best Single Malt Scotch 11-15 Years’ for The Arran Malt Sherry Single Cask 1998 (2010) and ‘Best Single Malt Scotch 11-15 Years’ for the Icons of Arran Peacock (2011.) ‘Double Gold Award’ for Arran’s 14 Year Old Single Malt and ‘Gold Award’ for Arran’s 10 Year Old Single Malt at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2012). Double Gold in FiftyBest.com awards (2012). Double Gold Medal for the 12 year-old Cask Strength in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2013). Double Gold for both the 10 year-old and 12 year-old Cask Strength at the China Wine & Spirits Best Value Awards 2014.

www.ralfy.com ruffles a few feathers with Whisky Review 538 – J & B 12yo Pure Malt Scotch