The Best Whisky and Bourbon Documentaries

Bourbon enthusiasts rejoice! Whisky and bourbon has made a comeback recently in full force. From whisky themed bars and restaurants to underground speakeasies to references in pop culture, the effects are everywhere. With its rich history and significant taste, it’s no wonder this alcohol has come into the spotlight.

In the the past few years, a number of interesting documentaries have been released that stand out as high quality stories of the liquid that is, as the Irish say, “Uisge Beatha” or the Water of Life. For those interested in not only consuming whisky, but also its historical and cultural significance across time and location, these are the best whisky and bourbon documentaries out there.

Great Scotch Whisky (2006)

This documentary takes the viewer on a tour of Scotland to appreciate the legends of whisky in the place that invented it. The fantastic cinematography allows you to travel through the famously beautiful and lush Scottish countryside while learning about the subtle tastes and variances that go into the legendary Scottish whiskies like Glenfiddich, Bowmore, Lagavulin and more. For those who want to uncover the complexity of Scottish whiskies, celebrate their own Scottish heritage, or just want to get taken away to the romantic British Isles, this documentary can make an expert out of a novice.

Addicted to Pleasure: Whisky (2012)

In this one-hour episode of the BBC’s Addicted to Pleasure series, Brian Cox explores not only the way that scotch whisky gave Scotland pride and cultural identity, but also caused great struggles with alcoholism and abuse during the rapid urbanization following the industrial revolution. For those interested in human history and sociological-type topics, this documentary explores the making of a national identity through industry, joy, and pain.

Bourbontucky (2015)

One of the newest additions to the story of alcohol across the world comes in a documentary about Kentucky Bourbon and the people who make it. Bourbontucky made its debut on Direct TV’s Audience Channel in late January in 2015, after an exclusive premiere event at a secret Los Angeles Speakeasy. The documentary centers on the culture and craft of Kentucky Bourbon and the distillers and historians who take pride in their work. It has become more than just a job to them, however – it’s now a way of life.

Whisky: The Islay Edition (2010)

This 2010 hour-long documentary is for those who are especially interested in the process of making whisky itself, and takes the viewer to the world-famous distilleries on Islay Island in Scotland. Called the “Capital of Whisky”, Islay Island is home to eight distilleries that produce some of the highest quality whiskies in the world. This film details the unique processes in each distillery and also introduces viewers to the little known island.

Made and Bottled in Kentucky (2003)

Kentucky bourbon has a rich history beginning in the 18th century when immigrants to the United States began distilling. This film explores the history and process of making Kentucky Bourbon what it is, from the ruins of destroyed distilleries to the functioning distilleries of today. Originally filmed to celebrate Kentucky’s Bi-Centennial, it was released on DVD nationally in 2003.

Rumrunners, Moonshiners and Bootleggers (2002)

This History Channel documentary explores the Prohibition era with a special focus on oral history. Individuals once participating in rum-running and crackdowns on illegal production of alcohol provide personal accounts of one of the most tumultuous times in American history. For the crime history enthusiast and prohibition-era buffs, this documentary offers a peek into the history of alcohol like no other.

It’s a great time to be a whisky drinker, and all this informative entertainment is a great sign that we’ll continue to see interest in this spirit soar in the near future. Much like interest in craft beer has spread to TV shows and other media, increasing public interest and thus the proliferation of more and more breweries in the US, it seems craft bourbon and whisky makers could also soon benefit from this groundswell of attention. Cheers!

Is the World Really Running Out of Bourbon-Whiskey?

By Mai Bantog

With the news of an impending bourbon and whiskey shortage to happen in the next few years, it has been reported that bourbon enthusiasts have resorted to hoarding large stockpiles of their favorite drink inside their basements in order to protect themselves from the expected dearth.

They might have good reason to do so, of course, as domestic sales of bourbon from Kentucky alone, home to 95 percent of the world’s bourbon production, have increased by 36 percent in the last five years. The US Distilled Spirits Council also noted a rise in exports by 56 percent from 2010. Though bourbon suppliers have so far been able to keep up with demand, fears of scarcity continue to persist because of bourbon’s required years of aging—at least four years for regular bourbons, longer for premium ones.

The demand from the international market is also driving the prices up for this whiskey variant that was once dubbed as a ‘Southern gentleman’s drink.’ According to The Guardian, Maker’s Mark has considered watering down its bourbon in 2013 to meet rising demand, though the management eventually changed their minds. Even industry experts from Tennessee remarked that bourbon sales were outpacing production by two to one. Based on these facts alone, the feared bourbon shortage seems, from the outside, to be imminent and inevitable.

Bourbon producers have a reason for monitoring production closely. In the 1970s, the industry ramped up production, only to have demand suddenly drop and leave unsellable bottles of bourbon in their warehouses. It took decades for them to recover, so that when sales started to pick up at the turn of the millennium, bourbon and whiskey makers have learned their lessons.

In spite of the caution bourbon makers are exercising, many craft distilleries are entering the market to sell artisanal liquors, helping curb demand in the spirits industry. A prime example is Portland-based Eastside Distilling, Inc. (OTCQB: ESDI), which recently went public and produces two award-winning bourbons called Burnside Bourbon and Burnside Oregon Oaked Bourbon. Eastside’s 96-proof Burnside Bourbon won a gold medal in the MicroLiquor Spirit Awards. The company takes their award-winning Burnside Bourbon and continues the aging process for another 60 days in a brand new 59-gallon heavy-charred Oregon oak barrel, adding new and subtle flavors to an already great-tasting bourbon.

Both large and small distilleries are also investing in various measures to expand production and meet growing bourbon and whiskey demands. In August 2014, spirit giant Diageo increased its stake in the bourbon sector by making its Bulleit bourbon and rye whiskeys at a new Kentucky distillery slated to start production in late 2016. Expansions have also occurred at Jim Beam, Wild Turkey, Evan Williams, Maker’s Mark Woodford Reserve, and Buffalo Trace.

Eastside Distilling is also planning to expand its operations, moving to a new 41,000-square foot state-of-the-art facility in the Distillery Row area of Portland, Oregon. The modernized location is planned to have 27,000 square feet of operating space to meet growing demand. “This new distillery and tasting room will reflect our passion for creating premium, master crafted spirits,” stated Steven Earles, CEO of Eastside Distilling. “It will provide the additional capacity needed for continued growth, as well as deliver favorable economies of scale as we expand.”

While whiskeys that take more than 20 years to age, like Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year Old, might disappear from the market at what might be expected to be exorbitant prices, this shortage may be speculative and will likely not affect the mid-range bourbon suppliers, as they ramp up production and invent new ways to improve the flavor profiles of younger bourbon.

“Teeling’s World’s Best Grain Whiskey Comes to America”

Unique bottling of Irish Single Grain Whiskey is launched

The US whiskey industry is known for its corn/grain based whiskey but the current world champion of this category comes from Ireland. The innovative Teeling Whiskey Company, who have already released their award winning Small Batch Rum Cask finished Irish whiskey to critical acclaim, are now launching their new Single Grain Irish whiskey into the American market. This release is to help drive the selection and breadth within Irish whiskeys at a time of growing interest in the United States for more innovative, unique and flavorsome Irish expressions.

Teeling Single Grain is one of only a handful of single grain bottlings in the world. The whiskey is made by combining unique ingredients, with maize/corn dominating and uses modern column distillation to produce the whiskey, which is exceptionally clean and smooth with a touch of sweetness. Jack Teeling, founder of the Teeling Whiskey Company, commented, “It’s a little known fact that the majority of Irish whiskey sold is actually Grain whiskey so we feel it is interesting to have expressions of Single Grain whiskey in its own right. Our Teeling Single Grain is representative of our aim to help drive the expansion of the Irish whiskey category through unique bottlings and expressions.”

The new whiskey has not gone unnoticed. Teeling Single Grain Irish whiskey was recently awarded World’s Best Grain Whiskey at the World Whiskey Awards for 2014. First held in 2007, the World Whiskies Awards, run by Whiskey Magazine, search for the very best whiskies in the world. This competition saw more than 300 whiskies put through their paces with three rounds of rigorous tastings, to win the coveted title of the “World’s Best”.

The Teeling family whiskey heritage dates back to distilling in Dublin in 1782 and Walter Teeling who set up a distillery in Marrowbone Lane in the Liberties. Jack and his brother Stephen, Sales & Marketing Director, are just the latest generation of Teelings involved in the Irish whiskey industry. While initially starting out as an Independent bottler their aim is to bring Teeling Whiskey home by establishing the first new whiskey distillery in Dublin in over 125 years.

Teeling Single Grain Tasting Notes:

Color: Naturally dark copper ‘berry’ red

Nose: Spicy with fruit notes intermingling with an underlying sweetness

Taste: Strong spice at the start evolving into rich red berries, fruit and tannin on the finish

Finish: Dry finish dominated by wood and spice

The depth of character in Teeling Single Grain is from the maturation in the California Cabernet Sauvignon barrels. This creates the deep amber color and contributes to the spicy notes and lush red berry and grape flavors.

Like all Teeling whiskeys it is bottled at 46% with no chill filtration allowing for all the natural flavors of the whiskey to be retained. Teeling Single Grain will be available nationally with an SRP of $49.99 for a 750ml.

World’s Best Grain Whiskey 2014 – Teeling Single Grain Irish Whiskey – Judges Comments

•     Good balance of sweetness and dryness providing a framework for their flavours to emerge – Ian Wisniewski
• Custard, brûlée, gentle warmed oak and candied, dried fruit. Tropical, almost leathery. Juicy and full mouthfeel, grain flavours layered with sweet plum. Lengthy finish – Seáneen Sullivan
• Sweet, rich, mellow with soft spices on the nose. Buttery, butterscotch, excellent maturity. Long lasting finish and perfect balance between sweetness and dryness. – Ludo Ducrocq

http://www.worldwhiskiesawards.com/teeling-single-grain.22228.html

About the Teelings:

The Teelings have being crafting Irish whiskey since 1782 when Walter Teeling had a distillery on Marrowbone Lane in The Liberties of Dublin. At this time there were over 37 different distilleries in Dublin alone in particular centralized in the industrial engine room of the city: The Liberties; the Coombe, Newmarket and Smithfield.

Get ready for an eventful month

In like a lion, out like a…busier lion…

The holidays have long since settled, we’re braving winter’s snowy blasts (Boston, you deserve all the whisky), and now we’re just waiting for Spring to send up its first shoots. March is one of those months you usually just have to buckle down and get through, but for us things are already heating up. Check it out.

We’re going on tour

One great thing about making whisky is hanging out with you great people, so we’ve filled our calendar with you in mind. First up, it’s the Indie Spirits Expo @ Whisky Live DC. Then it’s off to NYC for Village Voice’s Choice Eats, and we’ll wrap up March with Whiskey Rebellion in Cambridge. Check out all the details here.

Come for the whisky…

When you come to visit us later this year (yes, this year!) you are going to be floored. We’ve worked for months to design a space in which you can immerse yourself in the single malt experience, from learning and seeing how it’s made, to tasting everything we have (and will have) to offer. Updates on Facebook or Insta.

Spreading like wildfire

We’ll be bringing our whisky to more of our devoted fans. We can’t announce it officially just yet, but we’re adding some new markets (yes, markets) in the next month, so stay tuned for the announcement. And remember, as we grow, you can always go here to find everywhere we’re sold and served.

A small, traditional malt whisky distillery in the heart of Virginia.

MARCH TASTINGS

New List Open Tasting >  19 Greville St, London – Sat 7 Mar

Steak & Whisky Tasting > 19 Greville St, London – Mon 9 Mar

Mother’s Day Brunch > The Vaults, Leith – Sun 15 Mar

St Patrick’s Day > 19 Greville St, London – Tue 17 Mar

Irish Whiskey Tasting > The Vaults, Leith – Thu 19 Mar

Sheffield Preview Tasting >  Leopold Hotel, Sheffield – Fri 20 Mar

Scotland v Ireland Tasting Lunch > 28 Queen St, Edinburgh – Sat 21 Mar

New Members Tasting > 19 Greville St, London – Tue 24 Mar

Whisky and Alechemy Beer Tasting > 28 Queen St, Edinburgh – Wed 25 Mar

Cheltenham Preview Tasting > Hotel du Vin & Bistro, Cheltenham – Fri 27 Mar

Dundee Preview Tasting >  Malmaison, Dundee – Fri 27 Mar

Inverness Preview Tasting >  Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness – Fri 27 Mar

Leeds Preview Tasting >  Malmaison, Leeds – Fri 27 Mar

Outturn Preview Tasting > The Vaults, Leith – Tue 31 Mar

Browse All Tastings >

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

www.ralfy.com rolls out the barrel for big spenders with Whisky Review 524 – Advice on buying a cask of whisky

RARE CASK RESERVES GHOSTED RESERVE

Rare Cask Reserves Ghosted Reserve is the first release from the ghosted casks series. This rich, creamy masterpiece offers notes of almond oil and zesty citrus fruit. Blended from a combination of whiskies from long closed distilleries Inverleven and Ladyburn, which have been closed since 1991 and 1975 respectively.

One of only 4100 individually numbered bottles were created, and only 1200 are available to purchase in the UK.

£350 Buy Now

When Brian Kinsman, Master Blender, was given access to the Grant family’s private collection of unique and revered whiskies, he was given free rein to create truly individual expressions, which together are known as William Grant & Sons Rare Cask Reserves.

“Rare Cask Reserves Ghosted Reserve bears testament to the vision and skills of the five Master Blenders who came before me. This exceptional release is a whisky that gives me enormous personal pride. I see it as truly a high point of what blending can bring to the finest whisky, and a spirit that would win the deepest respect of our founder, William Grant.”

The Arran Malt Comes of Age

Since its founding 20 years ago, the Isle of Arran Distillery has been laying uniquely complex malts down to mature. As the distillery reaches its twentieth birthday, the Arran Malt is coming of age with its first limited edition bottling of the Arran 18 Year Old Single Malt.

This latest edition is the final bottling in a trilogy of 16, 17 and 18 year-old Arran Malts which have been released in the count down to this landmark bottling.  Bottled at 46%, it is distilled without chill-filtration or artificial colouring for a pure yet complex palate.

Aged in the finest Sherry casks, this un-peated malt is a perfect example of the fresh character of Arran in all its maturity. Gold in colour and with a delicious aroma of toasted almonds, honey and spice, this highly anticipated bottling delivers a luxurious palate of ginger and caramelised brown sugar.

Water releases subtle flower notes and rich Seville orange marmalade. The finish, reminiscent of toasted brioche and toffee apples, rounds off the most mature expression of The Arran Malt to date.

James MacTaggart, Master Distiller at the Isle of Arran Distillery, says: “This is a very special bottling for us, not only being the most mature Arran Malt yet but as the first release in our our twentieth year. It represents the very best of our whisky, with the depth of aroma and flavour for which Arran Malts have become known around the world.

“So with only 9,000 bottles released worldwide, we don’t expect the 18 Year Old Arran Malt to be around for long.”

This latest limited edition of The Arran Malt will be available in specialist whisky retailers and a small quantity will be available directly from http://www.arranwhisky.com/ from Monday 16^th March 2015.

Notes:

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.

CÙ BÒCAN SINGLE MALT  SCOTCH WHISKY

limited VIRGIN OAK edition

Cù Bòcan is matured in a combination of Sherry, Virgin Oak and Bourbon casks. This exclusive limited edition showcases the influence that Virgin Oak has on our lightly peated single malt. Clean and zingy with hints of smoke and warm spice, this fully matured Virgin Oak limited edition will not disappoint!

Cask Type: Matured in Virgin Oak casks
Strength: 46% alc./vol.
Distribution: Worldwide except USA
Price: RRP £49.99 per 70cl bottle

KEY POINTS

Fully matured in First Fill Virgin Oak casks. Only 6000 bottles available. The only peated whisky distilled and matured at Tomatin Distillery. Non chill filtered. Natural colour. Striking bottle design and presentation packaging. Part of a trilogy; Sherry, Virgin Oak & Bourbon editions

TASTING NOTES

AROMA Lively citrus fruits – lime juice and lemon sorbet. Oak driven flavours of vanilla, coconut and candy floss soon emerge with rosewater, red berries, fresh pear and pineapple in the background.
PALATE Warm pecan pie with vanilla ice cream. Baked apples with cinnamon and toffee and just a touch of smoke.
FINISH Clean and zingy with pleasant spice.

The “Scottish Golf & Whisky Galore Tournament”; 16^th – 22^nd August 2015 

The “Scottish Golf & Whisky Galore Tournament” is, as the name suggests, a tournament for golfers with a passion for Golf as well as Whisky.

“Weekend golfers” who believe that links golf is “real” golf or who just want to try this particular golf discipline, will now have another opportunity to participate in a links tournament in Scotland.

This is a 72 hole stableford tournament on four different links courses – Machrihanish Dunes, Machrihanish Golf Club, Dunaverty Golf Club in the south-west of Scotland in the vicinity of the famous Whisky town of Campbeltown on the Kintyre Peninsula and on Shiskine, a wonderful 12 hole golf course on the neighbouring island of Arran. Machrihanish Golf Course is deemed to be one of the finest links courses in Scotland.

The event is open to both men and women: maximum handicap for men is 24 and for women 36.

Besides the four rounds of golf there are two planned visits to some of the region’s Whisky distilleries for tours and tastings. Connoisseurs will know that this is where some of Scotland’s famous Island Single Malt Whisky’s, Springbank and Glen Scotia come from in addition to those that hail from Islay & Jura, the very distinctive islands that sit to the West of the Kintyre Peninsula. Golfers will also visit the Isle of Arran Distillery.

In addition to the golf there is an extensive social programme including the welcome reception, a casino night and a gala prize winner’s dinner, all to be enjoyed with a dram or two during the tasting sessions designed to take you on a Whisky learning journey. There will be a rest day for sightseeing which will include a trip to Islay – home to 8 different whisky distilleries and some of the most famous brand names in Scotland

Participants will stay in two typical Scottish hotels, the Ugadale Hotel & Cottages, a seafront hotel in Machrihanish and the Royal Hotel at the port of Campbeltown.

The event is organized by Platinum Golf Scotland, who in November last year were awarded “Scotland’s Best Inbound Golf Tour Operator 2014”

The “Scottish Golf & Whisky Galore Tournament” is a tournament for people with a passion for Golf as well as for good Scotch Single Malt Whisky, says Stuart French. We think that this tournament caters for competitors from all over the world and we look forward particularly to welcoming golfers to this spectacular part of Scotland.

There will be prizes for the winners of each of the four days and for the whole tournament. 

Package price based on 2 sharing a twin or double room: £749

Includes:

• 6 night’s bed & full Scottish breakfast

• 4 rounds of golf

• Visits to 3 Whisky Distilleries

• Whisky tastings & whisky stories

• Welcome reception

• Casino night

• Gala dinner

• Transport to and from the coursesMore about the tournament can be found at:

• To enter the tournament you can register at: enquiries@platinumgolfscotland.com
• www.platinumgolfscotland.com/scottish-golf-whisky-galore-tournament