This week Joe Ellis reviews the Highland Park 15 Year Old Single Malt.

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THE FAMOUS GROUSE APPOINTS NEW MASTER BLENDER

Kirsteen Campbell has been appointed to the role of Master Blender for The Famous Grouse, taking over from current Master Blender Gordon Motion this month.

Kirsteen has worked alongside Gordon for over 8 years and became Master Blender for Cutty Sark at the age of just 33.

Kirsteen will now become one of the few people allowed to share the secret of the unique blend of whiskies that combine to make The Famous Grouse. 43 million bottles of The Famous Grouse are produced each year, and it is exported to over 100 countries. It also holds the prestigious title of being the best-selling Blended Scotch in Scotland, and the UK.

The role involves managing the legendary ‘106 Sample Room’ at Edrington’s Blending Headquarters on Great Western Road.  Here, an estimated 11,000 samples of single malts, grains and blends are stored – a working library for Edrington’s team of nosers lead by Gordon and Kirsteen. The team can nose up to 600 samples a day, hunting down the right aromas, colour and character needed to create The Famous Grouse blend.

Gordon Motion will remain at Edrington in his new role as Edrington Master Whisky Maker, and will focus on the company’s single malt portfolio, concentrating on Highland Park and The Glenturret Single Malts and including The Macallan.

Kirsteen Campbell said: “I feel very privileged to be taking on the role of Master Blender for The Famous Grouse. It is an exceptional blend and I’m looking forward to working with the team here to ensure we that we continue to deliver the quality and character expected of the UK’s number one selling blend.”

Gordon Motion commented: “Kirsteen is a very talented Master Blender and I’ve no doubt she will rise to this new challenge. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the last six years as Master Blender for The Famous Grouse. My highlight would have to be when The Famous Grouse 40 Year Old was awarded the Trophy Award at the International Spirits Challenge in 2013, it was a very proud moment for me and the team.”

Kirsteen will continue in her role as Master Blender for Cutty Sark Blended Scotch Whisky.

Notes

The Famous Grouse (www.thefamousgrouse.com)

• The Famous Grouse is the no. 1 whisky in UK and no. 4* standard blended whisky worldwide (*IWSR data 2014).
• The Famous Grouse has been the best-selling whisky in the home of Scotch whisky, Scotland since 1980.
• The Famous Grouse is exported to over 100 countries.
• The Famous Grouse Experience is located at Scotland’s oldest working distillery – Glenturret. Originally established as a single malt distillery in 1775, today The Famous Grouse Experience is the most visited distillery in Scotland.(www.thefamousgrouse.com/experience)

A marvel celebrating a bygone age: GlenDronach’s oldest-ever release in latest batch of single cask bottlings

In 1968, Harold Wilson was the British Prime Minister, the film 2001: A Space Odyssey was released and the Beatles were top of the charts with Hey Jude.

Also that year, GlenDronach cask number 5837 was filled with Highland spirit, laid down and left to mature in a quiet corner of the Aberdeenshire distillery.

Almost half a century later, it is today (17 February) the glittering centrepiece of GlenDronach’s latest batch of rare single cask bottlings…as it is their oldest-ever release with just 301 bottles filled from the cask.

“This marvel is an amazing, venerable and exceptionally rare whisky,” says Master Blender Billy Walker, “and it is sure to become one of our most sought-after bottlings.

“We only have a few casks of the legendary 1968 vintage left in our inventory and they are extraordinary survivors from a golden, bygone age of whisky production. Today we are thrilled and delighted to present this remarkable expression in Batch 13 to our customers worldwide.”

The 47 years old heavyweight is, in appearance, dark oak edged with rich crimson. On the nose, intense, full-bodied aromas of dark treacle, sour plums and rich prune syrup combine with fragrant herbal notes and faint cigar smoke. On the palate, an impactful sherried character is laden with dark prunes and molasses while a torrent of vibrant orange bitters and dark espresso holds hints of eucalyptus and pine needles.

Eight other spectacular malts are included in Batch 13. They all share GlenDronach’s robust and richly-sherried signature taste complemented by mouth-watering notes of treacle, plums, apricot, figs, damsons and currants…even with intriguing hints of red chilli, chocolate raisins and vintage leather!

As a contrast to the 47 years old, the youngest is a zingy 12 years old from cask number 5521, at 57.3% vol. On the nose, dark fruit cake infused with hints of stem ginger syrup, orange bitters and notes of toasted walnuts. On the palate, sumptuous depths of sweet dates and ripe figs hold a crisp oak and herbal balance complementing the rich sherry character.

All nine are presented in beautiful gift boxes.

Master Distiller Billy Walker added: “This is what aged sherry-matured whisky is all about – gorgeous colouring, luscious fruity aromas, rich sherry and dark chocolate flavours combining brilliantly to create sweet, gutsy and utterly memorable malts.”

The full cask details are as follows:

1968 cask # 5837 / 47 years old / Pedro Ximenez Sherry Hogshead / 45.9% vol.

1991 cask # 2361 / 24 years old / Oloroso Sherry Butt / 53.1% vol.

1992 cask # 76 / 23 years old / Oloroso Sherry Butt / 52.0% vol.

1993 cask # 40 / 23 years old / Oloroso Sherry Butt / 58.5% vol.

1994 cask # 3274 / 21 years old / Pedro Ximenez Sherry Puncheon / 53.1% vol.

1995 cask # 3047 / 20 years old / Pedro Ximenez Sherry Puncheon / 48.6% vol.

2002 cask # 4651 / 13 years old / Pedro Ximenez Sherry Puncheon / 54.8% vol.

2003 cask # 930 / 12 years old / Pedro Ximenez Sherry Puncheon / 53.4% vol.

2004 cask # 5521 / 12 years old / Pedro Ximenez Sherry Puncheon / 57.3% vol.

All nine bottlings will be available soon at your local specialist retailer.

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

FEBRUARY AUCTION LIVE! 

Plenty of great bottles this month, exciting new releases, interesting older bottlings. There is a huge range of bottles available in our biggest auction ever, a great range of products that should please collectors, investors and especially drinkers.

SPRINGBANK 50 YEAR OLD 

One of the many auction highlights this month is the Springbank 50 Year Old. Distilled in 1919 and bottled in 1969, this 50 Year Old is a rare opportunity to own a rare expression from one of Scotland’s most iconic distilleries.

YAMAZAKI SHERRY CASK 2016

Best whisky in the world is a hard act to follow, this hasn’t stopped Suntory from trying.  The only problem is everyone wants one and there isn’t enough to go around.  So here’s your chance, get bidding!

BRORA 1976 SMWS 61.1

A legendary bottling of Brora! This is the first bottling of Brora released by the Scotch Malt Whisky society and also the first time the world saw Brora as a single malt. That’s right… The First Brora!

KARUIZAWA FIGHT CLUB COLLECTION 1986/1987/1988

We are about to break the first two rules! A presentation of three single sherry cask Karuizawa distilled in 1986, 1987 and 1988. As usual they come with fantastic labels, this impressive collection depicts an epic samurai battle!

OLD FORESTER BOURBON 1946

Old Forester is the longest running bourbon on the market, celebrating its 145th year. This was part of their personalized label range and was bottled in 1946.

DALMORE 1966 SINGLE CASK

There was a time with whisky when simple elegance reigned. This 30 Year Old Dalmore lacks the ostentation of today’s releases… But a 1966 single cask can’t be ignored!

There is no registration fee, our commission structure is very competitive and we offer worldwide shipping. For our terms and conditions please click here.

With close to 20 years of experience in the whisky industry, Whisky Auctioneer specialises in auctioning whisky whether it be fine, old, rare, collectable or affordable. Formed in 2013 and based in Perth, central Scotland, we aim to be the most comprehensive website for the buying and selling of whisky online.

http://www.whiskyauctioneer.com/

 Happy Bidding!

Price drop alert!

Don’t forget free postage on all orders over £75

Bowmore 23 year old Platinum Old and Rare

The Platinum Old & Rare collection is a  selection of the oldest and rarest single malts from the independent bottlers, Hunter Laing.  Each bottle is of exceptional quality, beautifully presented and individually numbered. This 23 year old Bowmore is one of only 195 bottles, with each expression filled from a sherry finished hogshead.

Save £200 Now £295 Click to buy

Port Ellen 1983 32 year old Special Release

Distilled in the final year of Port Ellen production. A whisky that is seen by many as the most collectable in the world – this 1983 Port Ellen is limited to 2964 individually numbered bottles and has been bottled at a cask strength of 53.9% volume.

Save £240 Now £2160 – Click to buy

Macallan Gold

The Macallan Gold is part of the 1824 range, and was released in 2012. The colour themed range replaced Macallan distillery’s traditional age-statement expressions. Produced in first fill and refill sherry casks, using 9-15 year old spirit, the result is in a smooth and rich single malt.

Save £5.20 Now £32.75 – Click to buy

GLENLIVET 18 YEAR OLD

Matured in a mixture of American oak and European oak, both first and second fill, and hand picked by master distiller Alan Winchester. European oak imparts spiciness and brings additional complexity, while first-fill American oak adds soft tropical fruitiness.

Save £5 Now £55 – Click to buy

Bowmore Devil’s Cask III

The third and final release of the Bowmore Devil’s cask became one of our staff picks for 2015! Named Double the Devil, this whisky has been matured in both first fill Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez casks which allows for a sensational balance between rich dried fruit flavours and that famous Bowmore peat-smoke character. Hard hitting and truly wonderful!

Save £30 Now only £160 – Click to buy

EARLY MARCH TASTINGS

Glenturret, Macallan & Highland Park – The Vaults, Mon 7 Mar  More >

Scotland V. France Warm-Up – 28 Queen St, Sat 13 Mar  More >

Chocolate & Whisky Pairing – The Vaults, Fri 18 Mar  More >

Cheltenham Preview Tasting – Jury’s Inn, Fri 18 Mar  More >

Dundee Preview Tasting – Malmaison, Fri 18 Mar  More >

Inverness Preview Tasting – Kingsmills Hotel, Fri 18 Mar  More >

Leeds Preview Tasting – Malmaison, Fri 18 Mar  More >

Tunbridge Wells Preview Tasting – Hotel du Vin, Fri 18 Mar  More >

FREE EVENTS AT THE VAULTS

6 Nations on the Big Screen – Next match Fri 26 Feb   More >

Poker Night – Tue 8 Mar   More >

Peat Lovers’ Night – Tue 15 Mar   More >

Browse All Events & 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

Hi folks,

We are now operating across two sites and if you are coming to collect whisky, please give us 24 hours notice to enable us to bring them to The Pentagon Centre, 36 Washington Street, Glasgow G3 8AZ. You can email or call us and let us know when wish to collect your bottles and we will have them ready for you.

If you have any questions please call us on

0141 243 2585.

Best wishes,

The SWA Team