Glengyle Kilkerran 12 Year Old

Campbeltown Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Kilkerran 12 Year Old Campbeltown single malt Scotch whisky distilled at Glengyle distillery. The first core product has been released from Mitchell’s Glengyle Distillery. Matured in 70% bourbon casks and 30% sherry casks.

Nose: oak notes are dominant, followed by toasted marshmallows and dried fruit pudding, as well as cherries, marzipan and a hint of peat.

Palate: initially fruity with citrus notes and orange peel, after this: vanilla, butterscotch, honeycomb and digestive biscuits can all be tasted and enjoyed.

Finish: velvet and smooth with lemon meringue, to conclude, there’s an oiliness and a saltiness that you’d expect from a Campbeltown dram.

Glengyle

William Mitchell established Glengyle Distillery in 1872 in Campbeltown at the foot of the Kintyre Peninsular. Closed in 1925, malt whisky stock sold and all the equipment removed. The buildings were purchased by Hedley Wright in 2000 who re-furbished and re-opened Glengyle Distillery in 2004. Now equipped with two small stills and operating for one or two months per year to produce Glengyle single malt whisky which is called Kilkeran.

Anders filling his bottle at Glengarioch distillery Scotland

Andos Epic Whisky Tour 2016

Day 1 – mostly traveling

As usual, when flying to Scotland I need to get up at an ungodly hour to get to the airport for the customary fondle session at the security checkpoint. I was positively surprised at Helsinki airport as the check-in and security control took less than 15 min, so I had time to relax a bit and have some breakfast at the always cheap airport café. Then it was liftoff and off to Schipol for what I was expecting to be a horrible panicking run thru the airport for the connecting flight. Once again I was positively surprised because although I had to switch terminals it took less than 15 min to get to the departure gate. 2 flights and in-flight snacks later I finally landed at Aberdeen airport. There Paul was waiting for me and off we went…with a dram in hand right away On the drive down to Dundee where I would be staying for two nights.  We stopped for a quick photoshoot at Dunnottar Castle and then also Broughty Castle. I learned to recognise castles from quite a far way away. The day ended with a proper pub crawl at Broughty Ferry, and then after about 22 hrs of travel it was time to sleep.

Day 2 – Kingsbarns and Eden Mill

The second day was to be an excursion out towards St Andrews, and to Eden Mill and Kingsbarns istilleries. First up a bit of sightseeing at St Andrews golf course and the beach, then onwards to Kingsbarns for a quick visit and some tasters. Next up was Eden Mill, and Liz´s daughter Shona had promised to show us around the brewery/distillery. It is a quaint small place where all the action happens in two big rooms, one where the wash backs etc. are and then the stillroom where the magic happens. The tour of the brewery/distillery ended with a mighty fine tasting including both beers and spirits which were excellent. The beers matured in used whisky casks were superb. As a nice bonus I got to taste some of their gins also. Thanks Shona for the tour!Eden Mill makes very good craft beer and their spirits show much promise. This is one to keep an eye on. After the visit it was back to Dundee and time to celebrate Pauls birthday with good food and drink in good company.

Day 3 – Strathearn, Edradour/Signatory and Speyside distillery

After another superb breakfast at The Fort, it was time to head out towards Strathearn. There was  a thought that I would get to see my own cask but that was on its own holiday trip down to Glasgow, so I did not see it. But I got a taster of a cask that is the same age and has the same spirit in it. I also got to taste their peated new make, and also spirit that had been matured in a chestnut barrel. Then Tony was so kind to also let me taste their “cider brandy”…which was very nice.Strathearn is really experimenting with interesting things, and all are tasting very good.

After Strathearn we headed for Pitlochry and Edradour distillery. No distillery tour, just some tasting and shopping in their visitors centre. Also had a quick chat with Andrew Symington when we were leaving Edradour. From Edradour the front of the car pointed finally towards Speyside. And I mean both the area called Speyside, and the distillery Speyside, or more familiar, Spey. I was in for a treat at the distillery as the person who was supposed to show us around was on vacation, so one of the actual distillery workers showed us around and telling us about the distillery from his point of view. Also, the distillery is very beautiful in general, with a small stream flowing past the distillery and with a working water wheel. Just beautiful. There was also a very nice tasting at the distillery, including some quite rare whiskies. Spey is not usually sold in Europe, with most of it exported to the far east. So I was very happy to have had the chance to visit this beautiful place. Then after a nice visit it was time to get over to Grantown-on-Spey where we would spend the evening. Paul and Liz had once again come up with new whiskies to taste as we had a private room reserved for dining and taking it easy in the evening. We were also treated to some bagpipe music by Spud the Piper.

Day 4 – Into Speyside

Finally the proper Speyside adventure was beginning. After yet another proper Scottish breakfast we set out into Speyside proper…and the first distillery we encountered on the way was Tormore. After a few photos we continued our journey up towards The Glenlivet, and took some photographs of Cragganmore and Ballindaloch on the way. At The Glenlivet I had the chance to taste the Guardians Chapter single cask, which was excellent. From The Glenlivet we had to follow a Chivas tanker truck, and I did not even have a hose and bucket with me. The next stop was Glenfarclas, where I had a quick tour of the still room, wash backs, mash tun and the warehouses. After the quick tour there was whisky to taste. I got the Glenfarclas £511.19s which was a very nice dram. But the other one, 1976 family cask blew the hair from my head. Never ever have I tasted a whisky that is so full of flavour, depth and incredible general awesomeness. Although, I am not inclined to pay £3500 for the bottle. But this was one of the highlights of the tour. Onwards and upwards, a quick photoshoot at Dailuaine, and then off to one of my all time favourite distilleries – Imperial. The old Imperial distillery buildings have been knocked down and on that spot is now built the new fully automated distillery – Dalmunach. But the old Imperial administrative buildings and some of the warehouses are still standing around the site. I also got to see the inside of Dalmunach, albeit only the atrium. The whole site is very beautiful, and it is a bit sad that they demolished the old Imperial distillery. Final stop was a quick drive to Cardhu where Liz wanted to feed the hairy coos that live by the distillery. We also did a quick drive by Speyside Cooperage, where the stacks of barrels are quite impressive.

Day 5 – Speyside adventure continues

The next day was mostly relaxed sightseeing and driving around Speyside. First up was a quick photoshoot of Craigellachie distillery and then passing by the thousands of casks resting at Speyside Cooperage. The sight never ceases to amaze. Then there was a short stop at an old graveyard where there were some very beautiful statues and tombstones. After that a quick photoshoot of Aberlour, and some tasting and shopping in the visitors centre. The next distillery was again a silent one, Parkmore. The site has been left undisturbed and the warehouses are in use. Very lovely place in Dufftown. After that there was a quick drive by all the distilleries in Dufftown. Then a quick visit to Balvenie Castle. Again, a very beautiful old ruin to visit. We then we had time to see the Rothes Castle, which is basically only one wall left that has not keeled over. Then quick peeks at Glen Spey and Glenrothes distilleries. At this stage Liz had to leave us to catch a train back home, and I continued with Paul up to Kinloss Abbey. As we got there we got our first proper rain shower, so instead we drove up to Findhorn where there is an eco village. When the rain stopped we went back to Kinloss to have a closer look at the ruins. Once again, a very beautiful place. After that we met up with Vic Cameron who has been involved in the whisky industry for a long time. We had a nice and interesting discussion about all things related to whisky. Thanks Vic for an interesting afternoon!! On the way back to Craigellachie we had time to look at Rose Isle which is a very big industrial distillery.

Day 6 – Balvenie day

This day had lots of good things to come. The primary visit was Balvenie with a three hour tour starting at 14:00. And before that there was Coleburn. On the way to Coleburn we had a quick stop at Glen Grant, and then to Coleburn. There we got a fabulous tour of their warehouse ending with some nice tasters. Then a quick detour via Glen Grant again, for some quick tasting, and then over to Glenfiddich for some lunch. Yes, only lunch. Had a quick browse thru the shop but did not buy anything. Before going over to Balvenie, we had some time to roll around the countryside and just enjoy the green fields of summery Speyside. Lovely scenery. We drove past Alt-a-Bhainne for a quick photo or two. Then it was time for the main event, a three hour tour at Balvenie with a tasting afterwards. Balvenie has always been a distillery with whiskies that I have enjoyed but never though much more about it. So I did not really have any expectations about the tour as such. I knew that it was supposed to be good as they take only 8 people per your and only two tours a day. So, off we went into the house of magic. First, Fergus took us to the malting floors, but as they were in their maintenance period so there were no malting ongoing. We also got to climb up into the kiln and the floors where they dry the malt. Felt a bit weird to walk on the grid floor where you could look down and see the floor far below. Then over to the mash tun room, where there are actually two mash tuns, one for Balvenie and one for Kininvie. The same with the wash backs, one room with wash backs for Balvenie and one room with wash backs for Kininvie. Only the still room only had the stills for Balvenie. The Kininvie stills are in a separate building where the wash is routed via pipes. After having gone thru the whole process we got a jeep ride over to the cooperage at the site. Balvenie repairs and maintains their casks at their own cooperage. We were able to see how the coopers work, and the speed for replacing a stave in a cask was incredible. The next stop on the tour was the warehouse where you can bottle your own whisky straight from a cask. So of course I had to fill up two small 20cl bottles, one a 13yr first fill sherry one, and the other a 14yr first fill bourbon. The final part of the tour was then the tasting. We got a superb set of whiskies to taste, the 12 yr double barrel, 12yr single bourbon barrel, 17yr double barrel, 14yr rum cask, 21yr port wood and as a final one a 34yr first fill sherry from the legendary warehouse 24. Incredible good whiskies. The tour at Balvenie was incredible and I really recommend going there if you have the chance. There was still some driving around, having a look at Glentauchers, Strathmill, Auchroisk,  and Glen Keith distilleries and then back to the Highlander Inn for the final night in Craigellachie.

Day 7 – Sightseeing

Time to say goodbye to Craigellachie and our host at the Highlander Inn, Mr Tatsuya Minagawa. If you ever need a place to enjoy a few good whiskies The Highlander Inn is the place to visit. The people are very friendly and the food is good, and the whiskies are even better. As we left Craigellachie we headed north towards Elgin again. On the agenda today was the Elgin Cathedral and what else could be seen around the city. As we had to stop for fuel I made a very nice discovery in the petrol station. They sell whisky! And somehow it feels wrong that they have Port Ellen and Brora for sale at a normal gas station, and many other nice bottles for decent prices. In the end I settled for a 1979 Glenlivet single cask bottled by Macillops Choice for 115 pounds. Could have been worse. It was then castle time again, as we headed up towards Lossiemouth and Duffus Castle. The castle had been built in 1150 and then rebuilt somewhere in the 1300s but it had been build on such a site that the ground had failed and one of the walls had slide down the hill a bit. So a nice place to visit, but was not build to stand the test of time. Lossiemouth was a very nice little seaside town as we drove thru it on our way back to Elgin. There we had some pictures of the Elgin Cathedral which is quite a sight. Impressive old cathedral ruins. It felt a bit sad as we then started driving slowly down towards Aberdeen and towards the end of the tour. Good thing that there were still some things on the road to see. Next was a quick shopping stop at GlenDronach. I just had to get the hand filled bottling at the visitor centre. After that we drove onwards towards Knockdhu distillery to see if we could have a quick look around.  We were treated to a nice tour and tasting at the distillery. Had never had an Ancnoc whisky in my life previously so this was a nice surprise. And their whisky is very good and well made. Positive surprise of the day. After this we had a slow drive down towards Aberdeen just enjoying the scenery. At the hotel we met up with Liz again as Paul and Liz would switch places for the final day of the tour.

Day 8 – the final day of the tour

So, slowly the tour had come towards the end and now was the final day. The first stop this final day was Glen Garioch distillery. This is also a relatively unknown distillery for me so I was very happy to get a private tour of the distillery. Lots of very interesting things on the tour and a very nice tasting afterwards again. Then I just had to bottle the hand filled first fill sherry cask that they had available. It was a marvellous whisky and overall the visit left me very happy. Then it was time for some general sightseeing and castle photographing. First up was Fyvie castle, and after that we went to Delgatie castle for a quick lunch. The castle was a quaint old castle where the interior was decorated like an old mansion. The dining area was in a part of the old castle kitchen. Had to buy a small plush sheep for my nephew from the gift shop too. Then a quick stop at Ellon Castle for some photos, and finally a stop at Castle Fraser for some tea and cake. There had been some small showers of rain during the day but now it just poured down. So the tour ended with proper scottish weather. So, after 8 incredible days in Scotland it was over. I had seen 42 distilleries during the tour, and many castles and other interested sights. A big thank you to Paul and Liz who made this unforgettable tour possible. It was grand! I got to meet incredible people and see incredible places, and got to spend time with two fantastic friends!

This was a journey I will never forget.

Written and enjoyed by Anders Malmsten, Finland.

Submitted by Paul Mclean http://www.whiskytours.scot/

” FROM DREAM TO DRAM “

KINGSBARNS DISTILLERY VISITOR CENTRE WELCOMES TWO NEW EXCLUSIVE WHISKIES 

Kingsbarns Distillery is delighted to announce that two new exclusive single cask bottlings from Wemyss Malts are now available in its Visitor Centre and online shop.

The Visitor Centre was opened on St Andrews Day 2014 by the Wemyss family owners and the founder, local man Douglas Clement.   Distilling started in January 2015, with the first cask filled in March that year.  Scotch whisky has to mature for at least 3 years before it can be bottled, so meanwhile the Kingsbarns Distillery shop is stocked with the range from the family owner’s other whisky interest,  the award-winning independent bottler, Wemyss Malts.

Wemyss Malts’ approach to their malt whisky range is to name the whiskies after each whisky’s natural flavour and aromas to allow whisky drinkers to better imagine each whisky’s taste.

The two new single casks single malts which have been bottled exclusively for the Kingsbarns Distillery shop are:

“East Neuk Dunes” – a name inspired by the local shoreline, even though the cask is from Bunnahabhain Distillery on Islay. Distilled in 1990 and bottled in 2016, aged 25 years.   Bottled at 46% abv and retailing at £139.95.  Only 267 bottles available.
“Lime Tea Infusion” – from Glenrothes Distillery in Speyside.  Distilled in 1997 and bottled in 2016, aged 19 years.  Bottled at 46% abv and retailing at £84.95. Only 337 bottles available.

William Wemyss, Managing Director at Kingsbarns Distillery and Wemyss Malts explains further: “Wemyss Malts has a tradition of finding exceptional single casks from Scotland’s single malt distilleries and we have chosen these two whiskies to be sold only at Kingsbarns Distillery.   The aptly named “East Neuk Dunes” reflects the whisky’s soft salty aroma, with only gentle smoke coming from this 25 year old single cask; while “Lime Tea Infusion” is a lively addition to the drams on our “Dream to Dram” distillery tour.”

The whiskies are available now at the Kingsbarns Distillery Visitor Centre as well as in the online shop  www.kingsbarnsdistillery.com/shop  

Notes: 

Kingsbarns Distillery was officially opened on St Andrews Day 2014 and  has been subsequently been awarded a  4 star visitor attraction award by Visit Scotland.
While the Kingsbarns spirit is maturing, Kingsbarns has also launched the Founders’ Club. Membership benefits include a Welcome Pack and the first ever bottling of Kingsbarns Single Malt expected in mid 2018.  A further 4 exclusive bottlings will follow.
The founder of the distillery is Douglas Clement.  Formerly a golf caddie, Douglas was inspired  to open a distillery near to the famous golf courses in the St Andrews and Kingsbarns area.
Distillery Manager, Peter Holroyd, is a graduate of Heriot Watt University Brewing and Distilling, and was formerly head brewer at a craft brewery near Glasgow.
The Wemyss family owners are from Scotland and their historic family seat is Wemyss Castle in Fife where they’ve lived since the 1300s.
The  Wemyss family also own Wemyss Malts which is an independent bottler with a whisky range including the blended malt whiskies comprising: The Spice King, The Peat Chimney and The Hive; single malt single cask bottlings and the blended Scotch named Lord Elcho after one of the Wemyss family’s ancestors; all of which are avilable for tasting and sale at The Kingsbarns Distillery.
The Wemyss family premium wines and spirits brands also include boutique gin Darnley’s View together with the premium wine estate of Rimauresq Cru Classé in Cotes de Provence.

www.kingsbarnsdistillery.com
Twitter: @KingsbarnsDist Facebook: Kingsbarns Distillery & Visitor Centre

We’re at the top of the class for taste this month. Toffee, baked apples, fudge, candy floss, pipe tobacco, salted caramel and honey on a stave all add up to an A+!

CASK No. 48.56  POPCORN IN A SAUNA

13 years old; 1st fill barrel; 56.3%; Juicy, oak & vanilla

Peachy perfume to start then a cinema foyer with popcorn and toffee with hazelnuts. Orange ice cream, lemon and sherbet on the palate. On reduction – Belgian waffles and chocolate milk, then hot pine wood and plenty of popcorn. A well balanced spicy and sweet finish.

CASK No. 50.68  ORANGE EXPOSITION

25 years old; refill barrel; 57.3%; Spicy & sweet

Orange oil, custard on baked apples and a touch of noble rot.  To taste, icing-covered biscuits, hazelnuts and honey.  Water brings spearmint chewing gum and pleasant solvent notes (acteone, airfix glue), apricot yogurt. Orange oil, orange muscat, emulsion paint and chocolate oranges.

CASK No. 73.71  A SCENE FROM MADEIRA

14 years old; refill butt; 55.5%; Spicy & sweet

The nose offers sweet treats (coconut macaroons, walnut fudge, honey cake, custard creams) on a wooden table, with flowers. The palate has mouth-flooding sweetness (apple strudel, cinnamon swirls, maple and pecan Danish) with a delayed spicy, ginger, chili kick.

CASK No. 71.41  CURIOUS AND INTRIGUING

17 years old; refill gorda; 57.2%; Deep, rich & dried fruits

An intriguing nose – spiced toffee apples, figs, fudge and old wood; dried flowers, rich sherry and treacle. The palate has menthol and eucalyptus, burnt toffee and beetroot crisps – pleasantly woody, acceptably earthy and sweet as candy floss.

CASK No. 66.72  PAGAN FEASTING ROUND THE FIRE

11 years old; refill barrel; 58.9%; Oily & coastal

Flaxen haired maidens with narcissi wreaths carrying dripping tallow candles. Kaffebröd (cardamom and fennel) with French salted butter. Sweet pipe tobacco and creosote. Grilled Portobello mushrooms with ham on toast. Corn cakes wrapped in an oily rag. Roasted chestnuts. Spellbinding.

CASK No. 29.178  BEE-SMOKER ON A PEBBLE BEACH

20 years old; refill barrel; 55%; Peated

Something of the sea on the nose – fresh oysters, boat-decks, dried seaweed, a pebble beach – also gooseberry, lemon, salted caramel and bubble-gum bonbons. The palate is deliciously smoky, salty and floral (lavender, sherbet straws, earthy spices, coal-dust, honey on a stave).

SMWS Canada

SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

SPECIALLY SELECTED BY

EXCLUSIVELY FOR ALBERTA

Distilled at INCHGOWER

Tasting Notes by Andrew Ferguson of Kensington Wine Market

Nose: Butter and eggs whipped with brown sugar; dulce de leche, subtle leather, fresh sliced lemons, lightly perfumed French soap and dewy botanical gardens; soft, elegant and oaky; sea breeze on a warm day.

Palate: Big, rich, creamy, maritime and toasty with building spices, leather, dark sugars and earthy tones; still buttery and sugary, a little like raw cookie dough, leather and tobacco develop with tart lemon and sour orange; coffee bean, slightly burnt raisins, licorice and treacle; christmas cake and tobacco emerge with time.

Finish: long, warming and spicy; the treacle and licorice linger longest with some leather and tobacco.

Comment: Inchgower is typically a big, muscular malt, with Maritime hints owing to its coastal location; this one highlights those features with a touch of finesse

SKU: 781808

ALC/VOL: 50.0%

Photo: Moraine Lake, AB

www.fountanabeverage.com/

August Auction *LIVE*

Ends Sunday 21st August 20.00 BST

This month sees us examine GlenDronach – a distillery under new ownership. Will the new owners change things up? Will values of their Single Cask bottles skyrocket? The focus of our monthly blog piece is on the Aberdeenshire Distillery and you can read it all here: GlenDronach Distillery Takeover – Speculation, News and more … In other news – the array of bottles this month is fantastic, with a particularly nice selection of old Macallan. With in excess of 80 bottles from the Craigellachie Distillers, you’ll find beauties nestled on the shelves which include (deep breath in …) 10 Year Old 100 Proof, 1824 Decanter, 1951 Miniature, 1956, 59, 60 & 62 Campbell Hope & King bottles, 25 & 30 Year Old Sherry Oak, 50 Year Old 1949 Millennium Decanter, 617 Squadron Disbandment Edition, a gaggle of Collectable 18 Year Old’s, Cask 888, Chairman’s Release, Coronation, Diamond Jubilee, Easter Elchies bottles, Folio 1, Gran Reserva 1979, Reflexion, Robert Burns Decanter, Royal Marriage and many many more!

From Left to Right: Macallan Chairman’s Release, Robert Burns Decanter, 50 Year Old 1949 Millennium Decanter, Cask 888 & 1824 MMIX Release

Laphroaig 1960 Vintage Reserve

Of course, it’s not all Macallan here at JW Headquarters. We have something rather special for you which comes in the shape of this beautiful Laphroaig 1960 Vintage Reserve. This is an exceptionally rare and unique whisky, which was produced and distilled under the care and attention of the legendary Bessie Williamson. Some people say she was the first genuine lady whisky distiller.

During forty years in the warehouse, a percentage of the contents of the casks has been lost in evaporation. This has been replaced by the salt-laden air of the Laphroaig Bay. To produce such a rich, mellow whisky, in such a harsh climate, is something that can only be wondered at.

A fantastic lot with an individually numbered bottle and matching numbered certificate and box.

View all these Lots and many more in this month’s auction right here: www.just-whisky.co.uk

LVMH Single Malt Scotch Tasting

Sunday September 25th, 4-6pm @ Palmer’s 2298 Fillmore Street

Spirit of the Fringe

An exclusive Scotch Whisky Tasting Event at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival

3pm to 4:30pm Saturday 20th and again on Saturday 27th August 2016 

At Fringe Venue 163 – Lauriston Halls, Lauriston Street, Edinburgh

Experienced Scotch Whisky Tourist Guides Ronnie Berri and Alister McDermott are bringing a fresh experience to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this year.

Both Ronnie and Alister have many years of experience conducting Bespoke Luxury Scotch Whisky Tours bringing whisky enthusiasts from all around the world to every part of Scotland, including her distilleries and surrounding countryside. But this August they have abandoned their respective vehicles and are collaborating to bring an exclusive tasting to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

The tasting events will focus on the exclusive tastings to be found when visiting Malt Whisky Distilleries in Scotland . Participants will have the opportunity to taste and enjoy a total of 5 “Distillery Exclusive” whiskies as follows:

Deanston Distillery     

“Fill your own” – 10 yrs Bourbon Cask and 1 year Amontillado finish – 60.1%ABV

Glen Moray Distillery      

“Fill Your Own” – First fill Bourbon Cask filled 2005 – Bottled 2016 – 53.8% ABV

Aberlour Distillery  

Distillery Exclusive – 16yrs Oloroso Sherry Cask – 56.5% ABV

Springbank Distillery 

Longrow “Living Cask Fill Your Own” – Drawn from mainly Bourbon casks but also some sherry – No Age Statement – 50 to 55 ppm phenols of peat smoke in the casks used and presently 49.9% ABV

BenRiach Distillery 

Distillery Exclusive Single Cask Bottling – 18 year old – Distilled 1997 – Matured in Bourbon cask and finished in a Marsala Hogshead for an unspecified time – 55.1% ABV – One of only 373 bottles

Find out more about Member of the Keepers of the Quaich Society, Ronnie Berri, at www.ScottishWhiskyTours.co.uk

And more about Whisky Ambassador, Alister McDermott, at  www.SeeMyScotland.com

Or visit www.ScotchWhiskyTasting.com

Fringe Benefits

Probably Scotland’s smallest distillery will be exhibiting its malt spirit range at The Whisky Fringe 2016

For the first time in its three-year history, probably Scotland’s smallest distillery, Strathearn, will be attending The Whisky Fringe, in its own right, at Mansfield Traquair in Edinburgh from 12-14^th August 2016.

Having earned a reputation producing top-quality gins, Strathearn are no strangers to creative distilling; however, their classic Scotch is nearing full maturation. For the last few years, they have been maturing their whisky in oak casks and in December, it will reach three years old – the minimum age to be considered Scotch whisky – so purists will have to wait until then to sample it.

Visitors at the Whisky Fringe will be able to taste limited batch Uisge Beathas and learn about the history of Strathearn and its whisky development. This is the Gaelic phrase meaning ‘Water of Life’ and believed to be where the word ‘whisky’ originated. These spirits will reflect the innovative approach to distilling that Strathearn employs because none of them have been near an oak cask, but instead have been aged in cherry, mulberry, chestnut and other casks. Pre-Great War whiskies recreated.

Tony Reeman-Clark, Founder of Strathearn Distillery said:

“Strathearn is the first of a new generation of small distilleries to bring its single malt single cask whisky to market. The Whisky Fringe 2016 provides the perfect opportunity to start the countdown to our third birthday on 23^rd August and the soon to be released 100 bottles.”

The Whisky Fringe is an annual event celebrating this Scottish spirit hosted by Royal Mile Whiskies with the stunning backdrop of the Mansfield Traquair in Edinburgh. There will be 26 exhibitors with over 200 whiskies to try each day.

Notes 

• Strathearn Distillery was established in 2013 by Tony Reeman-Clark who has a passion for whisky and small scale distilling.  Production began in the October of 2013, with their first cask being filled with Strathearn new-make spirit. After three years of maturation, the first Scotch Whisky will be released before the end of this year.  Strathearn also produces a range of highly acclaimed Scottish gins, experimenting with innovative production techniques and flavour profiles.
• Working on a single cask, single malt basis allows Strathearn to experiment with different wood types and finishes, as well as appreciating the natural variations that occur throughout spirit production, influenced by the climate and ingredients used.

Early August 2016 Offerings

Cask No. 71.42 $150

Sinbad preparing for a journey

Speyside, Lossie

The invigorating nose gave us cinder toffee, crème brûlée, burnt sugar, maple syrup, smoky bacon crisps, pork crackling and patchouli; also something between an old-fashioned boat-builder’s yard and an Eastern rug shop – we thought of Sinbad preparing for a journey. Adding water brought Dairy Milk chocolate in a steamroller cab and an Asian dish of prunes and roast pork. The palate was big, tasty and dark – treacle cake, pancakes and bacon with maple syrup, caramel pop-corn, vanilla ice-cream, chilli chocolate, caramelized apples with pork; beef jerky and leather. In reduction – sweeter and more pleasant –tarte tatin, bacon, custard and cigars.

Drinking tip: Not an all night drinking dram – but could be very useful after chopping logs in the snow.

Colour: Treacly tan shoe polish

Cask: Refill butt

Age: 17 years

Date distilled: March 1998

Alcohol: 57.5%

USA allocation: 150 bottles

Flavour profile: Spicy & dry

*PRESIDENT’S CHOICE

Cask No. 26.106 $290

‘Say it with flowers’

Highland, Northern

The first impression is of sweet pastry – shortbread – with vanilla notes, increasingly supported by fruit cake or dried fruits steeped in tea. In time it lightens: fresh figs, melon, fresh grass, rosemary. At natural strength, the taste is heavier: herbal tea and jasmine tea, musty/waxy, nutty (macaroons, hazelnuts and almonds), flower honey. The last increases with a dash of water, becoming more waxy/oily – sunflower oil, crème Anglais, light nuts. Now the texture is soft, the taste sweet with honeycomb, then slightly bitter (edible flowers like nasturtiums) in the finish. Complex and ever-changing.

Drinking tip: For a special tea party

Colour: Imperial ivory

Cask: Refill butt

Age: 29 years

Date distilled: November 1984

Alcohol: 58.0%

USA allocation: 120 bottles

Flavour profile: Sweet, fruity & mellow

Cask No. 41.71 $115

Refreshing and lip-smackingly tasty

Speyside, Spey

The nose was sweet, creamy and fruity – wine gums, Gummi Bears, Randoms, pineapple humps, vanilla slices and donuts filled with cream and covered in chocolate. The palate was also sweet and fruity (pineapple, lemon) but our mouths were warmed by aniseed and fiery ginger beer and our curiosity aroused by perfume, quinine and lemon zest. The reduced nose kept our interest – Tangfastics, sherbet lemons, laundry, vanilla-scented candles and lemon and lime. The palate had pineapple, lemon and lime sorbet, a flake of ginger, a lemon balm leaf but still retained some yoghurt creaminess. Simple but very refreshing, perfumed and lip-smackingly tasty.

Drinking tip: A palate cleanser – or a wee treat for a relaxing summer day.

Colour: Transparent canary yellow

Cask: First-fill barrel

Age: 11 years

Date distilled: May 2004

Alcohol: 59.5%

USA allocation: 120 bottles

Flavour profile: Light & delicate

Cask No. 10.90 $95

Muckle, massive immensity of smoke

Islay

The nose chucked a muckle, massive, immeasurable immensity of peat-smoke and smouldering sawdust all over us – we also found dark toffee, grilled prawns, liquorice, American Cream Soda and a wet dog scampering through flower-beds. The palate was simply breath-taking – tar, smoke, ash and liquorice – but developing cheekily in the glass – barbecued scallops, grass, earth, stone, school cagoules and waxed jackets. The reduced nose gave us nougat, dark honey, heather and ‘Snickers in a humidor’. The palate now – no nonsense, big peat smoke – but balanced with sweetness and savoury pork crackling. Even meek peat freaks will keech their breeks for this!

Drinking tip: End of the night dram – or after Serious Exertion.

Colour: Blonde mermaid

Cask: Refill hogshead

Age: 8 years

Date distilled: December 2006

Alcohol: 61.4%

USA allocation: 60 bottles

Flavour profile: Heavily peated

For more information on the Scotch Malt Whisky Society of America please visit them at www.smws.com