Singularly Spectacular Whisky

This week we have two spectacular new whiskies to share with you. In fact, they are so good we bought the whole cask! With only a hundred or two bottles produced, these single cask expressions are available exclusively at The Whisky Shop.

Free delivery on orders over £75

Next day delivery available on UK orders

ABERFELDY 1991 SINGLE CASK

This limited edition single cask expression from Aberfeldy distillery in Perthshire was distilled in 1991 before spending 24 years in cask no. 6394. Bottled on 1st October 2015 at a strength of 53.5% abv, only 195 bottles are available, each one exclusive to The Whisky Shop. A delicate sweetness in the mouth with smooth creamy toffee notes, desiccated coconut mingling with a twist of lime and a wisp of smoke to finish.

£320 Buy Now

Aultmore 1996 Single Cask

Only 101 bottles of this limited edition single cask expression exist. Distilled at Aultmore in 1996, this Speyside Single Malt has spent 19 years in the cask before being bottled exclusively for The Whisky Shop on 2nd October 2015 at a strength of 50.4% abv. Finished in a Rioja wine cask for 8 years, the colour is a deep burning amber, the aroma rich and intense with crisp burnt sugar, followed by sublime creamy vanilla. On the palate the jammy fruity notes exert their influence, warming and smooth gliding effortlessly to a sweet, biscuit finish.

£240 Buy Now

Longmorn 1973 – Rare Vintage

This incredible Longmorn single malt Scotch whisky from Gordon & MacPhail was distilled in 1973, aged in a refill sherry butt and bottled in 2015, making it approximately 42 years old!

£469.20

Longmorn 1983 – Rare Vintage

A 1983 vintage Longmorn aged for around 30 years in a refill sherry puncheon before being bottled in 2014.

£238.80

Longmorn 1967 – Rare Vintage

A 1967 vintage Longmorn matured in a refill sherry butt. Longmorn is derived from the Gaelic, Lhanmorgund, which means ‘place of the holly man’. A beautiful sherried, Speyside malt.

 £510.00  

Strathisla 1972 – Rare Vintage

Another beautiful release from Gordon & MacPhail, bottled as part of their Rare Vintage series. This 1972 Strathisla was bottled in 2013 after spending around 40 years in first fill sherry hogsheads.

£478.80

Strathisla 1970 – Rare Vintage

Gordon & MacPhail hold some very impressive stock within their warehouses. This Strathisla whisky from 1970 was matured in a first fill sherry butt before being bottled in 2014 at 43% vol under their Rare Vintage series. A big, robust & very moreish Speyside single malt Scotch whisky.

£488.00

Breaking News
We are very excited to unveil our new look packaging and branding.

 In addition to the rebrand, we have launched the first two expressions to feature the new refreshed look.

The English Original 43% ABV &  The English Smokey 43% ABV

Commenting on the rebrand, Andrew Nelstrop, Director of The English Whisky Company said, “We have invested a lot of time in rediscovering our distillery and our values. Much has changed in the world of whisky over the last decade and we now have a far stronger voice, relevance and sense of identity in our rebranded packaging” Both bottles will be available from specialist retailers and St George’s Distillery next month

Evan Williams Bourbon and Major League Baseball Announce 2016 Partnership

BARDSTOWN, KY – Evan Williams Bourbon, the second-largest selling Bourbon in the world, is partnering with Major League Baseball to sponsor the 2016 World Series. As a proud sponsor of the 112^th World Series, Evan Williams will launch the largest sponsorship program in the Bourbon brand’s eight-decade history, including presenting sponsorship of MLB Network’s Emmy Award-winning program, MLB Tonight, during the Postseason.

The sponsorship will be supported nationwide through digital and traditional media. National advertising will feature a new co-branded television spot running on networks including ESPN, FS1, MLB Network, among others. A custom MLB-themed display featuring an Evan Williams jersey, hat and Louisville Slugger baseball bat will also bring the program into retail stores nationwide. 

As part of the World Series sponsorship, Evan Williams will send the grand prize winner and three friends on an all-expenses paid trip to one game of this year’s World Series. The World Series Sweepstakes is open now on the Evan Williams website at EvanWilliams.com/MLB and runs through October 14^th (Official sweepstakes rules here). An Evan Williams World Series Happy Hour featuring specialty cocktails will also be held around the World Series sponsorship. 

“As an authentic American brand, we are proud to support the national pastime by sponsoring Major League Baseball and the 2016 World Series,” said Chris Ratterman, Brand Manager, Evan Williams Bourbon. “Evan Williams has formed a strong partnership with MLB, focusing on the most exciting time of the year for both Bourbon and baseball to provide fans nationwide with new ways to experience seriously good Bourbon.”

Evan Williams Kentucky Straight Bourbon is the #2-selling Bourbon in the world. The brand is among the leaders in the rapidly growing American Whiskey segment. For the past three years, Evan Williams has been recognized by Beverage Information Group and Impact for sales growth. Additionally, Impact named Evan Williams Bourbon a “Blue Chip” brand – reflecting total value in the industry.

Founded in Kentucky by the Shapira family in 1935, Heaven Hill Distillery continues its legacy as one of the foremost American Whiskey producers. Heaven Hill has cultivated the traditions and history of America’s Native Spirit with its fierce independence, passionate family ownership, dedication to quality, and thoughtful innovation. Today, Heaven Hill Distillery maintains over 1.2 million barrels aging in 52 warehouses throughout Nelson and Jefferson Counties. It is home to an award-winning collection of American Whiskeys including Elijah Craig Bourbon, Larceny Bourbon, Evan Williams Bourbon, Pikesville Rye Whiskey, Rittenhouse Rye Whisky and Parker’s Heritage Collection. Heaven Hill Distillery currently holds the titles of Whisky Magazine’s Distillery of the Year, Whiskey Advocate’s American Whiskey of the Year and Rye Whiskey of the Year from Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible. 

Heaven Hill reminds you to “Think Wisely.  Drink Wisely.”

This year covering 442 distilleries around the world!

* The Distillery Section completely revised with all the latest news
* The chapter on Distilleries Around the Globe now bigger than ever
* New exciting articles by distinguished writers such as Charles MacLean, Ian Buxton, Gavin D Smith, Becky Paskin, Neil Ridley and Jonny McCormick
* Completely new and expanded Japanese chapter by Nicholas Coldicott and Stefan Van Eycken
* More than 250 tasting notes, including Japanese malts and independent bottlings
* New feature – The State of Scotch
* A listing of more than 150 of the world´s greatest whisky shops
* The Whisky Year That Was – the most comprehensive summary you´ll find of the news and trends in the industry
* All the latest info on bottlings, web sites, books as well as the latest statistics and figures
* More than 500 colour photos All in all – the most updated whisky book on the market

Published by MagDig Media Ltd.
Publication date; 1 October 2016
Number of pages; 300
ISBN 978-0-9576553-3-1
Recommended retail price in UK; £13.95
Contact; ingvar.ronde@magdig.com
www.maltwhiskyyearbook.com

The Gala Tasting. Dornoch Castle Hotel. Saturday 29th October. 12pm until 4pm.

Want to taste Whisky from 16 local distilleries all in one place? Like good food and a great atmosphere? Then book your tickets now for the Gala Tasting event at the Dornoch Whisky Festival!

Set in the grounds of the historic Dornoch Castle Hotel, The Gala Tasting is sure to be popular with Whisky connoisseurs and novices alike! This grand tasting event is the heart of the Dornoch Whisky Festival and will be taking place from 12pm unitl 4pm on the 29th October. Tickets are only £25 so it is an affordable day out for all whisky lovers.

Come along and sample a wide range of malt whisky from local distillers including Balblair, Clynelish, The Dalmore, Glenmorangie, Glen Ord, Old Pulteney & Wolfburn, as well as Gordon & Macphail, Benromach, Glen Scotia, Glenturret, Annandale and Douglas Laing. And we are very excited to announce that our very own Dornoch Distillery will have gin to sample!

Our very special guest Charles Maclean will be attending the tasting and be meeting and greeting everyone who comes along. Charles has written many books on Scotch Whisky and runs tastings and masterclasses world wide. He is very knowledgeable will be a fantastic person to spend the afternoon with!

Tickets are £25 each which includes 20 vouchers to be used on the drams of your choice as well as a plate of cheese, bread and grapes to be enjoyed at your leisure! You will receive a Goody Bag with a voucher card to be exchanged for drams (with option to purchase more) a Glencairn tasting glass, pen, program and a bottle of water. You will also receive a tombola ticket which enters you automatically into a draw for a place in the Chocolate and Whisky pairing masterclass run by Whisky Corner. We are very excited about this event and Whisky Corner are working with local distilleries and Cocoa Skye, a local chocolate producer, to create a very exclusive Chocolate and Whisky pairing workshop. Only 25 lucky people (chosen at random by Charles Maclean) will get a chance to attend this 45 minute workshop which will take place a 2pm. We can’t wait!

Alongside the Whisky tasting stalls we will also have chocolates, cake and Whisky flavoured candles!

In the evening after the Gala Tasting the Castle are hosting there a BBQ followed by a Traditional Ceilidh

Book your tickets now: www.dornochwhiskyfestival.com

Balvenie Whisky Tasting November 11

On Friday, 11th November, James Buntin will be joining us for a tasting of all things Balvenie! The event will take place in the 16th century cellars below Nickolls & Perks on Lower High Street, Stourbridge. We’ll be tasting a number of different whiskies from the distillery, featuring some interesting finishes and some well-aged expressions too. Discover the hidden depths of the spirit with the help of leading Balvenie expert, James Buntin.

– Tasting Lineup –

Balvenie 12 Year Old Single Barrel – First Fill
Balvenie 14 Year Old Caribbean Cask
Balvenie 15 Year Old Single Barrel Sherry Cask
Balvenie DoubleWood 17 Year Old
Balvenie 21 Year Old PortWood Finish
Balvenie TUN 1509 Batch 3

– Tickets £25 – 

MORE INFORMATION

FINE WHISKY AUCTION

Bloomsbury House, 24 Maddox Street, London W1S 1PP

Wednesday 12^th October, 10am

An exceptional range of fine wines, whiskies and select spirits will be on offer from 10am on 12^th October 2016 at Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions’ London base, Bloomsbury House, 24 Maddox Street, W1S 1PP.

Of particular note is lot 105, a very rare bottle of Glen Grant from 1952, commemorating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Contained within a Glencairn decanter and stoppered with a Swarovski crystal this utterly exceptional single malt whisky is housed within a box made from a Scottish Elm, felled at Holyrood House, and nestled in its own Harris Tweed bag. It carries an estimate of £8,000-£9,000. On February 2^nd 1952, four days before the ascension of Her Majesty to the Great British throne, the barrel, cask number 465, was filled under the instruction of George Urquhart. The liquid then remained ensconced within this sweet Oloroso sherry cask for exactly sixty years, before being bottled into one of just 85 decanters.

Alongside this exceptional lot are two bottles of iconic A.H. Hirsch 16 year old Reserve Whiskey (Lot 18 & 19, est. £900-£1,100). Distilled in 1974, and no longer produced, the popularity and quality was such that it evolved in a ‘viral fashion’ to its current status as a Bourbon icon.

ROYAL SALUTE 32 YEAR OLD UNION OF THE CROWNS UNVEILED

– New permanent expression launched to celebrate the modern British Monarchy –

Royal Salute, the exceptionally crafted and aged Scotch whisky, has unveiled Royal Salute 32 Year Old Union of the Crowns, a new exquisite blend that unites precious single malt and grain whiskies aged for a minimum of 32 years. Celebrating the creation of the modern British Monarchy, which is the source of the brand’s inspiration and values, the expression will appeal to aficionados looking for a rare whisky experience and will be available exclusively through global travel retail.

Royal Salute 32 Year Old Union of the Crowns pays tribute to the events of 1603, when King James VI fused three mighty kingdoms to create the modern British Monarchy. Reflecting the significance of this historical event, the rare single malts in Royal Salute 32 Year Old Union of the Crowns also show the power of unity, combining precious whiskies to create an incredible experience that can boast to be greater than the sum of its parts.

Exceptional whiskies aged for over 32 years have been hand-selected from some of the best distilleries in Scotland, such as: Longmorn with its creamy texture; the characteristically fruity Glen Keith; the sweetness of Tormore and the richness of Braeval as well as long-since closed distilleries – Lochside and Caperdonich. With all of these elements combined the final expression offers a rich and fruity nose with flavours of soft caramel toffee, dark chocolate and orange with a touch of ginger cake.

Reflecting the rare liquid within, Royal Salute 32 Year Old Union of the Crowns is presented in an elegant porcelain flagon, made from the purest clay, water and tempered fire. The flagon, which takes ten days to make at the hands of highly skilled craftsmen, is embossed with a distinguished hand-hammered silver plaque, while a black stone set on a silver crown tops the bottle. Each bottle is unique, with the glaze giving every flagon an individual patina, the result of a secret firing process. The story of the Union of the Crowns is brought elegantly to life through the flagon’s long neck, which is decorated with a rose, a thistle and a shamrock.

Peter Moore, Prestige Brand Director at Chivas Brothers, commented: “We are very pleased to present Royal Salute 32 Year Old Union of the Crowns, a truly precious blend of aged whiskies. This unique Scotch unites the timeless tradition of our skills and history with a contemporary understanding of the whisky experience preferred by today’s discerning spirits drinkers. The British Monarchy has been at the heart of the brand since its foundation in 1953 and, as a true representation of the exquisite craft of the Royal Salute blending team, we expect this new expression to become a sought-after collector’s item for international travellers.”

Royal Salute 32 Year Old Union of the Crowns will be available in global travel retail from September 2016 at an RRP of 380 USD or local equivalent.

 NOTES

Tasting notes:

• Nose: Rich and fruity with notes of  peaches in sweet syrup, soft caramel toffee, cinnamon  and a hint of luxurious dark chocolate.
• Taste: Full and exquisitely smooth, sweet orange flavours balanced with soft ripe pear and a hint of liquorice and ginger cake.
• Finish: Long, sweet and smooth.

About Royal Salute

Royal Salute is a careful blend of matured malt and grain whiskies – with its youngest whisky matured for a minimum of 21 years. Created to mark the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, which was honoured with a traditional 21 gun salute, Royal Salute is steeped in tradition, while still firmly engaged in the modern world by constantly pushing the art of blending into new, creative and ambitious forms. Royal Salute is deeply involved in polo – the world’s oldest surviving team sport and a game that’s expanding in the modern era. The brand sponsors more than 15 international tournaments from the UK and the USA through Argentina and China to Korea.

www.royalsalute.com

About Chivas Brothers

Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard, the world’s n°2 in wines and spirits. Chivas Brothers’ award-winning portfolio features some of the world’s most revered Scotch whisky brands including Chivas Regal, the world’s first luxury whisky and the No.1 Scotch whisky in China; Ballantine’s, Europe’s No.1 Scotch whisky; The Glenlivet, the single malt whisky that set the standard; and Royal Salute, the world’s only exclusively prestige Scotch whisky range. The portfolio also includes two of the world’s leading English gins – Beefeater, the world’s most awarded premium gin, and Plymouth gin – plus a selection of highly acclaimed single malt whiskies, including Aberlour, Longmorn, Scapa, Strathisla and Tormore. The range is completed by a collection of blended Scotch whiskies operating in many of the world’s key whisky markets which includes 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport Scotch. www.chivasbrothers.com

About Pernod Ricard

Pernod Ricard is the world’s n°2 in wines and spirits with consolidated Sales of € 8,682 million in FY16. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has undergone sustained development, based on both organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard holds one of the most prestigious brand portfolios in the sector: Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Kahlúa and Malibu liqueurs, Mumm and Perrier- Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo, Graffigna and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard employs a workforce of approximately 18,000 people and operates through a decentralised organisation, with 6 “Brand Companies” and 85 “Market Companies” established in each key market. Pernod Ricard is strongly committed to a sustainable development policy and encourages responsible consumption. Pernod Ricard’s strategy and ambition are based on 3 key values that guide its expansion: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust and a strong sense of ethics.

Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN code: FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 index. www.pernod-ricard.com

The second day of the Dornoch Whisky Festival 2016 includes our main tasting event, The Gala Tasting, at the Dornoch Castle Hotel, a Ceilidh, BBQ, tastings, tours and amazing menus throughout the town.

You can book online now here: www.dornochwhiskyfestival.com. All events outside of Dornoch include return transport.

Independant Bottling Masterclass, Carnegie Whisky Cellars: 11am, £50pp The Carnegie Whisky Cellars opened in May this year. Not only do they run fantastic tasting sessions, but they also have a whisky shop selling a wide range of whiskys from around the world. Join them for a preview of 6 of the showcased northern distilleries at the festival. We’ll be opening some very special independent bottles for your enjoyment.

The Dalmore Discovery Distillery Tour: 11am, £30pp The Dalmore Distillery sits on the banks of the Cromarty Firth overlooking the Black Isle.  This award winning Highland Single Malt is renowned for its rich sherry cask finishes and rare expressions. The Dalmore Discovery Distillery tour gives a rare insight into the skill, expertise and craft that goes into each precious drop of The Dalmore.

Signet Tour of Glenmorangie: 11am, £30pp Glenmorangie Distillery sits on the shores of The Dornoch Firth, just south of Dornoch. To complement your Distillery Tour a visit to our Signet Room is included, where you can sample Glenmorangie Original and Glenmorangie Signet which is one of our rarest expressions and undoubtedly the richest whisky in our range. A complex vatting of our oldest whisky stocks combined with whiskies matured in the world’s most expensive designer casks we bring alive Glenmorangie Signet’s rich dark layers of flavour with a very unusual and alluring sonic tasting experience.

The Gala Tasting: 12pm, £25pp Come along and sample a wide range of malt whisky from local distillers including Balblair, Clynelish, The Dalmore, Glenmorangie, Glen Ord, Old Pulteney & Wolfburn, as well as Gordon & Macphail, Benromach, Glen Scotia, Glenturret, Annandale and Douglas Laing. And we are very excited to announce that our very own Dornoch Distillery will have gin to sample in this year! There will be a FREE cheese and bread table, chocolates, cakes and even a Chocolate and Whisky pairing Masterclass run by Whisky Corner (only available to people attending the Gala Tasting, £15 per person) There will also be food available ranging from Tapas to Burgers! Tickets are £25 each for which you will receive a Goody Bag with pen, bottle of water, Gala Tasting brochure,  voucher card to be exchanged for drams (with option to purchase more) and a Glencairn tasting glass.

A Taste of the Highlands Tour: 3pm, £150pp Charles Maclean was trained in ‘the sensory evaluation of potable spirits’ by the Scotch Whisky Research Institute in 1992 and has presented numerous tastings and talks in the U.K. and abroad for whisky companies, corporations, universities and clubs, and on radio and TV. He is a member of the Judging Panel (Spirits) of the International Wines & Spirits Competition, and was runner-up as ‘Communicator of the Year’ in the 2003 IWSC Awards. We are delighted to welcome Charles to the Dornoch Whisky Festival and you can be assured of an entertaining and informative “Taste of the Highlands”. The venue is newly opened Carnegie Whisky Cellars in the old Courthouse building. The atmospheric tasting room is housed in the 200 year old original court record vault – complete with steel security door and Caithness slab flooring. 16 places are available at this exclusive event, at £150 per person

Dinner Service at Links House: 6.30pm, £55 You can always expect wonderful food and wine when you visit the award winning Links House.  Their head chef’s focus is on seasonal delicacies, locally sourced from a selection of specialty suppliers. We offer a small choice menu constructed daily dependent on our chef’s network of specialty suppliers. Whether fresh Dornoch mussels, Langoustines from nearby Scrabster or game from Bonar Bridge, you will find it delightful. Complimentary dram/ Prosecco and canapés upon arrival.

BBQ and Ceilidh at the Dornoch Castle Hotel: from 7pm After an afternoon of whisky tasting, sit back, relax and enjoy a Barbeque to recharge your batteries and get ready for a traditional Ceilidh! The Barbeque runs from 7pm and is £8 per person. The Ceilidh starts at 9pm so stick around and finish off the evening in true Highland style- Get your dancing shoes on and dance to the music of the Red Reel Ceilidh Band – with Magnus Orr on the pipes.

Start planning your weekend now!