The Carnegie Whisky Cellars, in the newly renovated Carnegie Courthouse, is in the heart of historical Dornoch, Northern Highlands, and extends a warm welcome to all our new customers and friends! Opened in June 2016, we have an extensive range of single malts, official and independent bottlings, also a great selection of Scottish blended whiskies.

Purchases from the shop can be shipped to most destinations in the UK and worldwide. 

Our Tasting Vault provides the opportunity for private and corporate tasting experiences, tailored to suit your requirements. This is a history laden, characterful and comfortable venue, with a fantastic display of collectible bottles from private collections which are available for purchase.

Our friendly, knowledgeable team look forward to welcoming you, discussing your individual requirements, and delivering excellent customer service.

Feel free to contact our team for more information on upcoming events, tastings or new releases 01862811791 or email us at whisky@thecarnegiecourthouse.co.uk 

You can now find the Carnegie Whisky Cellars on Facebook and Trip Advisor! 

Slainte!

FEAST ON PEAT AND SAVE £60

Snag yourself a perfectly-priced parcel of peated single casks that includes 2, rarely available 20-year-old Islays and comes with a smoking-hot £60 saving. Just looking for that one, special smoky bottle? Check out all things peated > in the shop this week…

Three-course Peat Feast £199

Savour the best Hebridean produce in three peaty, sweet and savoury single casks. Sit down in the smoke house and awaken the palate with 3.279’s lighter floral flavours before heavily peated 129.187’s seriously hearty main course. Finish with 42.27 as a sweet, fruity pudding; a peat-lover’s fantasy dinner!

29.187 Beach huts, boatyards and ferries

Flavour: Heavily peated
Age: 20 years
Price: Exclusive to Trio

3.279 Evokes Van Gogh’s Provence

Flavour: Lightly peated
Age: 20 years
Price: Exclusive to Trio

42.27 Smoked ‘aged’ Riesling

Flavour: Lightly peated
Age: 9 years
Price: Exclusive to Trio

BUY Three-course Peat Feast >

Browse Current Outturn >
Browse All Bottlings >

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 Ben Bowers star of A Dram A Day YouTube channel hijacks Whisky Wednesday and reviews Lot 40 Canadian Whisky!

https://youtu.be/nNHagfxky20

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/adramaday

http://Twitter.com/whiskytube

https://www.facebook.com/whiskytube

THREE SHIPS LAUNCHES VINTAGE 10 YEAR OLD SINGLE MALT 

Three Ships Whisky, proudly South African and internationally lauded, has launched a limited edition 10 Year Old Single Malt, one that carries a 2005 vintage statement.

The whisky follows the successful release of the first single malt launched in 2003 and the collector’s tin series over a three year period in 2010, 2011 and 2012. 

Master distiller Andy Watts says this is the most powerful single malt he has produced to date, a style he will be continuing in the single malts to come. 

“When we launched South Africa’s first single malt in 2003 we didn’t have a single malt style policy in place and since then we have actively planned towards this moment where we are now in the position to launch a vintage statement single malt, each year and one with a defined style and vision.  

“I use the Cape winter months for fermentation to allow the yeast to follow its natural fermentation curve with as little temperature control interference as possible. We distilled the spirit in 2005 in copper potstills before it was laid to rest for 10 years in a selection of older American oak to compliment the delicate flavours of the spirit. It’s a beautiful whisky and a very proud moment for me!”  

Bottled at a strength of 44.6% it is un-chillfiltered and presented in its most purest form.  Rich and complex, the wonderful combination of pepper, spice, sweet oak, roasted malt, digestive biscuits, dark toffee and peat reveals slowly as the creaminess in the mouth lingers. The finish is exceptionally smooth, full-bodied with a long fruity, peaty aftertaste and slight hint of liquorice.    

The single malt is produced at The James Sedgwick Distillery in Wellington where the year-round warm temperature accelerates the interaction between the cask and the spirit, allowing the whisky to portray an elegancy associated with much older whiskies.   

The Three Ships 10 Year Old Single Malt 2005 vintage will be available for purchase in select liquor outlets and from www.vinoteque.co.za at about R524.95 per bottle.

Hashtag

#ThreeShips10YO

Twitter:

@TheWhiskyMaker

@ThreeShipsSA

THE FAMOUS GROUSE MASTER BLENDER TO HOLD FIRST LIVE CHAT

The Famous Grouse will be hosting a special ‘live chat’ with its Master Blender, Kirsteen Campbell on Thursday 25^th August (18:00-18:30 UK time).

Fans of Scotland’s favourite whisky from around world will be able to put their questions direct to Kirsteen, and can watch live via The Famous Grouse You Tube channel or The Famous Grouse Faceook page.

Fans can submit their questions to Kirsteen live by commenting on the You Tube or Facebook streams, and can also submit question in advance by commenting on Facebook posts released by the brand ahead of the event, or via Twitter with #famousquestions.

Kirsteen will be joined by Stuart Cassells, General Manager of The Famous Grouse Experience, who will host the live chat and be on hand to put the questions direct to Kirsteen.

Kirsteen Campbell was appointed to the role of Master Blender for The Famous Grouse in March 2016, and is one of the few people allowed to share the secret of the unique blend of whiskies that combine to make The Famous Grouse.

Her role involves managing the legendary ‘106 Sample Room’ at Edrington’s Blending Headquarters on Great Western Road, and the Live Chat will also feature an insider tour of the sample room, allowing fans a rare glimpse into the life of The Famous Grouse Master Blender.

Kirsteen Campbell said: “I’m really looking forward to hearing direct from our fans around the world, and find out which questions they are keen to find answers for. One thing I can say though it that I won’t be revealing the recipe for The Famous Grouse – that will remain a firm secret!”

Suzy Smith, Marketing Director, The Famous Grouse at Edrington added: “This is the first time that The Famous Grouse brand has hosted a live video chat and we’re really looking forward to seeing the response. We know that this is an increasingly popular way for people to engage with brands, and will grant fans from around the work unique access to one of the most important people behind our whisky: our Master Blender.”

Note to Editors

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)

Balvenie Tun 1509 Batch 3 – Back in Stock

We have just managed to obtain more stock of the limited edition and incredibly popular Balvenie Tun 1509 Batch 3. If you missed out first time around, or you fell in love with this year’s release, now is your chance to add this Speyside Single Malt to your collection.

Free delivery on orders over £75 Worldwide delivery available

An annual release from the Balvenie Distillery, Tun 1509 marries together casks hand-picked by Malt Master, David Stewart MBE, to create a unique expression that is always highly sought-after.

This third batch is comprised of 12 sherry butts distilled between 1989 and 1992, 11 American oak hogsheads from 1989 and 8 refill American oak butts from 1992 and 1993.

£280 Buy Now

AUGUST & EARLY SEPTEMBER TASTINGS & EVENTS

LONDON

19 Greville Street

New Members’ Sensory Tasting – Wed 31 Aug  More >

New Outturn Tasting – Sat 3 Sept  More >

Steak & Whisky Tasting – Mon 5 Sept  More >

PREVIEW TASTINGS AROUND THE UK

Thursday 25 August

Aberdeen >  

Friday 26 August

Harrogate >  

Carlisle >  

Livingston > 

FREE EVENTS AT THE VAULTS

Live Music Night with Gillywolfe – Tue 23 Aug 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

J & G. Grant are proud to announce the launch of the new Glenfarclas 30 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky. This single malt highlights the beginning of a new era as Glenfarclas now marks 180 years of production since its establishment in 1836. The 30 Years Old will be rolled out in the UK market within the next month, and shortly afterwards to international markets.

The Glenfarclas 30 Years Old promises full complex aromas with fruit and sherried malty tones on the nose. The flavour reveals sherry, cognac, brandy, fruit, and a beautiful combination of nutty marzipan and icing. A whisky you never want to end and it very nearly doesn’t, the finish is exquisite with a real taste of burnt chocolate at the back of your mouth. Overall this expression offers excellent depth and body, combined with a delightful texture and flavour on the palate, it finds itself among some of our truly rich and indulgent whiskies.

The long awaited expression is to be released in bespoke packaging; a red wooden box designed to recreate the iconic Glenfarclas warehouse doors is presented inside a classic tertiary box. The red doors include a glossy metallic 30 Years Old age statement with Glenfarclas Warehouse stencilling, while the inside of the box reveals a luxurious interior, matching the purple border of our original 30 Years Old label.

George Grant, Glenfarclas Sales Director, comments “We are delighted to relaunch this fantastic whisky, now with a modern and innovative presentation but at the same time symbolic of our traditional warehouses and age-old methods inherited from my forefathers.”

Juliette Buchan becomes a Keeper of the Quaich

A French woman married to a Scot is the latest member of the Gordon & MacPhail team to be made a Keeper of the Quaich – the exclusive international society dedicated to celebrating the virtues of Scotch whisky.

Juliette Buchan, who has worked at Gordon & MacPhail for more than nine years, is the regional export sales manager, working largely in Europe. Her job involves extensive travel as she meets customers and conducts numerous tastings, whisky tutorials and master classes.

Juliette was delighted to be honoured by the Keepers of the Quaich and said: “I’ve attended the ceremony before and it was a wonderful occasion, with people attending from all over the world. But this was clearly particularly special for me, as it is such an honour to become a Keeper of the Quaich.

“French people have a great love of whisky – indeed France is the number one market for Scotch whisky by volume so it has always been a great privilege to introduce my countrymen and women, as well as many other Europeans, to our extensive range of whiskies. Whether they are tasting whisky for the first time or are seasoned whisky drinkers, it is a pleasure to explain more about Scotch malt whisky and its history and character.”

Juliette, who lives in Lossiemouth with her husband and two sons, manages and develops business relationships with export customers predominantly throughout Europe.

The prestigious Keeper of the Quaich society is an international community of members that includes leading figures in the industry, as well as renowned experts in Scotch Whisky. It recognises those who have made an outstanding contribution to the Scotch Whisky industry.

The venue for the occasion – Blair Castle – is home to the Atholl Highlanders, Europe’s only private army. Held in the Grand Ballroom of the Castle, famous for its ceiling decorated with 175 deer antlers, the event is hosted by Keepers of the Quaich President, the Earl of Dalhousie.

Ewen Mackintosh, Chief Operating Officer at Gordon & MacPhail said he was delighted to see Juliette made a Keeper of the Quaich: “It’s an honour and responsibility to be made a Keeper of the Quaich. You become part of a community that seeks to increase awareness and appreciation of Scotch whisky across the globe.

“Juliette is a terrific ambassador for Scotch malt whisky and is truly deserving of this honour.”

Gordon & MacPhail is one of the world’s leading malt whisky specialists, exporting to more than 60 countries. It offers more than 300 presentations of own-bottled single malts. The company made history in 2010 by bottling the oldest cask ever released – a 70 Years Old Mortlach, distilled in 1938. They followed this up by releasing a 70 Years Old Glenlivet in 2011 and a 75 Years Old Mortlach in 2015.

In 1993, revived Benromach Distillery with a painstaking refurbishment. It was officially re-opened by HRH The Prince of Wales in 1998. Since then the Forres distillery has enjoyed significant growth in sales of its single malt Scotch whisky, including the flagship Benromach 10 Years Old. Benromach is handcrafted in a style draws its influence from pre 1960s Speyside whiskies.

About Gordon & MacPhail

Gordon & MacPhail is an independent, family-owned Scotch Whisky specialist which has been based in Elgin, Moray, since 1895. Four generations of the Urquhart family have continued the tradition of seeking out the best and rarest Scotch Whiskies.

Since its foundation, Gordon & MacPhail’s policy has been to send casks to distilleries throughout Scotland, fill them with ‘new make’ spirit and mature them either at the distillery of origin or in the firm’s own bonded warehouses in Elgin.

Now one of the world’s leading malt whisky specialists, Gordon & MacPhail exports to more than 60 countries. It offers more than 300 presentations of own-bottled single malts.  In 2009, Gordon & MacPhail was awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade; an honor that was bestowed on the business again in 2013 with a visit from HRH The Princess Royal.

In 1993 Gordon & MacPhail purchased Benromach Distillery and re-equipped it before it was officially opened by HRH Prince Charles in 1998. A four-star visitor centre is open to the public throughout the year for tours and tastings. Benromach distillery is a member of the world famous malt whisky trail.

Going, Going, Gone

One of Scotland’s smallest distilleries launches Whisky Auction 

The malt countdown is truly on for Strathearn Distillery, which is set to become the first of the new wave of small distilleries in Scotland to launch its malt whisky with an exclusive online auction of the first 100 bottles.

Whisky Auctioneer based in Perth will host the live auction beginning on 23 August, which also marks Strathearn’s third birthday. The auction will run until 1 December 2016.

Strathearn Distillery, which is based in Perthshire and widely considered one of Scotland’s smallest distilleries, is currently maturing artisan single cask, single malt Scotch whisky using traditional methods and ideas. In December, Strathearn’s whisky will reach three years old- the minimum age to be considered Scotch whisky.

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 scotch to market. With only 100 bottles this year an auction seemed like the only fair way to set a price. After all, what price would you put on bottle 001?”

The spirit is matured in small octave size (50 litre) casks to give the whisky a traditional and distinctive flavour. By using either peated or non-peated malt and varying the type of cask between sherry, rum or bourbon, each batch of whisky will be entirely unique.

Stuart McMillan, Distillery Manager at Strathearn Distillery said: “Scotch whisky fans from around the world will be able to own a piece of Strathearn history and because of this, we want to hand deliver bottle 001 to the lucky bidder. Here’s hoping they live somewhere exotic!”

Whilst the whisky has been reaching maturation, Strathearn has been focused on creating other spirits, namely a range of four core gins, Uisge Beatha and Scotland’s first Cider Brandy giving Strathearn the deserving title of the home of craft spirits in Scotland.

The auction will run from 9am on 23 August until 9am on the 1 December. To bid, simply visit: www.whiskyauctioneer.com/ . Post auction, Strathearn will host an exclusive dinner in the distillery grounds with all the winners to celebrate the first batch of their whisky.

For more information on Strathearn Distillery, please visit www.strathearndistillery.com/

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.