The Macallan brings the triple cask matured Fine Oak Range to South Africa 

The Macallan presents two new expressions to the SA market, Fine Oak 12 and 18, and brings back a favourite; Fine Oak 15

The Macallan, one of the world’s greatest single malt whiskies, will be launching the triple cask matured Fine Oak Range in SA. A firm favourite: Fine Oak 15 will be re-introduced, and two new expressions will also be rolled out over the coming months, Fine Oak 12 and the 18.

The Fine Oak range is triple cask matured in a combination of European oak sherry casks, American oak sherry seasoned casks and American bourbon casks, delivering a more diverse yet subtle style of whisky, whilst maintaining The Macallan’s core DNA which is a focus on sherry seasoned oak casks, natural colour, and rich, fruity full bodied flavours and mouth feel.

To craft Fine Oak, we bring new oak from America across thousands of miles to Spain, where oak casks are crafted and sherry seasoned before traveling to our distillery on Speyside to mature for twelve years. These whiskies are then combined with those aged in the very best sherry seasoned European oak casks and American Bourbon casks. This approach reveals an unmatched investment in time and extraordinary commitment to mastery for which The Macallan has been known since 1824

Bob Dalgarno, Master Whisky Maker explains, “The Macallan Fine Oak requires a distinctive approach to whisky making.  Being created from a triple cask combination, both sherry and bourbon seasoned, we are working with a broader spectrum of character.  The resulting versatile single malt which offers up great flavour diversity.”

The Fine Oak range will sit alongside The Macallan 1824 Masters Series which is available in SA, including Rare Cask, Reflexion, No.6 and M, – which now offers The Macallan fan a wider choice of whiskies from the portfolio.

“The Macallan Fine Oak Range is an extraordinary range of whiskies which bare testament to the incredible wood story of The Macallan, reintroducing this range into the South African market at a time where malt whisky demand and interest is at its highest is an exciting transition for The Macallan brand. This represents our ambition to translate our ultimate luxury spirit positioning and obsession with craft and quality to produce a peerless spirit, in one of the world’s most exciting malt whisky markets” commented Mac Mabidilala, Africa Marketing Manager

Commenting at the launch of The Macallan Fine Oak range, whisky expert Jim Murray said: “The breadth and depth and sophistication of The Macallan Fine Oak range is simply jaw-droppingly good.” 

The Macallan Fine Oak Range is available from selected liquor stores and online retailers (RRP for 12 starts from R599, 15 – R999 and 18 from R2500 (Limited stock))

What makes the Fine Oak Range exceptional?

The American oak casks are crafted from timber sourced in the woodlands of Ohio, Tennessee and Missouri and are logged by third generation woodsmen, who are personally selected by The Macallan’s own Master of Wood. Some of these casks will mature bourbon in humid Kentucky warehouses for three years before the long journey to Scotland whilst others will be transported to Jerez, in Spain, to be filled with sherry.

The addition of American oak bourbon seasoned barrels imparts aromas and flavours slightly drier and more oaky than the American oak sherry casks, with more pronounced aromas and flavours of coconut, but still with the lighter colour and sweetness associated with American oak.

The European oak sherry casks begin life in the dense, sustainable forests of Northern Spain and each cask is handcrafted in the cooperages of Jerez where they are fired to ensure the spirit penetrates deep into the wood. These casks will then be seasoned with sherry for a minimum of two years before being transported to The Macallan Distillery in Speyside for filling with new make spirit. 

The Story of The Macallan 

The Six Pillars are the foundation stones for the fame and character of The Macallan. They encompass the strong sense of place at the heart of the distillery and the estate, together with their long experience of distilling and maturing a single malt whisky with a reputation for product excellence and distinctive character. These, in combination, contribute to the essential character of The Macallan.

• Spiritual Home; Easter Elchies House, built in 1700, lies at the heart of The Macallan estate in an area of great natural beauty and is farmed sensitively, in harmony with the environment. The estate covers 390 acres (158 hectares), of which some 90 acres are sown in the spring with our own exclusive barley variety (Minstrel) to make The Macallan. A single acre will produce nearly two and a half tons of barley, which will yield around 1,800 bottles of The Macallan.
• Curiously Small Stills; The Macallan’s curiously small spirit stills are the smallest on Speyside. Their unique size and shape give the spirit maximum contact with the copper, helping to concentrate the ‘new make’ spirit and provide those rich, fruity, full-bodied flavours so characteristic of The Macallan. There are fourteen of these curiously small stills, crafted from copper, each holding an initial ‘charge’ of 3,900 litres.
• Finest Cut; The Macallan takes only 16% of the final distillation from the spirit stills to fill into their oak casks. This is the best of the best and one of the smallest in the industry.
• Exceptional Oak Casks; The Macallan spends more on sourcing, building, seasoning and caring for its casks than any other single malt whisky.
• Natural Colour; the rich range of colours in The Macallan whiskies is drawn only from the wood of their exceptional oak casks
• The Macallan itself; From humble beginnings in 1824, The Macallan has grown from a small local enterprise to global recognition, based on a constant and determined attention to quality – one of the world’s greatest whiskies. 

About The Macallan

Founded in 1824, The Macallan is one of the world’s most admired and awarded single malt whiskies. The reputation of The Macallan is based on a product of outstanding quality and distinctive character, founded upon a set of guiding principles, the Six Pillars.  An obsession with quality has been the hallmark of The Macallan since its founding by Alexander Reid on a plateau above the river Spey in north-east Scotland. The distillery is surrounded by a 150 hectare estate, with Easter Elchies House at its heart, a Highland Manor built in 1700.

http://www.themacallan.com/

TOP MARK DRAMS: MEMBERS’ HIGHEST ACHIEVERS

Earn a gold star – and a delicious dram – for choosing an excellent whisky, with a little help from your fellow members. See our league table of August’s highest achieving bottlings for inspiration. Love to learn in a team? Lead a flavour-filled group project with one of August’s multi-bottle offers.

No. 1: Juicy, oak & vanilla

48.76 The freshness of citrus!
Age: 11 years
Cask: First fill ex-bourbon barrel
Price: £48.20

No. 2: Young & spritely

85.38 Hazelnut Iced Coffee
Age: 11 years
Cask: First fill ex-bourbon barrel
Price: £44.70

No. 3: Peated

29.186 Spicy smoky seaweed salad
Age: 16 years
Cask: Refill ex-bourbon barrel
Price: £106.20

No. 4: Old & dignified

30.90 Lost in the dessert
Age: 24 years
Cask: Second fill ex-bourbon hogshead
Price: £98.40

No. 5: Spicy & sweet

55.39 No pussycat
Age: 18 years
Cask: Second fill ex-Sauternes hogshead
Price: £69.50

No. 6: Spicy & dry

50.78 Ready…Steady…Bake
Age: 25 years
Cask: Refill ex-bourbon barrel
Price £137.50

No. 7: Young & spritely

77.44 Cheerful Childhood memories
Age: 15 years
Cask: Second fill ex-Sauternes hogshead
Price: £60.10

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

With the Japanese whisky boom in full stead, the UK market struggles to get a lot of stock. We have been very fortunate this month to receive the Taketsuru 17yr old and 21yr old. With the classic vanilla and light fruit notes of the Taketsuru these high age statements are more than interesting.

The Milroy Selection Springbank 30 year old.

Springbank is one of our favourite distilleries here at Milroy’s due to their complex flavours that are not commonly found in other whiskies. Rarely do we find a Springbank at this age either, so what we have here is something quite special. Think of green apple notes with stewed fruit followed by a gentle hint of peat reek on the finish.

‘Single malts of Scotland’ Tomintoul 30 year old.

The old independent bottling by the whisky exchange, ‘Single malts of Scotland’ is not something we see very often anymore, We have recently been lucky enough to get a bottle of a 30 year old Tomintoul bottle bottled in 2002. 1972 was an exceptional vintage for Tomintoul and at 30 years old it is at the peak age for sherried Tomintouls. With very few bottles left in existence not even we can find another one. If this is something that piques your interest give us a call or pop by to the shop.

Caol Ila 34 Year Old 1981 Carn Mor Celebration

Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

$379.30

Caol Ila 34 Year Old 1981 vintage Islay single malt Scotch whiskey. Single cask hogshead #5682 bottled July 2016 by Morrison & MacKay for the Càrn Mòr Celebration of the Cask series. 215 numbered bottles. Caol Ila Distillery on the Isle of Islay is famous for the stunning view from the still house windows looking out across the Sound of Islay and for the objects which have passed by including naval battleships, smugglers in dinghies, submarines and whales. Caol Ila Distillery was established in 1846 by Hector Henderson on a sheltered but rocky stretch of coast on north east Islay. Now the largest malt whisky distillery on Islay and visitors are welcomed at the distillery visitor centre where distillery tours are available. Caol Ila Distillery is a participant in Feis Ile, the annual Islay Festival of Malt and Music.

This week Joe Ellis reviews Glengoyne 21 Year Old Single Malt.

https://youtu.be/3SAbwU28Z6E

http://Twitter.com/whiskytube

https://www.facebook.com/whiskytube

GORDON & MACPHAIL CONNOISSEURS CHOICE WINS GOLD MEDAL

Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice Tomatin 1997 has scooped a gold medal at the prestigious International Wine and Spirit Competition, with Gordon & MacPhail Cask Strength Caol Ila 2004 also being awarded a silver medal.

Judges at the competition, which received entries from 30 different countries across the world, presented Connoisseurs Choice Tomatin 1997 with a gold medal after tasting how the oak, fresh coconut and rapeseed oil on the nose gave way to flavours of vanilla, mixed with elements of oak spice, with a smooth, cracked black pepper finish.

The medals come hot on the heels of Connoisseurs Choice Glen Elgin 1998 winning a silver award in the ‘Speyside single malt aged 13-18 years’ category at the International Spirits Challenge, and being ‘Recommended’ by leading industry platform Whisky Magazine, and Connoisseurs Choice Strathmill 2000 singled out as the best ‘Single Malt Scotch 11-15 Years (Multiple Casks)’ in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible Liquid Gold awards.

Recognised by experts across the industry, the Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice range offers consumers the chance to sample rare and sought after single malt whisky from distilleries throughout Scotland.

Since taking the unprecedented step of launching Connoisseurs Choice in the 1960s, leading whisky specialist Gordon & MacPhail has been focused on providing exclusive, high quality whiskies which can be enjoyed by both those who are new to the world of single malts, and specialists alike.

Stephen Rankin, Director and a member of the fourth generation of the Urquhart family, the owners of Gordon & MacPhail, said: “An opportunity to enjoy unique whiskies, which otherwise would not be available to purchase, our Connoisseurs Choice range offers consumers the chance to experience something special. Long revered by both consumers and the whisky industry, it is fantastic to see not one but three of the whiskies in the range being recognised by leading spirits authorities.

“These recent accolades, alongside the various awards won throughout the past year, are testament to our dedication to providing whisky lovers across the world with top quality products which are lovingly nurtured by experts in their field.”

For further information on Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice please visit the Gordon & MacPhail website at http://www.gordonandmacphail.com/.

Notes

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 founding, 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 honour that was bestowed on the business again in 2013 with a visit from HRH The Princess Royal.
• In 2015 Gordon & MacPhail made history by bottling the oldest cask ever released – a 75-Year-Old Mortlach, distilled in 1939.

Five great London whisky bars

Our capital is filled with bars all jostling to claim ownership of the largest collection of Scotch, bourbon and Irish whiskies. But, as is the case with wine lists, a carefully curated selection in a convivial space with knowledgeable staff will always win against a backbar groaning under the weight of dusty bottles. These five whisky bars in London may have a huge selection or are simply known for their specialist bottles and keen interest in whiskies, yet either way are thoroughly enjoyable places to enjoy the finest spirit in the world.

Black Rock – for exploring your palate

9 Christopher Street, London EC2A 2BS Mon-Sat 5pm-late, Sun CLOSED

A small basement bar around the back of Liverpool Street Station, Black Rock has an unassuming entrance which, despite the fact it descends, is a staircase leading to whisky heaven. Let the centrepiece of the room steal your attention for just a few minutes – a majestic tree trunk which acts as a table and whisky ageing station – and then be guided through Scotland’s malt spirit allowing taste to be your decider. At Black Rock, rather than classify the bottles by region or brand, the team have tasted their way through each whisky and organised them according to six flavour groups and whether they’re heavy and light. It’s basically a flavour map – one which becomes easier to navigate once the drams start flying.

Milroy’s of Soho – for international drams

3 Greek Street, Soho W1D 4NX Mon CLOSED, Tue-Sat 6pm-Midnight

A London institution, you can allow your taste buds to go crazy at Milroy’s, with bottles from the Highlands, Lowlands, Speyside, Islands, Islay and Campbeltown – and that’s just the Scotch. Come prepared to taste smooth bourbons and spicy rye whiskey from across the pond, and even sample malts from Japan, Sweden, Australia and South Africa. Milroy’s feels like a step back in time, and hunkering down in a corner with traditional blends, an interesting single cask and some punchy rye is one of London’s true drinking delights.

Bull in a China Shop – for Japanese whiskies

196 Shoreditch High Street E1 6LG Mon-Fri 8am-midnight, Sat 10am-midnight, Sun 10am-11pm

Rare and premium is the name of the game here, and you’ll quickly discover some of the fabulous whiskies on the market. Bull in a China Shop specialises in both Scotch and Japanese whisky but with a food menu themed towards Asian cuisine, it would be rude not to get involved with some fantastic Japanese bottlings. Try Japan’s answer to Islay with a smoky Yoichi, or one of their rare single malt whiskies. Better yet, order a whisky cocktail – after all, the Japanese dilute their own whiskies so why not follow suit?

Soho Whisky Club – for tastings

42 Old Compton Street W1D 4LR Mon-Thu noon-11pm, Fri noon-midnight, Sat 1pm-midnight

Members only. But don’t let that stop you, for once you have the key to the door (and for that, all you need to do is drop in and charm the staff – simples) this place will become your favourite spot to sit and soak up whisky knowledge, while sipping a dram alongside, naturally. It isn’t the most beautiful London bar but for the spirits available, the small terrace for a languid afternoon cigar and the free tastings, this is easily one of the best London memberships – Annabel’s, eat your heart out. If you joined tomorrow, you’d have access to 14 tastings till the end of 2016, including sessions dedicated to rum and gin as well as a wealth of various whisky distilleries from around the world. Plus there’s always the benefit of having somewhere calm to drink in Soho.

Sun Tavern – for Irish whiskies

441 Bethnal Green Road E2 0AN Mon-Wed noon-midnight, Thu-Sat noon-1am, Sun noon-midnight

This intimate pub in Bethnal Green may seem like just another local but it is in fact a temple to Irish spirits and London brews. Irish whiskey has had its tough times, and no one appreciates this more than the team here who will happily talk you though the differences with its neighbouring Scotch, pot-still distillation and why the Irish were so adamantly against blended whiskey. Try a healthy slug from the distilleries dotted around the Emerald Isle and, if you’ll allow a slight deviation from whiskey, then it would be crime to visit the Sun Tavern and not try poteen. The pub itself is an oasis of comfort with a relaxed vibe that only east London can truly deliver. No one here is judging how you enjoy your whiskey or even how you pronounce poteen…

Jane is editor at DrinkUp.London, the home of London Cocktail Week, London Wine Week and London Beer Week.

Dear Society Members,

Hope you are all well, has much changed since last week when we spoke last? Before we get to our exciting news, just a quick update on the most recent society bottle, the Springbank 8yo Sherry. If you told me you wanted to collect your bottles from the Cologne, Berlin, Odense or Salzburg shops then your bottles should be there by now (and you hopefully will already have received an email from me about that). However, please contact the appropriate shop to check if you have a long distance to travel just to be sure. If you have any problems or questions, send me an email and I will do my very, very best to get back to you: society@springbankwhisky.com.

Springbank 12yo Cask Strength 56.3%

We are delighted to announce the release of our new Springbank 12yo Cask Strength. This has been matured in 70% Sherry Casks and 30% Bourbon Casks and bottled at 56.3% abv.

Tasting notes.

Nose: A wonderful concoction of nuts, toffee and marzipan among softer notes of coconut, creme brûlée and honeycomb.

Palate: A beautiful balanced dram with further notes of honeycomb along with toffee cream, chocolate, dried fruits and raisins.

Finish: Long, big and gentle with traditional dunnage warehouse notes accompanied by sweet salted caramel and maple syrup.

It is available in the UK from today (Friday 12th August) and is available throughout over 20 countries. Releases in other countries/markets will vary throughout the weeks ahead. Please contact your local retailers and stockists for more information, details of whom can be found by visiting http://www.springbankwhisky.com/distributors/.

Important: This will not be available to order through me, nor can I pre-order or reserve you a bottle as this is not a Society bottle. 

Or if you would like to buy it directly from us you can contact our Campbeltown Cadenhead shop by calling +44 (0)1586 551710.

Springbank 12yo Cask Strength will be available in our shop for £47.00.

Lastly, I know we teased you all on social media, particularly Twitter and Instagram, about the above Cask Strength (that was cruel) but I wanted to quickly address a point that came up from that. Many of you thought the announcement would be the next Society bottle, which will actually be out in late Autumn/Fall as far as I’m aware. I wouldn’t do that to you. Hopefully, the outside world will not hear of a new Society bottle before you guys do, there will be no mention of it on social media beforehand. The Society is just for members.

But while we are on the subject of social media…

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/officialspringbankwhisky/

Twitter –  https://twitter.com/Springbank1828

Instagram –  Search Springbank Whisky (@springbankwhisky1828)

Slainte,

Nathan

Nathan Currie

For the Springbank Society

To join the Springbank Society please contact Natahn at society@springbankwhisky.com

AUGUST TASTINGS & EVENTS  

LONDON

New Member’ Sensory Tasting – 19 Greville Street, Wed 31 Aug  More >

EDINBURGH

Five of the Best Tasting – The Vaults, Fri 19 Aug  More >

September Outturn Preview Tasting – The Vaults, Thu 25 Aug More >

FREE EVENTS AT THE VAULTS

Drop-in Evening: Closed and Rare Drams – Tue 16 Aug More >

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

Dalmore Quintessence

In celebration of Master Distiller, Richard Paterson’s five decades in the whisky industry, The Dalmore Quintessence combines two of his great passions: The Dalmore and exceptional red wine. Matured in American white oak ex-bourbon barrels before being transferred to five varieties of Californian wine casks for an unprecedented five years of finishing, this unique expression was deemed to have achieved perfection by Paterson earlier this year and was launched on 28th July with only 200 bottles available in the UK.

£1,000 Pre-Order Now