Indie Bottlers Allow Fringe Whisky Exploration

UNITED KINGDOM — Tues 28 Feb – Offering a large selection of independently bottled whiskies and exclusive expressions from the top distilleries, e-commerce venture Whisky Foundation encourages whisky fans to veer from the mainstream in search of a distinctive dram.  This week’s exclusive new arrivals to Whisky Foundation include a selection of independently bottled whiskies from world-renowned Macallan, Bunnahabhain, Springbank and Tobermory.

Like the indie music producers of the whisky world, independent bottlers offer expressions from top distilleries that would not otherwise reach the general public. Hand-selecting casks to match their collections and preferences, these independent bottlers release limited numbers of expressions that are often at cask strength, often with no added colour and non-chill filtered, to showcase the whisky’s distinct flavour profile.

Independent bottlings offer an alternative and more authentic way to sample a whisky from great distilleries such as Laphroaig, Port Charlotte, Aberlour and Caol Ila. Whisky Foundation exclusives added this week focus heavily on the celebrated Macallan distillery, including a gorgeous Macallan 18 year old aged in sherry casks, a very special  Macallan 25 year old bottled by Wilson & Morgan and a Macallan 7 year old gift set, complete with branded glasses.

“Independent bottling is probably not as commonly understood as it should be,” says Head Caskologist George Koutsakis. “We’d like to help more people understand the process because independent bottlers produce single cask or limited editions releases that contribute wonderful variety and vibrancy to the world of whisky. With whisky prices soaring, independent bottlers have had to work harder than ever to persuade distilleries to part with their prized casks, but we’re seeing great results and an increasingly imaginative array of delicious drams.”

As the expressions are sourced from very small lots, sometimes even a single cask, very limited numbers of bottles are released.  Many of the independent bottlings listed on Whisky Foundation cannot be found anywhere else. Notable releases from the Islay distillery of Caol Ila were bottled by independent bottler Kingsbury exclusively for sale at Whisky Foundation. Expressions from The Maltman have been produced exclusively for Whisky Foundation, including an Aberlour 21 year old, a Springbank 20 year old and a  Glenlossie 18 year old bottling.

Whisky Foundation offers stock from widely-recognised independent bottlers such as Gordon & MacPhail, Berry Bros. & Rudd and Signatory Vintage, alongside up-and-coming gems such as Kingsbury, Rest & Be Thankful, Sar Obair and The Maltman. In addition to premium single malt whisky, the collection also includes varieties of independently bottled rumfrom the likes of Silver Seal and Martinique.

Whisky fans can get read more about independent bottling, whisky news and top Scottish distilleries at the Whisky Foundation blog.

Notes 

About Whisky Foundation

Founded in 2016, e-commerce venture Whisky Foundation offers a large selection of independently bottled whisky and rum, including exclusive expressions from the top distilleries, such as Laphroaig, Macallan, Port Charlotte and Caol Ila. Among the independent bottlers stocked are Gordon & MacPhail, Signatory Vintage, Kingsbury, Rest & Be Thankful, Sar Obair and The Maltman.

Follow Whisky Foundation on Twitter:  @WhiskyFdn

Like Whisky Foundation on Facebook:  facebook.com/whiskyfoundation/

Announcing: Tamdhu Batch Strength #002

Tamdhu Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky has unveiled the second edition of its multi award-winning Batch Strength expression.

A Tamdhu for the Devoted Malt Fan

Batch Strength 002 is bottled un-chillfiltered at natural colour and at 58.5%. Each batch is unique and varies slightly in style and intensity.  As with every bottle of Tamdhu, once distilled it is matured exclusively in hand-selected sherry oak casks. Our oak is the finest in the industry, with a high proportion being first-fill and teeming with flavour.  Finally, patience is required to allow these fine casks to do their work, giving Tamdhu its deep colour and exquisite quality.

Continuing our success from Batch Strength #001 winning Speyside Single Malt of the Year, Whisky Advocate gave 92 Points to Batch Strength #002.

Tasting notes: Nose:  Warming golden syrup, brown bread with peanut butter, cinnamon, white pepper and cocktail cherries.  Palate:  Mouth coating sherry oak, lightly heated berries and creamy vanilla – adding water brings out cookie dough, gentle spice and fresh fruit. Finish: Spicy notes continue long into the finish with dried fruits, hazelnut and vanilla.

Back in Stock

Two of the most popular releases of the past year are now back on the shelves of The Whisky Shop. Released as part of the Experimental Series, Glenfiddich Project XX is a unique and daring expression from the Speyside distillery that sparked imaginations and tastebuds when it was released last Autumn, while December saw the debut of Glenmorangie’s Bond House No.1 Collection with the Grand Vintage Malt 1990, a malt that defied the odds of a tumultous harvest. Now is your chance to add a bottle to your collection before they are snapped up once again.

Next day delivery available on UK orders

Glenfiddich Project XX

Project XX (“twenty”) is the result of one of the most ambitious experiments undertaken by Glenfiddich. Bringing together 20 whisky experts from 16 countries around the world, each expert’s selected cask from the Glenfiddich warehouse was married together in a small vatting by Malt Master, Brian Kinsman.

The nose has the classic Glenfiddich fruitiness with apple blossom, ripe pear, oak, creamy vanilla and subtle spice. The palate is refined with candy floss sweetness, toasted almonds, cinnamon and rich vanilla oak. The finish is long and sweet with lingering oak.

£50 Buy Now

Orders will be dispatched w/c 6th March

Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1990

This Highland Single Malt is the first release in Glenmorangie’s Bond House No.1 Collection. Distilled in 1990 from a problematic barley harvest the previous summer, the spirit produced defied the odds and proved sublime. The next quarter of a century saw the spirit mature in ex-bourbon casks with a small parcel in ex-sherry casks.

Presented in a stunning coffret, the nose offers heady floral and fruity notes with heather honey, freesia, orange blossom, pear and apple. Silky in the mouth, sweet notes of orange, puff candy, honeycomb and creamy vanilla run under zesty gooseberry and menthol. The finish brings more fruitiness with baked apples and pears with brown sugar, malty biscuit and a hint of cloves.

£500 Buy Now Only available while stocks last

LAPHROAIG 18 YEAR OLD  Queen Of Hebrides Old Particular

(Douglas Laing, consortium of cards series, release 1, limited to 12 bottles)

The first release in Douglas Laing’s Consortium of Cards series is named Queen of the Hebrides. Distilled in December 1998 and aged in a refill sherry butt for 18 years. Rich and peaty with notes of tar, ash and soot, this is classic Laphroaig.

BUY NOW

Douglas Laing & Co, the leading independent Scotch Whisky specialist, today unveils its Old Particular “Consortium of Cards” Single Cask Scotch Whisky Collection. This, the first limited edition series within Old Particular, is themed around a deck of playing cards. Four releases are planned for 2017, and the series launches with the “Queen of the Hebrides”, an Old Particular Laphroaig 18 Years Old. 

Fred Laing, the firm’s Managing Director and second generation in the Douglas Laing family business, denotes “Richly peated barley on the nose with a tarry, ashy palate and a finish full of chimney soot” in reference to this Old Particular Queen of the Hebrides bottling. Charged from a single refill butt and bottled at 50% alcohol strength, just 665 bottles are available, with each one displaying a specially commissioned “Queen of the Hebrides” illustration.

Andy at Malt Box reviews the Glenfarclas 10yr old single malt @maltbox

https://youtu.be/nVlwzkBnnTg

2017 continues to celebrate Benromach’s growing success 

1^st March, The Benromach Distillery Company Ltd has unveiled the latest expression in its portfolio, Benromach Sassicaia Wood Finish 2009 – with the number of bottles released for sale double the size of the previous edition, in response to the growing success and worldwide demand for Benromach whiskies.

The latest Wood Finish limited edition, of which there will be 8,000 bottles available, offers whisky lovers a unique flavour profile, as a result of a final finishing period in Sassicaia wine casks from the renowned Bolgheri wine region.

Distilled in 2009 and initially matured in first fill bourbon barrels, Benromach Sassicaia Wood Finish (45% ABV) is a deep ruby red in colour, with notes of ripe berries, milk chocolate drops, and hints of ginger and cinnamon, complemented by a subtle sense of smoke

The new release follows previous special edition Benromach Sassicaia Wood Finish 2007 and coupled with the run of recent accolades, including the Benromach 10 Year Old being in the running for World’s Best Single Malt Whisky at the World Whiskies Awards, highlights the growing interest and popularity of the Forres based distillery.

Benromach Distillery Manager Keith Cruickshank said: “Our previous Wood Finishes were incredibly well received and demand has been so great we are doubling the quantity we will be making available.

“Our Wood Finish expressions allow us the opportunity to provide our customers with a special malt which is full of character, thanks to the final maturation period in casks from distinguished wine regions, as well as offering them the chance to experience Benromach whisky in a different way.

“As the popularity and success of our Benromach 10 Years Old continues to grow, we are delighted that whisky fans all over the world are still enjoying the classic character of our pre-1960’s Speyside single malt, and we are honoured that it is held in such high regard within the industry, as the World Whiskies Award demonstrates.”

The classic Benromach 10 Years Old won the Scottish Single Malt category at the World Whiskies Awards and will now go head to head with other winning Single Malts from across the world with the hope of being crowned World’s Best Single Malt Scotch Whisky next month. Benromach 35 Years Old also scooped a gold award in the Speyside 21 & over category.

Benromach Sassicaia Wood Finish will be available to purchase from specialist whisky retailers at an RRP of £38.99 in the UK, with approximately 8,000 bottles released for sale worldwide.  Prices in overseas markets will vary due to local taxes and duty.

For further information on Benromach, and to find out more about Benromach Wood Finishes, please visit www.benromach.com/.  

Notes

Benromach Distillery

Originally built in 1898, Benromach Distillery was brought back to life when leading whisky specialists Gordon & MacPhail purchased it in 1993. The distillery was extensively re-equipped over a five-year period before it was officially opened by HRH Prince Charles in 1998.

In reopening Benromach Distillery, Gordon & MacPhail decided to create a classic Speyside single malt – a style that draws its influence from Speyside whiskies pre-1960s.

Benromach Distillery is located on the outskirts of the ancient market town of Forres. 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.

Five of the best: Independent Whisky Bottlers

We’re very fortunate at The Whisky Exchange not only to stock a huge range of whiskies from independent bottlers, but also to work closely with our sister company, Speciality Drinks Ltd, which is an independent bottler itself. This lets us see the world of indies from a different perspective to most whisky shops.

The indies work in a very different way to the distilleries themselves, having the flexibility to bottle what they want, without being restrained by house style or tradition. If you want to explore the full range of whisky flavours, then you need to investigate independent bottlings.

Oliver Chilton, hard at work…

We recently invited Speciality Drinks Ltd product development boss Oliver Chilton down to Covent Garden to host a tasting. He poured whiskies from some of his favourite indies and told us a few stories about what happens inside the world of independent bottling…

Gordon & MacPhail

There aren’t many independent bottlers who can walk into a warehouse and photograph casks like these…

G&M is the oldest independent bottler still around, with a history going back to the early 1900s. Ollie pointed out that back in the 1950s and 1960s, it was the main bottlers of whisky from some of the best-known distillers in Scotland – way before Macallan was bottling its own, Gordon & MacPhail were sending the distillery’s whisky around the world.

We tried: Gordon & MacPhail Tormore 1996 20 Year Old Cask Strength Whisky Exchange Exclusive – fruit, custard and spice.

Morrison & MacKay

An ever-increasing range of whiskies

While it’s not as well known as some of the bottlers we heard about during the evening, Morrison & MacKay is increasingly making a name for itself. With a history of whisky production in the family – the Morrison of the name is one of the brothers who started Morrison Bowmore Distillers – the company started out as a producer of whisky liqueurs. However, thanks to having excellent access to casks, Morrison & MacKay has expanded the Carn Mor range and is starting to turn heads.

We tried: Carn Mor Caol Ila 2009 7 Year Old Whisky Exchange Exclusive – orchard fruit, maritime notes and loads of smoke.

Signatory Vintage

Edradour – home of some of the most impressive casks in Scotland

Ollie couldn’t choose which independent bottler was his favourite, but Signatory Vintage is in the top handful. Founder Andrew Symington has been choosing excellent casks for decades, and is dedicated to finding and making good whisky. If you pop into Edradour – Signatory’s distillery – you are just as likely to find him wearing a boiler suit and tinkering with a still as you are to see him in the shop, talking about his whiskies. With incredible stocks of great whisky and a dedication to bottling it, its releases are always worth a look.

We tried: Blair Athol 1988 27 Year Old Whisky Exchange Exclusive – toffee, lemon drizzle cake and spiced apples.

Douglas Laing

Fred Laing, owner of one of the finest moustaches in the whisky world

The final two bottlers we tried whiskies from are run by brothers – Fred and Stewart Laing. They split their family company in 2015 and Fred kept the original name. He now runs Douglas Laing with his daughter Cara, and while the company is best known these days for its range of blended malts – including Big Peat and Scallywag – it still bottles single malts under the Old Particular and Provenance labels. The Laing warehouses were always famously well stocked, and the gems that are appearing suggest that Fred definitely got his fair share when it came to dividing up the casks.

We tried: Glenrothes 2004 12 Year Old Old Particular – singed raisins, leather, and rum-and-raisin fudge.

Hunter Laing

Andrew, Stewart and Scott Laing with new employee Jim McEwan – next stop: their own distillery

Stewart Laing and his sons, Scott and Andrew, run Hunter Laing, and focus on single casks of whisky more than Douglas Laing. They kept the Old Malt Cask and Old & Rare ranges in the split of the company, and have added The Sovereign to the list, bottling single grain whisky as well. While Douglas Laing may have fancier packaging, Hunter Laing has a more traditional independent bottler approach, focusing on the whisky in the bottle. With a distillery being built on Islay – Ardnahoe – and Bruichladdich’s former master distiller Jim McEwan on board as an advisor, there are exciting times ahead for Hunter Laing.

We tried: Hunter Laing Cambus 1988 26 Year Old Sovereign – custard tarts, candied lemon and butter icing.

For more indies, head over to our 20 independent bottlers you need to know post.

Bunnahabhain 46 Year Old Eich Bhana Lìr

The oldest single malt ever released by the Islay distillery, only 198 bottles of this 46 year old exist worldwide. Taking it’s name from the ‘great waves of Lìr’, this expression pays tribute to the powerful ruler of the sea Lìr who would use his great white waves to wash ashore his most precious gifts. Presented non chill-filtered at a cask strength of 42.1% abv, each bottle has been handcrafted by skilled Italian glass blowers and metalworkers.

£5,000 Buy Now

Available while stocks last

Outstanding Quality and Remarkable Value Are The Hallmarks Of These Single Cask Expressions

Our “Old Particular” line continues to be a smashing success and with very good reason, as nowhere will you find mature single barrel selections at such amazing prices. As long as we can keep finding these amazing selections, we’ll keep selling them as they are among the best deals you’ll find in the spirits world today.

Most recently we’ve brought in a pair of 28 year-olds, one from Glenturret and the other from Strathclyde. Both are nothing short of mesmerizing, offering the wonderfully layered complexity that only mature whisky can deliver. Mind-bogglingly, both a priced under $100, If for some reason you’ve been on the fence about picking up one of our “Old Particular” bottlings, now’s the time to make your move, as if you love a classic, mature and perfectly appointed whisky this pair delivers in spades. Given these limited number of bottles available, it’s always best to put in your order early when it comes to “Old Particular.” Also, to learn more about these remarkable whiskies, check out David Driscoll’s recent blog post in Our Spirits Journal.

1988 Strathclyde 28 Year Old “Old Particular” K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Grain Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($79.99)

If there’s one thing we can help take credit for here at K&L, it’s been helping to remove the undeserved stigma associated with grain whisky in the Scotch industry. Maligned and misunderstood for years, it wasn’t until we started launching a number of 25-50 year old releases at ridiculously reasonable prices that hearts and minds began to change. When Nikka brought their delicious Coffey Still editions to the market and people saw just how fruity and delicious these corn and unmalted barley whiskies could be, we think grain whisky finally got over the hump. Crazily enough, today our single casks of grain whisky are some of the most anticipated by our customers. The 28 year old Strathclyde absolutely soaks up the vanilla from the oak barrel and brings loads of soft caramel along with it. At 58.2% there’s some power behind all that supple richness, which allows you to add ice or a bit of water.

David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 22, 2017

Strathclyde is one of the Chivas grain whisky components and as we’re discovering here with this single cask release, it shines pretty well on its own as well. Grain whisky isn’t just delicious and easy to love, it reminds me of why I like to drink in the first place. To be able to purchase 29 year old cask strength Scotch for seventy-nine bucks is fun! It takes the pressure out of savoring each drop, which is definitely what I would want to do if I were to have paid $200 or more. We’ve got more grains in store as the year goes on, but few that are this old and this well priced.

Andrew Stevens | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 18, 2017

I loved the the Port Dundas 26 single grain when we had it and at the time it was my favorite single grain I had tasted. Now I believe I will have to follow the example of my coworker Jeffrey and pronounce this my favorite single grain. The nose shows a fantastic complexity with the vanilla and spice notes being underpinned with a touch of lemon zest. Very soft and evolving palate that brings notes of fruit and creamy butterscotch lead to a long complex if subtle finish. The heat is definitely present here at the finish but a little water helps to calm it down and keeps helps highlight the length of the finish.

Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 17, 2017

This is one of the best single grain whiskeys that I have tasted. The nose is very expressive with vanilla , savory and spice notes. In the mouth it is very complex with a lot flavor offerings. What I tasted was a mixture of vanilla , caramel and spice with an interesting and enhancing hint of savory flavors. This bottle will be a lot of fun for lovers of single grain whiskeys.

1987 Glenturret 28 Year Old “Old Particular” K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (750ml) ($99.99)

It’s rare to see a 25 year old whisky for less than $150 these days, and even when we do see the occasional bottle our first instinct is often to ask: what’s wrong with it? Understanding that natural reaction we had to ask ourselves: how will people respond when we offer them a 28 year old, single barrel, cask strength, Highland single malt for $99.99? We’re hoping you’ll be excited because we’re absolutely thrilled! Glenturret isn’t a household name among whisky drinkers, but for those in the know it’s part of the Edrington portfolio: the group that owns Macallan, Highland Park, and Glenrothes. Glenturret is also considered the oldest distillery in Scotland, having been founded in 1775, and today it’s the home of Famous Grouse: the world-renowned blended whisky in which it plays a large role. This 28 year old expression has reduced naturally down to a perfectly-drinkable 49.7% ABV and has the richness, oiliness, and concentration that only mature whisky can offer. It’s full of brandied fruit, resin, supple caramel, and creamy malted goodness. Despite its old age, the whisky is surprisingly lithe and light on its feet. By no means is this a heavy, full-bodied number, but rather a classic Highland whisky with plenty of barrel-aged complexity. For the price, it’s a no brainer.

David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 22, 2017

Man, this cask of Glenturret is just delicious in an old fashioned Scotchy way. It’s nothing more than sweet grains, sweet vanilla, sweet malt, and sweet oak from front to back and the creaminess from the 28 years spent in cask is apparent every step of the way. We sold out of our first Glenturret 28 year cask in about forty-five minutes last year. I’m hoping those of you who missed out that time can get a bottle this time around. It’s one of the better values I’ve ever come across in my ten year career.

Andrew Stevens | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 20, 2017

The pricing we are getting from Old Particular is almost bordering on the ridiculous at this point. I almost feel like I am in a time machine seeing 28 year old single malt for under $100. More importantly though is that it is very tasty. Soft and subtle on the nose with the fruit overlaying a touch of wood. The palate is light and delicate with notes of green apple, lemon bar, vanilla and spice. Surprisingly gentle finish, the heats starts slow and builds up but does not truly ever overpower. Delicious!

Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 17, 2017

Another great older single malt from Old Particular. The Glenturret offers the delicate flavor profile of a mature single malt. I really liked the honey and wax aromas that were pretty and inviting. In the mouth the honey theme continues in a complex and subtle way that creates a delicious drink. Older single malts do not last long in inventory.

Macallan Amber

Back in Stock

The Macallan Amber is part of the 1824 range, released in 2012. The colour themed range replaced the traditional Macallan distillery’s age-statement expressions. Aged exclusively in sherry casks, this Speysider is an excellent and rounded single malt.

£55 Buy Now

Limited quantity available Orders will be dispatched week beginning 6th March