Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival brings the forgotten legacy of unsung whisky hero Alexander Edward to life

His vision, acumen and passion for whisky helped to make the Speyside region what it is today, yet few people are aware of the impact that he made on an industry that is worth billions to the Scottish economy.

But the legacy left behind by Alexander Edward – the forgotten hero of the Scotch whisky industry – will be celebrated later this month when the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival raises a toast in his honour.

Renowned whisky writer Dave Broom will bring his story to life at a special event being staged on April 28 at The Craigellachie Hotel – a venue Edward built just a stone’s throw from the distillery where he made his name.

Dave will host the event with Lyndsey Gray, bar manager at The Quaich, who also feels it is long overdue for Edward – a man considered to be years ahead of his time during the Victorian era – to get recognition.

Together they will look back at the life, times and drams of the popular, likeable man responsible for creating the village of Craigellachie, its main hotel and the distillery when he was still only in this 30s.

Dave, who is the driving force behind industry website scotchwhisky.com, says Speyside – and the Scotch whisky industry as a whole – owes Edward a debt of gratitude.

He adds, “Alexander Edward was a classic Victorian man of action. His whisky adventures started when his father gave him the lease of Benrinnes, and he made his name when he joined with Peter Mackie in establishing the Craigellachie distillery.

“Noticing the influx of tourists to the region he began to build villas in the village and then the hotel. He would go on to build Aultmore distillery and be financially involved in the construction of Benromach and Dallas Dhu.

“How can such a legacy be forgotten? Perhaps it’s because Edward was a distiller, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and deal-maker, not a blender. There can be no doubt however that his distilleries and hotels helped to establish Speyside as Scotland’s pre-eminent whisky region. With the building of the hotel he can lay claim to be the first to see the potential for high-class tourism to the area.

“He was, simply, years ahead of this time – and Lyndsey and I feel it’s high time that he was given the recognition he is due. Whisky and hospitality is what he believed in and what the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival stands for.”

During the event, Dave and Lyndsey will be ensuring that guests get to understand the true spirit of Edward by serving up six whiskies made in his stills. Tickets for the talk and taste are priced £60 and are available from the event website, www.spiritofspeyside.com

The Festival takes place from April 27 to May 1 and will welcome thousands of people from home and abroad in a five-day celebration of Scotland’s national drink. There are almost 500 events taking place, ranging from exclusive distillery tours to whisky and food pairing.

Many of the most popular events sold out within a matter of hours of tickets going live, but there are still some with spaces available. Based in the heart of Scotland’s malt whisky country – home to more than half of all of Scotland’s distilleries – the Festival has events from Kingussie in the south to Forres in the west and Buckie in the east.

More information about the event is available at www.spiritofspeyside.com and tickets are also available to buy on the website. The Festival is active on social media – facebook.com/WhiskyFestival and @spirit_speyside on Twitter and Instagram. Use the hashtag #dram17.

Caption: Whisky writer Dave Broom will join forces with Lyndsey Gray of The Craigellachie Hotel to shed light on the life of Speyside’s forgotten hero – Alexander Edward – during the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival.

Bunnahabhain Ceòbanach

The latest release of the small batch peated single malt from Islay’s Bunnahbhain distillery. Although famed for its very lightly peated whisky, the distillery does produce some small amounts of heavily peated spirit. Ceòbanach takes its name from the Gaelic for smoky mist.

£55 Buy Now

Friday, May 5th, 5-7PM

Locally Made: Lost Republic Distillery

Based in Sonoma County, Lost Republic Distillery produces true California Bourbon. Master Distiller Matthew Weese uses his extensive experience as a professional winemaker to create bourbon that focuses on subtle flavors and quality ingredients, a patient approach that results in delicious, award-winning bourbon. Each limited-edition bottling starts with locally grown grain and is traditionally copper-pot distilled before barrel aging.

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Stillhouse Whiskey Redefines “Travel Size” with Release of New 375 mL “Roadie” 

Award-winning 100% Clear Corn American Whiskey Made Even More Portable 

LOS ANGELES, CA (April 4, 2017) – Stillhouse Spirits Co. today introduced a new 375 mL version of the brand’s award-winning Stillhouse whiskey. Filled with America’s Finest clear corn whiskey, this flask-sized version of Stillhouse’s unbreakable, daring red, 100% stainless steel can is an industry first. Stillhouse is redefining “travel size” with a can that swiftly slides into your back pocket and enables its signature whiskey to more easily travel where glass can’t go.

“We’re extremely proud to launch Stillhouse’s 375 mL ‘Roadie’,” said Brad Beckerman, Founder & CEO of Stillhouse Spirits Co. “As a young brand, the launch of our 375 complements our consumers’ lifestyles. We can’t wait to see where Stillhouse fans take our whiskey while they’re on-the-go.”

Like Stillhouse’s 750 mL, the new pocket-size can extends celebrations beyond typical bar settings and goes where glass can’t to places like backyard barbecues, tailgates, beach bonfires and more. The even more portable and lightweight nature of Stillhouse’s 375 mL can is also perfect for festival season, adventure travels, concerts, and camping. Simply toss the shatterproof can in your bag, backpack or cooler without worry and enjoy once you arrive where you’re headed.

Every Stillhouse expression is all-natural, gluten-free and available in the new, portable 375 mL, including Stillhouse’s 80-proof (40% ABV) Original whiskey as well as 69-proof (34.5% ABV) Apple Crisp, Peach Tea, Coconut, Mint Chip and Red Hot whiskeys. Suggested retail price is $15.99.

Slide the #Stillhouse in your back pocket and let us know where you end up @StillhouseUSA.

About Stillhouse® whiskey

Revolutionary from the inside out, Stillhouse® is an unapologetic disruptor, breaking tradition at every turn. Made from estate-grown corn, Stillhouse is 100% clear corn American whiskey, distilled to perfection in authentic copper whiskey stills and charcoal-filtered for superior quality and taste. The Original 80-proof (40% ABV) has a remarkable mellow flavor and smooth finish. Stillhouse pays homage to the spirit of innovation and cutting against the grain. Defying convention from whiskey to package, Stillhouse is produced in Columbia, TN, and presented in a one-of-a-kind, patent pending, daring red, unbreakable 100% stainless steel can that goes where glass can’t go. Stillhouse uses a proprietary sour mash recipe to create its clean, crisp, gluten-free Original whiskey, with bold, all-natural flavors to make 69-proof (34.5% ABV) Apple Crisp, Peach Tea, Coconut, Mint Chip and Red Hot whiskeys. Stillhouse is best served as a chilled shot, on the rocks to create a distinct riff on your favorite cocktail, or in a handcrafted punch. An award-winning whiskey, Stillhouse Original – the backbone of every Stillhouse flavored-whiskey – took home the gold medal at the 2016 New York World Wine & Spirits Competition. Recognized for its excellence in Spirit Packaging Design, Stillhouse received a Double Gold Award in the 2016 San Francisco World Spirit Competition, a Rosey Award, and a Silver award from The One Show in 2016. Stillhouse is currently available for purchase at select retailers in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin. Suggested retail price is $27.99 for Stillhouse’s 750 mL can. Find out more at http://www.stillhouse.com/. Please enjoy responsibly.

April Outturn brings a feast for the senses with 7 adventurous single casks to spark conversation and imagination.  Get cracking on our Easter drams!

CASK No. 36.118  CAVORTING IN FLOWER MEADOWS

12 years old; 1st fill barrel; 59.9%; Sweet, fruity & mellow

The nose suggests strawberry marshmallows, Jelly Tots and candy necklaces in flower meadows – also dessert wine for the adults. The palate is fantastically fruity – tropical, exotic and citric – but with toffee sweetness and nice woody spice to round it off.

CASK No. 48.82  VIVACIOUS, ZESTY AND PENETRATING

12 years old; 1st fill barrel; 57.5%; Sweet, fruity & mellow

The fresh lively nose (white pepper, sanded wood, stewed rhubarb, lemon balm) turns lightly floral with water (candied angelica, dandelion milk). The palate is zesty, vivacious and penetrating – bitter-sweet fruitiness (pear, grapefruit, dried pineapple) with chili, pepper and clove heat.

CASK No. 7.157  CLEOPATRA MEETS ROBIN HOOD

12 years old; 1st fill barrel; 60.9%; Spicy & dry

‘Yesterday when I was young’ – I opened a pot of almond-scented ‘Cleopatra glue’ and made a bow out of rosewood. Very ‘grown-up’ flavours with chipotle chili powder and beurre noisette. Diluted, salt and pepper ribs with a chili honey sauce.

CASK No. 7.148  WICKED VISCOSITY

26 years old; refill hogshead; 61%; Old & dignified

Hot chocolate cake with toffee sauce and freshly brewed coffee were followed by apple pie in a hot vanilla sauce. With a drop of water; a walk through blossoming orange trees, and on the palate; coconut orange raspberry swirl muffins.

CASK No. 85.42  PUT YOUR FEET UP

16 years old; refill sherry butt; 57.9%; Spicy & sweet

Dark sweet aromas like a mocha cake with balsamic strawberry whipped cream filling. On the palate more like spicy oven-roasted plums seasoned with cloves. Water released bitter orange and liquorice on the nose and we all enjoyed our mug of Jagertee.

CASK No. 41.83  SHERRY, SHERRY BABY

9 years old; 1st fill Oloroso butt; 58.7%; Spicy & sweet

The nose neat certainly could not hide its provenance. Aromas of dark sour cherries, blood oranges and bacon frazzles – but wait until you’ve tried it! Diluted, spicier and herbal, and how about goat cheese blended with mascarpone, roast beetroot and walnuts?

Cask No. 42.27  SMOKED, AGED RIESLING

9 years old; refill barrel; 59.4%; Lightly peated

Off-dry, with a balance of fruity, earthy, slightly mineralic aromas and a hint of petrol made way to briny olives, salted caramels and ‘smoked’ jelly beans on the palate. Diluted, Riesling-poached peaches with tarragon and peat smoked grilled sardines.

SMWS Canada

Now taking orders for Kilchoman Loch Gorm 2017 Release!

Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky ~ Distillery Bottling

£67.50

Bruichladdich Black Art 5

The 5th in the series of cuvees personally selected by the Head Distiller from all corners of the Bruichladdich warehouse, Black Art 5 is an unpeated Islay single malt originally distilled in 1992 and matured for 24 years. Only 12,000 individually numbered bottles have been produced, non chill-filtered at a cask strength of 48.4%.

A rich and complex nose with fruity cherry, mango and orange notes, oaky vanilla and brown sugar. A velvet smoothness on the palate with mango, plum, melon and strawberry weaving through honey, tobacco and vanilla, before stone fruits and floral notes on the finish.

£255 Pre-Order Now

Orders will be dispatched w/c 10th April

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dymY4KxNs0

Rye, oh rye! Hello everybody, as all of you know, i’m quite a fan of the American side of whisky, it’s a very important thing in my whisky development. From the start, American whisky was something that was readily available and provided me with some great memories. Rye, however, is a totally different case. I’ve only been drinking the stuff properly for a round two years, and in those two years, it has blown my mind and taste buds on many different occasions.  The Thomas Handy bottling is a six year old, cask strength, un-filtered rye with all of the power and subtlety on the planet, a rather fitting juxtaposition of terms and for those that have drank it, you know exactly what i’m talking about. Enjoy the video and if you can find a bottle of this for the RRP, buy it! buy it all!!

Whisky Reviews every Wednesday

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Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 160: Lads of Lobland Chapters 5 & 6

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, tries not one, but two new releases. The Lads of Lobland, a Belgian club of whisky aficionados, have just released their chapters 5 and 6 (of a range that will comprise 8 bottles with linked labels). Chapter 5 is an undisclosed Speyside Region 18 Year Old while Chapter 6 is a young and dirty (but in a good way) Ledaig. Enjoy! Mark certainly did!

https://youtu.be/YL2SYbR_Dag