anCnoc Single Malt Scotch Whisky announces 2002 Vintage as the latest release within its portfolio 

Premium Single Malt Scotch Whisky brand anCnoc has added an exclusive 2002 vintage to its multi award-winning range of aged expressions.

The limited edition vintage joins the family of single malts crafted at the Knockdhu distillery in Aberdeenshire, and follows in the footsteps of the highly successful 2001 release last year.

With just 1200 cases available globally, including the UK, US, Canada, Sweden and Japan, this exceptional single malt will be available for £65 RRP 70cl.

Matured in hand selected Spanish and American oak casks and matured for over 14 years in traditional dunnage warehouses, the 2002 has been bottled in its most natural form, neither chill-filtered or coloured at 46% ABV.

This mature expression is bright amber in appearance and bursting with notes of spicy Christmas cake, liquorice and toffee, closely followed by a spiced vanilla aroma and the citrusy finish anCnoc is known for. To taste, there is the sweetness of chocolate perfectly contrasted with orange zest and a hint of leather, leaving drinkers with a long warming finish.

anCnoc brand manager Stephanie Allison commented: “We’re really excited to release the 2002 vintage to anCnoc fans as it creates the perfect balance between the signature Knockdhu house style we’re so proud of whilst introducing new tastes into our portfolio. With the combined spicy notes and sweet flavours, we’re sure this spirit will satisfy even the most discerning whisky drinker looking to extend their collections.

Staying true to the signature anCnoc style, the 2002 vintage packaging mirrors the minimalist design of anCnoc’s core range and features the contemporary yet traditional illustration of the Knockdhu Distillery in crisp forest green.

The 2002 Vintage is available from 2^nd May at independent and specialist retailers, including Royal Mile Whiskies, The Whisky Exchange and Master of Malts at £65 RRP.

Notes

About anCnoc Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

anCnoc Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky is part of the Inver House Distillers portfolio, and is produced at Knockdhu Distillery – established in 1894 and one of the smallest and most enchanting in the Scottish Highlands. It is renowned the world over by malt enthusiasts for bringing a contemporary twist to the traditions of fine malt whisky, producing a single malt that is accessible and versatile for all occasions. Cutter has been ranked in the Liquid Gold category of Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2016 with a score of 96.5 adding to anCnoc’s portfolio of award-winning expressions. Whiskies in this category are deemed by Jim Murray as “superstar whiskies that give us all a reason to live.” The anCnoc 18 year old was also awarded the title of Best Highland Single Malt in the 13-20 year old category at the World Whisky Awards 2016.

About International Beverage

International Beverage Holdings (www.interbevgroup.com) was established in 2005 as the international arm of ThaiBev, one of South East Asia’s leading alcohol beverage companies. With a network of regional offices in Asia, Europe and North America, the company is responsible for the production, sales, marketing and distribution of a portfolio of premium global brands in over 80 countries and territories.

Inver House Distillers (www.inverhouse.com) is globally integrated into International Beverage Holdings and drives the distillation and maturation of Scotch through its five distilleries.

International Beverage brands include:

• Chang Beer: Thailand’s iconic beer brand
• Single Malt Scotch Whiskies: Old Pulteney, Balblair, anCnoc, Speyburn
• Blended Whiskies: Hankey Bannister
• Mekhong: ‘The Spirit of Thailand’ since 1941
• Caorunn – a small batch distilled Scottish Gin infused with 5 Celtic botanicals
• The company’s success is built on the combination of a strong understanding of local cultures and markets with the creation of a truly global operational network. Brand building pays respect to heritage, provenance and craftsmanship whilst delivering innovative and highly effective strategies at global level. A skilled and dedicated team of more than 12 nationalities speaking over 14 languages delivers the highest standards of customer service and attention to detail across all aspects of the business.

Benromach 1975 – 41 Year Old

A stunning single malt Scotch whisky from Benromach distillery, distilled in 1975 and matured in cask for an incredible 41 years. A mere 162 bottles were filled at cask strength, 49.9% from single cask #3434. As with previous vintage releases from Benromach, this 1975 bottling has been beautifully presented in a unique bottle decanter, wooden presentation box and comes complete with history book outlining the distilleries past.

£1200.00

As of the 13th May, there will be a number of changes to what can and cannot be entered into the auction. We understand that many of these changes are fairly major but these decisions have been made by the company to make the best of use of space and manpower that we have to provide the best service that we can to you, our customers.

These changes are outlined below:

We will now auction spirits only with the exception being that we will no longer accept liqueurs. This is due to liquids with a ABV lower than this generally having stricter storage requirements than spirits and we cannot vouch for the condition of such items when they come to us. A prime example for this is wine, which can quickly become undrinkable if stored incorrectly.

To expand on the above point, we will not auction merchandise (official or unofficial) or other paraphernalia. This includes but is not limited to:

• Cask ends
• Loose glasses
• Booklets

To confirm, the auction will effectively become bottle only. The only exception to this being gift sets that include glasses within them.

Miniatures must be whisky and will now be sold in either single lots or grouped lots of 10. They must also be sent or brought in grouped in the way that they are to go into auction. Miniatures that are parafilmed must have the parafilm removed before they are brought to auction or they will be rejected. Miniatures that have had the seals glued will likewise be rejected.

In relation to fill levels or ullage on bottles, a guideline of ¾ full will be in effect. Bottles on either side of this will be entered at the discretion of the either the book-in or photography department.

Any of the above items that are at this point currently booked in for future auctions will still go up for auction

If you have any questions relating to the points that have been outlined above, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Kind Regards,

The SWA Team

GlenDronach Single Malt 21yr Parliament – This big, delicious, deeply flavored and o-so-smooth sherry bomb of a single malt is back on our shelves! Get it while it’s here! GlenDronach Parliament Single Malt Scotch 21 Year is deep amber with a cherry wood sheen. A delicate mix of ripe autumnal fruits – notably blackberries and red plums. Rich Oloroso sherry and candied orange segments. Spiced oatmeal biscuits and toasted oak fragrances bring excellent weight and balance. Resolute flavours of fine Oloroso sherry and bitter chocolate sauce, which has been spread liberally over homemade plum pudding. This is all infused with fabulous spicy notes – cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg. Full bodied with smooth tannins.

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Ralfy re-reviews after three years with Ralfy Review 647 – Bunnahabhain 18yo @ 46.3%vol (2017)

Victory for Glenmorangie and Ardbeg at influential awards

Rare beauty of Glenmorangie Pride 1974 inspires creation by musical prodigy

The most prestigious Highland single malt ever created by Glenmorangie has been revealed. Glenmorangie Pride 1974 is the Distillery’s oldest, rarest and deepest whisky – and the most prized expression yet, in the illustrious Glenmorangie Pride series. The whisky’s beauty is so rare that it has inspired a musical composition reflecting its 41 years of maturation, its extraordinary depth and creative spirit.

Glenmorangie Pride 1974 is the third limited-edition release in the Glenmorangie Pride collection, which showcases the Distillery’s most rare and treasured malts. Designed for connoisseurs, with just 503 crystal decanters available, Glenmorangie Pride 1974 exhibits a salty and spicy character, intensified with age as never before.

This exquisite whisky was created from spirit distilled in Scotland’s tallest stills by Glenmorangie’s legendary Men of Tain and laid down on 30 October 1974, some in ex-bourbon casks, some in ex-Oloroso sherry butts. The spirit spent decades maturing under the expert care of these select craftsmen, until Glenmorangie’s inspired Director of Distilling, Whisky Creation & Whisky Stocks deemed that it had reached its very peak. Only then, did Dr Bill Lumsden skilfully marry the two parcels together – realising his vision for Glenmorangie’s oldest expression, deeper in colour and character than any other.

Glenmorangie Pride 1974 embodies the Distillery’s tradition of creativity and craftsmanship – values shared by the acclaimed piano maker Steinway & Sons. As part of a creative partnership to celebrate the whisky’s artistry, Steinway Artist Aaron Diehl has composed a piece of music which embodies the whisky’s rare beauty. Diehl found inspiration at the Distillery where Glenmorangie’s exceptional whisky has been crafted since 1843. His composition echoes the creative spirit of Glenmorangie Pride 1974, drawing on its depth of character and its long maturation, nurtured by the Men of Tain. Diehl, a world-renowned pianist, has premiered his work alongside the whisky at New York Steinway Hall on March 23, 2017.

Dr Bill said: “Glenmorangie Pride 1974 is the oldest and deepest Glenmorangie ever to be released. Its age lends the whisky an enriched intensity, borne only of a slow, patient maturation. The result is an exquisite blend of deep, rich, salty and spicy aromas – aged balsamic vinegar, salted caramel toffee and oranges, leading to tastes of baked apples, toffee, oranges and brown sugar. With its harmonic depths and exquisite melodies, Aaron Diehl’s inspired composition captures the whisky’s rare beauty.”

ARDBEG DAY PLUNGES DEEP UNDER THE SEA

Cult Islay Distillery gets ready for another legendary global celebration of all things Ardbeg

Ardbeg, the Ultimate Islay Malt has today revealed its plans for the 2017 Ardbeg Day celebrations.

On 3^rd June, the Distillery will pay homage to the sea surrounding Islay and the mythical sea creatures that live beneath. Participants in Ardbeg Day will be plunged deep under the sea to help celebrate the launch of Ardbeg Kelpie with a day filled with mystery, food, games… and of course, Ardbeg Single Malt.

Guests of Ardbeg Day will be invited to join in an Ardbeggian boat experience, followed by a tasting led by Ardbeg’s Paul Malone of the new Ardbeg limited edition, Kelpie, alongside seafood pairings and a pub quiz on the history of Islay and Ardbeg.

In the UK, each Ardbeg Embassy will have a team that will be challenged to decorate their own Kelpie boat, adding their own mythical figurehead from materials and props supplied. The participating teams will have to paddle across a stretch of water to reach a number of buoy targets en route. Each buoy will lead to a treasure hidden under the water.

The venue for this year’s UK activities will be the Greenwich Yacht Club – a perfect location to celebrate Ardbeg Day and the launch of Kelpie. Tickets will be available to purchase from https://www.moethennessy-selection.co.uk/ardbegday2017 from 5th May 2017 for £40 per person.

Ardbeg’s general release of Kelpie at 46% ABV, launches on Ardbeg Day (3rd June), the expression will be available to purchase from https://www.moethennessy-selection.co.uk/ardbegday2017 and Ardbeg Embassies* and for a two-week exclusive period. Kelpie will then be available at Ardbeg Embassies, whisky specialists and department stores with a RRP of £98.00.

Ardbeg Day will be celebrated at the distillery on Saturday 3^rd June 2017 and at participating Ardbeg Embassies around the world.

More details can be found at www.ardbeg.com where fans can also sign up to join the Ardbeg Committee.

#ardbeg #untamed #islay

NOTES :

Ardbeg Kelpie tasting notes at 46% ABV: 

Colour:                Burnished gold

Aroma:                A wonderful, intense, ‘dancing’ nose, with lots of different, intertwined aromas – powerful, oily peat, dark chocolate, smoked fish, hints of seaweed, and a curious, sharp herbal note. Waves of spicy black pepper.

A splash of water brings forth some classic Ardbeg notes, such as creamy coffee, smoked fudge and pine resin.  Even some hints of smoked coconut.

Taste:                   A peppery mouthfeel is followed by a crescendo of rich flavours.  Treacle toffee, Turkish coffee, smoky bacon and lots of dark, dark chocolate.  A curious burst of peachy, estery fruit, hickory wood, clove oil and a suggestion of black olives.

Finish:                  Seemingly lasting forever, with deep, deep, almost subterranean flavours of clove, tar, and rich toffee.

Ardbeg Day:

Every year, the Islay Festival of Malt and Music takes place in May or June on Ardbeg’s island home.  On the Festival’s final Saturday, Ardbeg Day, the Distillery traditionally throws open its doors to welcome fans from all over the world.  In 2012 Ardbeg Day became a global event, enabling the whisky’s passionate international following to take part in a worldwide celebration of all things Ardbeg in their own country.  Recent Ardbeg Day themes have included the Islay-limpics and the Peat Football World Cup, while in 2015, Ardbeg Day celebrated the single malt’s 200th anniversary by looking forward 200 years to a retro-futuristic version of Islay in 2215.  For 2016, Ardbeg Day became Ardbeg Night, as fans at 215 events across the globe recalled Islay’s dark past as a smugglers’ haunt.

Ardbeg Kelpie:

Ardbeg Kelpie is a limited-edition bottling created to celebrate Ardbeg Day 2017.  It is the Distillery’s first whisky with a heart matured in virgin oak from the Black Sea coast.  Renowned for imparting incredibly deep flavour notes, only a handful of whiskies have ever been matured in these Black Sea casks.  Married with hallmark ex-bourbon Ardbeg, it results in a whisky of incredible depth, which tells of its ties to the Black Sea and the waves of flavour its casks have created. 

The kelpie:

Situated on the shore of Islay’s southernmost coast, the Ardbeg Distillery has always held a deep connection to the sea – and those who live nearby have passed down through generations the stories of mysterious beasts said to live beneath the waves.  Among the most terrifying of these is the kelpie – a Scottish shape-shifting water spirit, rumoured to take the form of a horse or a bull and prey on unwitting travellers.  Legend has it that long ago, a farmer walking near Ardbeg’s shoreline was almost dragged to sea by a water bull.  Managing to overcome and rope the creature, he locked it in a barn where it cried for mercy.  At dusk, the farmer’s daughter was chased by a water horse seeking revenge for its kin.  The terrified girl ran to the barn and released the water bull, whereupon the malevolent beasts took flight back to the sea.

Ardbeg:

Ardbeg is The Ultimate Islay Single Malt Whisky.  Established in 1815, Ardbeg is revered by connoisseurs around the world as the peatiest, smokiest and most complex of all the Islay malts.  Despite its smokiness, Ardbeg is renowned for its delicious sweetness, a phenomenon that has affectionately become known as ‘the peaty paradox’.

During the 1980s and 1990s, Ardbeg suffered from an uncertain future and it was not until the brand was purchased by The Glenmorangie Company in 1997 that the Distillery was saved from extinction.  Since then, the Distillery has risen like a phoenix and today Ardbeg is well established as a niche, cult malt, with a passionate following.  

Ardbeg Committee:

The legacy of the whisky was safeguarded in 2000 by the formation of the Ardbeg Committee.  The Committee is made up of thousands of Ardbeg followers worldwide who are keen to ensure that “the doors of Ardbeg never close again”.  Today there are more than 100,000 members of the Ardbeg Committee in more than 130 countries.  Committee members are regularly consulted on new bottlings and expressions and are offered exclusive Committee bottlings.  Members also receive invitations to special gatherings, tastings and events.  The Committee, chaired by Mickey Heads, is free to join at ardbeg.com.

Awards:

Ardbeg is the world’s most highly awarded smoky single malt whisky.  Since 2008, Ardbeg has won more than 50 gold and double gold medals in key whisky competitions.  Ardbeg was voted ‘Scotch Whisky of the Year’ twice by Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible (2008, 2009) and has twice been awarded ‘World’s Best Single Malt’ at the World Whiskies Awards (2010, 2013).  At the 2014 Global Icons of Whisky Awards, Mickey Heads was voted ‘Distillery Manager of the Year’.  The following year, Ardbeg’s expressions took the top three spots in Whisky Advocate magazine’s review of the best single malt Scotch whiskies under US$100.  Meanwhile, both Ardbeg Corryvreckan and Ardbeg Uigeadail have been awarded gold medals at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

The Glenmorangie Company:

The Company is one of the most renowned and innovative distillers and marketers of Scotch whisky brands worldwide and is part of Moët Hennessy, the wine and spirits division of Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton.  Headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland, the Company produces Glenmorangie Single Highland Malt whisky and Ardbeg Single Islay Malt.

Responsible Drinking:

Ardbeg and The Glenmorangie Company advocate responsible drinking and suggest that drinkers savour Ardbeg whiskies in moderation and in line with recommended daily guidelines for alcohol consumption.

Fiona, Elle and June at the Retail Awards

STIRLING WHISKY SHOP WINS TOP BUSINESS AWARD 

A popular whisky shop has been named Central Scotland’s Off License of the Year.

Stirling Whisky Shop, based in the city’s Spittal Street, was presented with the honour at the Scottish Independent Retail Awards 2017.

The family firm beat off competition from six other retailers to scoop the coveted title.

June McCann founded Stirling Whisky Shop with her husband Cameron four years ago.

She attended the glitzy awards ceremony with her daughter Elle, who helps out with the family business, and Fiona Sinclair who manages the shop.

She said: “It was a great night and it was just amazing when our name was called out as the Central Scotland winner because we knew we were up against tough competition and some much bigger retailers.

“We’re one of the smallest off licenses in Scotland but really do punch above our weight when it comes to stocking a wide variety of brands and organising big events.

“I think we’re also one of the only off licenses in Scotland to have a chandelier in our shop which is quite a novelty and a good talking point.

“We’re very proud to win this award and grateful to our fabulous staff who work so hard and our loyal customers who support us both in the shop and at the events we run.”

Stirling Whisky Shop, which is based within Stirling’s Highland Hotel, organises annual Whisky Festivals as well as monthly tasting clubs.

Co-founder Cameron McCann said: “This award is a great honour for us, our staff and the city of Stirling.

“It’s the first time we’ve been nominated for an award so to win it was just fantastic.

“We’d like to thank everyone who voted for us and who continues to support our business.”

The winners of the 6th Scottish Independent Retail Awards 2017 were announced at a black-tie ceremony, hosted by radio personality Gina McKie, in Glasgow.

The awards aim to highlight the value independent shops bring to their communities and to recognise and reward the entrepreneurial spirit which lies behind these thriving businesses

Organisers ran an online campaign, via email databases and social media, over the past few months which gave people the chance to vote for their favourite retail outlets.

Stirling Whisky Shop made the final shortlist of seven contenders for the Central Scotland award.

The other finalists included Excel Wines of Perth, Dundee-based Aitken Wines, Luvians Bottleshop in St Andrews and Oban Whisky and Fine Wines Shops.

A spokesman for the Scottish Independent Retail Awards said: “The awards look to give a platform to local communities to voice their admiration and loyalty to their independent retailer of choice.”

For more information, go to http://www.stirlingwhiskyshop.com/ 

Note to Editors: Stirling Whisky Shop was established in 2013 by Bridge of Allan couple June and Cameron McCann. The shop sells a range of spirits and is based at the Highland Hotel in Stirling’s Spittal Street. More information can be found on the website – www.stirlingwhiskyshop.com

Fiona Sinclair in SWS

Every once in a while, we find something exceptional in our warehouse – a different kind of barrel from our usual French and American oak offerings. It might be wine, virgin oak, refill or something else entirely, but if we decide to give it a green label, rest assured you’re getting something really special and rare. Each barrel is unique, producing only a few hundred bottles of exceptional quality. So, each time another bottle of Sullivans Cove Special Cask is opened, a new page in our story is turned. Enjoy.

Our first ever release of Special Cask (Barrel TD0202) comes from a 300 litre French Oak barrel previously used to mature Australian Chardonnay. There are only a few hundred bottles of this rare single cask single malt and our Special Cask malts will only ever be very occasionally released. As members you have exclusive access to be part of the distillery’s history and purchase a bottle of this never to be repeated malt for 24 hours prior to it going on general release.

When we tasted this cask it was like hitting the jackpot.

Please click on the link below to purchase

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Sullivans Cove Distillery · Lamb Pl · Cambridge, TAS 7170 · Australia