It’s been some time since we last contacted you, we’ve had a busy few weeks with the 175th releases some small outturn and some a little larger such as this one but more really soon.

Since the last Newsletter the whisky world has had some exciting news with announcement that 3 long closed distilleries will be back! The re-opening distilleries include Rosebank, Port Ellen and Brora.

We have almost reached the end of the 175th anniversary releases with yet more stunning single cask drams to tempt you all, we obviously have a lot of excitement with the older drams but as always look a little deeper to the less obvious drams especially if you want to get a gift for someone or treat yourself to a good all-round drinking dram.

Christmas is fast approaching so this release is going to be a big one. I think this is the biggest release I have seen in one month in over 25 years! the team in Campbeltown have been bottling and selecting casks to restock the shops with some amazing drams.

The 2017 tasting room events are close to being sold out so contact us quickly if you need to book in but be aware we are down to fewer than 30 spaces for the evening slots.

The 2018 tasting room is going to have the Thursday & Friday slots opening up to book with the last Friday of the month held over for the Vintage 21+ (Except March 23rd that replaces the good Friday event)

Saturdays have a whole new look with slots at 2:30PM and 4:30PM this is to allow us more time in the tasting room for each session plus the 1PM slot was a little too early for most people seeking to book in. We will give you more info on the tasting room in the next newsletters due out soon.

VIEW AUTHENTIC SINGLE CASK RELEASE

Tickets sales for in town attendees will commence on Saturday November 4th, 2017 at 9 a.m. at the Strath Ale, Wine & Spirit Merchants located at 919 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC. No orders will be accepted by telephone. All Festival tickets are subject to applicable taxes and a small ticket handling fee will be in place. Please be advised of a change to ticket sales this year, The Victoria Whisky Festival will be giving priority to those in line-up who wish to purchase ticket packages. Those in line who wish to purchase individual tickets only will be served after those wishing to purchase packages. All other conditions apply.

GIFT THE TASTE OF CHRISTMAS WITH THE DALMORE

For those looking for the ultimate gift this Christmas, the world’s only six-cask finish whisky, The Dalmore King Alexander III, is the definitive single malt to gift this festive season.

As one of the Highland distillery’s signature whiskies, The Dalmore King Alexander III has been matured in ex-bourbon casks, Matusalem oloroso sherry butts, Madeira barrels, Marsala casks, Port pipes and Cabernet Sauvignon wine barriques.

The flavours combine in perfect harmony to create a complex yet smooth single malt, which leaves a finish of classic and traditional Christmas spices including sweet cinnamon and nutmeg.

With aromas of red berry fruits and a zing of citrus zest on the palate, the exquisite King Alexander III is an impeccable way to mark the festive season.

Painstakingly created by Master Distiller Richard Paterson, who has made it his mission to continually evolve the art of multi-cask maturation and finishing, The Dalmore King Alexander III is the first and only single malt in the world to unite a unique six-cask finish for one outstanding achievement.

Richard Paterson, Master Distiller at The Dalmore said: “A bottle of King Alexander III is truly a privilege to give and receive during this festive time, the complex flavours of this unique whisky impart the taste of Christmas long in the mouth. A perfect way to mark the season with family and friends, the unique finishing of this expression results in a whisky which has great character and an unrivalled flavour and depth.

The Dalmore King Alexander III is named in honour of the 13^th Century King of Scotland, who gifted the 12-pointed Royal Stag emblem to the Mackenzie Clan, owners of The Dalmore distillery, as a reward for saving him from a charging stag. To this day, the iconic Stag still adorns each and every bottle of The Dalmore and contains a powerful promise that The Dalmore will remain at the pinnacle of single malt.

The Dalmore King Alexander III is available in selected single malt specialist stores or via www.thedalmore.com.

Price: £165 Volume: 70cl ABV: 40%

Notes:

Tasting Notes

Aroma:   Red berry fruits, fresh flowers and passion fruit

Palate:   Citrus zest, vanilla pod and crème caramel  

Finish:    Sweet cinnamon and nutmeg

ABV:      40% 

The Dalmore

The Dalmore is the definitive malt, since 1839.

Founded by Sir Alexander Matheson, a restless entrepreneur and international businessman, The Dalmore was born with a different purpose, to go above and beyond to create luxurious single malt whisky unlike any other.

An unbroken chain of exceptional whisky makers have been fulfilling Sir Alexander’s vision ever since, pioneering multi cask maturation over 100 years before this was commonly adopted by others in the industry.

Richard Paterson has been Master Distiller at The Dalmore for nearly 50 years.  The whiskies he has created during his tenure have help Richard to achieve global celebrity status.

IRISH DISTILLERS’ PRESTIGE WHISKEY RANGE GOES DOUBLE PLATINUM

AT BEVERAGE TESTING INSTITUTE  

Irish Distillers’ Prestige Whiskey range has collected another impressive haul of medals at the Beverage Testing Institute (BTI) with nine Gold or above awards, demonstrating the unrivalled quality and craftsmanship of the whiskeys from the Midleton Distillery.

Midleton Dair Ghaelach won a Platinum medal – BTI’s highest honour – and was praised by the judges for its classic rich, spicy single pot still taste profile.  It scored 97/100, making it the the no.1 Irish Whiskey and the joint second highest scoring whisk(e)y in the entire competition.

Redbreast 12 Cask Strength also Platinum, and with Redbreast 12, Redbreast 15 and Redbreast 21 each winning Gold medals, Redbreast has cemented its place as the most awarded single pot still whiskey in the world.

Brian Nation, Master Distiller at Irish Distillers, said: “We are thrilled to see more fantastic results for Irish Distillers’ Prestige range at a global spirit tasting competition. Over the course of the 2017 awards season each of our Prestige ranges – Redbreast, Midleton, Powers, Spot and METHOD AND MADNESS – have won acclaim. Midleton Dair Ghaelach and Redbreast 12 Cask Strength have enjoyed the limelight at the Beverage Testing Institute and we look forward to further wins in 2018. It’s great to be able to raise a glass once again to the passionate and skilled production team at Midleton.” 

Full results from Beverage Testing Institute 2017:

97 • Midleton Dair Ghaelach – Platinum

96 • Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength – Platinum

95 • Redbreast 21 Year Old – Gold

93 • Redbreast 12 Year Old – Gold

93 • Redbreast 15 Year Old – Gold

92 • Powers Three Swallow Release – Gold

92 • Midleton Very Rare – Gold

90 • Green Spot – Gold

88 • Redbreast Lustau Edition – Silver

About Irish Distillers

Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard is Ireland’s leading supplier of spirits and wines and producer of the world’s most well-known and successful Irish whiskeys. Led by Jameson, our brands are driving the global renaissance of Irish whiskey. Jameson is the world’s fastest-growing Irish whiskey, experiencing 28 years of consecutive growth and hitting sales of 6.5m cases in 2017. Our brands are exported to 130+ markets, with over 71 of those experiencing double- or triple-digit growth.

Irish Distillers was formed in 1966, when a merger took place between John Power & Son, John Jameson & Son and Cork Distilleries Company. In 1988 Irish Distillers joined Pernod Ricard, gaining access to unprecedented levels of investment and an extensive global distribution network. Since 2012, we have invested over €250m to double our production and bottling capacity to meet global demand for our products.

We employ over 600 people across our operations in Cork and Dublin. 

About Pernod Ricard

Pernod Ricard is the world’s n°2 in wines and spirits with consolidated Sales of € 9, 010 million in 2016/17. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has undergone sustained development, based on both organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard holds one of the most prestigious brand portfolios in the sector: Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Malibu liqueur, Mumm and Perrier- Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard employs a workforce of approximately 18,500 people and operates through a decentralised organisation, with 6 “Brand Companies” and 86 “Market Companies” established in each key market. Pernod Ricard is strongly committed to a sustainable development policy and encourages responsible consumption. Pernod Ricard’s strategy and ambition are based on 3 key values that guide its expansion: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust and a strong sense of ethics. http://www.pernod-ricard.com/

Old Pulteney 25 Year Old & 1983

Two new limited releases from the North Highland distillery. Double matured in oloroso sherry casks, the result is undertones of stewed fruit, chocolate and baked apples. Lovely!

Old Pulteney 25 Year Old (2017) – Buy £294.50

Old Pulteney 1983 Vintage (2017) – Buy £499.96

Grouse Gets Poppyscotland Makeover

The Famous Grouse Experience have announced that the visitor attraction will be offering free Distillery and Tasting Experience tours for serving and retired military personnel during the month of November.

Read the full story here

anCnoc Peatheart

This Highland malt from Knockdhu distillery is a peated expression of the anCnoc single malt, made using malted barley peated to 40ppm (phenol parts per million) and filled to bourbon casks to mature in the traditional dunnage warehouses at the distillery for over ten years.

£52 Pre-Order Now

Stock will be dispatched week beginning 6th November

Wemyss Malts Autumn 2017 Single Cask Whisky Release

Independent bottler Wemyss Malts have released a total of 12 new single cask whiskies ranging from 11 to 36 years old. Selected and approved by the prominent whisky writer Charlie Maclean, each bottling has a colourfully descriptive name illustrating the plethora of aromas and flavours that can be found in single cask whisky and have been bottled natural colour and non-chill-filtered.

The full list of the autumn single cask release comprises of:

“Herb and Lime Salsa” a (26YO) single cask hogshead from Bunnahabhain distillery, bottled at 46%

“Bittersweet Baklava” a (28YO) single cask hogshead Bunnahabhain distillery, bottled at 46%

“The Viceroy’s Elixir” a (29YO) single cask butt from Bunnahabhain distillery, bottled at 46%

“Mocha on the Deck” a (18YO) single cask butt from Bowmore distillery, bottled cask strength at 59.3%

“Carpaccio Salsa Verde” a (36YO) single cask hogshead from Caol Ila distillery, bottled at 46%

“Stewed Fruit Relish” a (14YO) single cask hogshead from Craigellichie distillery, bottled at 46%

“A Liquorice Potion” a (19YO) single cask barrel from Benrinnes distillery, bottled at 46%

“Forest Fresh” a (21YO) single cask hogshead from Glen Keith distillery bottled at 46%

“Under the Lemon Tree” a (22YO) single cask hogshead from Linkwood distillery bottled at 46%

“Apple Blossom” a (25YO) single cask hogshead from Blair Athol distillery bottled at 46%

“Trawlerman’s Satchel” a (11YO) single cask hogshead Croftengea from Loch Lomond Distillery bottled at 46%

“Princes Torte” a (9 YO) single cask hogshead from grain distillery North British bottled cask strength at 64.8%

William Wemyss, Founder and Managing Director at Wemyss Malts, commented: “Autumn is all about treasuring the bountiful harvest of the months gone by, with this in mind our latest selection of single casks convey an assortment of fortifying and warming flavours. With this assortment of single casks from the spritely and sweet ‘Princes Torte’ North British to the incredibly decadent Bunnahabhain aptly named “The Viceroy’s Elixir” and the show stopping 36 year old Caol Ila named “Carpaccio Salsa Verde” we truly have something to please all whisky fans.

Each cask is limited to only a few hundred bottles with suggested retail prices ranging from £60 to £390. These bottlings will be available in selected retailers in the UK, EU and key Asian markets.

Notes:

• Edinburgh based Wemyss Malts is owned by the Wemyss family and their family seat is Wemyss Castle in Fife where they’ve lived since the 1300s.
• Wemyss Malts has a blended malt whisky range comprising of The Hive, Spice King, Peat Chimney, bottled 46% and at Batch Strength, as well as the newly released Family Collection and blended Scotch range, Lord Elcho.
• The Wemyss family premium wines and spirits brands also include boutique Darnley’s Gin, together with the premium wine estate of Rimauresq Cru Classé in Cotes de Provence.
• The family distillery Kingsbarns, near St. Andrews, Fife has recently released a 2 year old Spirit Drink available exclusively from the visitor centre. www.kingsbarnsdistillery.com

LAST FEW SETS AVAILABLE WITH FREE MINIATURE PACK

Purchase all four bottles from the Hard To Find Whisky Casino Series and receive a lovely gift box set which contains a 5cl miniature bottle of each of the four different cask finishes. There are just 50 individually numbered sets of this produced and we are now nearly sold out.

Please note this is a limited time offer, once all 50 sets have been sold this package will not include the Free Miniatures. The Miniatures are not available separately and are ONLY available with the four bottle set.

1 x 70cl Bottle Casino Series #Roulette Sherry Cask Finish 21 Year Old Tobermory

1 x 70cl Bottle Casino Series #Slots Port Cask Finish 21 Year Old Tobermory

1 x 70cl Bottle Casino Series #Poker Rum Cask Finish 21 Year Old Tobermory

1 x 70cl Bottle Casino Series #BlackJack Islay Cask Finish 21 Year Old Tobermory

FREE Individually numbered box set of 4 x 5cl Miniature Sized Bottles of each of the above

Each bottle is individually numbered with it’s own genuine Casino chip

Please click on the image above for full information about each bottle.

TASTING ALERT!

IRISH SINGLE POT STILL MASTER CLASS 06/11/17, 6.30PM

Pernod Ricard Irish Single Pot Still masterclass showcasing their fantastic range of Irish Whiskies. On the night ~ Green Spot, Yellow Spot, Redbreast 15, Redbreast 21YO, Midleton Barry Crockett & Midleton Dair Ghaillach. If you are a fan of Irish pot still whiskies, this is not to be missed!

BUY NOW