In honour of Canada 150, Pat Dunlop at thewhiskymafia.com shares his 10 favourite Canadian whiskies!

July 1, 2017 marked the 150th anniversary of Canada’s confederation as a nation, a fact that if you’re not Canadian may well have escaped you (and if you are Canadian, it’s been hammered into each of our minds relentlessly since at least January of this year). As a proud son of Canada, I think now is perhaps the perfect time to highlight my affection for one of our great and lasting contributions to the world at large, Canadian whisky. Click here to read the remainder of the article

Ralfy savours the single cask event with Ralfy Review 667 – Edradour Single Cask 15yo @ 54.7%vol (No 1406)

The DVC Exclusive The Ritz London, Photo Credit David Parry

2017 DISTILLERY EXCLUSIVE NOW AVAILABLE FROM THE DALMORE

Luxury single malt whisky maker The Dalmore has released its limited edition distillery bottling for 2017.

Available exclusively from the renowned The Dalmore Distillery in the Scottish Highlands, The Distillery Exclusive Vintage 2000 combines the depth and complexity of The Dalmore’s unique new make spirit with sweetness gifted from the soft character of Californian Merlot.

Released during Master Distiller Richard Paterson’s 50^th year in the whisky industry, the Distillery Exclusive is a showcase of Richard’s craftsmanship and, in particular, his pioneering approach to the art of maturation and cask finishing.

Having matured in American White Oak ex-bourbon barrels, The Distillery Exclusive Vintage 2000 has been finished in hand selected Californian Merlot Barriques for five years before bottling.

The Dalmore distillery was founded in 1839 and, through its unbroken chain of exceptional whisky creators, has defined the luxury single malt whisky category ever since. Since taking the reins as Master Distiller nearly 50 years ago, Richard Paterson has been the pioneering force behind The Dalmore, responsible for creating some of the world’s most coveted and iconic whiskies. Richard has achieved a number of world firsts, including the six-cask matured The Dalmore King Alexander III and releasing the first ever five red wine finished whisky, The Dalmore Quintessence.

Richard Paterson, Master Distiller commented: “The Dalmore Distillery, located on the picturesque shore of the Cromarty Firth in the Scottish Highlands, is my go-to place for inspiration and reflection. It is here that I first considered how best to combine one of my favourite red wines with the distillery’s deep and complex new make spirit.

“The Dalmore Distillery Exclusive Vintage 2000 is the result of these efforts, offering a harmonious balance between the sweet notes of the Californian Merlot and the signature flavours of our own Dalmore house style. Bottled at natural strength and with notes of chocolate truffle, coffee and black toffee, this year’s exclusive distillery release is a treat worth snapping up for any visitors to our distillery.”

Up to 270 bottles will be available to purchase, priced at £200. The Dalmore Distillery Exclusive Vintage 2000 (52% ABV) is available from The Dalmore Distillery at Alness, Ross-shire, Scotland, IV17 0UT.     

The DVC Exclusive The Ritz London, Photo Credit David Parry

Notes:

Tasting Notes:

Colour:                 Deep mahogany gold shimmering with ruby highlights

Aroma:                 Succulent Black Forest fruits, fleshy Victoria plum and sweet apricots

Palate:                  Morello cherries, blueberry pie, cinnamon and soft chewy liquorice

Finish:                  Chocolate truffles, coffee and black toffee

ABV:                      52% 

The Dalmore

The Dalmore is the definitive luxury 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.  He is the man who, with The Dalmore, created the category of super luxury single malt, a category he continues to define to this very day.

About The Dalmore Distillery & Visitor Centre Located on the shores of the Cromarty Firth in the Highlands of Scotland, the Dalmore distillery is home to some of the oldest whisky stocks in the world. Those that visit receive a rare insight into the skill, expertise and craft required to produce The Dalmore.

Distillery tours are available year round by booking only which ensures that the team are able to cater to the needs of each group. Enquiries should be made by visiting www.thedalmore.com or calling 01349 882 362.

New Scotch Whiskey from North Star Spirits Ltd

North Start Spirits are one of the newcomers on the indy whisky scene. Based in Glasgow and overseen by Iain Croucher, there is plenty of experience having been part of the long established A.D. Rattray group. Now he is going it alone with his own Independent bottling company North Star Spirits Ltd. Having set up in 2016, the first batch of releases has already been and gone to much praise and a ‘take a second look’ at this kind of vibe from many scotch enthusiasts.

Recently the second batch of releases, a variety if single casks malts and grains along with single cask bourbon and special blended malt release hit the market and was snapped up quickly. Here at The Whisky Barrel we have managed to get our hands on some of this highly anticipated scotch whiskey, all bottled in May 2017. So let’s see what’s in store…

Let’s See the Scotch

Usually we love to accompany new whiskies like this with a wee tasting as well to get an idea for ourselves what’s happening in the bottle. Alas, this batch of new whiskies have been so popular we missed the boat on samples. However, as you’ll see from the distilleries, ages and vintages of these bottles, they are not to be sniffed at. The labels are quite eye catching too. Crisp, modern and ‘on trend’ with the expanding younger demographic of scotch drinkers. The name and design evokes the obvious connotations of star gazing. The notion of sitting round a fire, chatting, looking up at the stars, scotch in hand. Isn’t that just what whisky should be about?

Please click HERE to read the remainder of the article.

The holiday season is well and truly upon us which means we can look forward to lots of attention from the visitors to our distillery.   If you’re coming to the distillery this summer don’t forget to look out for us and feel free to come and say hello (we love a tummy scratch!) and you can pick up a bottle of The Towser Cask Bottle Your Own from the Famous Shop or in our UK and Global online shop. Read the full story here…

OUR SHOP

A visit to the Distillery would not be complete without a browse through our Famous Shop.  From special offers to the latest Bottle Your Own you’ll be spoiled for choice and in whisky heaven. You can also buy online here

TAKE A TOUR

Tasting Experience Discover how The Glenturret Highland Single Malt is produced and learn the art of blending at the spiritual home of The Famous Grouse. Available daily and can be booked on the day for your convenience. Find out more here Open 7 days a week, 10am until 6pm.

Just Whisky Auctions are proud to bring you our July 2017 auction. With 1,500 Lots to bid on, including new releases from Arran, Bruichladdich, Highland Park and Karuizawa it’s got our heads in a fizz! With such a selection why don’t we go with a couple of highlights below ….

Don’t forget to set an alarm for the auction end – from 8pm on Sunday 23rd.

KARUIZAWA 31 YEARS OLD – GOLDEN GEISHA SHERRY CASK NO.3667

Lot ID: 441490

A Limited Edition, aged 31 years in a sherry cask (No.3667) before being bottled exclusively for The Whisky Exchange. The Golden Geisha 31-year-old is one of two bottlings originally available by ballot, the other being is a superb 33-year-old with equally impressive credentials.

SAMPLE THE UPCOMING TEELING REVIVAL
AT OUR NEXT WHISKY EXCHANGE MASTERCLASS

WEDNESDAY 19 JULY
7.30PM-9PM

Tickets on sale now!

BOOK »

Teeling are award-winning distillers and builders of the first new distillery in Dublin for more than 125 years. With a family distilling history stretching back more than 200 years and a current generation that helped revive the Irish whiskey industry in the 1990s, the Teelings are true pioneers of Irish whiskey.

Join us for an evening of exploration, tasting the Teeling range, including some of the latest new releases. The tasting will culminate in an exclusive preview sampling of the fourth release in the Revival Series, a 15-year-old single malt finished in Muscat casks. The whiskey will be released later this year.

Our host for the evening is Teeling master distiller and blender Alex Chasko. He will take us on a journey through the Teeling portfolio, highlighting the importance of craft and innovation in its production.

Teeling Small Batch Whiskey

Teeling Single Grain Whiskey

Teeling Single Malt Whiskey

Teeling Revival 14 Year Old Volume III

Teeling Single Grain Whiskey

Teeling 15 Year Old Revival Series Volume IV

Alex Chasko is the master distiller and blender behind all of Teeling’s whiskeys. He was the first employee of the company and has been involved in the development from day one. Previously he was the Innovations Manager at Cooley distillery and revived distilling at the historic Kilbeggan distillery in Westmeath.

WEDNESDAY 19 JULY
7.30pm-9pm
£40 per ticket
Please arrive at the venue from 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start

VENUE

BROWNS COVENT GARDEN
THE JUDGE’S COURT
82-84 ST MARTIN’S LANE
LONDON WC2N 4AG

A short tour that included a few drams … many drams actually.

A whisky blog by Paul McLean for Whisky Intelligence.

We had four lovely guests on tour with us, having just ended an exhausting golf tour, they were in the mood for something different. From St Andrews we drove through wonderful countryside to Fort William – en route we stopped by Glencoe, dondering into the wilds and the Clachaig pub, a place deep in the heart of Paul (McLean), the sign on the entrance, nae hawkers or Campbells!!! A good start, do not start me on the Maclean – Campbell fued. Lunch taken here in a great beer/whisky bar. Back to Glencoe and a stop for the story, and a dram, of course! Edradour Tuscan wine finish – excellent, 61% and very moreish. Staying in Fort William overnight.

Day two saw us depart for Glenfinnan and the ferry to Skye. Our guests continued with the Edradour, arriving in Portree mid afternoon, ate at the Isles pub, then took off to visit the Old Man of Storr. With dark clouds coming our way, we retreated back to the bridge, stopped by Eilean Donan castle and headed back towards FT Willy another route. On this stretch of the tour we stopped for a Mortlach – a Gordon & MacPhail exclusive we had been saving, 27 yo and dark as those clouds following us, a superb dram. One past guests the Di Marco’s fae New York will vouch for. This was a tour stopper, so good, so good and being the driver, not so good. Back at FT Willy they enjoyed great food and a restful evening.

Day three started very sunny, we drove west to Oban for the Mull ferry. Calling in at the Craignure Inn for lunch and drinkies, followed by a wee drive to my castle, Duart. I introduced my guests to the Chief of Clan Maclean, enjoyed the castle, the pipe band and dancers, a good day so far. We had ran oot of time to visit Tobermory, no matter, at the ferry for Lochaline, we had a half hour wait, so out came a Balvenie, double cask 12yo. Three different drams, each with their own nose/taste, all enjoyed. Grand drams with grand scenery, a final night in William.

Day four and an early start driving via Glen Roy Glen Spean etc to dalwhinnie, aye we stopped here, no for a tour but for drams and chocolates. As photos show, we had approx. 15 different drams spread out amongst our guests, did they enjoy these? Possibly, it was hard to get answers through the big grins, I reckon they all went doon well. Just under an hour and we pulled into Andrew’s place, Edradour. A tour here with a few drams, I chatted to Andrew almost an hour before we saw our guests again. While talking, we came across a Mortlach 25 yo, I wanted one, Andrew is holding git for me. I do like the Mortlach. Lunch and shopping followed, I called into Robertsons whisky store for a chat with Ewan, so should you by the way. The day/tour ended at the hotel near Edinburgh airport.

Not supposed to be a whisky tour, this ended up that way! My fault perhaps, but we did see lots of fantastic Scottish countryside, met locals, clan chief, pipers and enjoyed the company throughout.

www.robertsonsofpitlochry.co.uk
McLeanScotland; www.whiskytours.scot
Edradour; www.edradour.com
Dalwhinnie; www.discovering-distilleries.com/dalwhinnie/
Balvenie; www.thebalvenie.com
G&M; www.gordonandmacphail.com

Final chapter in the Smugglers’ story

Isle of Arran Distillers release ultimate bottling in history-inspired trilogy 

The award-winning Isle of Arran Distillery will release the final edition in its highly celebrated Smugglers’ Series on the 12^th July.

This bottling marks the conclusion of the much-lauded trilogy which honours the exuberant character of those striving to outwit the Government’s representatives in the pursuit of the production of the famed ‘Arran Waters’.

Like proceeding volumes, ‘The Illicit Stills’ and ‘The High Seas’, Smugglers’ Series vol.3: ‘The Exciseman’ is presented in packaging that mimics a beautiful hardbound book, complete with a cut-out compartment that conceals the bottle.

The Madeira casks used in this final volume, are similar to the ones utilised by Arran’s illicit distillers, who often stored and transported locally produced whisky in old Madeira casks brought over from the continent by their smuggling counterparts. The use of Quarter Casks is a nod to the type of small vessels which would have been the easiest to transport.

The resulting liquid is complex, full of character and a wonderful way to end a series which has so perfectly paid tribute to the independent characters of Arran over the centuries.

James MacTaggart, master distiller of the Isle of Arran Distillery said: “Smugglers’ vol.1 and vol.2 were tremendously popular, selling out within days.

“There is a real desire for whisky with a story, something the Smugglers’ Series has in abundance.

“As the first legal distillery on the island in over 160 years we draw a great deal of inspiration from Arrans whisky-making heritage and are delighted to be able to share it through this, the final bottling of the Smugglers’ Series.”

The iconic citrus notes of the Arran Malt are at the fore of ‘The Exciseman’, mingling with scents evocative of the outdoors and a hint of coastal character.

Notes of apple and vanilla coat the tongue without a hint of dryness. The addition of water opens up the complexity beautifully and reveals a lighter sweetness of candied lemon.

A long, luxurious and yet delightfully fresh finish give a lightness of character whilst the body remains solidly complex and robust.

Non Chill Filtered and with no artificial colouring, Smugglers’ Series Vol.3 ‘The Exciseman’ is bottled at Natural Cask Strength 56.8% abv.

A limited edition release of 8,700 bottles worldwide, will be available online from 11am on the 12^th July at arranwhisky.com and at specialist whisky retailers – but is expected to go fast.

UK RSP £89.99

Notes to editors: For more information visit http://www.arranwhisky.com/ * Accolades for Isle of Arran Distillery include Winner for: Best New Exporter (2004), Queen’s Award for International Trade (2005), Scottish Distiller of the Year (2007) and Scottish Drinks Producer of the Year (2007)

Scottish Field Visitor Experience of the Year 2014 & 2015

Drinks Business Best Contribution to Wine and Spirits Tourism (2017)

Product awards include: Best Whisky Liqueur (2007), ‘Best Single Malt Scotch 12 Years & Under’ for The Arran Malt Amarone Cask Finish (2008) ‘Best Single Malt Scotch 11-15 Years’ for The Arran Malt Sherry Single Cask 1998 (2010) and ‘Best Single Malt Scotch 11-15 Years’ for the Icons of Arran Peacock (2011.) ‘Double Gold Award’ for Arran’s 14 Year Old Single Malt and ‘Gold Award’ for Arran’s 10 Year Old Single Malt at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2012). Double Gold in FiftyBest.com awards (2012). Double Gold Medal for the 12 year-old Cask Strength in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2013). Double Gold for both the 10 year-old and 12 year old Cask Strength at the China Wine & Spirits Best Value Awards 2014.

Exclusive Malts has some great news to share with you:

Jonny McCormick of Whisky Advocate Give High Ratings to Exclusive Malts

Whisky Advocate thinks so highly of this blend, that they’ve included it in their 2017 Summer Buying Guide.