Isle of Arran Distillers eye spring 2019 opening for Lagg Distillery

Construction of the Isle of Arran Distillers second distillery on the south of the island is on track to be completed and open to the public by spring 2019.

The most recent milestone at the Lagg Distillery is the completion of the steelworks. With the structure now in place, the Distillery has begun to take on its distinctive shape, overlooking the south coast of Arran and the Firth of Clyde. The new distillery has been positioned next to fields of barley that provide a portion of the malt currently used in distillation at Lochranza.

Come the turn of the year the copper pot stills will be installed, shortly followed by the first production run with a heavily-peated (50ppm) spirit that will become in time the flagship Lagg Distillery Single Malt Scotch whisky.

Seven hundred of these casks were first made available to purchase in February and, so far, have proved a very attractive offering for a variety of individuals from all over the world. As well as being an opportunity to be part of single malt history on the Isle of Arran, every cask owner will become a member of the exclusive Lagg Cask Society. Membership guarantees a bottle from the very first cask to be filled at Lagg which is reserved exclusively for the Society. In addition, each member will have their name displayed on the Lagg ‘Wall of Fame’ and receive an invite to the Lagg Cask Society Members Day for a first-look of the distillery and visitor centre before its official opening.

Once the casks have been laid down they will remain at the distillery for a minimum of ten years of maturation under the careful eye of Graham Omand, who has recently been appointed the distillery manager of the Lagg Distillery.

Graham is the nephew of the Isle of Arran Distillers master distiller James MacTaggart. He has been working under his uncle’s guidance at the Lochranza Distillery for over eight years. Click here to view a short video of Graham and James discussing the new Lagg Distillery, as well as everything Lagg Cask Society.

Speaking about the progress, Euan Mitchell, Managing Director of Isle of Arran Distillers, said: “It is fantastic to see the vision turning into a reality. With just under a year to go until we plan to open the Lagg Distillery, we’re delighted to confirm that everything is on target to be completed by spring next year. We’re assembling a team, headed up by Graham, which will play an integral role in growing the business and producing rich, earthy and high-quality peated spirit.

“The decision to concentrate on heavily peated single malts at the Lagg Distillery comes after the popularity of our Machrie Moor limited edition range.  Being able to dedicate the facility to this style of whisky will enable further innovation, becoming a space where we can experiment with different flavours.”

When fully operational in 2019 the Lagg Distillery will increase Isle of Arran’s production capacity to 2 million litres. Further, the total visitor numbers to both distillery sites are expected to exceed 200,000 by 2020. 

Notes:

For more information visit 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), Best Brewery/Distillery Tour – Scottish Outdoor Leisure Awards (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.  Category Winner & Gold Medal ‘Best Scotch 13-20 Years – Islands (Non- Islay) World Whiskies Awards for the Arran 18-year-old (2018). Category Winner & Gold Medal ‘No Age Statement Single Malt’ for The Bothy Batch 3 World Whiskies Awards (2018). Silver Medal ‘Single Malt 12 Years and Under’ World Whiskies Awards 2018 for the Arran 10-year-old (2018).

JUNE 2018 AUCTION IS NOW LIVE!

Bowmore 1966 Samaroli Bouquet

The 1966 Bouquet is the glittering supernova that is created when two key elements of whisky history collide at just the perfect moment in time. Regarded by many as the one of the best, if not the best, whiskies ever bottled, it is rare that one of these absolute gems is brought to market.

Karuizawa Single Casks

Karuizawa produced outstanding whiskies, many receiving international acclaim. They have released almost 300 single casks that are becoming increasingly rarer and rarer as demand soars. We have a great selection currently available including an array of the 1981 35 year old releases.

Overholt 1909 Rye Whiskey 1 Quart / Pre-Prohibition

Overholt Rye was first produced in the early 1800s, with this bottle appearing over a century later. Bottled just before Prohibition, this 1909 vintage was apparently a reserve of the Mellon family, who stockpiled it for fear of running out in the wake of the Prohibition legislation banning all production and consumption in 1920.

Bowmore 1964 – Black, White and Gold

All three from “The Trilogy” series are featured this month.  The Black Bowmore is certainly an icon of whisky and was followed by slightly older Gold and White that add Bourbon cask maturation to provide a comparison to the Oloroso casks used in the Black expression.

Macallan 1997 Exceptional Cask #9182-01

The very first cask from Macallan’s new ‘Exceptional Single Cask’ range, bottled in 2017 exclusively for the United States and parts of Asia. This range takes its name from a number of single cask bottlings Macallan released during the 1990s, often described as some of “the greatest Macallan of them all.”

The Macallan 25 Year Old Sherry Cask 2018

The Macallan imports the majority of all sherry seasoned oak into Scotland.  These casks impart huge flavour and quality to the whisky, which can easily be seen in the 25 Year Old – this stunning new 2018 expression is sure to be highly sought after. Complete with the new luxurious wooden packaging and bottling style this would make a worthy addition to any whisky collection. Available while stocks last…

£1750 Click here to buy

The Macallan 25 Year Old Anniversary Malt 1966

Distilled in 1966 at The Macallan distillery in Craigellachie, this Speyside single malt was matured in sherry casks for a quarter of a century before being bottled in 1991. Bottled at 43% abv and presented in a wooden display case, it is described as “one of life’s few genuinely incomparable experiences.”

£3900 Click here to buy

Friday, June 29th, 5-7PM

Local Bourbon: 

Wright and Brown

Enjoy a variety of decadently flavorful small-batch whiskies, made right here in the Bay Area!

Distilled in American-made copper whisky stills, each Wright and Brown release is truly handcrafted. First, the distillers seek out the most flavorful non-GMO grains, working with local organic farms to get the best ingredients. Every step of the whisky process is then done in-house, from milling the grain to mashing, fermenting, distilling, aging, and finally bottling.

We’ll be pouring a variety of Wright and Brown whiskies, presented by whisky experts.

Click Here to RSVP

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 208: Auchentoshan Three Wood

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, tries the popular Auchentoshan Three Wood. This triple distilled Lowlander is composed from spirit that matured on types of casks: bourbon, oloroso sherry and PX sherry. The result is a dark and succulent dram, while remaining accessible and affordable. No wonder it is one of their best sellers.

https://youtu.be/2B7cewXRSW0

THE GLENLIVET EXPLORES NEW FRONTIERS WITH LAUNCH OF

COGNAC CASK FINISH EXPRESSION

The Glenlivet is set to re-assert its credentials as the definitive Single Malt Scotch whisky with the release of a contemporary new expression; Captain’s Reserve, a Single Malt selectively finished in high-quality Cognac casks. The launch is set to push the boundaries of modern Scotch through its distinctive cask combination.

Available from April 2018, Captain’s Reserve is the result of flavour and cask experimentation. This combination of the raisin-rich intense taste of Cognac with the signature citrus notes and creamy smoothness of The Glenlivet offers consumers the opportunity to broaden their Single Malt Scotch repertoire. The new flavour and taste experience also encourages new consumers to explore the thriving Single Malt Scotch category, which is one of the fastest growing spirits categories globally, and is expected to continue its growth at +6%[1].

This new expression, which will sit as part of The Glenlivet range, is a tribute to Captain William Smith Grant, great-grandson of George Smith, founder of The Glenlivet, the definitive Speyside Single Malt. The Captain not only fought in the First World War in France, but later went on to fight for The Glenlivet, guiding the brand through the difficult Prohibition years and leading the Single Malt Scotch whisky revival in the UK and US. This unique story is brought to life through Captain’s Reserve by uniting the definitive Speyside Single Malt and the opulent rich flavours of Cognac.

Alan Winchester, The Glenlivet Master Distiller, comments: “We know that Single Malt consumers are becoming increasingly adventurous and are seeking to explore new flavour profiles and finishes in the category. Research shows that the global consumption of Cognac is expected to increase by some 2m cases by 2021[2]. By introducing Cognac into our finishing process, we are able to capitalise on the popularity of this flavour and add another dimension to our world-renowned portfolio. The Cognac casks’ influence will bring a real richness to the smooth and fruity style of The Glenlivet, which we’re confident new and existing Single Malt Scotch enthusiasts will enjoy.”

Captain’s Reserve is available globally, with an RRP ranging from £45-48 (or local equivalent).

Notes:

The Glenlivet Captain Reserve Tasting notes:

NOSE: Bursting with sweet and fruity aromas. Rich in honey and apricot jam, with notes of sweet cinnamon bread and a subtle sensation of spicy liquorice.

TASTE: Succulent flavours of mandarins in syrup, ripe poached pears and chocolate-dipped raisins.

FINISH: Incredibly smooth and luscious.

About The Glenlivet:

Created by George Smith in 1824, The Glenlivet is The Definitive Speyside Single Malt, renowned for its heritage as a visionary within the single malts category. With its smooth and fruity flavour profile, The Glenlivet has contributed the biggest volume growth of the single malt category worldwide, adding more than any other single malt whisky brand over the past five years (IWSR, 2016). Acting as the guardian for outstanding quality and craftsmanship within single malts, The Glenlivet is dedicated to continuing this legacy and has led innovation within single malt in recent years. Standout initiatives include the release of The Glenlivet Cipher, a mystery single malt, and the creation of The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve, a great representation of the distillery’s signature style.

About Chivas Brothers:

Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard, the world’s n°2 in wines and spirits. Chivas Brothers’ award-winning portfolio features some of the world’s most revered Scotch whisky brands including Chivas Regal, the world’s first luxury whisky and the No.1 Scotch whisky in China; Ballantine’s, Europe’s No.1 Scotch whisky; The Glenlivet, the single malt whisky that set the standard; and Royal Salute, the world’s only exclusively prestige Scotch whisky range. The portfolio also includes two of the world’s leading English gins – Beefeater, the world’s most awarded premium gin, and Plymouth gin – plus a selection of highly acclaimed single malt whiskies, including Aberlour, Longmorn, Scapa, Strathisla and Tormore. The range is completed by a collection of blended Scotch whiskies operating in many of the world’s key whisky markets which includes 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport Scotch.

[1] IWSR, 2016

[2] The Global Cognac Insights report, 2017

TWO WORLD-FIRST ‘METHOD AND MADNESS’ EXPRESSIONS

ADDED TO THE EXPERIMENTAL IRISH SPIRITS RANGE 

Irish Distillers, makers of the world’s most well-known and successful Irish whiskeys, has added two new and experimental, limited edition Irish whiskeys to its METHOD AND MADNESS range; Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Finished in Virgin Hungarian Oak and a 28-year-old Ruby Port Pipe Single Cask Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey. First launched in 2017, METHOD AND MADNESS aims to push the boundaries of Irish whiskey through innovative releases, harnessing the creativity and fresh thinking of the masters and apprentices in Midleton Distillery.

In a world first for Irish whiskey, METHOD AND MADNESS Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Finished in Virgin Hungarian Oak has been finished in virgin oak felled in the Carpathian Mountain range in the North East of Hungary, where volcanic soils are best suited to the growing of Quercus Petraea. Harvested in winter and air-dried for two years at theKádár Kádár sawmills in Tokaj, the tight grain of this exceptional wood slowly imparts complex compounds and subtle flavours into the whiskey during the finishing process. The whiskey, a single pot still distillate, was first matured in a combination of first-fill and re-fill American oak barrels, before finishing in the virgin Hungarian oak for 11 months.

Kevin O’Gorman, Master of Maturation at Midleton Distillery, commented: “Our quest for uncommon casks has led us all over the world. We were especially intrigued by the Quercus Petraea from North East Hungary and the unique properties that it could add to our flavour repertoire as whiskey makers. At Midleton Distillery over the past few years, we have been experimenting with Hungarian virgin oak casks – a trial and error process that we are incredibly proud to have finally mastered. The result is a new first for Irish whiskey that continues to challenge perceptions of what the category can be.”

The second aged release in the METHOD AND MADNESS series is a 28 year old Ruby Port Pipe, which is a single pot still Irish whiskey matured initially for six years in American oak barrels, before being re-casked into a Ruby Port pipe for a further 22 years. The cask was carefully seasoned with a selection of wines to remove some of the heavy tannins and further seasoned with Ruby Port, infusing rich fruit flavours. The whiskey is alive with notes of ripe stone fruit on the nose and generous with vanilla and cinnamon on the palate, while the light pot still spices shine through on the long, satisfying finish.

Dave McCabe, Apprentice Blender at Midleton Distillery, added: “METHOD AND MADNESS 28 Year Old Ruby Port Pipe marks the realisation of a 22-year-old prediction from the Midleton Masters, which stated that the marriage of flavours between a single pot still Irish whiskey and a Port pipe will one day achieve balance. Billy Leighton, our Master Blender, and I have been carefully monitoring the slowly evolving flavours of this rare and exceptional cask as part of my training as Apprentice Blender. It gives us great pleasure to be able to present it as the perfect harmony between whiskey, Port and wood.”

METHOD AND MADNESS Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Finished in Virgin Hungarian Oak is bottled without chill-filtration at 46% ABV and is available in Ireland, the UK, Travel Retail Ireland and France, RRP €89. METHOD AND MADNESS Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey 28 Year Old Ruby Port Pipe Single Cask is bottled at 56.1% ABV and available in Ireland, UK, Travel Retail Ireland and France, priced at RRP €1,900

METHOD AND MADNESS Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Finished in Virgin Hungarian Oak

Tasting notes by Master Blender, Billy Leighton:

Nose: Treacle, toffee, toasted coconut and campfire ashes

Taste: Silky smooth richness, bittersweet liquorice and dry woodland notes

Finish:  Dissipating spice and toasted Oak

METHOD AND MADNESS Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey 28 Year Old Ruby Port Pipe

Tasting notes by Master Blender, Billy Leighton:

Nose: Fleshy mango, kiwi & green banana and ripe plums

Taste: Vanilla & cinnamon, port wine and barley grains

Finish:  Lingering succulent fruits, toasted oak and light spice 

About METHOD AND MADNESS

Launched in February 2017 to push the boundaries of Irish whiskey, METHOD AND MADNESS is crafted in Midleton Distillery, harnessing the creativity of Midleton’s whiskey masters through the fresh talent of its apprentices. Taking inspiration from the famous Shakespearean quote, ‘Though this be madness, yet there is method in ’t’, METHOD AND MADNESS is designed to reflect a next generation Irish spirit brand with a measure of curiosity and intrigue (MADNESS), while honouring the tradition and expertise grounded in the generations of expertise at the Midleton Distillery (METHOD)

About Irish Distillers

Irish Distillers 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. www.pernod-ricard.com

The Macallan 18 Year Old Triple Cask

The Macallan 18 Year Old is one of the most exciting expressions in whisky right now. This 2018 Triple Cask variant offers a balance of European and American oak casks to create a flavour profile which includes notes of fresh fruits, cinnamon and chocolate orange.

As with all Macallan whisky of this age you will have to be quick. Stock is highly limited, and orders will be dealt with on a first come first served basis.

£220 Click here to buy

Black Feather Whisky launches their Black Feather Whiskey’s Spirit Pilots: A series of documentary shorts dedicated to those who live what they love and whose passion for their craft borderlines on obsession.

• Spirit Pilots: Tatton Baird Hatters Presented by Black Feather Whiskey – S1 – E1
• Spirit Pilots: Cooper’s Forge Presented by Black Feather Whiskey – S1 – E2
• Spirit Pilots: Freenote Cloth Presented by Black Feather Whiskey – S1 – E3
• Spirit Pilots: Marc Ford Presented by Black Feather Whiskey – S1 – E4

Hi folks, that’s us live with the 87th auction! Happy bidding! This time the link below might actually take you to the current auction!

Happy Bidding!