I started at Gauntleys in February 2000 and although having a very minimal knowledge of whiskies at the time I took over looking after our spirits selection. At the time this mainly comprised distillery bottlings with a few bottlings from Gordon & MacPhail. I decided that if we were to be truly thought of as a whisky specialist, then I should apply the same criteria to our whisky selection as we did to our wine, this meant tasting as many whisky samples as I could get my hands on!

This period of time was marked by an increased interest in Independently bottled whiskies and I would regularly badger them to send me samples of their new releases, so I could select which ones I thought were worthy of putting on our shelves. Interestingly enough it is now common practice for a number of these companies to regularly send out samples of their new releases, although I’m not taking all the credit for this practice! Over the next few years I believe I became very well versed in judging the quality of these Independent releases, so much so that in 2007 the Whisky Magazine asked me to become a judge for their Independent Bottlers Challenge competition and this subsequently led to being asked to judge the World Whisky Awards in 2012 as well as the World Drinks Awards. Also in that year I started my weekly YouTube channel called the Good Dram Show, which is still going strong.

I am now a regular judge for a number of spirits competitions and spent a happy couple of years doing the New Releases tasting section of the Whisky Magazine. I would like to think that I have a reputation within the whisky industry as a firm but fair judge and having no allegiances I am free to offer an honest opinion and give praise and constructive criticism where due.

Although there are a number of whisky writers and reviewers with a lot more experience than I have, I believe that I make a valid and valuable contribution to the whisky industry as a whole through my passion for whisky and all things spirits related.

Are you a whisky collector or just enjoy tasting different whiskies and expanding your knowledge? Then you’re in the right place!

Did you know The Whisky Shop has its own Whisky Club, where thousands of members take advantage of some incredible benefits, including Whisky Wednesday flash sales.

For just £20 per year, you will gain access to our weekly flash sales, with discounts of up to 60% on some collectable bottles, limited editions and our special selection of customer favourites. But that’s not all – there’s also monthly 10% discounts, free copies of Whiskeria magazine, members-only auctions and more!

How does Whisky Wednesday work?

5 products, 5 great discounts
24 hours only or while stocks last
1 bottle per item per customer
Exclusively for W Club members
Free Click & Collect available

Join The W Club today and start enjoying amazing whisky savings from tomorrow!

If you have any questions about Whisky Wednesdays or The W Club membership, please reply to this email and our team will be able to help you.

George Dickel “K&L Exclusive” 9 Year Old Single Barrel #L8040K1007 Tennessee Whiskey (750ml) $44.99 View

Douglas Laing’s Big Peat “Christmas” Limited Edition Cask Strength Islay Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) (Elsewhere $80) The exceptional Big Peat Christmas 2017 is arriving with perfect timing to avoid any holiday gifting or sharing with unappreciative relatives. The 2017 Christmas Edition of Big Peat is the probably the best received of these always-beloved annual releases. This is a blend of seven Islay single malts including the rare closed Port Ellen distillery. Douglas Laing has confirmed Bowmore, Caol Ila and Ardbeg, so that leaves Kilchoman, Lagavulin, Laphroaig and Bunnahabhain for us to speculate about. High quality blended malt bottled at full strength from these rare special distilleries, we’d expect a hefty price tag. Since we have the California exclusive, we can offer you this amazing whisky for the best price anywhere in the world. Enjoy it now or stock up for the 2018 holidays. $49.99 View

Ben Nevis 21 Year Old Faultline Refill Bourbon Hogshead Cask Strength Single Cask Single Malt Whisky (750ml) This incredible collaboration between Alexander Murray and K&L is part of the first batch of Faultline casks we’ve had in years. There are only a couple of factors that qualify a cask for inclusion in this special program. The casks must be absolutely exceptional and they must represent the best possible value for our customers. As the whisky boom has continued to explode across the world, fewer sources are available and scarcity means higher prices. The great casks we find are less likely to be made available to us under our own brand as our suppliers want credit for great casks under their own labels. That’s why this find is so incredible. Ben Nevis is an unbelievably good distillery that is unfortunately NOT regularly available in the US. Located on the western coast of Scotland in the town of Fort Williams, they’re owners are Japanese, which means that’s where the whisky goes. This gorgeous old hogshead filled once previously was fashioned from American oak and shows all the great texture and depth we’d expect from Ben Nevis, although with none of the saltpeter or sulfur that is sometimes present in their heady distillate. Pungent and almost extreme, the nose is a concentrated particle beam of fruit and malt flavor. This cask is all about freshness, maturity and balance. While it may not be as showy as the others on paper, the absolute purity of the aromatics and the unrelenting energy of this malt will leave a lasting impression on anyone lucky enough to procure one. $89.99 View

This week I’m looking at not only the Bruichladdich Rare Casks releases but their core range too.

The Review

Whisky Intelligence is pleased to introduce whisky review by Chris Goodrum of Gauntleys of Nottingham

INDUSTRY LEADERS TO GATHER TO DEBATE FUTURE OF WHISKY PRODUCTION

The whisky industry is preparing for the 2018 World Whisky Forum, with the programme of speakers and topics now announced.

The theme for the 2018 forum is Whisky 2020 with speakers from all areas of the industry considering the shape of future whisky production and consumption. The Forum will be moderated by Dave Broom.

Speakers include Ian Chang, Master Blender at Kavalan Distillery, who will discuss how grappling with the challenging climate in Yilan forced Kavalan to embrace innovation and turned it into a model for the distillery of the future.

The forum will also feature a panel discussion lead by Becky Paskin and Georgie Bell, founders of the recently launched #OurWhisky movement, on the changing face of whisky consumption and the importance for the future of the industry, of accurate representation of the diversity of whisky drinkers and producers.

Ingvar Ronde, one of the Forum’s organisers and author of the Malt Whisky Yearbook said: ‘The World Whisky Forum is about sharing experiences and the exchange of ideas. I expect the same open and curious atmosphere that characterized the first meeting at BOX last year. I’m especially happy to see this great mix of speakers, representing small entrepreneurial companies such as Kyrö from Finland as well as international giants like Hiram Walker and Kirin Brewery. I truly believe that gatherings like this are essential when it comes to shaping the future of whisky and it’s really fascinating to be a part of it when it happens.’

The Forum, now in its second year, will be hosted by the Cotswolds Distillery. The distillery was recently named Craft Producer of the Year (Worldwide) in Whisky Magazine’s Icons of Whisky Awards and Head Distiller, Nickolas Franchino, will be speaking on how small producers can carve out a place for themselves despite sharing a market with much bigger, more established players. Places at the Forum are open only to members of the industry and are extremely limited – for more information on securing a place visit www.worldwhiskyforum.org

NOTES 

The WORLD WHISKY FORUM was founded in 2017 by Jan Groth of Box/High Coast Distillery in Sweden. It is a stage for the new wave of distillers and whisky stakeholders around the world who put innovation, rethinking and, of course, craftsmanship first. It is a recurring event that takes place every eighteen months.

The COTSWOLDS DISTILLERY was founded in 2014 and is the first full-scale distillery in the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It was recently named Craft Producer of the Year in the Icons of Whisky Awards, and in the UK category of the Icons of Gin Awards.

For more information, please visit www.worldwhiskyforum.org and www.cotswoldsdistillery.com, or contact Jan Groth, Head of the World Whisky Forum +46 (0)70-494 18 01 jan.groth@worldwhiskyform.org or Zoe Rutherford, Communications Manager at the Cotswolds Distillery zrutherford@cotswoldsdistillery.com +44 1608 238 533.

Glenfarclas 2004 Distillery Exclusive

Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1989

The second release in the Bond House No.1 Collection, this Highland single malt was crafted from some of the last spirit to emerge from the distillery’s former still house. Distilled in 1989 and matured for 27 years in a handful of highly sought-after casks, including some prestigious ex-Côte-Rôtie casks from the northern Rhône wine region of France. Each bottle is individually numbered and comes in a stunning display case with a copper plaque inscribed with the story of the expression.

There’s an enticing buttery sweetness on the nose, with hints of toasted marshmallow, vanilla and aromatic smoke. The palate is rich and syrupy with baked apple and fudge mingling with a gentle citrus note. The long and full finish brings honeyed notes of oak and leather.

£550 Pre-Order Now

Saturday, April 28th  12-3PM 

JVS Imports 

Come by our store for a Single Malt Scotch tasting, courtesy of JVS imports! JVS sells almost 1,000 products to California retailers from virtually every major alcoholic beverage category – including some of the rarest single malts we’ve ever featured in-store. From Japan to Islay and independent bottlers the world over, anything could be featured at this surprise single malt tasting! Whatever it will be, however, is sure to be delicious.

RSVP to be notified as the pourlist is revealed!

Click Here to RSVP

Ralfy re-visits an affordable, available malt in Ralfy Review 723 – Strathisla 12yo @ 40%vol: (re-reviewed 2018)

A distillery considered Scotland’s best lowland whisky maker has confirmed it’s very first whisky festival attendance – a year before it will start to produce malts once again.

The highly coveted Rosebank distillery was purchased by Iain MacLeod Distillers last year and a rumoured £12million will be spent to start producing whisky once again from the site on the Union Canal, Falkirk.

Rosebank Distillery will attend The Whisky Social Falkirk this year, bringing rare Lowland single malts for the lucky attendees to sample.

Organiser of Whisky Social Falkirk – which also has events in Dundee and Belfast – Andy Ure said: “When we heard Rosebank was going to start producing again we thought it would be great to get them involved in the festival so we are over the moon that not only will be attending, but it will be the first festival they ever attend.

“There is real nostalgia surrounding the distillery, and people are excited that soon there will be new bottlings. With Falkirk Distillery also coming to fruition shortly, Falkirk is cementing itself as a whisky town once again.”

Brand ambassadors will be pouring Rosebank 12 year old to sample and discussing plans to re-open the distillery at Whisky Social Falkirk.

The malt stopped being produced in 1993 when owners Diageo decided to cease production over upgrading costs as well as road access difficulties. The warehouse was sold to be turned into a Beefeater restaurant while the distillery was sold to British Waterways. Iain MacLeod bought the rights to the name and the site and plan to install three sills to recreate Rosebank’s historic sweet, floral malts as well as a visitor centre to give an insight into the history of the distillery that opened in 1817.

Whisky Social Falkirk is on Saturday, August 18 at the Dobbie Hall, Larbert. Limited tickets are still avaiable from www.harbroevents.co.uk