Canadian Whisky News

Read All About It in the New York Times

As sales of Canadian whisky in the vast American market continue to grow, America’s most respected and widely read newspaper is taking notice.

In an in-depth feature published in both the on-line and print editions, the New York Times, Clay Risen notes a 112 percent leap in the high-end premium category, telling America that Canadian whisky is in resurgence.

Chronicling the glory days after Prohibition and the slow decline of more recent years, the article notes that today, drinkers in the know are taking Canadian whisky seriously. Traditional distillers and new microdistilleries alike contribute to this resurgence.

Credit, in part, goes to Alberta-made ryes that both drive and feed the Rye Renaissance in the U.S. Moreover, these massive 100% ryes are finding their way into top bartenders high-end cocktails.

A Canadian whisky – Crown Royal – is the second-best-selling whisky in the United States, notes Risen. Only Jack Daniel’s manages to sell more.

To read the full story click here

You Could Be A Forty Creek Hero

Forty Creek Whisky is offering four whisky lovers from across Canada the chance for an all-expenses-paid visit to the distillery where they will help select this year’s Limited Release.

Canadian whisky fans need only visit Forty Creek’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/FortyCreekWhisky) and comment on why Forty Creek is their whisky of choice. Four fans from various parts of Canada (excluding Quebec) will be chosen at random and invited to the Forty Creek distillery to sample a range of new blends, then vote on which will be the 2018 Limited Edition. The contest closes March 4, 2018.

“We want to give Canadians from coast-to- coast an opportunity to represent their respective regions and select, what will ultimately be the first special release chosen by Forty Creek’s own fans.” says John Andersen, Senior Brand Manager.

Here is your chance to make Canadian whisky history. The winning blend will be available for reservation prior to Forty Creek’s annual Whisky Weekend, held each September at the Grimsby, Ontario distillery.

Winners

Canadian Whisky Awards

Whisky of the Year – JP Wiser’s 35

Distillery of the Year –  Hiram Walker & Sons

The Verdict is in: 

These are the Best Whiskies for 2018 

Results of the 8th Annual Canadian Whisky Awards show great strength and broad diversity in the new crop of Canadian whiskies.

Whisky of the Year – Wiser’s 35

Distillery of the Year – Hiram Walker & Sons

Microdistillery of the year – Two Brewers

Award of Excellence Innovation – Lohin McKinnon Barley & Rye lightly peated

Award of Excellence Line Extension – Gibson’s Finest Bold

Award of Excellence – Best New Whisky – Forty Creek Heritage

Connoisseur Whisky of the Year – Domestic – Wiser’s 35

Connoisseur Whisky of the Year – Multi-market – Caribou Crossing

Sippin’ Whisky of the Year – Domestic – Collingwood Town Collection Double Barreled

Sippin’ Whisky of the Year – Export – Crown Royal Hand Selected Barrel

Sippin’ Whisky of the Year – Multi-market – Masterson’s 10 yo

Value Whisky – Domestic – Highwood Rye

Value Whisky – Multi-market – Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye

Value Whisky – Export – Canadian Mist

Flavoured Domestic – Ceili’s Irish Cream / Wiser’s Vanilla

Flavoured Multi-market – Crown Royal Vanilla

Lifetime Achievement – Vicky Miller – Black Velvet Distillery

Lifetime Achievement – Rick Murphy – Alberta Distillers Limited

Lifetime Achievement – Jim Stanski – Hiram Walker Distillery

Gold Medals

Canadian Club 40 year old

Caribou Crossing Single Barrel

Ceili’s Irish Cream

Collingwood Town Collection Double Barreled

Crown Royal Hand Selected Barrel

Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye

Crown Royal Vanilla

Crown Royal XO

Forty Creek Cream

Gooderham & Worts Four Grain

Last Mountain Cask Strength

Lot No 40

Lot No 40 Cask Strength 12 year old

Masterson’s 10 year old Rye

Two Brewers Peated single malt

Wiser’s 150th Commemerative

Wiser’s 35 year old

Wiser’s Dissertation

Wiser’s Last Barrels

Wiser’s Triple Barrel Rye

Wiser’s Union 52

Wiser’s Vanilla

And speaking of whisky books…

Early reports from bookstores and on-line sellers tell us sales are brisk for the newly updated Canadian Whisky: The New Portable Expert.

LOCH LOMOND WHISKIES AGREES HIGH PROFILE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE OPEN  

Award-winning independent Scotch whisky distiller, Loch Lomond Group, has agreed a prestigious, five-year partnership with The Open, golf’s original championship for its Loch Lomond Whiskies brand.

The partnership with The R&A includes support of the Ricoh Women’s British Open and will showcase globally the full range of Loch Lomond Whiskies. It also means the distiller’s innovative and exciting range of single malts will become “The Spirit of The Open”.

Known as “The One”, The Open is the most international of the major championships with qualifying events across five continents. The Championship is also broadcast to 600 million households in almost 200 countries around the world.

Whisky and golf are recognised as being among Scotland’s most famous products. Studies suggest that there is a close affinity between the two industries with many golf fans also demonstrating a passion for Scotch.

As part of the partnership with The Open, Loch Lomond Whiskies will create a variety of highly covetable limited editions, aimed at both golf fans and whisky aficionados alike.

Founded in 1814, Loch Lomond Whiskies can trace its roots back to the Littlemill distillery, which was established in 1772 and is thought to be one of the oldest in the world. Its current malt and grain distilleries, in Alexandria, Dunbartonshire on the banks of Loch Lomond, were built in the 1960s and are among only a few in the industry to maintain an onsite cooperage. The malt distillery at Alexandria also features a unique combination of traditional swan neck and distinctive straight-necked pot stills, enabling it to produce a diverse range of flavour profiles.

Colin Matthews, CEO of Loch Lomond Group, with the backing of London based Exponent Private Equity took ownership of the business in March 2014 which has since been completely transformed. Over the last four years the group has expanded significantly its product range, made important capital investments in its distilleries, maturation infrastructure and bottling operations and has achieved strong international growth. Its brands are now present in over 125 countries around the world.

Colin Matthews, CEO of Loch Lomond Group, said:

“We are extremely proud to have agreed this prestigious partnership and association with The R&A for The Open and the Ricoh Women’s British Open. There is an incredibly strong alignment between the worlds of whisky and golf, two of Scotland’s most iconic gifts to the world. There is also a great fit between those who follow golf and whisky, with research showing clearly that many golfers across the world enjoy a regular dram. 

“Our partnership with The R&A is the perfect means for Loch Lomond Whiskies to use the fabulous platforms of both championships to grow further, both in the UK and internationally, and it also demonstrates our strong commitment and ambition to becoming a premium global brand.”

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said:

“Loch Lomond Whiskies has a strong international reputation for achieving the highest standards of excellence and was a natural choice to become a new partner of The Open and the Ricoh Women’s British Open. We will be working closely with Loch Lomond Whiskies over the duration of this partnership to introduce an inspiring range of activities which demonstrate The R&A’s shared desire to offer golf fans the very best experience at our championships.” 

Loch Lomond Whiskies’ partnership with The Open is effective immediately and runs until 2022. The five-year period includes the playing of the landmark 150^th Open in 2021 at St Andrews, the home of golf. The 147^th Open takes place at Carnoustie from 15-22 July 2018.

Muriel Raguenaud, Marketing Director at Loch Lomond Group, said: “Becoming the official ‘Spirit of The Open’ provides us with an unrivalled opportunity to build on our ever-growing international presence and position Loch Lomond Whiskies as a world class distiller producing some of the industry’s finest, most exciting and unique single malts.

“We are looking forward to working with our global partners and distributors to implement a year-round programme of events for whisky and golf fans.”

For further information visit Loch Lomond Whiskies on Twitter: @LochLomondMalts, Instagram @lochlomondmalts and search for Loch Lomond Whiskies on Facebook. To find out more about Loch Lomond Group please visit www.lochlomondgroup.com.

Notes  

Caption information – left to right

5. Colin Matthews, CEO of Loch Lomond Group, and Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive, The R&A
6. Loch Lomond Whiskies’ Loch Lomond range, photographed at the Swilcan Bridge to mark the partnership between Loch Lomond Group and The Open
7. The Claret Jug and the Loch Lomond 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
8. The Claret Jug and the Loch Lomond 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky, photographed at the 18^th tee at St Andrews as part of the partnership between Loch Lomond Group and The Open 

About the Loch Lomond Group:

• Loch Lomond Group is an independent distiller based in Alexandria and is home to several award-winning spirit brands that are sold in more than 125 countries worldwide.
• Loch Lomond distillery has been producing the finest single malt whiskies since 1814.
• Images and interviews with key staff from the Group are available upon request.
• www.lochlomondgroup.com

About the brands:

Loch Lomond Whiskies:

• Loch Lomond Distillery has one of the oldest heritages in the industry. It was founded by American, Duncan Thomas, the owner of the Littlemill distillery which was licensed in 1772.  In the 1930s Duncan Thomas was at the forefront of innovation within the Scotch whisky industry and his innovative philosophy is ingrained into everything that is done at Loch Lomond to this day.

• Loch Lomond 12 Year Old has been awarded Gold Medal status at 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Other expressions in this collection are Loch Lomond Original; Loch Lomond 18 Year Old; Loch Lomond 50 Year Old, Loch Lomond Classic; Loch Lomond Signature, Loch Lomond Single Grain and the Inchmurrin and Inchmoan collection.
• Loch Lomond Inchmoan 12 Year Old has been awarded Best Highland Single Malt 12 Years and Under at the 2018 World Whiskies Awards
• Official social media accounts are Twitter: @LochLomondMalts Instagram: @lochlomondmalts Facebook facebook.com/lochlomondwhiskies

The Macallan 40 Years Old – 2017 Release is a rare single malt and testament to the exceptional sherry oak casks that define the entire Sherry Oak range.

Matured for a minimum of 40 years in an intriguing combination of three different types of sherry-seasoned casks, this is a single malt with a distinctive style and intense character; defined by dried fruits, ginger, wood spice and cinnamon with a natural deep copper colour.

This release will be limited to 465 bottles worldwide and we’re pleased to offer you the opportunity to secure a chance to purchase one of a limited number of bottles being made available through a ballot from The Macallan Online Shop.

If you are interested in owning this highly limited release, please follow the link below before 23:59 UK time on 27th February 2018 and complete the ballot entry information and instructions. We will send you a confirmation email with additional details that confirms your entry into the ballot.

ENTER THE BALLOT                     EXPLORE THE RELEASE

The 40 Years Old – 2017 Release will be sold in the ballot at £6,250 (70cl) and includes delivery but the final price will be subject to local taxes and duties as they apply to the shipping destination.

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Delivery of whisky products from The Macallan Online Shop is currently available to 27 countries.
• The RRP is £6,250 (70cl) but the final price will be subject to local taxes and duties as they apply to the shipping destination
• Entries to the ballot will close at 23:59 UK time on 27th February 2018.
• All required fields must be completed and submitted to confirm your entry. All eligible entries will receive a confirmation email.
• By entering the ballot you are not making a purchase and there is no obligation to buy, even if you are successful in the ballot.
• Due to the scarcity of this release, all entries and any resulting purchases are strictly limited to one per person only.
• We aim to notify all successful entrants by email no later than the end of March 2018.
• Full terms and conditions for the ballot can be found here. If you have any questions please see the FAQs.

An Islay Masterclass

It’s not quite time for the Islay Festival, but you can take a masterclass in how the signature Islay peat and smoke notes are crafted with the latest release in Bruichladdich’s Octomore Masterclass range available to pre-order now.

Only available while stocks last
International Shipping

Octomore Masterclass_08.4 Virgin Oak

The fourth Masterclass release is an 8 year old single malt distilled in 2009 using barley peated to 170ppm. First-fill virgin oak casks held 20% of the spirit for the full maturation, with the remaining 80% in first-fill American ex-bourbon casks before being transferred to the virgin oak casks that had been used to mature Octomore 07.4. Limited to just 12,000 bottles worldwide.

The nose has banana bread, honeyed oak and a peppery phenolic note before toffee, vanilla and cinnamon. The palate is rich and smooth; leather, toasted oak and honey combining with praline, coconut and a delicate smoke. The finish has fading notes of cloves and aniseed with the iconic Octomore smoke lingering on.

£150 Pre-Order Now
Orders will be dispatched w/c 26th February

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Hi folks, that’s us live with the 83rd auction!

Happy Bidding!

THE MACALLAN SELECT RESERVE 52 YEAR-OLD 1946 LEADS BONHAMS EDINBURGH WHISKY SALE

A bottle of the Macallan Select Reserve 52 year old-1946. Estimate £12,000-14,000 

A bottle of the Macallan Select Reserve 52 year-old 1946 bottled on 1st May 1998 leads Bonhams Whisky sale in Edinburgh on Wednesday 7 March. It is estimated at £12,000-14,000.

The 1946 Macallan was produced in an unusual way. Coal was scarce and expensive in the immediate post-war era, so the malt was dried in peat-fired kilns instead resulting in a whisky with distinct and complex tastes and aromas. The bottle for sale is numbered 72 and comes in a wooden presentation case within the original carton. It is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.

Bonhams whisky specialist in Edinburgh, Martin Green, said, The Macallan Select Reserve- 52 year-old 1946 is widely regarded as one of the great Macallan expressions, and is keenly sought after by collectors, both in this country and around the world.”

Other leading bottles in the sale include:

• A bottle of Black Bowmore 1964, bottled in 1994, and estimated at £8,000-10,000. This limited edition bottling was distilled on 5 November 1964, and laid down for 30 years in Oloroso sherry casks in the cellars below sea level at Morrison’s Bowmore Distillery.
• A bottle of the Macallan 1959. Distilled by Macallan-Glenlivet Ltd., Craigellachie, it was bottled by Campbell, Hope & King in 2002. One of Macallan’s Fine and Rare Series, it is estimated at £3,500-4,000.

NOTES

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s largest and most renowned auctioneers, offering fine art and antiques, motor cars and jewellery. The main salerooms are in London, New York, Los Angeles and Hong Kong, with auctions also held in Knightsbridge, Edinburgh, Paris, San Francisco and Sydney. With a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 22 countries, Bonhams offers advice and valuation services in 60 specialist areas. For a full list of forthcoming auctions, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit bonhams.com.

A Gorgeous and Remarkably Complex 20 Year Single Malt

1997 Highland Park 20 “Old Particular” K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch ($199.99)
“This is one of the most complex Old Particular casks we have ever bottled.”
– Andrew Whiteley, K&L Assistant Spirits Buyer

While we love every bottle in our “Old Particular” program, there’s always that one that shines a little more brightly. The 1997 Highland Park 20 Year Old Particular is just such a bottle. Coming from one of the most highly regarded distilleries in all of Scotland, this stunning expression is wonderfully complex and thoroughly engaging from the first sip to the last. Its time in a re-coopered sherry cask has imbued this classic malt with an endless parade of flavors that a even the most florid prose would be unable to capture. Given its age and Highland Park’s unblemished reputation, you’d normally expect to pay in the neighborhood of $350, but as with all of our “Old Particular” bottlings, we’re offering it for a fraction of that.

Many consider Highland Park to be crafting the best whiskies in the world, and given what we’ve experienced here, it is easy to see why. For fans, this is a requisite bottling and those who may be making their first foray into high end Scotch, we can’t think of a better place to start. Scroll below for the staff reviews and see why we were so enamored with this utterly profound (and delicious) single malt.

1997 Highland Park 20 “Old Particular” K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($199.99)

Highland Park is truly a product of its environment. The distillery lays just a few degrees outside the bounds of the Arctic Circle on an island devoid of trees and ravaged by wind, yet relatively mild in temperature swings. This unique location coupled with the extra effort of floor malting their own barley on site are some of the components that lead to an awards list a mile long. This list includes many Gold and Double Gold medals for the distillery and its various bottlings. The barley is malted with local peat from Hobbister Moor, dense in heather, and providing an unusually floral characteristic to the smoke. The gale force winds carry the salt sea air through the barrel houses giving the whisky a salty tanginess that is all together different than the iodine characteristics of Islay. Weighing in at 53.1% alcohol and well below the $550 price tag of the 25 year old distillery bottling, this 20 year old Old Particular cask really struts the salt air and delicate floral smoke. Charged from a refill hogshead.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 14, 2018

This is one of the most complex Old Particular casks we have ever bottled. The nose is at first full of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies sprinkled with a touch of cracked rock salt but gives way to the much more delicate aroma of stone fruits and tree blossoms. The palate is dense with dried figs, caramel, brioche, Christmas spices, and the savory notes of lightly smoked meats. The barley itself seems take center staged for a moment before fleeing into the background leaving behind a wisp of orange and smoke, like a hip bartender flashing the citrus oil before dropping the garnish peel into your Old Fashioned. The finish is particularly lengthy here and changes slightly with each sip. Every sampling leaves you with a different impression than the one before, but each contributes to building the complete picture of what 20 long years of age does for one of the world’s greatest distilleries.

David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 15, 2018

If you look at the label of the new Highland Park 20 exclusive K&L cask, all it tells you about the barrel is it was a “refill hogshead.” That being said, all you need to do is look at the color and take a small sip to know that hogshead was most definitely re-coopered from a sherry butt. I’ve been sipping on a sample all morning long, letting the sweet, raisiny flavor coat my palate, while chewing on the subtle smoke that permeates the finish. I was thinking about how one of Scotland’s most famous distillers (one that I won’t name since he works for a rival company) once told me: “Highland Park is the king of all malts.” There are numerous single malt fanatics who consider Highland Park the world’s best whisky, right along side Macallan at the top of the food chain (both are owned by Edrington as well, if you didn’t know). This 20 year single cask, full proof expression should help to bolster that case. It’s rich, textural, utterly complex, and runs the gambit from sweet to peat with incredible nuance. While $200 isn’t exactly what I’d call a “value,” let me contrast this price with the 12 year old distillery-direct sherry hogshead I purchased from Highland Park this past January (due in later this year). That full proof edition should come in somewhere between $150 -$170 per bottle. That’s the added premium that a distillery-bottled expression carries. Nevertheless, I bought it because it was one of the best sherry-aged whiskies I’d tasted in months. That being said, for an extra $40 or so in this case, you can get a 20 year old version of the same make and provenance.

Gary Westby | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 15, 2018

I was blown away by this cask strength Highland Park from the first little sniff. After adding a few drops of water, it only got better. This has it all: rich, almondy nuttiness, sweet and savory sherry depth and more than a hint of Orkney smoke on the super long finish. With supplies of great distilleries like Highland Park disappearing from the stocks of specialty bottlers, this extraordinarily fine 20 year old is looking like a value, even if it is not inexpensive. If you are looking for profound, old, sherry influenced malt from one of the great island distilleries, you have found it!

Sullivans Cove
Double Cask DC094

Just released DC094 is comprised of one 16 year old 300L French Oak ex-tawny cask, one 16 year old 200L American Oak ex-bourbon cask, and two 9 year old 200L American Oak ex-bourbon casks. Double Cask is our most versatile style, winning Best Australian Single Malt 13-20 years at the World Whiskies Awards and gold at the Luxury Spirits Masters in 2017.

Now available on our online store.

Please click on the link below to purchase ($170 per bottle)

PURCHASE NOW

Ralfy with the first Tulli bottle in Ralfy Review 714– Tullibardine 21yo @ 46.9%vol: (Cadenhead)