ralfy.com samples a four year matured blended malt in . ralfy review 746 – North Star Campbeltown 4yo @ 57%vol
Distell reveals six limited-edition malts at inaugural annual showcase
This week Distell hosted its first annual showcase event ‘The Malt Gallery’, as six new limited edition single malts were unveiled for 2018. The new releases represent the four distilleries in the Distell portfolio, from Deanston in the Highlands to its West coast island presence with Bunnahabhain, Tobermory and Ledaig:
The capital showcase was held at TT Liquor in Shoreditch, which was transformed into an art gallery for the evening, treating each of the special new malts as exhibits within a very special collection. Guests were taken on a cultural experience through the three distilleries, as they tasted each of the new expressions.
One-to-one tastings were led across the malts by Distell’s own team of experts, including Distilleries Manager, Stephen Woodcock, and Bunnahabhain Distillery Manager, Andrew Brown.
Commenting on the new limited edition releases, Stephen Woodcock said: “The Malt Gallery concept provided the perfect platform to bring the malts to life through our tastings, as well as offering an insight into each distillery through some of the sounds, sights and smells. It was an innovative way to engage small groups and bring a taste of our Highland and Island brand stories to London for one night.”
Encapsulating Distell’s dedicated approach to high-quality whisky making, the new releases cover a spectrum of taste profiles. From the sweet, smoky character of Ledaig 1998 (19 YO) PX Cask Finish; to the spicy, chocolatey Tobermory 2005 (12 YO) Fino Cask Finish; the rich, smoky Ledaig 1998 (19 YO) Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish full of dried fruit and sweet oak notes; and the Deanston 2008 Brandy Cask Finish, brimming with spiced fruit and honey flavours.
A distillery first, Bunnahabhain 2008 Mòine Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured has been fully matured in Bordeaux red wine casks, creating a deep red, golden whisky, which balances the sweetness of toffee with pepper and smoke to provide a truly unique dram.
Rounding off the new releases, Bunnahabhain Palo Cortado Cask Finish spent almost two years in rare Palo Cortado sherry casks to complete the malt. Deep amber gold in colour, the whisky offers flavours of sweet dried fruit, rich oak and subtle hints of cocoa on the palate, with a slightly dry finish with hints of nutmeg.
Derek Scott, Brand Director for Distell’s Malt Whisky said: “Each of these new releases is unique. They tell their own story of where they came from, by maintaining the flavour profiles known to each of the brands, while having individual enhancements from being finished in carefully selected casks for their final maturation.”
Notes
Limited Release Tasting Notes
Bunnahabhain 2008 Mòine Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured
ABV 58.1%
RRP £75
Palate: Almost layered with rich grape and red wine influence, hints of toffee, chocolate and tobacco, developing into a warming peppery smoke
Bunnahabhain Palo Cortado Cask Finish
ABV 54.9%
RRP £275
Palate: Mouth coating, sweet dried fruit, rich oak, roasted nuts, subtle hints of cocoa
Deanston 2008 Brandy Cask Finish
ABV 56.4%
RRP £60
Palate: Rich oak with a distinctive dried fruit and brandy influence, creamy toffee, deep honeyed vanilla and sweet malt
Ledaig 1998 (19 YO) Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish
ABV 46.3%
RRP £130
Palate: sweet dried fruit, rich oak, subtle spice and a black pepper, peated character
Ledaig 1998 (19 YO) PX Cask Finish
ABV 55.7%
RRP £150
Palate: Sweet syrupy mouth feel, hints of creamy toffee, dark chocolate orange, berries, vanilla and rich oak, developing into a sweet velvety smokiness
Tobermory 2005 (12 YO) Fino Cask Finish
ABV 55.1%
RRP £110
Palate: Toffee, espresso and dark chocolate, rich fruit and citrus, balanced with the dry influence of the Fino sherry
About Distell
For more visit: www.distell.co.za
TORONTO- October 11, 2018 – Canada’s Mark Anthony Brands announces the launch of a new Canadian whisky brand: BEARFACE and its signature release BEARFACE Triple Oak. Through this and future small batch, limited releases, BEARFACE is crafted to transform how consumers perceive and experience Canadian Whisky.
The mandate and approach for BEARFACE was deliberately different, starting out by sourcing exceptional 7-year-old Canadian whisky from the shores of Lake Huron, before shipping it 4,000 kilometres across Canada to British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, a pristine, one of a kind, glacier fed wine region. There, the awarded showcase Mission Hill Family Estate Winery allowed Master Blender Andres Faustinelli to experiment with countless barrel and wood combinations with the objective of developing an expertly hand-finished process that would give BEARFACE a unique character, distinct from traditional Canadian Whisky.
Bearface Triple Oak is the result of this exhaustive experimentation. A Canadian whisky with a bold finish derived from three different oaks, each selected for the distinct flavour they impart. This single grain whisky starts life aging in ex-bourbon charred American Oak barrels for a minimum of seven years, imparting warm smooth vanilla notes. It is then placed in tight-grained French Oak ex-wine barrels with over seven years of use for high end, rich Bordeaux-style wines that Mission Hill are noted for, adding luscious dry fruit notes and a deep ruby colour. The final finish, a first in Canadian whisky, is with 3-year-old, air-dried virgin Hungarian Oak, adding rye-like notes and a distinctive rich texture. The combined result: an unapologetically next generation Canadian whisky.
Commenting on the launch, Mark Anthony Founder and Chairman Anthony von Mandl said ‘Most whisky categories are tied to stringent rules & regulation, reducing flexibility to innovate or modernise as consumer palates change. Canadian whisky regulations provide an ideal platform for this category to lead whisky innovation globally. In creating ‘BEARFACE Triple Oak’ we have focused on developing an exceptional whisky by challenging norms, being obsessive in our initial barrel selection and finishing it in unique and interesting ways.’
Anthony added ‘We wanted to share with Andres and his team our 40 years of learnings from working with dozens of barrel makers and oaks from a wide variety of forests with know-how in high-end winemaking to enable them to create truly unique blends of scarce Canadian Whisky. What’s more exciting than re-inventing a traditional category and bringing it to life!’
Andres Faustinelli, Master Blender commented: “At BEARFACE, our collective aim is to showcase how Canadian whisky can lead the whisky world through innovation and flavour. Our Triple Oak signature release is the start of what promises to be an exciting new chapter in Canadian whisky.”
Retailing at $39.95, BEARFACE Triple Oak Canadian Whisky is bottled at 42.5% alc/vol and will be on sale across Canada starting this month, with international markets to follow.
Every whisky in Glenmorangie’s exclusive Travel Retail range has been lauded in an industry competition which rewards excellence in the category. At the Global Travel Retail Spirits Masters, the Highland Distillery’s exceptional single malts won four prestigious gold medals – and a coveted Master award.
The Spirits Business magazine’s editor Amy Hopkins, who chaired the competition, said: “Glenmorangie’s four gold medals and one coveted Master accolade show that travelling whisky lovers should get to the airport early to get their hands on something special.”
Glenmorangie has created five expressions especially for travelling consumers to discover. Each of these was blind-tasted by independent judges at the competition, which is part of The Global Spirits Masters. The panel was delighted by Glenmorangie Tayne, from the Distillery’s Legends Collection. Singling it out for a rare Master award, they described the whisky as “pure class” and praised its “luxurious texture and malty character”. They also gave gold medals to the collection’s two other permanent releases, Glenmorangie Duthac and Glenmorangie Cadboll. Further golds went to Glenmorangie 19 Years Old and to Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1993.
Dr Bill Lumsden, Director of Distilling, Whisky Creation & Whisky Stocks for Glenmorangie, said: “We are always striving to create whiskies that will surprise and delight, so it’s rewarding to know that the experts hold our entire Travel Retail range in such high esteem. The latest in a series of high-profile accolades, these honours further augment the outstanding reputation of the Distillery. The Legends Collection is a wonderful way to explore the heritage of Glenmorangie’s homeland.”
This October Outturn is a rollercoaster for the senses with 24 new single cask whiskies to taste and explore – including two new distilleries and a single malt from a closed distillery. Make sure you don’t miss out this First Friday, click over to our website now and browse the full listing ahead of the release on Friday, 5 October at 9am.
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ
Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information
This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!
Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video
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Lagavulin
Islay Jazz Festival 2018 Release
Lagavulin Jazz Festival 2018 Islay single malt Scotch whisky. Matured in first fill American Oak barrels, refill American Oak hogsheads & European oak puncheons and bottled to celebrate the 2018 Islay Jazz Festival. Lagavulin Distillery was established in 1816 by John Johnston on the rocky south coast of the Isle of Islay. In 1908 the Malt Mill Distillery was built next to Lagavulin Distillery but closed in the early 1960s and, whilst some of its buildings remain as part of Lagavulin, the Malt Mill is now a lost distillery. Lagavulin has four stills and produces superbly balanced peated whiskey. The core range is limited to the Lagavulin 16 Year Old and Distillers Edition with a limited edition single cask bottling produced each year for Feis Ile, the Islay Festival of Malt and Music.
Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 215: Kintra 9th Confidential Cask (Inchmurrin 2007)
Mark Dermul, Belgian whiskyblogger, tries an Inchmurrin! Kintra has just bottled their 9th so-called Confidential Cask. These are single casks of which the name of the distillery is not revealed – hence the name. This one, however, has been unmasked a an Inchmurrin from 2007. Mark is intrigued as Inchmurrin certainly is not in his top ten, but the last few months he hears much praise about this malt.
TOMATIN BOLSTER LINE UP WITH NEW 30 YEAR OLD WHISKY
Highland whisky distillery Tomatin, has today (Thursday 27th September) announced the release of its new 30 Year Old single malt.
Retailing at £300, the golden-amber expression is a premium batch release decanted into individually numbered bottles, with only 900 available in the UK.
The whisky, finished in first fill ex-Bourbon barrels, is presented in a premium oak box and is accompanied by a carrying case – perfect for those looking to add a touch of extravagance to their whisky collection.
The 30 Year Old is expected to prove popular with new and loyal Tomatin drinkers and will be available through specialist retailers.
Jennifer Masson, Tomatin’s Marketing Manager, said, “We are delighted to be able to release this premium whisky to our customers just in time for Christmas. This is sure to be a must-have gift for any whisky lover or keen collector.
“Our core range has a wide breadth of whiskies and we expect the 30 Year Old will prove very popular with our customers who are looking for something premium and luxurious, and recognisably Tomatin.”
Tomatin’s 30 Year Old, delivers fresh aromas of soft fruits, golden honey and smooth white chocolate. On the palate, a fusion of tropical fruits and creamy buttered vanilla mingle in an explosion of sensational mixed spices. Customers can expect an elegantly rich and creamy finish.
Graham Nicolson, Tomatin’s Sales Director, said, “This luxurious expression is elegant and flavourful – a neatly packed whisky with taste sensations to delight the senses. From the spices that add an incredible depth, to the creamy buttered vanilla that brings an unbelievable layer of richness – the 30 Year Old is definitely one for every whisky drinker’s gantry.”
The 30 Year Old expression replaces the 1988 vintage in Tomatin’s core range and is available from specialist retailers at a cost of RRP £300 and comes in a 70cl bottle (46% abv).
For additional information please visit: www.tomatin.com/30year
Notes
Tomatin is located in the Scottish Highlands (near Inverness) and is famous for its portfolio of thirty soft and mellow whiskies, including a core range, a limited-edition range and a premium archive range (prices range from £35 – £2,500). Tomatin is one of the fastest growing whisky brands in the UK and ranks within the Top 10 Single Malt brands in the USA. Tomatin recently reported its turnover increased by almost 25% during the company’s most recent financial year (Dec 2016 – Dec 2017). Tomatin won Distiller of the Year 2016 and Brand Innovator of the Year 2017 at the Icons of Whisky Scotland Awards.
Inspired by the timeless luxury of our spiritual home
Overlooking the dark silent warehouses where our peerless spirit slowly matures in exceptional oak casks, Easter Elchies House stands at the heart of The Macallan Estate. It is testament to the timeless luxury that has characterised The Macallan since 1824.
With aromas of fresh green apples, toffee, lemon and orange citrus, and a soft sweet peat smoke finish, The Macallan Easter Elchies Black reflects the welcoming warmth and luxurious experience found in both the home of The Macallan and the spirit.
A highly limited edition of only 1,958 bottles globally, The Macallan Easter Elchies Black is available from The Macallan Online Shop through an exclusive online ballot.
If you are interested in securing a bottle, please follow the link below and complete the ballot entry information before 23:59 UK time on 9th October 2018.
USEFUL INFORMATION
Port Charlotte
11 Year Old 2006
Sherry Cask
£199.96
Port Charlotte 11 Year Old 2006 vintage Islay single malt Scotch whiskey distilled at Bruichladdich Distillery. Single sherry cask #2134 for the distillery visitor centre. 1,134 numbered bottles. Bruichladdich Distillery was established in 1881 by the Harvey family of distillers based in Glasgow. Situated on the Rhinns peninsular on the island of Islay close and close to the sandy bays of Loch Indaal. Re-opened in 2001 with much of the original Victorian equipment restored to working order. The first release of Bruichladdich’s new whisky was the highly acclaimed PC5, the first release in the limited Port Charlotte range. Also producing very highly peated Octamore, Organic using Islay grown barley, and triple and quadruple distilled single malt and single cask releases. Bruichladdich distillery participates in Feis Ile, the annual Islay Whisky Festival.
