Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival offers visitors a unique opportunity to get hands-on in whisky-making process

Visitors attending the world’s leading Scotch whisky festival are being given a unique and exclusive opportunity to get hands-on with the distilling process. Speyside Distillery is offering just 10 people the chance to work alongside its distillers to produce spirit when it throws open its doors during the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival.

Only two people each day will be invited to join the team at the artisan distillery near Kingussie – home to SPEY from Speyside Distillery and Beinn Dubh single malts – to get an in-depth understanding of its traditional hand-crafted distillation processes.

It will be the first time that the boutique distillery, which has been running since 1990, has allowed anyone other than its team of expert distillers to take a hands-on a role in production.

Speyside Distillery managing director Patricia Dillon said that the team wanted to create a special and unique experience that visitors to the Festival, taking place from May 1 to 6, could enjoy.

The Festival will play host to over 600 events in six days, making it the biggest on record. Thousands of visitors will travel from as far afield as Australia and South America to the annual event, which is now in its 20th year.

Patricia said: “Speyside Distillery is not usually open to the public, but the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival is one of the very few times during the year when we open our doors and share our secrets with the outside world.

“What we’ve come to understand from hosting Festival visitors over the years is that, regardless of whether the person is a whisky connoisseur or tasting whisky for the first time, they are all absolutely fascinated by how we make it.

“As an independent artisan producer with a small site in such a beautiful location, we thought we would go one step further than just showing visitors the process and instead invite them to cover part of a shift with our distillers, who have a wealth of knowledge to share.

“Very few – if any – people who visit a distillery will ever be able to say that they helped to produce the spirit that is then matured in warehouses and later released for whisky lovers the world over to buy. This is a truly unique experience.”

Tickets for the hands-on production experience are £140 and include a nosing and tasting of specially-selected award-winning SPEY single malts, including its limited-edition release for this year’s Festival.

With such a limited number of tickets on offer, demand is expected to be high. However, there are other opportunities during the Festival for visitors to get closer to the production experience.

Sandy Hyslop, director of blending at Chivas Brothers, will be staging interactive and competitive sessions at Strathisla Distillery in Keith where participants can pit themselves against the elimination tests that any aspiring whisky blender must pass. There will be a prize for the best blender – a bottle of malt signed by the company’s blending team – at the end of session, which will also offer the opportunity to nose and taste a wide range of interesting samples.

Dr Andrew Forrester, head of whisky science at Murray McDavid, will host an art of blending session at Parkmore Distillery. Using cask samples from the firm’s Coleburn Distillery warehouse, apprentice blenders will have the chance to hone their skills and create their own personalised 30cl bottle of Scotch.

In one of the more unusual events, there will be an opportunity to go behind the scenes at Chivas Brothers’ Technical Centre, located next to Glen Keith Distillery, where a constant watch is kept on production to ensure consistent quality.

During the tour, visitors will gain an understanding of the rigorous testing of raw materials and how spirit produced in Chivas Brothers’ distilleries is then extensively evaluated in order to detect counterfeit products.

The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival takes place in locations across the region – the spiritual home of Scotland’s whisky industry – from May 1 to 6. Over 600 events are on offer during the six days, including exclusive behind-the-scenes tours, whisky nosing and tasting with industry experts, food pairing as well as outdoor and heritage activities.

The programme is designed to appeal to people of all levels of interest in whisky, from the connoisseurs who have a deep-rooted passion for Scotland’s national drink to those who have never tasted it before. While many events are ticketed, some are free – and it is possible to enjoy the excitement and atmosphere of the Festival without touching a drop.

Tickets for individual events are on sale now at www.spiritofspeyside.com with regular updates on social media: facebook.com/whiskyfestival and  Twitter and Instagram @spirit_speyside

Picture captions:

Speyside Distillery is offering Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival visitors the unique opportunity to get hands-on with production – one of many events during which whisky lovers will be able to get practical production experience.

Sandy Hyslop, master blender at Chivas Brothers.

Be the first to try the brand new balblair range Same pride. Same spirit. New style.

New Balblair Core Collection

Since 2007 Balblair has been bottled in limited edition ‘vintages’, with casks selected by the company’s Master Blender, Stuart Harvey, by year, not by age, but with what he describes as a ‘rolling core’ of whiskies around 10, 20 and 30 years old.

Now Balblair’s owners, Inver House Distillers, is signalling a new era for Balblair now moving away from ‘vintage-only’ and introducing age statement whiskies to the core range.

Balblair is one of the oldest distilleries in the Scottish Highlands known for its premium liquids. Brand Manager Matthew Jamieson says “The whisky isn’t changing. Balblair will always be a single malt Scotch whisky of premium quality, with a true Highland strength of character. We’re immensely proud of our new collection and confident that the flavour profiles, along with super-premium packaging, will reinvigorate Balblair and excite consumers.“

Shop the brand new Balblair Core Collection below…

Balblair 12 Year Old

Matured in American Oak, ex bourbon and double fired American oak casks, bringing elegant complexity and warmth. Each of Balblairs four new expressions have been meticulously hand selected and remain true to their intriguingly complex house-style. In the fine balance of fruit, spice and sweetness, encapsulates the gentle charisma of the Highlands. Elegant and approachable, this is the defining expression of Balblair Distillery, one to which all others refer.⁣

£52.00 – Buy Now

Balblair 15 Year Old

The 15-year-old has been first matured in American oak ex-Bourbon casks, before being transferred into first-fill Spanish oak butts. Tropical and mature, with the texture of melted chocolate and one of the finest finishes a single malt can bring, this stunning whisky calls for quiet admiration. Round and velvety, yet developed and fresh. Smoothed over by time, but with a beating heart.⁣

£80.00 – Buy Now

Balblair 18 Year Old

First left to rest in American oak ex-Bourbon casks, this late-night expression is rich and autumnal, developed and amplified to unexpected heights, while staying perfectly balanced and closely tied to the bright and fruity character of the Distillery.⁣

£125.00 – Buy Now

Friday 26th April

Book your place at our tasting at our Edinburgh store!

Craig and our Edinburgh team of in-house whisky enthusiasts will be pouring drams of these whiskies:

 Usquaebach Reserve
Dalmore 15 Year Old
Old Pulteney 15 Year Old
Loch Fyne Glentauchers 10 Year Old
Caol Ila 7 Year Old

The tasting will take place in our Cockburn Street shop just off Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. Tickets will cost £20 

For the first time you’ll be able to book your tasting ticket online! Get your ticket here

Alternatively you can register your interest by dropping into the shop or giving us a call on 0131 226 2134.

We hope to see you there!

All the best,
Craig
Loch Fyne Whiskies, Edinburgh

We know we don’t usually contact you about anything non-Springbank related but we think you will all agree that this is a very special occasion.

We are delighted to be in touch to help announce the release of the Kilkerran Heavily Peated from our friends at Kilkerran Single Malt.

Available Now – Kilkerran Heavily Peated

The Kilkerran Heavily Peated has been matured in 55% Ex-Bourbon casks and 45% Ex-Sherry casks and has been bottled at 59.3% abv.

Nose: Fresh apples, mixed seeds, strawberry laces and confectionary sweets. Smouldering campfire and toasted marshmallows

Palate: Grilled fruits, cooking popcorn, caramelised brown sugar, puff pastry and peppermint creams

Finish: Toasted oats, salted beef, butter, parma ham and crushed vanilla pods.

This bottling is available from today, Friday 29th March 2019, but please note that the release date for different markets and countries can vary. For details on when the Heavily Peated is available near you, please contact your preferred Kilkerran stockist.

The Campbeltown Cadenhead Shop are selling the Heavily Peated for £40.00

As this is not a Springbank product, there is no Society discount.

In-store Pourings

To celebrate the launch of the Heavily Peated there will be in-store pourings in the UK.

Cadenhead’s Edinburgh

Cadenhead’s Campbeltown

Cadenhead’s London

The Green Welly Stop

Valhalla’s Goat

Woodwinters (Bridge of Allan)

TB Watson

Join the teams at any of the above shops to sample the new Kilkerran Heavily Peated today.

You will all receive a more traditional Society email soon, so look out for that!

Thanks for reading

Slainte,

The Kilkerran Sales Team

To Join the Society please contact them at Springbank Society society@springbank.scot

An Amazing Find from a Favorite Ghost Distillery

Port Dundas was one of the most important distilleries in Scotland you’ve never heard of. The distillery was built way back in 1811 and at a high point churned out 39 million liters a year of high-quality grain whisky. Just 1km from Glasgow’s city center, it served as backbone for both the local economy as well as several famous old blends like Johnnie Walker, J&B, Haig and Buchanan’s. But the old distillery could not fend off the insurmountable pressure of modern whisky efficiency and was up demolished in 2011. Along with Cambus and Garnheath, the Port Dundas distillery is one of the few closed Scotch distilleries that we continue to have access to, but we’ve managed to keep the prices of these rare ghost distilleries very low thanks to our good relationships in Scotland. One of the most expressive and complex Single Grain Scotches in our portfolio, offering exceptional depth of fruit and texture in contrast to the more subtle coconut and woodsy qualities of some of its sister casks, this Port Dundas is the perfect whisky to open your eyes and palate to the exciting (and affordable) world of Single Grain Scotch. We’ve strived to offer an array of Single Grain Single Cask Scotch at extremely affordable prices, but the three decades for under $100 benchmark that we’ve worked so hard to deliver seem less and less achievable as uncertainty in the world markets and incredible demand for these special products continues to skyrocket. So take advantage of this incredible value before the United Kingdom dissolves completely!

1990 Port Dundas 28 Year Old “Sovereign” K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Grain Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($99.99)

Built in 1811, Port Dundas grew throughout the 19th and early 20th century by absorbing neighboring producers. It quickly became Scotland’s largest distillery. During its long history on the banks of the Forth and Clyde Canal in Glasgow, this grain whisky powerhouse provided much of the juice for the Johnnie Walker and White Horse blended whiskies. With Diageo’s expansion and modernization of Cameronbridge in the early 2000s, production at Port Dundas ceased, and in 2011 the landmark site was completely demolished. That closure makes this 28 year old single grain whisky a veritable piece of history. And at the same time, one of the most affordable ghost distilleries available on the market. Nearly every time we have the opportunity to purchase old grain from Port Dundas at this kind of price, we have to take it. The whisky is too enjoyable to pass up. Just as it’s been a workhorse for blenders for 200 years, it’s a workhorse in nearly every K&L staff member’s whisky collection.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 17, 2019

I often talk about how Single Grain shouldn’t be seen as some type of Single Malt light or an offshoot of bourbon, but should really be treated as a stand-alone category that should be judge on its own merits. That’s why we thought it was so important to offer a diverse selection of well-aged grain at reasonable prices. We’ve managed to amass a collection of nearly ever active grain distillery (save for Girvan) along with several ghost distillers all in the $100 range and absolutely delicious. Anybody who can wrap their brains and palates around the subtle complexities of grain whisky should consider amassing as many of these awesome examples as they can afford, not only for the exquisite learning experience, but simply because we’re not sure when we’ll have this kind of broad access again. This lovely Port Dundas is not the typical thing we get on these grains. Subtle is normally the name of the game, but this Dundas pops right out of the glass with a tinned pineapple, bake apples, toffee and lemon meringue. The oak is very much on the back burner with the vibrant zesty fruit taking over. Touches of savory cereal qualities come in for a growing finish that goes darker and exhibits tiny bits of oak char and vanilla bean. A fun one that’s more expressive than your average grain.

Neal Fischer | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 15, 2019

Sugar, spice, and everything… tropical! That’s what this grain whisky is made of. I pick up on aromas of warm brown sugar, clove and cinnamon, along with banana bread, toasted coconut, and candied pineapple. The bready qualities stand out more on the palate with warming spice and some supple leather flavors that stick to the tongue. The light brown sugar and leather notes continue into a long finish with spice that warms up through the end tying together with a menthol flourish. Quite delectable.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 14, 2019

Markedly tropical, this casks displays that special characteristic that whisky can sometimes take on after 25ish+ years. Coconuts and pineapples, it’s one of my favorite hallmarks of old grain. I have no idea how or why the chemistry shakes out so that distillate of a grass mixed with years in a tree creates tropical fruits, but I dig it and I’m glad it does. Of course you also have gobs of the usual suspects, oranges, vanillas, baking spices, but the story of this bottle lies between Capricorn and Cancer. Those sweet tones carry from nose through to the finish.

The Good Dram Show – Episode 306 ‘Murray McDavid’ – Welcome to the latest episode of the show. This weeks see’s the return f the ‘Prodigal Doggy’! Yes, it’s an entire episode devoted to Murray McDavid.

https://youtu.be/DYv_Xh6cvvE

BULLEIT FRONTIER WHISKEY ADDS 12-YEAR-AGED RYE TO FAMILY OF AWARD-WINNING WHISKEYS 

Limited Edition Bulleit Offering Reinforces Continued Commitment to Innovation 

SHELBYVILLE, Ky., March 25, 2019 – In 2011, Bulleit changed the whiskey landscape forever by introducing Bulleit Rye at the request of bartenders from around the world who were interested in re-imagining classic, pre-Prohibition cocktails. Eight years, and multiple San Francisco World Spirts Competition Double Gold medals* later for Bulleit Rye, the category that Bulleit helped build is booming as consumers seek new, unique and premium offerings. To continue its commitment to exploration and fulfilling the desire of whiskey drinkers, Bulleit announced today the nationwide, limited availability release of Bulleit Rye 12-Year-Old Straight American Whiskey.

Bulleit Rye 12-Year-Old Straight American Whiskey is the fifth addition to the Bulleit Frontier Whiskey family, as well as the first extension of Bulleit Rye, a whiskey with one of the highest rye percentages on the market. Using the same mash bill as its predecessor – 95% rye and 5% malted barley – this small-batch rye whiskey was fully aged and matured to perfection in new charred oak barrels for a minimum of 12 years to create a balance of smoothness and spice worthy of Bulleit Rye’s impressive list of credentials.

“When we introduced Bulleit Rye, it changed the game for the category, and positioned us as a brand willing to take chances and try new things. We’re constantly experimenting and striving to satisfy consumers’ growing appetite for bold, new American whiskeys,” said Ed Bello, Bulleit Frontier Whiskey US & Global Brand Director. “Rye remains the fastest growing North American Whiskey segment and Bulleit Rye has been the number one super premium Rye brand for the last six years.** With higher-end whiskeys driving much of that sales growth and a limited number of aged statement ryes on the market, Bulleit Rye 12-Year-Old is a natural way to expand our portfolio and provide a new ultra-premium offering that’s absolutely delicious.”

Bulleit Rye 12-Year-Old is a pleasantly dry, bold rye that possesses notes of dried orchard fruits with a hint of baking spice and oak on the nose. At 92 proof (46% ABV), this latest Bulleit release has a clean, crisp palate with flavors of dried pear, light toffee and oak with a hint of graham cracker spice. The finish is enjoyable with light wood and spice notes.

“Whiskey is heavily influenced by barrel aging, and as a blender, one of our most important responsibilities is to taste how the wood impacts the flavor of the liquid and brings out different notes,” said Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Blender Andrew Mackay. “The barrels we mingled to produce Bulleit Rye 12-Year-Old were hand-selected for aging based on early identification of their superior quality. Rye’s signature spiciness is certainly still prominent, and this extra aging complements that without being overwhelming as new levels of softness, clove character and vanilla and oak notes are evident. It’s a beautiful whiskey to sip slowly and responsibly.”

Bulleit Rye 12-Year-Old is available in Colo., Ill., N.Y., Ohio, Ore., Calif., Ky., Texas, Ga., N.J., Ariz., Mass., Md. and Washington D.C. wherever fine spirits are sold with a suggested retail price of $49.99 for a 750ml bottle. The whiskey is packaged in the iconic Bulleit frontier-inspired bottle, with a beige label that prominently features the 12-year-old age statement in green.

About Bulleit Frontier Whiskey

The Bulleit Distilling Co. was founded in 1987 by Tom Bulleit, whose signature Bulleit Bourbon is inspired by a family tradition that dates back to the 1800s. The brand’s full line of award-winning whiskeys all use a distinctly high proportion of rye grain to other mash bill ingredients, which gives them their distinctive bold, spicy taste. In addition to its flagship Bulleit Bourbon, variants include Bulleit Rye, released in 2011; Bulleit 10-Year-Old, released in 2013; Bulleit Barrel Strength, released in 2016; and Bullet Rye 12-Year-Old, released in 2019. Now ranked as one of the fastest-growing whiskeys in America, Bulleit Distilling Co. calls Shelbyville, Ky. home since the 2017 opening of its state-of-the-art distillery and the much-anticipated spring 2019 opening of its high-tech and sensory-rich Visitor Experience. Guests will have the opportunity to learn more about the past, present and future of Bulleit when visiting this latest addition to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®. For more information, visit http://www.bulleit.com or follow @Bulleit on Instagram.  

About Diageo

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan’s whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness. Diageo is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, http://www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.

Follow us on Twitter for news and information about Diageo North America: @Diageo_NA.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

*San Francisco World Spirits Double Gold Awards in 2011 and 2013
** IWSR U.S. Spirits Ending Dec 2018

On April 11th, Raasay Distillery will be hosting a live performance of ‘Ten Wee Drams’, a new set of works for solo bass and contrabass clarinet commissioned and performed by celebrated musician Sarah Watts. 

Sarah Watts has been hosting annual clarinet and bass clarinet courses on the Isle of Raasay for ten years. To celebrate this milestone anniversary she commissioned the composition of ten pieces which will be premiered at the Raasay Distillery this April.

Each Wee Dram takes inspiration from past and current culture, heritage, folklore and landscape of Raasay. Nine of the Wee Drams are by Scottish based composers Piers Hellawell, Alasdair Nicolson, Stuart MacRae, Iain Matheson, Oliver Searle, Jane Stanley, Pete Stollery, William Sweeney, and Sarah Watts. The tenth is by emerging composer Adam Lee – winner of the Ten Wee drams student competition.

The concert will take place in the distillery Gathering Room from 2.30pm (doors open at 2pm) with stunning views over to Skye, the afternoon will feature Sarah performing the Ten Wee Drams in a set lasting approximately 45 minutes. This event is free to attend and there will be a licensed bar, tea, coffee, and cakes.

Glenlivet & GlenAllachie
Exclusive Sherry Casks

Glenlivet & GlenAllachie Signatory Sherry Casks

Matured in first fill sherry hogsheads, two 11 year old 2007 vintages bottled at cask strength and selected exclusively for The Whisky Barrel. These two richly sherried single malts, hand picked from the Signatory Vintage warehouses are brimming with stewed fruits, chocolate and warm spices.

Buy – GlenAllachie 11 Year Old 2007 61.3% – £79.94

Buy – Glenlivet 11 Year Old 2007 66.0% – £99.95

Compass Box Hedonism

This blended grain from Compass Box Scotch Whiskymakers celebrates the art of grain whiskies and high quality cask maturation. Crafted with liquid from Port Dundas and Cameronbridge, Hedonism is matured in first-fill American standard barrels and a rejuvenated hogshead.

Hedonism lives up to its name, with a flavour created to bring sheer pleasure to any who imbibe, with a lighter style of whisky bringing delicious vanilla, caramel and coconut notes.

£73.00 – Buy Now