Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 264: Caol Ila 10 Year Old Feis Ile 2018

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, text. Caol Ila released a 22 years old malt for Feis Ile 2019, but despite Mark’s shout out on social media, he has not (yet) been able to get one. Last year, his buddy Manny was on Islay, so he knew that the Feis Ile 2018 release – a Caol Ila 10 Year Old – would find its way to Ghent. It is a vatting of 8 casks: Refill American Oak Hogsheads and Rejuvenated European Oak Butts – whatever that means. Pierrick Guillaume, the French Master Distiller, selected the cask himself.

https://youtu.be/B0XHWK37LZU

The Lost Distillery Company Gerston Archivist Wins Gold at The International Whisky Competition 2019.

The Lost Distillery Company, Gerston Archivist has triumphed at The International Whisky Competition 2019, scooping 1^st place within the Best Blended Malt Scotch category.

The International Spirits Competition invites whisky from around the world to be blind tasted and rated by its professional tasting panel made up of whisky, spirit, beer and wine experts. Each whisky then scores points based on a unique 100-point scale system, making the IWC one of the most professional competitions of its kind. This year Gerston Archivist beat off stiff competition from some of the industry’s most popular whiskies.

Gerston Distillery was Operational from 1796-1882, Gerston was a favourite among such famous figures as the Duke of Wellington and Sir Robert Peel as well as enjoying export to Calcutta and Buenos Aires.The nose has sweet toffee and ripe fruits. The palate brings soft caramel with a salty note, before a whiff of smoke and lingering salt in the finish. Operational from 1796-1882,

Gerston was a favourite among such famous figures as the Duke of Wellington and Sir Robert Peel as well as enjoying export to Calcutta and Buenos Aires.The nose has sweet toffee and ripe fruits. The palate brings soft caramel with a salty note, before a whiff of smoke and lingering salt in the finish. Operational from 1796-1882,

Gerston was a favourite among such famous figures as the Duke of Wellington and Sir Robert Peel as well as enjoying export to Calcutta and Buenos Aires.The nose has sweet toffee and ripe fruits. The palate brings soft caramel with a salty note, before a whiff of smoke and lingering salt in the finish. o0ssajshjkhooperational from 1796-1882.

Located in Caithness, Gerston was enjoyed by such famous figures as the Duke of Wellington and Sir Robert Peel as one of the first brands to make a name for itself in London.  Gerston was exported as far afield as Calcutta and Buenos Aires. The nose has sweet toffee and ripe fruits. The palate brings soft caramel with a salty note, before a whiff of smoke and lingering salt in the finish. Operational from 1796-1882,

Gerston was a favourite among such famous figures as the Duke of Wellington and Sir Robert Peel as well as enjoying export to Calcutta and Buenos Aires.The nose has sweet toffee and ripe fruits. The palate brings soft caramel with a salty note, before a whiff of smoke and lingering salt in the finish. Operational from 1796-1882,

Gerston was a favourite among such famous figures as the Duke of Wellington and Sir Robert Peel as well as enjoying export to Calcutta and Buenos Aires.The nose has sweet toffee and ripe fruits. The palate brings soft caramel with a salty note, before a whiff of smoke and lingering salt in the finish.

Offering an immersive, historical journey for both trade and consumers, the Lost Distillery Company award-winning portfolio has had phenomenal success in recent years with growth in distribution to nearly 50 markets worldwide.

Scott Watson, Co-Founder of Crucial Drinks and The Lost Distillery Company said: “In the last century, over 100 Scotch whisky distilleries have permanently closed, which I have always felt was a real tragedy. The Lost Distillery Company was borne to bring the stories of these famed whiskies and their people back to life.

He continued “We’ve celebrated some fantastic achievements as a business this year and we are truly honoured to have received such high praise from The International Whisky Competition”

Launched internationally in 2013, The Lost Distillery Company is thriving with availability in nearly 50 markets worldwide. Crucial Drinks is based at The Great Steward of Scotland’s Dumfries House in Ayrshire, one of Scotland’s finest stately homes and estates, which was rescued by HRH The Prince of Wales in 2007.

The Lost Distillery Company can be found at www.thelostdistillery.com

Notes

• After many years of planning, founders Scott Watson and Brian Woods, set up Crucial Drinks in 2012 developing a world class whisky and rum portfolio that offered outstanding spirits with unique heritage and brand stories. Born and raised in Ayrshire, both founders set out to build a global business in and from East Ayrshire to help regenerate the area.
• The Lost Distillery Gerston Archivist also celebrated success in 2018 after being awarded Gold at The Travel Retail Masters.
• The Lost Distillery family is available at select retailers across the world as well as on Crucial Drinks online shop and Amazon UK.
• Crucial Drinks distributes to nearly 50 markets worldwide including Global Travel Retail.
• Its award-winning portfolio of luxury spirit brands includes The Lost Distillery Company, Six Saints Rum, Rum & Cane Merchants and Big Mouth Scotch Whisky

All month we’ve been offering suggestions about how to enjoy our whisky during the warmer weather. Now things just got even hotter – it’s time to introduce a new distillery that knows all about embracing the heat.

We’re delighted to announce our first cask from distillery 139, all the way from the exotic island of Taiwan. Cask no: 139.1 Chomping on a herbal cigar is a hot new release from our Spicy and Sweet profile, with flavours that will transport you immediately to sunnier climes.

In another Society first, and in keeping with the traditions of the distillery itself, this bottling is our first ever non-age statement whisky. Matured to perfection in a first-fill barrique, this sublimely complex dram gifts notes of rum, ginger cake and dark sugars. Sounds just like summer.

As the first bottling from a new distillery, we expect this release to be in huge demand so we’re selling bottles via ballot only.  To enter the draw, please submit your details before midnight on Monday 15 July. We will then randomly select the lucky winners, who will contacted by our Member Services team to complete their purchase.

Good luck, and slainte to summer!

JOIN THE SOCIETY TO TAKE PART IN SUCH EVENTS!

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

LUX ROW DEBUTS LIMITED EDITION REBEL YELL IN THE UK

• New Rebel Yell French Barrel Special Finish launches outside of U.S

• Bourbon finished in toasted oak wine barrels for 6 months

• 6,000 bottles to be released in first year

Lux Row Distillers is launching its first ‘international release’ bourbon as it continues to meet growing demand from whiskey drinkers in the UK.

The new Rebel Yell French Barrel Special Finish will be the first bourbon it hasn’t released for sale in the U.S. and bears the secondary-finishing hallmarks of Lux Row’s head distiller and master blender, John Rempe.

The bourbon was finished in toasted French Oak wine barrels for 6 months, creating a robust mouth feel with plenty of oak, spice and a hint of chocolate and ginger on the rear palate. 6,000 bottles will be released in the first year, with the bourbon on-sale from October at £30.

The new Rebel Yell French Barrel Special Finish comes closely after the release of John Rempe’s Blood Oath Pact No. 5. This rare whiskey sold-out before bottling and is created by carefully blending three bourbons; a 13 year old mahogany bourbon which is peppery with shavings of dark chocolate, an 11 year old silky wheated bourbon rich with vanilla and honey, and an eight year old bourbon finished in Caribbean rum barrels to impart orange, brown sugar and warm island spice.

John Rempe comments: “The fifth release of the Blood Oath has proved as popular as its predecessors, quickly selling-out. This provided the inspiration for the Rebel Yell French Barrel Special Finish. We wanted to create something unique for the growing number of bourbon connoisseurs in the UK, which is why we decided to launch this whiskey outside the U.S.

“Finishing in the toasted oak wine barrel creates a real point of difference, giving the bourbon more depth and complexity in terms of its layers of flavour. Secondary-finishing is bourbon’s equivalent to year of vintage in single malt Scotches. It’s a great way to create something truly one-off.”

The Rebel Yell French Barrel Special Finish will be available in the UK, France and Italy, and will be distributed by Cellar Trends in the UK.

John concludes: “There’s a growing appreciation of bourbon here in the UK, with real interest in stories about how the whiskeys are made and a keenness among consumers to seek out new and unique flavours. Small batch and limited editions will always prove popular amongst connoisseurs, but we’re seeing secondary-finishing satisfy both demand amongst bourbon purists as well as attracting new drinkers to the category.”

ABOUT LUX ROW DISTILLERS

Real roots, real family, real products: Lux Row Distillers – a bourbon distillery experience on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail – is a family-owned venture, bringing the Lux family history and spirits tradition to the bourbon industry.

Owned by consumer products company, Luxco, Lux Row Distillers is the home of bourbon brands including Rebel Yell, Blood Oath, David Nicholson and Ezra Brooks Kentucky Straight Bourbon.

Located in the heart of Bardstown, Kentucky, the 18,000-square foot Lux Row Distillers site includes a visitor centre, barrel warehouses, a tasting room, and event space, making for an all-encompassing bourbon experience. The 90-acre property is home to an 18th century stone house, registered as a National Historic Place, and a long, tree-lined driveway providing a scenic entrance to the distillery.

www.luxrowdistillers.com.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/luxrowdistillers

Instagram: @luxrowdistillers

THE ENGLISH WHISKY CO PROUDLY PRESENTS THE ULTIMATE TASTING TOUR

A 2 hour tour & tasting showcasing England’s oldest single malt whisky 

We take you on a journey of discovery that lasts 2 hours and takes an in depth look at the distillery and barrel warehouses.  You will then have an hour in a private room tasting the various whiskies produced at St George’s Distillery.  This very sought after tour runs on a Saturday and Sunday once a month.

Whilst visiting, why not stay and eat in our fully air conditioned restaurant or dine out on our terrace al fresco.

Buy a gift voucher or call 01953 717939 to book!

BUY A GIFT VOUCHER
£45.00 P/P

 MORE INFO

 BUY NOW

THREE JAPANESE MASTERS

To celebrate the rise of Japanese whisky, we are hosting a once in a lifetime masterclass, bringing together three legendary master distillers for the first time. Lead by Dave Broom, they’ll tell us their stories of the past, present and future of Japanese whisky.

Three Japanese Masters
Host: Whisky writer and Japanese whisky expert Dave Broom
Sunday 29 September, 12.30pm-2.00pm
£100

The past two decades have seen Japanese whisky rise from being relatively unknown to the hottest spirit on the planet. Three companies have been at the forefront of that explosion: Nikka, Suntory and Venture Whisky. We are very pleased to welcome the whisky makers behind each of the three to Whisky Show for this very special tasting.

Shinji Fukuyo has been working at Suntory for 35 years. He’s led the Suntory whisky blending team since 2006 and been lead blender across the company since 2009.

Tadashi Sakuma is Nikka’s chief blender and the man responsible for all of the whisky and other spirits produced by the company.

Ichiro Akuto is the founder of Chichibu, owner of Venture whisky and former manager of fabled lost distillery Hanyu.

Book now

Please note: you must have a Sunday ticket to Whisky Show to attend this class.

1988 Vintage of the Lost Lowland Distillery

Single cask refill hogshead yielding just 170 numbered bottles for the Old & Rare Platinum Selection. Rare expression from the lost Scottish distillery.

Littlemill 27 Year Old 1988 vintage Lowland single malt Scotch whiskey. Single cask refill hogshead bottled May 2016 by Hunter Laing & Co. for the Old & Rare Platinum series. Only 170 bottles.

Littlemill Distillery was established in 1772 to the west of Bowling by the north shore of the River Clyde and on the main road into Glasgow. Subsequent modifications during the 1930s resulted in a number of novel features including double ventilation towers which sat over a single drying kiln and pot stills with rectifiers rather than the traditional swan necks. The combination of pot and column stills in Littlemill Distillery was designed to produce malt whiskey which was expected to mature quickly. When production ceased in 1992 Littlemill Distillery was the oldest working malt whiskey distillery in Scotland. Closed in 194 and demolished in 2006 and now Littlemill is a lost Scottish distillery although the shell of the manager’s house remains.

Shop – Littlemill 27 Year Old – £377.90

ralfy.com tries a good Ardbeg !

https://youtu.be/ln7ZLtJM98Q

WOOD YOU BELIEVE IT? THE GLENALLACHIE DISTILLERY UNVEILS NEW RANGE OF SIGNATURE EXPRESSIONS 

Billy Walker’s wood management expertise on show with the
launch of The GlenAllachie Wood Finish range

The GlenAllachie Distillery is extending its range of whiskies with the launch of its first-ever range of limited edition wood finishes.

The GlenAllachie Wood Finish range comprises the 8 year old Koval Rye Quarter Cask Wood Finish; the 10 year old Port Wood Finish; and the 12 year old Pedro Ximenez Sherry Wood Finish.

This trio of signature expressions of The GlenAllachie Distillery’s finest single malt whiskies highlight the wood management expertise of Master Distiller, Billy Walker.

The 8 year old Koval Rye Quarter Cask Wood Finish (RRSP: £54.99) was first matured in American oak wood barrels and then underwent an additional maturation period in organic Rye quarter casks from Chicago’s Koval Distillery. The greater liquid-to-wood ratio in the smaller casks means that the rich spicy flavour of the Rye is released more rapidly.

With its distinctive ruby red colour, the 10 year old Port Wood Finish (RRSP: £54.99) was first matured in American oak barrels before being re-racked into vintage Ruby Port wood pipes sourced in North Portugal. The Port wood influence adds flavour, depth and complexity to the whisky, with sweet notes of heather honey, butterscotch and treacle.

The 12 year old Pedro Ximenez Sherry Wood Finish (RRSP £58.99) is a rich sumptuous whisky with great depth. This whisky was matured for over ten years in American oak wood barrels before its additional maturation in Pedro Ximenez puncheons. This process enriches the flavour, creating a sweeter, fruitier whisky.

To create the new range of wood finishes, Walker first hand-selected barrels from among the 50,000 casks in the 16 warehouses on site at the distillery near Aberlour for the additional maturation period. Casks were sourced from a variety of bodegas and distilleries that shared Walker’s culture of careful wood management and with whom he had established relationships with through his long career in the whisky industry.

The length of time spent in each of the special casks varies, with Walker constantly monitoring the whisky to decide when it’s ready.

Commenting on the new range, Walker said: “I’m incredibly excited to unveil this new range featuring GlenAllachie’s first-ever range of wood finishes. Wood management is something I’m very passionate about and we invest a substantial amount of time and money into sourcing exceptional casks from all around the world. I look for casks that will complement and enhance the GlenAllachie spirit, with the different woods making a greater, or sometimes subtle, influence, and taking us on a journey of new flavours.”

“The rich golden Rye Quarter Cask delivers a hit of spice and cloves with classic GlenAllachie characteristics of honey and butterscotch, whereas the ruby red Port Pipe has a sweeter and fruitier flavour, with honey, damson and rose hips. Finally the Pedro Ximenez, deep rich mahogany in colour, delivers what the eye promises; raisins, sultanas, toffee and dark chocolate. With this first release you can see the impact that a quality and carefully chosen cask can have on our whisky, from the amazing array of colours to the intensity of flavours in the final whisky.’’

Further information on the distillery and company can be found at www.theglenallachie.com

Facebook – @TheGlenAllachie

Twitter – @TheGlenAllachie

Instagram – @theglenallachie_

TASTING NOTES

8yo Koval Rye Wood Finish 

10yo Port Wood Finish 

12yo Pedro Ximenez Wood Finish 

In Pursuit of Something GreaterThere comes a point in every journey, and any endeavour, where bold decisions must be made. With the help of Dutch film-maker Juriaan Booij, we’ve created a film about two decisive turning points that have helped define the course of The Macallan.

The first of these touches on the origins of our decision to use sherry-seasoned oak casks, tracing this pursuit through to today where you meet one of our team, David. He’s responsible for ensuring the best European oak is used in the cooperages of Jerez de la Frontera. Here, the oak staves are turned into casks, filled with sherry and held for two years before making their voyage to the North of Scotland and our Distillery on the River Spey.

The second decision centres on our new Distillery, the destination of our casks. You will meet George, our Head of Engineering, who helped us to build a new brand home that embodies our pursuit of the exceptional, designed in harmony with the beauty of our natural surroundings and providing a foundation for future generations.

WATCH THE FILM