Whisky Ambassador Programme

We are delighted to be able to offer the Whisky Ambassador Programme at the Inverurie Whisky Shop. Run by our owner, Mike Stuart, you will be fully immersed in the world of Whisky from its early days of illicit production to the global super-product it is today.

Contact us for details on the courses we run, or if you are in the License Trade, ask us about our Staff Training Programme.

There’s never been a more exciting time to immerse yourself in the taste of Scotland.

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Welcome to a special mid week episode of the show in which I’ll be reviewing the Ardbeg core range along with a couple of recent limited editions.

https://youtu.be/_o8ecXu1bes

THE MACALLAN INTRODUCES ESTATE:

A TRIBUTE TO OUR HERITAGE AND HOME 

The Macallan has unveiled Estate, an extremely special new single malt containing rare spirit distilled with barley grown at Easter Elchies estate, the iconic home of the world-famous whisky.

A rich and complex whisky with a remarkably long finish, The Macallan Estate was created by Whisky Makers to celebrate the single malt’s peerless provenance and heritage.

It also represents a unique opportunity to experience a single malt containing spirit made from The Macallan’s precious home-grown barley, which is distilled just once a year over the course of a single week. Previously, this spirit has been limited to The Macallan’s most exclusive and sought-after releases.

The 485-acre Easter Elchies estate is set within the legendary Speyside region of Scotland, where The Macallan has been creating extraordinary single malts since 1824. Its carefully tended barley fields are located on the banks of the River Spey, overlooked by The Macallan’s new award-winning distillery.

The distillery, which was inspired by Scotland’s undulating hills and cut into the slope of the land to complement its Spey Valley setting, opened its doors to the public in June 2018.

Displaying a warm conker, chestnut hue, The Macallan Estate exudes aromas of wood spice and orange oil. The sweet, subtle hint of citrus acts as the perfect counterbalance to the traditional sherried richness associated with The Macallan’s distinctive single malts.

Sarah Burgess, Whisky Maker for The Macallan, said: “Our Easter Elchies estate lies within the legendary Speyside region of Scotland, a place of timeless natural beauty, and a place that we are proud to call home.

“With its wonderful sweet citrus hints and warming wood spice, The Macallan Estate is a rich, satisfying and complex spirit that pays homage to the fertile Speyside lands where The Macallan is located and celebrates the unrivalled craftsmanship for which we have been known since 1824.”

The Macallan Estate is presented in an elegant gift box featuring landscape-inspired designs and it reflects the natural stones found on our estate, with an inlay of slate. Inside, aerial photography showcases the estate’s impressive barley fields on the banks of the beautiful River Spey. Priced at £195, Estate will be available to buy from selected whisky specialists from July.

Whisky Makers Notes

Colour: Conker, chestnut hue

Aroma: Warm, comforting and homely notes of cinnamon. Wood spice and orange oil, opening into dried fruits with a sweet lemon, banana and caramel.

Palate: Soft and warming with wood spice, opening into a dry oak flavour spiked with candied raisin and fresh fig. Moving into a sweet fresh orange and delicate fresh citrus.

Finish: A sweet citrus twist.

ABV: 43%

About The Macallan

Founded in 1824, The Macallan is one of the worlds’ most admired and awarded single malt whiskies. The reputation of The Macallan is based on a product of outstanding quality and distinctive character. An obsession with excellence has been the hallmark of The Macallan since its founding, by Alexander Reid, on a plateau above the river Spey in north-east Scotland.

In 2018, The Macallan unveiled its new £140 million distillery and visitor experience on its Speyside estate, increasing investment in whisky, warehousing and in The Macallan’s signature sherry-seasoned oak casks.  The striking contemporary architecture, cut into the slope of the land, takes its cues from ancient Scottish hills.  It stands nearby Easter Elchies House, the Highland Manor built in 1700 which has been The Macallan’s spiritual home since 1824.  The new distillery marks an important milestone, recognising the significant journey of The Macallan since 1824 and marking an exciting new chapter in the evolution of the luxury single malt.”

www.themacallan.com

A Collector’s Favorite Bourbon from Buffalo Trace
Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Small Batch Bottled in Bond Straight Kentucky Bourbon (750ml) ($39.99)
“If you’re a fan of Buffalo Trace bottlings and you’ve never been able to snag a bottle of their smaller production stuff, this is the perfect place to start.” —Andrew Whiteley, K&L NorCal Spirits Buyer

Back for a second run is one of the most sought-after and collectible Bourbons in the market today. In the past few years, when we were lucky enough to get a minuscule allocation, it was parsimoniously doled out by the bottle. Everything we acquired would sell out on the site, often in minutes. This time around, however, we were able to secure a large enough parcel of the Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Small Batch Bottled in Bond Straight Kentucky Bourbon that we are offering it with no limits on a one-time basis. Based on its cult status and its very affordable price of $39.99, we expect it to fly off our shelves. Easily among our favorite bottlings from Buffalo Trace’s impressive portfolio, the E.H. Taylor, Jr. Small Batch, with its high corn mashbill and strong wood influence, offers the perfect complement of sweet grain and spice. Despite what you might assume given its 100 proof designation, this Kentucky Bourbon has a surprisingly smooth approach that’s perfect for sipping. Considering the overall rarity and incredibly reasonable price, this is one to buy a few bottles for the near term and a few more to store away for a special occasion

Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Small Batch Bottled in Bond Straight Kentucky Bourbon (750ml) ($39.99)

K&L Notes: The Colonel E.H. Taylor Bourbon is named for one of the founding fathers of the modern bourbon industry. Edmund Haynes Taylor, an honorary “Kentucky Colonel,” was a descendant of two presidents (Madison & Taylor) and one of Kentucky’s last surviving Bourbon Aristocrats. The Colonel purchased the famous Old Fire Copper (O.F.C.) Distillery at the close of the Civil War. There he introduced scientific method to the production of bourbon, modernized equipment and set standards of production that became ubiquitous for quality bourbon production for the next century. He sold this distillery to George T. Stagg, and it would eventually become known as Buffalo Trace. Taylor was a crusader for higher quality standards across the industry and ultimately help pass the 1897 Bottled in Bond Act. No single person can claim as much responsibility for the quality of modern bourbon whiskey as this man. This wonderful Bottled in Bond Small Batch Bourbon, named in his honor, has been extremely hard to get since its release in 2013. It’s won countless gold medals in competitions around the world and a rare 5 star review from renowned spirits reviewer F. Paul Pacult. Some of our competitors feel comfortable charging upwards of $80 for this same bottle due to scarcity. In a world where getting a bottle of Elmer T. Lee, George T. Stagg, or Blanton’s has become next to impossible, finding a bottle of Taylor for $40 is a coup. E.H. Taylor is right at home in the company of luminaries like these.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 07, 2019

It’s been a little while since I sat down and evaluated this product thoroughly. A standard in my back bar when I can get it, but I tend “to drink and not think” this one, if you know what I mean. The fact that it’s recently become slightly more available (for what will certainly be a short period of time) means I get to take some time to consider this one thoroughly. Supposedly the same mash bill as George T. Stagg, I actually get a strong similarity to another famously hard-to-get Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Rock Hill Farms. Maybe it’s a warehousing thing or the fact that they’re both 100 proof, but the mashbills on the two should be different. The nose still has tons of sweet dark oak spice, strong Tahitian vanilla, and caramel. There are also touches of barnyard and dried vegetation. Big, sweet corn appears on the palate with a lovely kick, thanks to the higher proof. This is the perfect whisky to go in between Eagle Rare and Blanton’s, and the shoe fits perfectly, figuratively speaking. Sad we don’t get to sell this on the regular, but hopefully more stocks will continue to open up on this excellent brand.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 06, 2019

I never thought I’d see the day we could secure enough of this to shout it from the roof tops! Colonel Taylor Small Batch is finally here in more than six-bottle-at-a-time quantities! Hallelujah. If you’re a fan of Buffalo Trace bottlings, and you’ve never been able to snag a bottle of their smaller production stuff, this is the perfect place to start. The high corn mashbill in combination with a big woody profile gives an incredible combination of sweet and spicy without relying heavily on rye grain. The 100 proof required by the Bottled-in-Bond Act is actually a perfect spot for sipping. It’s robust enough to stand up in cocktails and sexy enough to enjoy on its own. The flavors are sweet candied corn, mature floral notes, and tons of spicy wood, clove, and burnt orange peel. It’s time to case up, ’cause we have no idea if or when this opportunity will come again.

Shaun Green | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 06, 2019

Wow! Great classic bourbon is so hard to find, and E.H. Taylor (along with all the stable) is almost always in short supply. Wonderfully spicy and alluring, viscous, and showing the slightly sweet corn and oak qualities that I love, without being cloying or overly woody. Especially for a 100 proof whiskey, it is amazingly smooth on the palate and finishes super fine.

Sarah Covey | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 08, 2015

Fans of soft, supple, easy-sipping bourbon should snap this puppy up immediately. Sweet corn, vanilla, spice, and light caramel with a long, lingering finish. You will absolutely want to have this on your bar for sipping on the rocks, or as a killer component in any bourbon cocktail. It’s awesome!

Save the date: 9th June, 6-8pm

We’re delighted to say that we are back in London next week to collect whisky. 9th June, 6-8pm, St Paul’s Hotel Hammersmith. If you would like to attend this whisky rendez-vous please fill out the attendance form by clicking here.

Please fill out the submission sheet by clicking below.

SUBMISSION SHEET

While we enjoy the last of our May festival drams, we’re looking forward to what June will bring. This month, we’re getting ready to excite our taste buds and stimulate our senses with a collection of bold and unconventional whisky pairings.

We’ve released four preview bottles from the new Outturn which are perfect for matching with food. Only a limited number of preview bottles are available ahead of the full release on Friday, 7th June, 9am (GMT). Order now and find your prefect balance before they disappear.

ALL WHISKY                 PREVIEW BOTTLES

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

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 255: Wagging Finger New Make Spirit

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, tries a Dutch new make spirit. You know he has a weak spot for new make, we’re sure. He has been able to try quite a few. The Dutch distillery Wagging Finger is best known for their lovely gin and they’ve recently also launched an Old Geneva, but Mark tries their spirit that has just been put to sleep to become whisky. The spirit in front of him was distilled on 6th February of this year and cut to 50%. It is lightly peated: 20 to 25 ppm. Mark predicts it will become a lovely whisky.

https://youtu.be/wagsY9qmfho

TWO BARTON 1792 DISTILLERY BOURBONS AWARDED DOUBLE GOLD AT 2019 SAN FRANCISCO WORLD SPIRITS COMPETITION

Four other Barton 1792 whiskies awarded silver 

BARDSTOWN, kENTUCKY (May 15, 2019) –The 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition announced this year’s results, awarding Double Gold to two bourbons from Barton 1792 Distillery. In total, whiskies from Barton 1792 Distillery received six medals from the competition out of the record breaking 3,000 spirits entered.

Double Gold

• 1792 Full Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Very Old Barton 90 Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Silver

• 1792 Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Very Old Barton 80 Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

• Kentucky Tavern Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Zachariah Harris Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 

Forty-four of the industry’s finest spirits experts reviewed each entry in a blind taste test to award top selected spirits. All Silver, Gold, Double Gold and Premium awarded whiskies will be featured in the August 2019 issue of The Tasting Panel Magazine. Results from the 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition can be found at http://sfspiritscomp.com/results/overview. 

About Barton 1792 Distillery

Barton 1792 Distillery is part of Barton Brands.  Barton Brands has facilities in Bardstown, Ky., Carson, Calif., and Baltimore, Md. Barton Brands is owned by the Sazerac Company, an American family-owned company based in New Orleans, La. Barton 1792 Distillery was established in 1879 and continues today as the oldest fully-operating Distillery in the “Bourbon Capital of the World.” The Distillery is located on 196 acres and includes 28 warehouses, 22 other buildings, the Morton Spring and the Tom Moore Spring.  Distilling, aging and bottling fine Bourbon whiskey are hallmarks of the historic Barton 1792 Distillery. 1792 Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey is produced at Barton 1792 Distillery. This whiskey is named for the year Kentucky became a state and is the recent gold medal winner at the 2017 Los Angeles International Spirits Competition. To learn more visit www.1792bourbon.com.

A. SMITH BOWMAN DISTILLERY AWARDED TWO GOLD MEDALS AT THE 2019 SAN FRANCISCO WORLD SPIRITS COMPETITION

Three A. Smith Bowman spirits received Bronze 

FREDERICKSBURG, VIRGINIA (May 16, 2019) – At this year’s San Francisco World Spirits Competition, two Gold medals were awarded to whiskies from A. Smith Bowman Distillery. Its John J. Bowman Single Barrel Virginia Straight Bourbon and Abraham Bowman Limited Edition Port Finished Bourbon each received top honors. Three other A. Smith Bowman spirits received Bronze for a total of five medals among the near 3,000 competing spirits.

Gold

• John J. Bowman Single Barrel Virginia Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Abraham Bowman Limited Edition Port Finished Bourbon Whiskey

Bronze

• Bowman Brothers Small Batch Virginia Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Abraham Bowman Limited Edition Vanilla Bean Virginia Whiskey
• Isaac Bowman Port Finished Bourbon Whiskey

Forty-four of the industry’s finest spirits experts reviewed each entry in a blind taste test to award top selected spirits. All Silver, Gold, Double Gold and Premium awarded whiskies will be featured in the August 2019 issue of The Tasting Panel Magazine. Results from the 2017 San Francisco World Spirits Competition can be found at http://sfspiritscomp.com/results/overview.

About A. Smith Bowman

1. Smith Bowman’s distilling roots date back to the years before Prohibition when the Bowman family had a granary and dairy farm in Sunset Hills, Virginia. They used excess grain from the family estate to distill spirits. In 1934, after the Repeal of Prohibition, Abram Smith Bowman and his sons continued the family tradition and built a more modern distillery in Fairfax County, Virginia called Sunset Hills Farm.  The Distillery was moved in 1988 and is now nestled in Spotsylvania County near the city of Fredericksburg, 60 miles away from the original location.

As a small and privately owned company, A. Smith Bowman Distillery continues the time-honored traditions on which it was founded. Considered a micro-distillery by today’s standards, A. Smith Bowman produces an assortment of hand-crafted spirits distilled from only the finest natural ingredients and using the latest technology. This micro-distillery focuses on the production of premium spirits honoring the legacy of Virginia’s first settlers. Its various brands have won more than 100 awards in the past five years, including “World’s Best Bourbon” in 2016 for its Abraham Bowman Port Finished Bourbon and again in 2017 for its John J. Bowman Single Barrel at the World Whisky Awards.  For more information on A. Smith Bowman, please visit www.asmithbowman.com.

GEORGE DICKEL ENTERS BOTTLED IN BOND CATEGORY WITH 13-YEAR-OLD LIMITED RELEASE 

Cascade Hollow Distilling Company Releases Latest Innovation that’s a High Quality Whisky and Great Buy for Whisky Lovers 

TULLAHOMA, TN, May 15, 2019 – In 1897, the federal government enacted The Bottled in Bond Act to help guarantee a spirit’s authenticity and quality. Fast forward more than 120 years, Nicole Austin – General Manager and Distiller of Cascade Hollow Distilling Co. – is trying her hand at this special offering and reinforcing George Dickel’s commitment to making unique, high quality whisky available at a great value with the release of George Dickel Bottled in Bond as her first innovation since joining the company in 2018.

George Dickel Bottled in Bond Tennessee Whisky is a limited release, 13-year-old whisky that has already racked up a score of 95 (on a scale of 100) and earned the designation of “Best Buy” from Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Additionally, George Dickel Bottled in Bond took home a Gold medal this spring at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

At 100-proof (50% ABV), George Dickel Bottled in Bond offers a bold and assertive profile with a well-balanced finish highlighted by tastes of light honey, tropical fruit, warm spices, and a touch of leather. George Dickel Bottled in Bond has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $35.99, making it a must-try for whisky lovers.

The first bottles of George Dickel Bottled in Bond will be available for purchase in the Bottle Shop at Cascade Hollow Distilling Co. this Friday, May 17, and then will roll out to retailers nationwide later in the month. For information on the distillery and Visitor’s Center, please visit www.georgedickel.com.

“We wanted George Dickel Bottled in Bond to be rooted in authenticity, quality and truth, reflective of the values we feel are most important when making Tennessee’s finest whisky,” said Austin. “The aged whisky stocks we have access to here at Cascade Hollow are absolutely beautiful, and it’s important to me that we create whisky that’s sure to be a great value for the quality you’re getting.”

To be labeled as Bottled in Bond, a spirit must be: composed only of the same class and type of spirits, the product of one distillation season by one distillery (distilled by Cascade Hollow Distilling Co. at Cascade Hollow Distillery, DSP-TN-2, during the fall season of 2005), unaltered from the original condition or character, stored in oak containers a federally bonded warehouse under U.S. government supervision  (stored at Cascade Hollow Distillery in Tullahoma, TN) for at least four years (13 years old) and bottled at 100 proof (50% ABV) and reduced in proof only by the addition of water to not less than 100 proof. George Dickel Bottled in Bond has been aged and bottled according to this special set of regulations from the U.S. government’s Standards of Identity for Distilled Spirits.

While Nicole Austin recommends first trying the whisky neat or on the rocks to realize the full flavor profile, George Dickel Bottled in Bond can also lend a beautiful backbone to popular cocktails like the Old Fashioned or Manhattan.

George Dickel Bottled in Bond has a mash bill of 84% corn, 8% rye and 8% malted barley. It is chill charcoal mellowed like the rest of the George Dickel Tennessee Whisky portfolio, which helps it get that the smooth mouthfeel for which the brand is best known.

As with all the whiskies in the George Dickel family, your friends at Cascade Hollow encourage you to sip this new offering the same way it’s made – slowly and responsibly.

About George Dickel Tennessee Whisky 

Back in the late 1800’s, George Dickel worked to fulfill his dream for crafting the smoothest Tennessee Whisky around.  Over a century later, we continue to honor George’s timeless values and tradition.   Legend has it that early on George discovered that whisky made in the cold winter months tasted smoother.  Today we honor this tradition by chilling our whisky before filtering it through sugar-maple charcoal so it’s mellow as moonlight just how George liked.  For more information, please visit www.GeorgeDickel.com and always remember to drink responsibly.

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, 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.

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