Macallan Master’s Of Photography: Magnum
Available Now

This seventh release in the Masters of Photography series from The Macallan features six limited edition prints from the renowned Magnum photography collective. This latest release in the collection celebrates the opening of the new distillery and visitor experience with signed prints from each of the Magnum photographers: Steve McCurry, Martin Parr, Paolo Pellegrin, Mark Power, Gueorgui Pinkhassov and Alec Soth. Presented in a stunning archive style gift box, each bottle and set of prints is accompanied by an exclusive photography book.

Bottled at 44% abv, the nose is lightly peaty with warm spiced ginger and mellow oak, before a touch of tangerine citrus and caramelised apple. The palate brings candied dried fruits and butterscotch with a light spice and honeyed nuttiness. The finish is long and sweet with some earthy peat.

£2,700.00 – Buy Now

Learn more here

Game of Thrones Set

8 bottles representing the fictional houses of Westeros and the Night’s Watch.

Shop £500

Game of Thrones Whiskies Set single malt Scotch whisky. Eight single malt whiskies representing the houses of Westeros and the Night’s Watch. One bottle of each: 1 of Oban Little Bay Reserve Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70cl – The Night’s Watch Game of Thrones Limited Edition 1 of Clynelish Reserve Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70cl – House Tyrell Game of Thrones Limited Edition 1 of Talisker Select Reserve Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70cl – House Greyjoy Game of Thrones Limited Edition 1 of The Singleton of Glendullan Select Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70cl – House Tully Game of Thrones Limited Edition 1 of Royal Lochnagar 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70cl – House Baratheon Game of Thrones Limited Edition 1 of Lagavulin 9 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70cl – House Lannister Game of Thrones Limited Edition 1 of Cardhu Gold Reserve Single Malt Scoth Whisky 70cl – House Targaryen Game of Thrones Limited Edition 1 of Dalwhinnie Winter’s Frost Single Malt Scoth Whisky 70cl – House Stark Game of Thrones Limited Edition

Highland Park 2002 Single Cask – Loch Fyne Whiskies Exclusive

We’re down to our very last bottles of Highland Park 2002 Single Cask – Loch Fyne Whiskies Exclusive!

Awarded Liquid Gold in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2019 with a score of 96 points!

This release from Highland Park’s Single Cask Series is exclusive to Loch Fyne Whiskies. Distilled on Orkney in 2002 and matured in a single refill butt (number 3374) for 15 years before being chosen for bottling for our customers in 2018. Only 458 bottles have been filled, each one at a natural cask strength of 58.4% abv. Described by Jim Murray as “breathtaking to the point of whisky life changing”!

£150.00 – BUY NOW

SMOKEHEAD REVEAL

MOTORCYCLE COLLABORATION 

‘The Smoker’ will be a bespoke motorcycle expertly crafted by the Ducati Whisperer, Tyler Lunceford 

Smokehead Islay Single Malt Whisky has teamed up with renowned global biking sensation Tyler Lunceford (known as the Ducati Whisperer of the New York tri-state), challenging him to create his boldest motorcycle ever. The project will follow the creation of a customised Ducati bike, captured through a series of episodes*.

US born, Tyler has a workshop in Brooklyn where he has customised bikes for many obsessive bikers and rock stars. He recently moved to Scotland and opened a workshop in Leith, Edinburgh and will produce a custom Ducati, inspired by vintage racing motorcycles, for Smokehead to showcase at key events. The project will run until September 2019, when the finished model, ‘The Smoker’, will be unleashed.

DOWNLOAD TRAILER: https://we.tl/t-hRUGHcPeLs

*FULL EPISODE NO. 1: https://www.smokehead.com/the-refinery

Commenting on the partnership, Tyler Lunceford, of North Motorcycle, said: “I’m excited to be involved with Smokehead. I love the idea of this brand supporting craftsmen and women, and it’s even better as I’m a huge Smokehead whisky fan.

Motorcyclists have an identity; they feel independent and different from other people. When you find something you like, such as a bold, smoky, outrageous whisky that is not for everyone, it gives you a sense of belonging when it is for you.

I’m literally building my dream bike; it will be something that’s never been seen before, something so bold, that even motorbike buffs will be blown away. It won’t be easy, but it’s a great opportunity to make something really special.”

Adding his thoughts, Iain Weir, Smokehead Brand Director, said: “We’re proud to be working with Tyler. His all-round attitude personifies Smokehead – bold, daring and independent. We can’t wait to see the bike unveiled. Just like Smokehead, motorbikes are not for everyone, but that’s okay, and that’s why this partnership works so well.”

The Smokehead Refinery
The campaign will share stories of partnerships with the boldest of craftsmen and women that Smokehead is proud to rub shoulders with. Chapter 1 of the project was unleashed in 2018, a successful partnership with Dram & Smoke creating a series of ‘Smokehead Feasts’ for media and trade across the UK. Chapter 2 celebrates the collaboration with Tyler.

In late 2018, Smokehead released Sherry Bomb, a heavily peated Islay single malt that has been boldly blasted by sherry casks; following hot on the heels of Smokehead High Voltage, along with their louder and bolder look, which was unveiled in April.

*Smokehead encourages everyone to drink responsibly, and not to drink and ride*

www.smokehead.com

f: www.facebook.com/smokeheadwhisky

i: www.instagram.com/smokeheadwhisky

#smokehead 

NOTES :

About Smokehead:

• Smokehead is an Islay Single Malt Whisky and has been given a bold new look by Ian Macleod Distillers.
• Originally launched in 2006, Smokehead has been labelled the wild one of Single Malt Whisky and is not for everyone.
• Award-winning premium Scotch whisky that has an attitude-led positioning and heavily peated taste. 

About Ian Macleod Distillers:

• Established in 1933, Ian Macleod Distillers is one of Scotland’s leading independent, family-owned distillers, blenders and bottlers.
• Ian Macleod Distillers is the world’s 10th largest Scotch Whisky company, producing and selling over 15 million bottles of spirits every year.
• Ian Macleod Distillers has built up an enviable portfolio of premium quality spirits and is proud brand proprietor of Glengoyne, Tamdhu, Rosebank and Smokehead Scotch whiskies and Edinburgh Gin to name but a few.

Diploma in the Art of Tasting launches…

The Academy is delighted to announce the inaugural Diploma in the Art of Tasting Whisky will take place on Wednesday 3rd April at Arniston House. This is the first sensory course of its kind with the focus on oak, odour recognition, flavour development and aroma memory.

The material covered on the course is:

• Anatomy & Physiology of Olfactory System (pre-course reading)
• Multi Sensory Tasting Experience (pre-course reading)
• Flavour Development
• The Aroma Journey
• Influence of Oak

John Ramsay is the Senior Course lecturer and candidates will benefit from his 40 years in the industry, most recently as the Master Blender at Edrington.

Macallan Rare Cask Batch No. 3

The third edition in the series of batched releases of The Macallan Rare Cask, this Speyside single malt is crafted from some of the rarest stocks in The Macallan Estate. Each limited batch is created with just 50 sherry seasoned European oak butts.

Showcasing the depth and complexity of The Macallan, less than 1% of the stock maturing in The Macallan Estate is deemed worthy to be used in the creation of Rare Cask Batch No.3. This release is presented at 43% abv in a sculpted, heavy glass decanter.

£295.00 – Buy Now

Learn more here

Linkwood 42 Year Old

1974 vintage hogshead cask matured. 237 numbered bottles. Linkwood 42 Year Old 1974 vintage Speyside single malt Scotch whisky. Matured in hogsheads #8440 & #8441 bottled February 2017 by by Signatory Vintage for the Cask Strength Rare Reserve Collection. 237 numbered bottles.

Linkwood Distillery was established in 1821 by Peter Brown in the Speyside whisky region. This is a malt whisky distillery equipped with six stills and whilst a large percentage of Linkwood whisky flows into blends an increasing volume is appearing as single malt whisky. There are some excellent independent releases including vintages such as Linkwood 1969 and Linkwood 1972 from Gordon & MacPhail.

Shop £698.48

Take your taste experience to a different depth: discover a vibrant diversity of flavour by exploring the colourful contrasts in our new cask collection.

READ OUTTURN              ALL WHISKY

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

BUNNAHABHAIN DISTILLERY TRANSFORMATION BEGINS

– £10.5 million investment programme over three years – 

A three year refurbishment programme has begun at Bunnahabhain Distillery on Islay, as its owners, spirits and wine producer, Distell International invests £10.5m in an extensive upgrade and refresh of the iconic distillery.

Located in the most northerly point of the island, Bunnahabhain has experienced many changes over the years. As part of the upgrade, a number of the original buildings will be carefully restored to their former glory giving them a new lease of life, whilst others will be removed and relocated to create more space, allowing for better operational flow across the site and to enhance the experience for visitors to the distillery.

A key focal point for the development programme is the creation of a new ‘brand home’ and visitor centre. This will also feature a café and retail space and will be positioned along the shoreline with stunning views overlooking Bunnahabhain Bay and the Sound of Islay. This is one of the first new buildings to be progressed and the plan is for the brand home to be ready to welcome visitors for the start of the 2020 season.

Some of the existing warehouses are in the process of being removed from their current shoreline positioning to enable the visitor centre to be located there. Work has already commenced with the demolition of four warehouse buildings, as well as the start of upgrades to the existing pumphouse. So far, over 99% of the materials processed during the demolition have been recycled with the majority retained for re-use at the distillery. This recycling rate is in line with the ambition to reduce the potential impact of the works.

Other areas being improved include the build of a new filling store, refurbishment of the production building and also the series of six cottages alongside the distillery, which will eventually be used for holiday accommodation.

The development schedule and phasing of activity have been carefully designed to ensure minimal disruption to whisky production and to the visitor experience during this timeframe.

Bunnahabhain embodies the character of the island, its non-peated flavour exposes the coastal location of the warehouses and the affect the salty spray of the sea has on the whisky. All of the single malt whisky in the Bunnahabhain brand will continue to be matured at the distillery, only metres from the shoreline.

Derek Scott, Brand Director for Malts at Distell International, said: 

“Our investment programme, here at Bunnahabhain, is about improving the operational side of our distillery for the long term future. We are restoring our buildings to their former glory and providing a visitor experience where we don’t just welcome visitors, after the long winding journey to get here, we help them enjoy a piece of Bunnahabhain life.

“The plans aim to make the navigation of the site much easier for the visitor and to, in simple terms, declutter it. This will ensure the buildings are more efficient from a storage point of view and located in better suited, more accessible locations to the production buildings. Furthermore, we are committed to reducing the environmental impact of the works. The whisky industry is starting to be more environmentally aware and our achievement of recycling over 99% of materials shows, with a little bit of extra effort, it is remarkable what we can achieve.

“Bunnahabhain has a special place in Islay’s whisky heritage and we are committed to retaining this by turning Bunnahabhain Bay into a world-class whisky destination of choice. As the most remote and northerly distillery on the island, our transformation will give those who have made the journey time to pause, forget about the rest of the world and enjoy the serene surroundings.”

Notes

About Distell

• Distell is Africa’s leading producer of wines, spirits, ciders, scotch whisky and ready-to-drinks (RTDs) with a portfolio of close on 100 brands.
• Within the portfolio, Distell owns four single malts and a number of scotch brands produced across three distillery sites.
• The three distilleries include: Bunnahabhain on the Isle of Islay; Deanston in Doune, Perthshire and Tobermory based on the Isle of Mull.
• With a global network of offices and distribution partners, the company employs nearly 5000 people worldwide and has an annual turnover of R14.2 billion. (£1.09 billion)
• In Scotland, the company’s operations are based in East Kilbride where it has a bottling hall, with blending and warehousing facilities at Airdrie, both near Glasgow.
• Distell is the 2015 “Distiller of the Year” award winner at the International Wine and Spirit Competition.

For more visit: www.distell.co.za

Angels’ Nectar Whisky Caching returns for the 20th Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival.

Similar to geo-caching, but with whisky,  a trail of  Angels’ Nectar Whisky Caches will be hidden across Speyside during the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival. Guests will be able to find the whisky filled caches via a series of clues after registering for the event via the Spirit of Speyside web site. The first to find each Angels’ Nectar Whisky Cache will be rewarded with a 200ml bottles of Angels’ Nectar Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, perfect for sharing.

Whilst there is no charge to take part, whisky cachers are asked to leave a whisky miniature (or better!) in place of the dram they find. Thus everyone who finds an Angels’ Nectar Whisky Cache will be a winner.

Geo-caching is a worldwide treasure-hunting phenomenon, which started in 2000 and has grown to encompass more than three million caches across 190 countries. The Angels’ Nectar version does not require GPS, but as the search for the caches will involve some light walking, outdoor clothing and footwear are recommended. The caches will also contain a logbook for participants to record their visit, and guests are invited to share their experience and tasting notes of the dram they find on social media, with #angelsnectarwhiskycache

Commenting on the event, Robert Ransom, Angels’ Nectar founder said, ‘We hope Angels’ Nectar Whisky Caching will encourage festival goers to explore Speyside’s beautiful countryside and discover new drams. Whilst there is no need to have been geo-caching before, for the whisky loving geo-cacher, what could be better than a trail of Angel’s share inspired whisky filled caches.’

Angels’ Nectar Whisky Caching is one of more than 650 events due to take place across Speyside as part of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, which this year runs from the 1^st to the 6^th of May. In addition Angels’ Nectar will be offering complimentary tasting sessions at Elephants in the Pantry, Grantown-on-Spey, on the 4^th of May and at Brodie Countryfare, Forres, on the 5^th of May.  

Notes:

Angels’ Nectar, blended malts inspired by the Angels’ share, was launched by Grantown-on-Spey based Highfern Ltd in 2014.

www.angelsnectar.co.uk

www.twitter.com/angelsnectar

www.facebook.com/angelsnectarwhisky

www.spiritofspeyside.com #dram19
For more information and pictures please contact;
Robert Ransom, Highfern Ltd, robert@highfern.co.uk Mobile: 07811 640778