#ardbeg #untamed #islay

Ardbeg invites smoky malt fans to join together in a day of rumbustious revelry

— Celebrate Islay’s rich history of carnivals with a flamboyant Caribbean twist.

Join in the festivities at around the UK for Ardbeg Day 2019 —

Every year, on Ardbeg Day – the last Saturday of Islay’s Festival of Music and Malt, whisky fans gather to celebrate all things Ardbeg. For 2019, Ardbeg is preparing to close out the Feis Ile like never before. In a spectacular Caribbean twist, Ardbeggians everywhere are invited to swap their flat caps for elaborate headdresses as Ardbeg Day embraces a dash of carnival colour.

This year, the Distillery is resurrecting the island’s carnival traditions. In an Islay time gone by on the last day of the Feis Ile Festival, locals transformed everything from tractors to tricycles into magnificent floats. If it had wheels, they decorated it. Honking and tooting its way through Port Ellen and eventually to Ardbeg, this typically Islay cavalcade of colour represents a long-standing love for festivity on the island.

Ardbeg Day will be held on Saturday, 1st June 2019. Inspired by Islay’s rich history of carnivals, Ardbeg will release Ardbeg Drum – a limited edition bottling imbued with the ultimate influence of carnival spirit, rum. In a first for the Distillery, Ardbeg have taken Ardbeg single malt from ex-Bourbon casks and rested it awhile in ex-rum casks from the Americas to coax out tropical tastes.

Distillery Manager Mickey Heads said: “The Ardbeg Day Carnival is about embracing all things tropical. From music and dance to food and fashion, we’re all set to revel in both culture and character. And we’re delighted to introduce Ardbeg Drum – a celebration of all of the mixed up, mashed up influences that make Ardbeg, Ardbeg.

“In Ardbeg Drum, a multitude of complex flavours parade across the palate – fragrant pine resin and woodsmoke dance alongside ripe banana and pineapple. Then lavender, liquorice and vanilla strut into a long, smoky finish.”

“Preparations are well underway, but orchestrating a bash this breathtaking is no mean feat. The finer details are yet to be revealed, but rest assured, the Ardbeg Day Carnival 2019 will be a spectacle you won’t soon forget…”

Like all Ardbeg Days, the carnival crowds won’t just be gathering on Islay. Ardbeggians the world over will join in the rumbustious revelry as Ardbeg Drum is introduced in a flourish of confetti and streamers. Smoky malt lovers should remember that The Ardbeg Day Carnival is open to everybody, so feel free to grab some friends and enjoy the spectacle en masse.

The Committee bottling of Ardbeg Drum will go on sale on 5th March, RRP: £94, exclusively available to purchase only by Committee Members, who will receive a link to purchase their own special bottle. The main Ardbeg Drum bottling will be released just ahead of Ardbeg Day.

For more information about Ardbeg Day celebrations in the weeks ahead, visit www.ardbeg.com

www.ardbeg.com

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NOTES 

Ardbeg Day: Every year, the Islay Festival of Malt and Music takes place in May or June on Ardbeg’s island home. On the Festival’s final Saturday, the Distillery would traditionally throw open its doors to welcome fans from all over the world – an event that became known as Ardbeg Day. In 2012 Ardbeg Day became a global event, enabling the whisky’s passionate international following to take part in a worldwide celebration of all things Ardbeg in their own country. Recent Ardbeg Day themes have included the Islay-limpics and the Peat Football World Cup, while in 2017, the Distillery revealed the incredible depth of the first Ardbeg to be matured in Black Sea casks with Ardbeg Kelpie. For 2018, Ardbeg Day became the Ardbeg Festival of Peat & Love as the world celebrated Ardbeg’s ‘grooviest’ casks ever.

Tasting notes: Ardbeg Drum is non chill-filtered and bottled at 46% ABV.

Colour: Dark Gold

Nose: In Drum, fragrant pine resin and woodsmoke dance alongside ripe banana and pineapple in a downright wondrous paradiddle of aromas, before parading into smoked apples and dry cocoa powder. Distant ginger, spiced dates and cinnamon sway into floating notes of lavender.

Taste: On the palate, waves of smoke, tar and creosote cascade into a dry peppery mouthfeel. Clove, liquorice and ginger strut towards rich notes of dark chocolate and smoked vanilla.

Finish: Intense smoke, roasted coffee liqueur and a treasure trove of sweet spices come together in one deliciously complex crescendo.

Ardbeg:
Ardbeg prides itself on being The Ultimate Islay Malt Whisky. Established in 1815, Ardbeg is revered by connoisseurs around the world as among the peatiest, smokiest and most complex of all the Islay malts. Despite its smokiness, Ardbeg is renowned for its delicious sweetness, a phenomenon that has affectionately become known as ‘the peaty paradox’. During the 1980s and 1990s, Ardbeg suffered from an uncertain future and it was not until the brand was purchased by The Glenmorangie Company in 1997 that the Distillery was saved from extinction. Since then, the Distillery has risen like a phoenix and today Ardbeg is well established as a niche, cult malt, with a passionate following.

Ardbeg Committee:
The legacy of the whisky was safeguarded in 2000 by the formation of the Ardbeg Committee. The Committee is made up of thousands of Ardbeg followers worldwide who are keen to ensure that “the doors of Ardbeg never close again”. Today there are members of the Ardbeg Committee in over 130 countries. Committee members are regularly consulted on new bottlings and expressions and are offered exclusive Committee bottlings. Members also receive invitations to special gatherings, tastings and events. The Committee, chaired by Distillery Manager Mickey Heads, is free to join at ardbeg.com.

Awards:
Ardbeg is the world’s most highly awarded smoky single malt whisky. Since 2008, Ardbeg has won more than 50 gold and double gold medals in key whisky competitions. Ardbeg was voted ‘Scotch Whisky of the Year’ twice by Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible (2008, 2009) and has twice been awarded ‘World’s Best Single Malt’ at the World Whiskies Awards (2010, 2013). At the 2014 Global Icons of Whisky Awards, Mickey Heads was voted ‘Distillery Manager of the Year’. In 2016, Ardbeg Corryvreckan and Ardbeg Uigeadail were awarded gold medals the the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The following year, Ardbeg Kelpie won World Whisky of the Year at the International Whisky Competition. While in 2018, alongside many more whisky awards, the Ardbeg distillery was awarded Distillery of the Year at the International Whisky Competition.

The Glenmorangie Company:
The Company is one of the most renowned and innovative distillers and marketers of Scotch whisky brands worldwide and is part of Moët Hennessy, the wine and spirits division of Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton. Headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland, the Company produces Glenmorangie Single Highland Malt whisky and Ardbeg Single Islay Malt.

High-Flying Packaging

A high-end packaging solution to house a particularly exceptional brand; IPL Packaging created a premium box to house a specially crafted crystal bottle with custom-designed eagle stopper for Double Eagle, Very Rare bourbon whisky.

LB Odendaal, IPL Packaging Design and Innovations Manager, explains more regarding the pack design, “We understood that the packaging for Double Eagle, Very Rare, a distinctive new expression crafted by Buffalo Trace Distillery in Kentucky USA, would be the consumer’s first tangible experience with this super-premium brand. It therefore needed to convey a message as unique as the product within it,” explains “We ultimately looked to produce something that would glorify the brand, convey an image of sophistication and value and also tell a ‘luxury story’,” he says.

The result is a showstopper: a high-gloss black lacquered MDF box with aluminium double-door panels, engraved and inlaid with a design resembling eagle feathers, supplied by the client, and complementing the black silkscreen ink-filled logo.

Both the custom-designed bottle and stopper are housed separately in the box, with the eagle shaped stopper mirroring the eagle arising from the interior bottom of the bottle. Upon opening the double doors of the box, both items are illuminated by LED lamps. These also highlight the rich, wonderful colour of bourbon itself.

“Sliding on custom-designed metal rails, with the left hand door hiding a secret compartment containing brand information, the packaging has been designed to enrich the user experience – with the real ‘wow factor’ being the illumination element of the box,” says Odendaal, who explains that the box interior is lined in a tactile grey fabric with black felt at the bottom of the box.

The packaging was designed in such a way that it portrays a sense of reputation and prestige befitting both the brand and its creators; no distillery has earned more domestic and international accolades than Buffalo Trace. Writers, enthusiasts and spirits competitions around the globe have awarded more than 500 accolades to its brands, with the title of ‘world’s most award-winning distillery’ earned through the uncompromising dedication of craftsmen for over 200 years.

Benromach 1977 Cask #1269

Single refill American Oak Hogshead, yielding just 122 bottles. A sublime, vibrant, fruity single malt from the Speyside distillery presented in a stunning oak wooden box evoking the impressive washbacks at the distillery.

Tasting Notes

Take a short inhalation, appreciating the wonderful aromas without water… enjoy the tantalising notes of warm apple pie, poached pear and hints of ginger, mingling with subtle floral notes complemented by rich apricot jam. Now take a sip. Savour the notes of velvety crème brûlée beautifully balanced by undertones of warm pepper. Hints of banana develop, leading to a touch of toffee apple and delicate citrus edge. Add a few drops of water and take time to enjoy the nose as it develops… Vibrant citrus and floral aromas emerge, followed by fragrant vanilla. Now lift it to your lips and enjoy a slow sip… Sweet heather honey and soft peaches mingle with smooth milk chocolate. Candied citrus peel leads to a touch of oak and tobacco on the finish. Sublime!

Benromach Distillery was designed by Charles C. Diog and constructed at Forres in the Speyside whisky region for D. McCallum and F.W. Burickman in 1898. Following numerus periods of closure, it was purchased in 1993 by < b>Gordon & MacPhail who charged up its single pair of stills in 1998 and have nurtured Benromach ever since. Striking new labelling combined with an increasing range of single malts is forging a very popular brand of single malt whiskies which includes Benromach Organic, Benromach Peatsmoke and Benromach 10 Year Old.

Shop – Benromach 1977 – £1,250

FRENCH OAK CASK TD0272

Cask TD0272 was aged in a 300 litre French oak ex-tawny cask for just over ten years. Bottled at 47.7% ABV, this cask produced only 211 bottles.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Liquorice, pure maple syrup, baked apples, dark chocolate, incense

Palate: Fresh pancakes, coffee, dark toffee and a hint of maple-smoked bacon

Finish: Finely gripping tannins with toasted coconut, ripe cherries, cloves, and a long final note of orange peel

“This cask exhibits impeccable structure, with the sweet and aromatic notes riding on the rich oak perfectly. A great example of our French Oak style.”
Heather Tillott, Production Manager

PURCHASE NOW

Friday, March 1st, 5-7PM:

Local Whiskey: 

Wright and Brown

Distilled in American-made copper whisky stills, each Wright and Brown release is truly handcrafted. First, the distillers seek out the most flavorful non-GMO grains, working with local organic farms to get the best ingredients. Every step of the whisky process is then done in-house, from milling the grain to mashing, fermenting, distilling, aging, and finally bottling. The result is a decadently flavorful small-batch whiskey, made right here in the Bay Area.

More Details & RSVP

Benromach starts 2019 in style with two rare and aged vintage expressions

Benromach Heritage 1972 and 1977 available worldwide 

The Benromach Distillery Company Ltd has announced the release of two Heritage expressions, Benromach Heritage 1977, an exclusive 41-year-old single cask vintage (49.6% abv) and Benromach Heritage 1972, a rare 46-year-old single cask vintage (55.7% abv).

Matured in single Refill American Hogsheads, these sought-after expressions are both available for worldwide sale from 21^st February 2019. Benromach Heritage 1977 offers a smooth dram with hints of spice, while Benromach Heritage 1972 is brimming with exotic fruit flavours leading to an ashy smoke finish.

Benromach Heritage 1977 displays flavours of warm apple pie, poached pear and hints of ginger, mixed with subtle floral notes complemented by rich apricot jam. Only 122 decanters of this single cask vintage were bottled from cask number 1269 on 8^th October 2018.

Also launching today, Benromach Heritage 1972 has a golden amber hue with a tempting nose of vanilla custard, honey and tropical fruits, with intriguing hints of mature oak and an edge of fresh menthol.  With lingering oak flavours and hints of smoke on the finish, just 75 decanters of this single cask vintage were bottled from cask number 4471 on 11^th December 2018.

Keith Cruickshank, Benromach Distillery Manager, said: “We’re proud to build on the popularity of previous Benromach vintage releases from the 1970s with these unique single cask bottlings that represent different moments in time from the distillery’s rich history.

“Through careful monitoring and regular sampling throughout the maturation process, these remarkable releases have been aged to over 40 years each. Both golden amber single malts are brimming with fruity flavours and subtle oak notes.  The release of these vintage expressions is an outstanding start to an exciting year for Benromach.”

Both expressions are beautifully presented in a decanter-style bottle with shapes and textures inspired by the distillery. The bottle has a copper-foil embossed label and nestles in a dark oak wooden box, representing the original washbacks at Benromach. The copper cut medallion on the packaging signifies the moment in time when the distillers cut to the sweet heart of the spirit run.

Benromach 1977 and 1972 will be available worldwide from 21^st February 2019. Benromach 1977 has a recommended retail price (RRP) of €1,500 (£1,250) while Benromach 1972 has an RRP of €1,750 (£1,500). Prices in local markets will vary depending on local taxes and duty.

Benromach is one of only a few distilleries in Scotland to use traditional methods, without any automated machinery. The small team of distillers employ all their senses when crafting the classic Speyside single malt Scotch whiskies, managing the process by sight, sound and touch to create the unique, handcrafted and authentic Benromach taste.

For more information about Benromach, and to explore the range of expressions available, please visit: www.benromach.com.

Notes

Benromach Heritage 1977 Tasting Notes

First, lift your glass of Benromach Heritage 1977 to the light and appreciate the lustrous Golden Amber hue created by lingering for 41 years in a single Refill American Hogshead. Take a short inhalation, appreciating the wonderful aromas without water… enjoy the tantalising notes of warm apple pie, poached pear and hints of ginger, mingling with subtle floral notes complemented by rich apricot jam.

Now take a sip. Savour the notes of velvety crème brûlée beautifully balanced by undertones of warm pepper. Add a few drops of water and take time to enjoy the nose as it develops…  Vibrant citrus and floral aromas emerge, followed by fragrant vanilla.

Now lift it to your lips and enjoy a slow sip… Sweet heather honey and soft peaches mingle with smooth milk chocolate. Candied citrus peel leads to a touch of oak and tobacco on the finish.

Benromach Heritage 1972 Tasting Notes

First, lift your glass of Benromach Heritage 1972 to the light and appreciate the lustrous golden amber hue created by lingering for 46 years in a single Refill American Hogshead. Take a short inhalation and enjoy the tantalising notes of vanilla custard, honey and baked pineapple, mingling with intriguing hints of beeswax polish, mature oak and an edge of fresh menthol.

Savour the smooth sweetness beautifully balanced by a gentle dash of warm pepper. Add a few drops of water and take time to enjoy the nose as it develops with gorgeous aromas of exotic fruits come to the fore with top notes of toasted coconut and zingy lime.

Enjoy a slow sip, experiencing notes of tropical fruits which soften and mingle with hints of pear drops, leading to lingering oak notes and hints of ashy smoke on the finish.

Benromach Distillery
Originally built in 1898, Benromach Distillery was brought back to life when the Urquhart family realised a lifelong dream to own a distillery and purchased it in 1993. The distillery was extensively re-equipped over a five-year period before it was officially opened by HRH The Duke of Rothesay in 1998.

In reopening Benromach Distillery, the Urquhart family wanted to create a single malt whisky that has a classic Speyside character: beautifully balanced with a light touch of smoke.

Benromach Distillery is located on the outskirts of the ancient market town of Forres. A five-star visitor centre is open to the public throughout the year for tours and tastings. Benromach Distillery is a member of the world-famous Malt Whisky Trail.

Take a look at our exclusive bottles

Here at The Whisky Shop we pride ourselves in offering the very best whiskies for you. We also strive to source exclusive bottles that you won’t find anywhere else. We have a fantastic selection, take a look at our top picks.

Unique | Different | Interesting

Glendronach 1993 Single Cask Exclusive

This Highland single malt was distilled in February 1993 at GlenDronach and matured for a quarter of a century in a single Pedro Ximenez puncheon. Chosen exclusively for The Whisky Shop’s customers and bottled in May 2018, only 631 bottles have been produced, each one at a strength of 51% abv. Described by Charles MacLean as a ‘superlative example of sherry cask maturation’, this impressive dram is an excellent example of The GlenDronach’s ‘big sherry’ style, bringing notes of Christmas cake, dried fruits and dark chocolate.

£210.00 – Buy Now

Learn more here

Highland Park 2006 Single Cask
W Club Exclusive

This single cask from ‘the Orkney Malt with Viking Soul’ was distilled at Highland Park distillery in 2006 and matured in a fist-fill American sherry oak puncheon for 11 years before bottling in 2018. Selected by a tasting panel of W Club members, only 615 bottles have been filled at a natural cask strength of 67% abv, exclusively for members of The W Club.

Charles MacLean described this release as “polished chestnut in colour (conkers), the initial nose-feel is very prickly. A dense, fruity top note (cherry sweets?), with light wood notes, and a subtle thread of fragrant smoke in the back. Water opens it up, with maritime scents, marzipan, desiccated coconut and dry peat. At natural strength the taste starts sweet and fruity, then dries dramatically; water tames it and makes it more accessible.”

Awarded 91 points in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2019.

£95.00 – Buy Now

Learn more here

Exclusively for Members of The W Club

Already a member? Log in to buy this members-only bottling. Not a member? Sign up today from just £20 per year to get your hands on this fantastic exclusive and a host of other benefits!

Inchmurrin 2001 single cask exclusive

Distilled at Loch Lomond distillery in Alexandria in August 2001 and matured in a single cask (#4049) for 17 years before bottling in October 2018 exclusively for The Whisky Shop. Only 200 bottles have been filled, each one at a natural cask strength of 54.1% abv. Crisp with a syrupy sweetness and some orange peel followed by barley sugar notes. There is toffee, ginger spice and creamy oak vanilla at the end. A syrupy sweetness at first, then a touch of lemon peel, some brown sugar, creamy vanilla and gentle waves of ginger spice at the end.

£85.00 – Buy Now

Learn more here

Balblair 1997 single cask exclusive

Distilled at Balbalir in 1997 and filled to cask no. 913, this Highland single malt has been hand-selected and bottled exclusively for The Whisky Shop customers. Bottled in 2017 at a strength of 51.4% abv to showcase the fantastic natural character that caught our attention.

Charles MacLean’s tasting notes:
“The colour of aged Alsace wine, excellent beading. A prickly nose-feel with a fruity top note (tropical fruit salad), pink bubblegum in the middle, on a faintly earthy base note. Sweet and spicy to taste, with scented sweets and fresh coconut. Water calms both aroma and taste; the former becomes more dusty, the latter softer and sweeter.”

£140.00 – Buy Now

Learn more here

Glenkeir treasures craigellachie 9 year old

This 9 year old single malt from Craigellachie distillery has been specially selected and bottled exclusively for The Whisky Shop customers as part of our Glenkeir Treasures collection. Distilled on 14th July 2008, we’ve chosen to bottle this Speysider at a preferred strength of 40% abv. The nose is rich in honey-coated peaches and mangoes, toasted poppy seed and a hint of liquorice. The palate is rich and waxy with the bite of blood orange and a touch of white pepper, mellowing to creamy candy and sherbet. The finish has some classic Craigellachie earthy notes, with a slightly oily, charcoal finale.

£50.00 – Buy Now

Learn more here

A Can’t-Miss, Closeout Opportunity from a Scotch Master

Gordon & Macphail Company, one of our most trusted sources for Single Malt Scotch, recently ended their relationship with their American importer. Such changes are often a boon for the consumer, as there’s a rush to move inventory, which results in deep discounts. Featured here are the fruits of this recent upheaval—a set of highly collectible Scotches at shockingly low prices. We’ve hit the jackpot with a treasure trove of exceptional malts from across the G&M range being sold for at or below wholesale cost. Never before have we seen such incredible deals on Gordon & Macphail’s core offerings, staples of our shelves, and certainly worth every penny at their original price. We could have just taken the stock and sold what we had at a huge margin, but we want to get this stuff moving. Rest assured you will never see these products at a lower price, and our competitors will be blowing up every step of the distribution chain when they read this email. Unfortunately, there’s no chain left to rattle, but rest assured these stocks won’t last long.

1

Bunnahabhain 30 Year Old 1988

Single cask sherry puncheon bottled in 2018 by Wemyss Malts. Sweet sherry and rich fruit flavours from this Islay malt whisky. Bunnahabhain 30 Year Old 1988 vintage Islay single malt Scotch whisky ‘Luxury Damson Jam’. Single cask sherry puncheon bottled 2018 by Wemyss Malts. 612 bottles. A puncheon with heady rich fruit and a tart sweetness.

Bunnahabhain Distillery was established in 1881 on the north eastern tip of the Isle of Islay by the shore of Bunnahabhain Bay and overlooking the Sound of Islay. All the building materials were transported by puffer and unloaded at the distillery pier. Now tucked away at the end of the single track ‘main’ road with spectacular scenery all the way. Bunnahabhain Distillery is equipped with four huge pear shaped stills and produces Scottish malt whisky which is released in blends and in single malt and single cask bottlings. A participant in Feis Ile, the annual Islay Festival of Malt and Music. Core editions include Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old and 18 Year Old.

Shop – Bunnahabhain 30 Year Old – £279.95

This weeks episode of the #GoodDramShow https://youtu.be/5fG0ZfTil8U  and being an #English / #BritishIsles episode it features @Cotswoldistill @englishwhisky and @LakesDistillery