Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 312: Islay 8 Year Old Ypres Whisky Friends / The Magnificent Five

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky vlogger, tries an Islay whisky. The guys of the Ypres Whisky Friends have realized their first club bottling. It’s an Islay Blended Malt, although that is to be taken with a grain of salt. The cask number leaves no doubt that this is a Laphroaig, according to insiders teaspooned with a bit of Caol Ila, so that it can no longer be termed single malt. They share the cask with the Magnificent Five – also from Belgium – who took the rest of the cask, but selected a totally different packaging.

https://youtu.be/1Sn0vy1XG1E

WATERFORD DISTILLER Y UNVEILS ITS SINGLE FARM ORIGIN SERIES

 BARLEY- FORWARD 
TERROIR – DRIVEN NATURAL WHISKIES

Terroir-driven whisky producer, Waterford Distillery, unveils its highly anticipated first commercial releases since it began distillation in 2015. Influenced by the world’s greatest winemakers, Waterford Distillery obsessively brings the same intellectual drive, methodology & rigour to single malt whisky.

Using 100% Irish barley, widely considered to be the world’s finest, its new Single Farm Origin series is an uber-provenance range of limited edition natural whiskies that explore Irish terroir one farm, once place, at a time. They are expressions of precision and rarity, showcasing barley flavours derived from individual Irish farms and harvests.

The distillery’s ultimate aim is that these component single malts come together create the world’s most unique, complex and profound whisky. But as part of this new series they mark the distillery’s first commercial steps to showcase barley-forward, terroir-driven natural whiskies.

THE  P R E C I S I O N  O F  P L A C E

The first two Single Farm Origin editions use barley originating from unique corners of Ireland: Bannow Island: Edition 1.1 – distilled from barley grown by Ed Harpur on the extreme southern coast of Co. Wexford, where salt-laden Atlantic winds and sandy soils create a unique, if challenging, terroir.

Ballykilcavan: Edition 1.1 – distilled from barley grown by David Walsh-Kemmis west of the Barrow in Co. Laois in the barley heartlands, where his fertile fields are sheltered by ancient woodland.
Bottled at 50% ABV without colouring, chill-filtration or any additives – totally natural – each Single Farm Origin has a RRP of between €70-79/£70 (depending on location) and will be available in specialist whisky retailers from the end of June 2020.

Different Single Farm Origin bottlings, equally unique, will be released to the US and other overseas markets later in the year, whilst Single Farm Origin: Ratheadon: Edition 1.1 will follow exclusively online and from the distillery itself.

Waterford Distillery Founder and CEO Mark Reynier says: “I’ve spent a lifetime in the top end of drinks industry – half in fine wine, half in single malt – and Waterford is the culmination of this rather unusual journey. It’s rare one has the chance to breathe life into to such a provocative concept, one of such of precision, challenge and originality.

“For years folk have been hoodwinked on where whisky’s quality truly lies – once stills, then water, now wood. We want to shine the light on what really makes malt whisky the most complex spirit in the world, the primary source of all that extraordinary flavour: barley.

“I can safely say no stone has been left unturned. No challenge unmet. Thanks to unparalleled logistics, great teamwork, and singleminded focus we can now share our inspiration, this vision, that will one day rebalance the way we look at and enjoy this fine spirit. And this is just the beginning.”

C O M PA R E  &  C O N T R A S T

All of Waterford’s whiskies use 100% demonstrably Irish-grown barley – one farm, one terroir, at a time – without adding any imported grains to meet specifications. Following a strict methodology that originates in the greatest vineyards of France, each farm’s crop is kept separate from field to barrel.

Using a mash filter instead of a mash tun, minimum 120-hour fermentations, and exceptionally slow distillations, Waterford produces the most natural and respectful expressions of barley possible. Throughout the entire process, the distillery keeps track of thousands of data points.

TÉIREOIR : TOTALLY TRACEABLE & TRANSPARENT

Every bottle features its own pioneering TÉIREOIR code, which once entered on the website from the end of June will reveal a host of unprecedented and engaging content related to the release. Using rich photography, and drawing upon the distillery’s unrivalled digital logistics systems, drinkers will be able to explore the place, the harvest, the grower, distillation details as well as view the full spectrum of wood.

N O T E S 

FOUNDER & CEO MARK REYNIER

2020 sees Waterford founder and CEO Mark Reynier reach 40 years in the drinks industry – 20 years in wine, and 20 years in spirits. A maverick entrepreneur who has done perhaps more than any other figure
to apply the rigours of terroir to the spirits world, he began his career in the London wine trade in 1980, formed La Réserve – one of London’s premier wine & spirit merchants – before resurrecting the mothballed Bruichladdich Distillery at the end of 2000. After introducing pioneering cask finishing policies that went on to change the whisky industry, and launching The Botanist, one of the world’s bestselling gins, Bruichladdich was sold to Rémy Cointreau for £58 million in 2012. Reynier then bought the former Guinness brewery in Waterford in 2014 – transforming a state-of-the-art brewery into a modern distillery, and in July 2018 commenced building the game-changing US$30 million Renegade Rum Distillery in Grenada.

SINGLE FARM ORIGIN – THE SOLO VOICE

Barley is the source of malt whisky’s complex flavours. Those flavours are shaped by the place where barley grows, by the soils that nourish its roots. By the microclimate in which it ripens. By terroir. In Ireland’s Sunny South East, warmed by the Gulf Stream, temperate, moist air crosses fertile soils to produce a verdant landscape – & the world’s finest barley. Our Single Farm Origin editions explore this premier region one terroir at a time. Each exclusive bottling represents the precision of place.

THE VI SI O N

There’s been a brewery here on the banks of the River Suir since 1792. Today’s Waterford Distillery, the technological marvel we call the Facilitator, enables us to create elite whisky. State-of-the-art equipment marries with ancient knowledge, local Irish barley with extended fermentations, unhurried distillation with a spectrum of exceptional oak. Thus we can reveal the ultimate expression of terroir, farm by farm, harvest by harvest. Unique distillates, new starting points, & beguiling expressions of place. After maturing for several years in the best of French and American oak, we believe these component “single”, single malts – a solo voice, a solo terroir – each one exhibiting its own nuances, will come together a chorus of flavours layering on top of each other, the total sum of its parts, making what we humbly believe to be most profound single malt whisky ever created. It is this whisky that we are striving for – our ambition, our destination, our raison d’être. Watch this space.

Exclusive Apollo 11
51st Anniversary Bottling

‘One Small Step’ Bowmore 17 Year Old 2002

Fifty-one years ago Apollo 11 Commander Neil Armstrong took “One small step for man” when he set foot on the Moon – one of the most historic, scientific and culturally significant events of the 20 Century.

To mark this occasion, TheWhiskyBarrel.com has bottled a single first fill Oloroso sherry hogshead distilled in 2002 at the Bowmore distillery on Islay. Yielding 270 numbered bottles at cask strength 54.6%.

In the interest of fairness ‘One Small Step’ Bowmore 17 Year Old is limited to one bottle per customer (but you don’t have to be an astronaut to buy it!)

Shop – One Small Step – £150

Thursday, May 28th 5:30PM:

Glyph Molecular Whisky

with exclusive pre-release mystery tasting sets!

Located in the historic Dogpatch neighborhood of San Francisco just a few miles away from The Whisky Shop, Endless West distillery is best known for their unique method of whisky creation – whiskey made from the molecule up. To make Glyph, distillery Endless West begins by mapping out a desired flavor, aroma, and mouthfeel, then selecting the exact molecules from sources like fruit, citrus, yeasts, and sugars to build their spirit, eschewing traditional aging and distilling methods to create a delicious whiskey in record time. This virtual tasting will give an in-depth look at the mysterious molecular methods that go into making Glyph, PLUS a very special bonus for our customers!

Click here to Reserve your Ticket

Get 50% Off Glyph Whiskey PLUS an exclusive mystery tasting set!

In connection with our virtual Glyph Molecular Whisky tasting on May 28th, we’ve partnered with Endless West distillery to get exclusive pre-launch tasting bottles of their upcoming expressions, now only $9.99 while supplies last.

The pre-release tasting set includes:

– (1) 375 ML bottle of Glyph Whiskey (normally $18.99!)

– (2) 50ML small exclusive pre-launch bottles of brand new whiskeys from Endless West.

Previously intended to be released in-store later this year, you’ll be among the first to try these brand new mystery whiskies.

Limited quantity available! 

Click here for more details and to Purchase the tasting set

Thank you everyone for your incredible patience and understanding throughout this difficult time. We are pleased to announce that Auction 108, postponed in March, will go live on Friday 29th May. If you had bottles originally booked into Auction 108 these will automatically be included.  Our auction schedule has been updated for the coming months and we are very much looking forward to welcoming you all back.

Our offices remain closed to the public at the moment and we will update further as soon as we can.

Best wishes from all at Team SWA.

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From new product releases and breaking news, to hundreds of ratings and reviews, Whisky Advocate is America’s top source for whisky enthusiasts. Throughout your subscription, you’ll enjoy:

• Our annual Whiskies Of The Year (that are actually attainable)
• Top whisky travel destinations
• Exciting, new whisky releases
• Must-try whisky cocktails

To celebrate Memorial Day, we’re offering a FREE trial issue of Whisky Advocate magazine! If you like your free trial, you’ll receive “Whisky 101” – our special gift to you with your paid subscription!

Don’t miss out on this special offer – Sign up for your FREE TRIAL today!

Not this week folks,  his samples didn’t arrive!

BLADNOCH DISTILLERY ANNOUNCES THREE LIMITED RELEASES TO CELEBRATE THE LAUNCH OF THEIR ONLINE STORE.

MAY 20th: 203 year old Bladnoch Distillery has announced the launch of their UK online store this month by releasing three limited bottlings. These releases are the amongst the first to come from Bladnoch’s new
Master Distiller, Nick Savage since he joined in July last year.

Bladnoch Single Cask 01 is the first in an annual five-part series of single cask bottlings hand-selected by Nick Savage. Cask 01 is a UK online exclusive and all 295 bottles were distilled in January 2008 and matured in an ex-red wine hogshead. Bottled at cask strength and non-chill filtered, the expression shows notes of red berries with floral honey, sweet oak and dark chocolate. The other four Single Cask bottlings for 2020 will be released in select markets worldwide.

Bladnoch’s 2020 release from the Talia range of rare, aged Single Malt will also be available via the UK online store. This year’s release is a Talia 26 Year Old Red Wine expression. Bottled at cask strength, the Talia 26 Year Old was pulled from the rarest barrels resting in the Bladnoch warehouses. This truly memorable malt shows notes of dark red berries, mature oak and sweet florals.

For the first time outside of their Visitor Centre, Bladnoch will be releasing their New Make Spirit exclusively on their UK online store. A look into the early stages of life of the Bladnoch Single Malts, the distillery’s New Make combines British barley and the pristine water from the River Bladnoch making it a beautiful expression of the region in which it was crafted. The New Make Spirit is fresh and creamy with notes of pear
drops and fresh cut grass.

To learn more about these new Bladnoch releases, visit www.bladnoch.com. Bladnoch Distillery will be offering free shipping across the United Kingdom while their Visitor Centre remains closed due to the
country’s lockdown.

Notes

Bladnoch Distillery is Scotland’s southernmost distillery, and one of a handful that remain independently owned. Since being purchased in 2015 by Australian entrepreneur David Prior Bladnoch has enjoyed a renaissance, launching their line of award-winning Bladnoch Single Malt Whiskies and Pure Scot, their contemporary Blended Scotch Whisky, in over 30 countries. In 2017, Bladnoch Distillery celebrated its 200 year anniversary making it one of the oldest continuously operating distilleries in Scotland. In June 2019, Bladnoch Distillery’s state-of-the-art visitors centre was opened, welcoming visitors to the distillery once again after its significant renovations. Acclaimed Master Distiller, Dr Nick Savage joined the Bladnoch team in July 2019.

Visit www.bladnoch.com or @bladnochwhisky for more information.

An Impressive Age Statement and an Even More Impressive Price
Speymhor 38 Year Old Blended Malt Scotch Whisky ($179.99)
“I’m shocked and confused as to why I’m able to sell this to people for less than $200. These barrels could have easily ended up as a Last Drop or Compass Box special release retailing for 10 times our shelf price.” — David Othenin-Girard, K&L SoCal Spirits Buyer

NOTE: In accordance with local directives, our walk-in retail locations are currently closed. We have low cost and free delivery options available in ZIP codes where we can ship lawfully, including anywhere in California. We can also include any new or existing will call orders in your delivery batch. Choose local delivery at checkout to learn if you qualify.

If you’ve been a fan of Compass Box, then let us introduce you to a brand you need to know: Speymhor. While little known here in the States, this under-the-radar distiller has conjured up some remarkable bottlings, and chief among them is this captivating Speymhor 38 Year Old Blended Malt Scotch Whisky. Much like Compass Box, it is a soaring blended Scotch of stunning depth and range. Scotch, both blended and single malt, at the 38-year-mark commands a premium that can climb well into the $1000s. Nonetheless, this expression can be had for the jaw-droppingly low price of $179.99. This is almost unheard of and counts among the best finds in Scotch we’ve seen this year. A joining of two casks, one from Speyside, the other from Highlands, it holds its own against some of the top expressions we’ve tasted from Scotland’s best blenders. We could go on and on about the myriad of flavors and textures; however, our SoCal Spirits Buyer, David Othenin-Girard, puts it best when he summarizes that this is “[a]n absolutely unparalleled experience at this price.” There’s simply no two ways about it. If you love a perfectly aged malt with striking vitality and power, you must own this bottle. There are only 200 to go around, so we don’t expect our allocation to last long. Time is of the essence on this remarkable opportunity.

Speymhor 38 Year Old Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($179.99)

The Speymhor brand (pronounced Spey-VOR) is small brand of blended and single malt from undisclosed distilleries. Bottled by the Glasgow Whisky Company, it’s not a brand we regularly see in the US. This exceptional whisky is a blend of both necessity and delicacy. It begins with a single cask from a high quality unnamed Speyside distillery from 1978. This cask showed exceptional depth and complexity, but was nearing the 80 proof mark and needed to be bottled soon. It was married with one single cask of 1978 from a distillery at the “foothills of the Highlands” that remained at considerable proof. Just two casks distilled in 1978 and bottled at a seamless 92 proof. Very few malt whiskies will offer more value or complexity than this special bottling. Expect a bouquet of deep tropical aromas—mango, cocoa, cinnamon and exotic honey. On the palate, wonderful texture and a rich sweetness prevents any bitterness of age from showing. Malty with tons of dark fruit, which makes us wonder if at least one of the components was aged in sherry. Surprising pop and freshness considering these very old whiskies can occasionally feel thin or overly ethereal. While the labels might not be as cool as the other prominent blended malt brands, the quality of the spirit is unquestionable and the cost, were it to be bottled by anyone else, would cost many multiples of this exceptional bottling. Only 200 bottles available.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 08, 2020

There’s absolutely nothing on the market like this. I’m shocked and confused as to why I’m able to sell this to people for less than $200. These barrels could have easily ended up as a Last Drop or Compass Box special release retailing for 10 times our shelf price. But, like the Munros bottling, this whisky was lost in time and space only to resurface right when the rest of the world’s Scotch whisky was becoming more expensive due to tariffs and unprecedented world demand. Now we finally have this gorgeous little two barrel blend from an otherwise unknown label and I was tempted to double the price. I don’t think anyone would complain about spending $400 on single vintage Scotch aged 38 years, but because it’s a “blend” it’s suddenly less valuable. I’d argue that this whisky is multiple times better than either of the two component whiskies would have been alone. Regardless of your feelings about blending, it will be impossible to deny that experiencing EXTREMELY old Scotch should be on every whisky lovers bucket list. Sadly, there’s almost no malt on the market over 30 years old that’s not thousands of dollars. So why would I sell this obviously under valued whisky for less than market value? I just don’t have a good reason except that I want people to enjoy and experience this and not covet and guard it. The color is nearly tawny. The nose is an explosive bouquet of rancio flavors – dried plums, old leather, fancy almond butter, dried spices – nutmeg, allspice, bay. The nose is so sweet and supple you almost expect the palate to be cloying, but the 92 proof keeps it from feeling flat or flabby. Lots of dark fruit, cocoa powder, Werther’s, roasted malt and old tropical hard woods. An absolutely unparalleled experienced at this price point.

Will Blakely | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 20, 2020

Nope. There’s nothing quite like it. Citrus and stone fruit with so much weight and richness on the palate, I might cry. Expertly blended, this avoids the pitfalls of a great deal of 35+ year-old malt, where all the fruit and acid of its youth is replaced by wood tannin and antique furniture. Tones of golden apple and juicy apricot remain, along with notes of their dried counterparts and deeply integrated oak and herbs that can only come from properly matured whisky. Round and dense and endlessly appealing, what it lacks in the nuance of, say, our Caperdonich barrel from Chieftain’s, it more than makes up for in the way it over-delivers on every penny of its cost. In this case, I can confidently say that older does mean better. Whether giving a gift or looking for a gem to add to your collection, this bottle is a no brainer.

Keith Mabry | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 05, 2020

What a stunning offering! Beautifully defined flavors of rich toasted grains, vanilla, allspice and cardamom. A rich and smooth palate lead to an incredibly long finish. A must for fans looking to step away from the bigger blending house styles.

ISLAY FESTIVAL

WITH THE WHISKY EXCHANGE

Islay’s wonderful annual festival might not be able to go ahead as planned this year, but we think the Queen of the Hebrides and its famous spirit are still well worth celebrating. As such, we’ve collected all the most exciting whisky-related bits and pieces we can from our favourite Scottish island, so that even if you can’t be at Fèis Ìle in person, you can at least feel like you’re there.

On the blog

VIRTUAL
ISLAY FESTIVAL

Islay’s distilleries are determined not to let lockdown ruin a good party, and are running virtual events so that as many people as possible might join in the fun. Rather generously, TWE drinks ambassador Billy Abbott has called around, collated all the info he can get his hands on, and compiled it all in one, easy blog post. Want to join in with the festivities? Click below to get the lowdown.

READ NOW

Special offers

ISLAY FESTIVAL DEALS

As ever, we’ve got some great deals on the go to ensure that you’re well-stocked with Fèis-appropriate drams. Pick up an old favourite or try something new from one of Islay’s younger distilleries – we’ve got all bases covered.

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Port Askaig 12 Year Old Limited Edition

The joys of spring just got a little peatier thanks to the latest limited-edition release from Port Askaig. This 12-year-old single malt is brimming with notes of barbecued lemons, soft smoke and toffee, with hints of mint. Will it last until summer? Probably not.

BUY NOW

Old & Rare Islay Whisky

It’s not just new bottles we’ve been stacking our shelves with in recent weeks – a quick look at our new products will show that we’ve had more than a few old and rare Islay whiskies land in our warehouse. Come in and take a look around.

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Top picks

Top 10 Islay Whiskies

Looking for a new bottle without scouring reviews and descriptions to ensure you’re getting great whisky? Think no more – any one of our Top 10 Islay Whiskies, hand-picked by The Whisky Exchange co-founder Sukhinder Singh and head buyer Dawn Davies MW, is sure to put a smile on your face.

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THANKS FOR READING!THE WHISKY EXCHANGE TEAM