Whyte & Mackay employees globetrot 29,000 miles for charity 

The employees of Glasgow based Whyte & Mackay have begun a virtual adventure which will see those taking part clock up enough miles to travel around the world. They have set themselves the challenge of walking, running, rowing or cycling a combined total of almost 29,000 miles over the next eight weeks to raise money for nominated charities.

The challenge – Whyte & Mackay Cares – was inspired by the heroic feats of Captain Tom Moore in the UK. Funds raised will go towards charities nominated by the team at Whyte & Mackay, which includes the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH).
A  full lap of the earth is a little under 25,000 miles, but the course will be longer than that as the team clocks up their target distance between 1 July and 26 August with the aim of raising £50,000 for charity in the communities where their colleagues, partners and consumers live. The additional mileage will enable them to ‘visit’ some key cities along the route.

Employees based in Canada, USA, Mexico, Taiwan, Hong Kong, UAE, South Africa, Germany, France, Spain and Russia are taking part alongside their UK-based colleagues. The challenge was initiated by the team themselves as part of their desire to stay connected and support other people  during lockdown.

Nick Garland, Chief Commercial Officer at Whyte & Mackay, said: “Thanks goes to the organising team for leading the way and creating a fun challenge that everyone can get involved in. We’re living in unprecedented times – as has been widely recognised. That we stay connected and support our community and our friends further afield is really important, especially now. The role charities play in keeping people connected, and providing access to the support that is needed is vital. We are delighted to play our part by raising funds to support their work.”

Holly Johnstone, Communication and Partnerships Manager, said: “I am really proud to be part of this team, which is demonstrating real commitment to our communities. We all wanted to contribute to the well-being of people around the world. Where we cannot meet to fundraise in person, we are doing so online instead.”

Emma Docherty, HR Advisor at Whyte & Mackay, said: “Many of our colleagues have been unable to work in their offices during the pandemic and have had to adapt to working from home. This left some feeling isolated and we wanted to ensure our colleagues still felt connected to their teams and the wider business. To do this, we felt it was vital to put even more focus on employee wellbeing. This challenge not only encourages colleagues to exercise and take time away from their screens, it also has given a platform for colleagues across the world to connect, communicate and challenge each other.

“The Scottish Association of Mental Health (SAMH) supports those who are struggling and has a great variety of resources available, including  information and tips for those who have been impacted during the pandemic.”

The team clocked up enough miles after day one to travel from Glasgow to London. Whyte & Mackay hosted a virtual pub quiz on 1 July after the journey from Glasgow had ‘arrived’ in London that evening.

Keep track of the team’s progress over the next eight weeks by following them on Instagram @WhyteandMackayCares / #WhyteandMackayCares.

About Whyte & Mackay Group Ltd.

Whyte & Mackay was founded in Glasgow in 1844, and today celebrates its 175^th anniversary with a multi-award-winning portfolio of brands which includes The Dalmore, Jura, Tamnavulin and Fettercairn whiskies alongside its namesake Whyte & Mackay Blended Whisky.

The award-winning whisky makers are proud partners of Flor de Caña, Camus and RumChata distributing their distinctive brands in the UK, while in recent years their focus on pioneering innovation has seen them reveal a plethora of brand extensions and new to world brands. From an exclusive 50 Year-Old Highland Single Malt from The Dalmore celebrating the career of Master Distiller Richard Paterson to a full range revamp on Jura. In the last twelve months, more than five new brands have been revealed, to name a few – Shackleton, Woodsman, and Wildcat, as well an independent boutique bottling arm The Whisky Works, fronted by whisky maker, Gregg Glass.

The global spirits business is headquartered in the heart of Glasgow, and employs over 500 people around the globe, across five international offices, five distilleries and a state-of-the-art bottling plant in Scotland.
Today, with the support of its owners Emperador Inc,. Whyte & Mackay is building a progressive, passionate and ambitious company for the future. Emperador is a subsidiary of Alliance Global Group, Inc (an international conglomerate listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange).

Check Out These Amazing Kilchoman Bottlings You Don’t Want to Miss!

Kilchoman ImpEx Cask Evolution Special Edition

2006 14 yr 53%

Commemorating 10 years in the U.S.

Listen to Anthony describe this dream dram and its significance 🥃

This Special Edition Single Cask of the ImpEx Cask Evolution series was selected by Anthony Wills, Kilchoman Master Distiller, to celebrate 10 years of Kilchoman in the US.

This 14 year old Scotch was fully matured in a 1st Fill Bourbon Barrel and was only the 32nd cask ever to be filled at Kilchoman, making it one of the most significant Kilchoman casks ever to be bottled.

This is one of the first casks Kilchoman Distilled – Cask #18 was filled in 2006. Only 208 bottles emerged, as the amount of years it was in the cask allowed the greedy angels time to enjoy their share.

This cask encapsulates Kilchoman’s unique balance of citrus, peat smoke, and sweetness.  A style of Islay whisky that sets Kilchoman apart.

It comes in a premium blue box, the same one that very special, one of a kind Kilchoman releases come in, as opposed to the standard ImpEx Cask Evolution red box, making it more unique.

NOSE: Marzipan, citrus sweetness, floral soft fruit, and light peat smoke.

PALATE: Bright, fresh, lemon cheesecake, tropical fruit, and salty peat smoke.

FINISH: Rounded yet assertive with lasting citrus and stone fruits.

“This Single Cask is a fitting tribute to the Scotch Whisky community in the US.  As a relative minnow amongst the giants of the Scotch Whisky Industry, Kilchoman has always relied on the passion of whisky enthusiasts to share their experiences of our whiskies.  Nowhere is that passion more apparent than in the States” – Anthony Wills, Founder, Kilchoman

“This is very special to my heart as it commemorates the 10 years of ImpEx and Kilchoman bringing these beautiful whiskies to the US consumer.” – Sam Filmus, President, ImpEx Beverages

Loch Gorm 2020 46%

Loch Gorm’s annual release has been a fan favorite for many years with its beautiful Sherry influence. It has a long and rich history earning awards and accolades, like the 91 points it got from Whisky Advocate in 2018, earning the #15 spot in the ‘Top 20 Whiskies of 2018’. The 2019 Loch Gorm earned 91 points as well.

This year’s expression is a 21 cask vatting of whisky from 2007, 2008, 2009, & 2011, all fully matured in Oloroso Sherry Butts.

15,500 bottles were produced for worldwide distribution, 1,920 of which came to the US.

NOSE: Sweet maltiness, sooty peat smoke and citrus sweetness, with light cinnamon, juicy raisins, and sultanas.

PALATE: Toffee, smoked meats, sherry sweetness with layers of ripe fruit, honey, and hints of orange peel and sea salt.

FINISH: BBQ smoke, dark chocolate, with apples, pears, plums, raisins, and lasting oak spice.

Am Burach 46%

Gaelic for “the mess”, it’s a great story of how it came to be, and it’s an expression that you will never find again.

“A somewhat complicated nine year maturation, a vatting of Bourbon and Sherry matured Kilchoman combined with Port Cask Matured (mistakenly), then a further Bourbon barrel maturation ahead a six month finish in Ruby Port casks.”

10,550 bottles were produced for worldwide distribution, 1,350 bottles were available for the US. This one was so in demand that is was sold out before it even hit our warehouse with people begging for more.

Regardless of how Am Bùrach came to be, its depth of character sets it apart. Rich, fruity, and sweet on the nose, it coats the palate with red fruits, creamy sweetness, and herbaceous peat smoke on the palate before a long finish of dried fruit and citrus sweetness.

NOSE: Red fruits with light citrus, earthy peat smoke, and hints of creamy sweetness.

PALATE: Redcurrant jam, cinnamon, with layers of citrus, floral sweetness and coastal influence.

FINISH: Layers of cooked red fruits, vanilla, peat, and lasting intensity.

Thanks again for being part of our family and enjoying these fine whiskies with us!

We’ll be in touch about other exciting news as the year drinks on … 🥃

Please feel free to reach out for more details on the bottling: office@impexbev.com

Open again from 15th July

We are delighted to announce that the main business will be open from tomorrow (15th July). The business hours are as follows:

Filling Station – 7am until 9pm
Snack Stop Café – 7am until 8.30am & 3.45pm until 9pm
Main business – 8.30am until 5pm

Whilst it is fantastic to be re-opening, our Food & Beverage departments will have a restricted menu until further notice. We respectfully ask whilst in the restaurant queue that you keep your masks on until you reach your table.

We will have plenty of hand sanitising stations, please use them. We will also have clear signage to assist with social distancing.

If you have any comments to make to us, please come and speak to a member of our team directly. We want you to enjoy your visit and are doing everything we can to keep both our customers and staff safe.

We look forward to welcoming you back into our business.

#StaySafe #SoupsOn

Fiona Robertson, Partner, The Green Welly Stop

The Green Welly Stop

Tyndrum

CRIANLARICH, PERTHSHIREFK20 8RY

United Kingdom

New Release

This limited edition was was distilled at Bruichladdich in 2010 from a 2009 crop of Scottish barley. First filled to bourbon, Syrah and vin doux naturel casks, it was then transferred into Fernando de Castilla’s Oloroso hogsheads in 2018. Bottled in 2020 aged 9 years, this heavily peated expression is presented at a strength of 55.1% abv.

£95.00

2006 Balblair 13 Year Old K&L Exclusive Cask No. 76 Single Spanish Oak Oloroso Seasoned Butt Cask Strength Single Cask Highland Single Malt Whisky (750ml) (ships as 1.5L)

$109.99

View

The wonderful Balblair Distillery has long been under the radar. In the little town on Edderton on the northern coast of Scotland at the southern edge of the Dornoch firth, this great distillery has never garnered the fan fare of it’s prominent neighbor just a few miles down the road in Tain. The distillery was originally founded 1790 and then rebuilt 1895, but closed during World War I. It wasn’t until 1949 when Hiram Walker fired the old plant up again. Many buildings from the 1870s still stand on the site, but the excellent malt has remained more less unknown to modern drinkers. It was not until Inver House Distillers took control of the distillery in 1996 that we began to see the malt available internationally and a large investment by Thai Beverage in 2001 set a course for a new chapter in the excellent distillery’s history. Over the last two decades the distillery has become famous for it’s vintage bottlings and odd squat bottles. Our buyers, Andrew and David, visitedt the distillery in Spring of 2019 to select a cask and meet distillery manager John Macdonald. This barrel is Spanish Oak, unlike the vast majority of oloroso butts we see. IN addition, it held for many years oloroso wine vinified outside of the Sherry triangle about 140 miles North East in the region of Montilla Moriles. The combo of Spanish Oak and old Montilla is a rare and welcome surprise. The resulting malt is a big dark “oloroso” bomb with powerful spice and unctuous texture.

As a Bourbon fan, I was ashamed to say that I had never heard of Lincoln Henderson. This man is influential in Bourbon on a level that is unprecedented. This is part of his legacy, now run by his children and grandchildren, a genuine small batch (8-12 casks) with a Ruby Port cask finish, it’s a fine example of pure buttery slickness with wonderfully, gentle drying spices. A masterpiece that is relatable regarding its rarity.

https://youtu.be/k3zLnmPcvOQ 

Whiskey Website Data Proves That Drinkers

Maintain Consistent Bourbon Preference 

Crowd Sourced Brand Arriving in Stores Now 

        FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (July 9, 2020) –Buffalo Trace Distillery launched an interactive website (www.yourperfectbourbon.com) in the fall of 2015 designed to teach people about bourbon whiskey. Two years later, 2017, more than 100,000 fans had participated in crafting their perfect bourbon and the results were amazingly similar. In response, Buffalo Trace released a new product to offer fans what they were asking for. This crowd sourced brand was called Weller CYPB, short for Craft Your Perfect Bourbon. Now, just two years since the launch of Weller CYPB, the number of people using the website has tripled to 300,000, and the results remain overwhelmingly consistent. The interactive “Craft Your Perfect Bourbon” website data shows whiskey drinkers prefer wheat recipe bourbon, aged 8 years on the top warehouse floors and bottled somewhere between 90-99 proof.

Fans will again have the opportunity to enjoy this crowd-sourced favorite, as the annual release of Weller CYPB will begin arriving in stores this summer. Although very limited, one batch of this bourbon is produced each year. The recommended price is $49.99.

“Two years ago we were amazed to see the website data indicate such a strong preference amongst countless possibilities,” Senior Marketing Director Kris Comstock said. “We took that feedback from 100,000 fans to heart. Now with more than 300,000 participants, it is wonderful to see an overwhelming majority of fans still prefer bourbon with the specifications of our Weller CYPB. We are happy to continue giving bourbon drinkers more of what they crave every year.”

The Craft Your Perfect Bourbon website allows users to choose the recipe and grain percentages, select the warehouse level, how long it ages, and the proof for bottling. The latest website data shows stark differences between each variable and the next closest preference. There is nearly a 50,000 response difference between the wheated bourbon recipe and the second recipe preferred, Rye Mash #1. The data shows 23% of respondents would age their bourbon for eight years, compared to only 10% who would age their bourbon 23 years. About 73% of fans chose to age their perfect bourbon on the top floor compared to the middle or bottom floors, and nearly 48% of fans proofed their bourbon at 90-99.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1773 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee.  Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark as well as is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won 35 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Its Col. E. H. Taylor, Jr. Four Grain Bourbon was named World Whiskey of the Year by “Jim Murray’s Whiskey Bible 2018” and its William Larue Weller and Thomas H. Handy Sazerac were named 2^nd and 3^rd finest whiskeys in the world, respectively, in the “Jim Murray Whiskey Bible 2020.”  Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 1,000 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com

A Rare, Single Cask Exclusive from a Cult Distiller
Hillrock Estate Solera Aged Single Barrel K&L Exclusive Cask Strength Straight Bourbon Whiskey ($139.99)
“Almost no craft producers have achieved such an innovative and well-polished product.”
— David Othenin-Girard, K&L SoCal Spirits Buyer

NOTE: Our walk-in retail locations are currently closed. We have curbside pickup and low cost (often 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.

We’ve said it before, but it bears repeating, Hillrock Estate is making some of the very best bottlings in the world of craft spirits. Full stop. The pinnacle of Dave Pickerell’s illustrious career, this project is his crowning achievement and serves as a memory of his remarkable and prodigious talents. Crafted using the solera method, this bourbon blends several different whiskeys at different ages in a network of casks, not unlike a fine oloroso sherry. The resulting spirit is nothing short of sublime. Calling this single barrel exclusive complex doesn’t do it justice, as it unfolds with a mind-boggling array of scents and flavors. Not a single expense was spared in the crafting of this singular spirit, and it shows. Its unique style, coupled with the mellowing influence of the sherry casks that finish this spirit, results in a whiskey that’s all but impossible to resist. We count ourselves lucky to have exclusive access to such a remarkable cask. Based on the quality of the whiskey and the estate’s pedigree, we’d expect this to sell for twice the price, making it one of the top buys in craft bourbon. This would make an excellent addition to your own collection or as a gift to the whiskey enthusiast in your life. As with previous releases, we expect our allocation to disappear quickly, so make sure you don’t miss out on this one-of-a-kind opportunity.

Hillrock Estate Solera Aged Single Barrel K&L Exclusive Cask Strength Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) ($139.99)

The Hillrock Estate is an historic farm in the Hudson Valley. The Victorian house that sits at the apex of the site overlooks the gorgeous Berkshire mountains in the distance and fields of grain that once produced more than half of the nation’s barley and rye stocks. In the 1800s, the Hudson Valley was home to over 1,000 farm distillers who converted their crops to spirit form when the selling season was over. Jeff Baker, who owns the estate and established its successful sustainable beef operation, tapped the illustrious Dave Pickerell to build a world-class distillery on the exceptional property. Their dream of producing a truly estate-made whiskey was made possible by the ingenious incorporation of a solera aging system. This successive aging process allows for the estate to gradually move from sourced spirit to their own distilled stocks while continually improving quality and average age of the product. The complex system begins with 4 year old straight bourbon sourced from high-quality established distillers before seeing time in American oak, Port, Madeira, and Cognac barrels. The final stage of the process is a long finishing step in very old sherry casks which offer an incredible mellowing effect. By the time the whiskey has reached this step the average weighted age is close to ten years and it will include much older whiskies in the blend. We’ve loved the Hillrock from the start, but jumped at the chance to offer their excellent product at full strength.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 05, 2020

There are few American whiskies that transcend the category’s gruff persona. Sure, there are expensive whiskies being made at craft and industrial distilleries alike, but only a tiny handful capture that nuanced space that could be considered “luxury.” The Hillrock Estate achieves that feeling without even trying. They’ve put so much time, money, energy and thoughtfulness into these products — the inherent quality seeps from the glass with almost perfect restraint. Dave Pickerell (RIP) had a field day making Hillrock. I’d never seen him more proud or excited about one of his products than when he talked about Hillrock. But nothing about the story explicitly implies that it’s a luxury product. After all the “Estate” is actually a farm, but the quality derives directly from a commitment to produce the absolute best regardless of cost. That is true luxury. Almost no craft producers have achieved such an innovative and well-polished product, so when we had the chance to buy this little cask we knew we wanted to pick a good one.

Illya Haase | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 14, 2019

Our friends at Hillrock pull off a very cool way of making a cask strength bourbon. They use the solera method which is traditionally done in Spain and Portugal. Basically, one transfers a liquid from barrel to barrel, older vintages into younger vintages, etc, the oldest mixtures being in the barrel right “on the ground.” In this case, you wind up with a great mixture of 4 year old to 13 year old wonderful whiskeys blended together. A whiff from the glass expresses a mixture of earth, vanilla bean, and cinnamon. There’s a nice touch of heat with a complex blend of wood spice, sweet corn, and caramel. The finish is long and smooth with notes of butterscotch and brown sugar. If you are looking for an adventurous and fun gift for the bourbon drinker in your life…look no further!

Will Blakely | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 11, 2019

A wave of sticky nectars and brown sugar rushes from the glass, betraying the decadence therein. Looking past that, however, one finds subtler aromas akin to fine Armagnac, and perhaps a whiff of flor as though from serious aged sherry. Stewed peaches, cherry compote and crème brûlée achieve an effortless harmony without feeling too heavy. A youthful undercurrent of sweet corn and fresh grass does remind you that this is, in fact, bourbon, but one could easily mistake this for fine brandy. Be sure to pick up this one-of-a-kind bottle before they’re gone.

Keith Mabry | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 11, 2019

What a standout! This is one of the most polished cask strength bourbons I have tasted in some time. The aromas of spice cake and dried fruits abound with an underlying subtle grain note. The average aggregated age of 13 years gives this a distinct creaminess on the palate and subdues all of the heat from the high proof. This is a superb single cask that could reach cult status down the road.

TyndrumWhisky.com

Finally here!

Glen Scotia Campbeltown Festival 2020

Bottled before lockdown, and before the Campbeltown Malts Festival was cancelled, Glen Scotia have this lovely Tawny Port 14YO now available. Blackberry, floral notes and ocean spray on the nose leading to a silky mouthfeel, not to be missed!

It’s finally here!

From the cancelled Campbeltown Malts Festival 2020, we’ve got the Tawny Port Finish Peated 14YO

Matured in American Oak Barrels before being finished in Tawny Port Casks for 6 months, bringing dark fruit and berry flavours that complement the spice and tangy peat finish.

Official tasting notes:

Blackberry, floral notes and ocean spray on the nose, the palate has a wonderful silky mouthfeel and flavours of crisp green apple, peach syrup and vanilla with a honey sweetness. There is a gentle peat smoke with blackcurrant, raspberry and clove spice notes on the finish.

Distilled and bottled by Glen Scotia Whisky Distillery

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