Season’s Greetings
& Thank You

2020 has been quite a year.

But despite it all we have had incredible support from our customers.

So here is a selection of your photos shared through 2020.

See if you can spot yours.

And THANK YOU!

#HappyWhiskyCustomer

HUNTER LAING LAUNCHES NEW EIDOLON SERIES TO CELEBRATE RARE PORT ELLEN SINGLE MALT 

Hunter Laing & Co. reveals the limited edition 36 Year Old whisky, the first in a series of three.

The family-owned Scotch whisky distiller, blender and bottler Hunter Laing & Co. introduces the brand-new bottling series Eidolon. This release is the first in a three-part series of Port Ellen limited-edition bottlings.

Distilled in 1983 shortly before the legendary Islay distillery was to close, only 638 bottles of the limited-edition Port Ellen Islay Single Malt Whisky will be available to purchase. As with all of Hunter Laing’s rarest independent bottlings, the Eidolon series is presented at natural cask strength and without artificial colouring or chill-filtration. The 53.5% ABV Eidolon first release can be found at specially selected whisky stores worldwide and on the Ardnahoe Distillery online shop, ardnahoedistilleryshop.com.

Hunter Laing & Co. is known for its cask stocks of rare aged whiskies, particularly from Islay. Founder Stewart Laing’s own father was particularly fond of Port Ellen Distillery whilst it was in operation and took care to lay down casks of its spirit for long-term maturation.

Stewart Laing said, “We are pleased to offer Islay enthusiasts this exceptional malt whisky in our new Eidolon presentation, which will only feature whiskies from Port Ellen Distillery. It is without doubt a whisky of contrast – both a testament to historic wisdom and a celebration of modern whisky expertise. The Eidolon casks were carefully set aside some years ago for additional aging and we now believe they have reached the peak of their complexity and character.”

Brothers Scott and Andrew agreed, “A new generation of whisky perfectionists have, in turn, been fortunate to taste this increasingly rare spirit over the years, continuing to protect and nurture the casks across seasons and time.

“We have spent a great deal of time in designing the presentation and we believe that it does justice to the quality and rarity of the whisky inside. We are now thrilled that this exceptional malt can be experienced as the first bottling under the Eidolon series.”

In ancient Greek literature an eidolon is a recollection of something memorable from history – Hunter Laing’s Eidolon is being launched in anticipation of the closed Port Ellen distillery being “brought back to life” as distillery owners Diageo plan to resume production in the near future.

Facebook: @Hunterlaingwhisky

Twitter: @hlaingwhisky

Instagram: @hunterlaingwhisky

Notes

• Hunter Laing & Co is an independent distiller, blender and bottler based in Glasgow and run by the Laing Family – father Stewart with sons Andrew and Scott.
• Hunter Laing has been operating since May 2013 and owns a portfolio of much-loved whisky brands including Kinship, Old Malt Cask, Old & Rare, Hepburn’s Choice and Sovereign.
• It distributes to 65 markets around the world in Europe, Asia, the Americas and Australasia.
• The Laing family are the owners of Ardnahoe Distillery on Islay, which began distilling in 2018.
• Ardnahoe Distillery has welcomed over 34,000 visitors to the distillery since 2018.

News on your new issue!

We’re delighted to announce that the latest edition of Whisky Magazine, issue #171, publishes later this week, and will be landing on your doorsteps shortly!Benriach’s Rachel Barrie graces our cover, as Dr Chris White delves into the history of the distillery. The feature examines Benriach’s less-than-auspicious beginnings in the late 1800s, and how it’s risen to become the brand we know today. Benriach’s storied past, combined with its rich stock of both spirit and cask types, means the distillery has not only resisted being pigeonholed by its whisky, but also offers a “world of flavour” for the team at the distillery to play with. But we’ll let you read what Rachel has to say about that part…

We hope you enjoy this issue!

Let us know your thoughts on Twitter or Instagram @Whisky_Magazine, or on Facebook @WhiskyMagazine

Christopher Coates
Editor
Whisky Magazine

WHAT’S IN WHISKY MAGAZINE 171?

Justine Hazelhurst defends blends, and explains why there’s more to Scotch than single malts

Becky Paskin takes a closer look at Scotland’s oldest distillery as it takes things in a new direction

Andy Jennings get stuck into Bourbon’s Irish roots

Plus, a bumper 55 whiskies tasted this issue!

Including Balcones, Glen Moray, Highland Park, Michter’s, The Glenlivet, and more!

Need Christmas gift ideas?

Why not give a subscription of Whisky Magazine – the ideal gift for all whisky lovers.

Enjoy 3 issues of Whisky Magazine for just £3

Guarantee savings of up to 83% OFF the regular rate

Receive FREE magazine delivery direct to the door

Open up the gateway to the world of whisky

Got a nose for a good deal? Treat yourself to the world’s finest Whisky Magazine and enjoy the same low price of 3 ISSUES FOR £3.

ORDER NOW

Remember, you can also purchase back issues from our amazing back catalogue! 

BUY TODAY

Hard to Find Whisky have launched their Christmas catalogue – perfect for all your festive gifting needs, whether you’re buying for a die-hard fan or a newcomer to the world of whisky! See below for details.

FIND OUT MORE

Scotch Whisky 

The Whisky Magazine Annual

Have you seen our new Scotch Whisky annual?

Packed with interviews, distillery focus features and blind tasting reviews, Scotch Whisky turns the spotlight on distilleries old and new, large and small. Curated by Whisky Magazine’s editor, Christopher Coates, Scotch Whisky is a valuable addition to any whisky lover’s bookshelf.

• 132-page ‘bookazine’

• Available in print and digital editions

• Includes six in-depth interviews with the great and good of whisky

• Distillery features on Highland Park, GlenAllachie, Macallan, Rosebank, Raasay, Glenturret, and many more

• More than 100 blind tasting reviews of the latest whiskies
• Tasting notes and progress reports on unreleased spirits from some of Scotland’s newest distilleries

Best wishes,
The team at

Local Delivery Service

If collection is not an option, we can certainly help with that too! At your online Basket, simply enter your AB51 postcode in to the Local Delivery option and we will deliver to you! There is a £2.00 charge for this, however this will enable us to deliver to your door on Wednesday or Thursday to ensure that your order is with you for Christmas. Last orders for our local delivery to arrive before Christmas is 3pm on Christmas Eve.

Rewarding your loyalty

Sign up to our loyalty scheme today and earn rewards, discounts and offers. It’s free and easy to join, with no strings attached.

Raising your glass to the extraordinary

Inverurie Whisky Shop

1 Burnside, Inverurie, AB51 3RY, United Kingdom

mike@inveruriewhiskyshop.com

http://www.inveruriewhiskyshop.com

A Beautifully Aged Speyside Malt at an Unbeatable Price
1993 The Road to Elgin (Linkwood) 27 Year Old “Old Malt Cask” K&L Exclusive Single Hogshead Cask Strength Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($149.99)

For time-sensitive bottles this December, please get your orders in early. Thanks and happy holidays! We appreciate your business. 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 are back with another spectacular “teaspooned” offering that will delight even the most seasoned of Scotch collectors. While we can’t label it as such, this 27 Year Old comes from one of Speyside’s top distilleries: Linkwood. Linkwood is one of the crown jewels in the Diageo portfolio. It was originally constructed in 1821 and licensed in 1825, making it one of the region’s oldest. Much like Clynelish in the 1970s, a second distillery was erected next door, and the original distillery shuttered in 1985. Today, the washbacks from both distilleries are still in use, but the stills at the “old” Linkwood are silent. It remains highly prized for blending because it offers a beautiful balance between rich fruit and bold malt. Here we have a stupendous single cask that is well into its third decade of maturation. It’s extremely uncommon to see, as Linkwood above 25 years old becomes an absolute rarity. Because it’s been teaspooned, we can offer this remarkable dram at a significantly discounted price. This is a bottling no collector of Speyside’s finest should be without.

1993 The Road to Elgin (Linkwood) 27 Year Old “Old Malt Cask” K&L Exclusive Single Hogshead Cask Strength Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($149.99)

Teaspooning this exceptional whisky was a very nerve-wracking endeavor. While we inherently believe that the innocuous act of adding the tiniest possible quantity of another malt to a single barrel of Scotch does nothing to diminish the quality of a particular whisky, there is an intellectual argument to be made for keeping the sanctity and purity of a single cask intact. In the end, we’ve made the decision that in almost every case the more important factor for our customers is value over image. So while we had wanted desperately to be able to name this excellent distillery and could have likely sold every bottle for much more than the 25% premium that avoiding tariffs would have afforded us, we believe that it is most advantageous for our customers to offer them the very finest whiskies at the best possible prices regardless of perception. That is indeed what this special cask represents. Even years ago, when whisky was plentiful and comparatively cheap, we would have been lucky to find a deal as sweet as this one. At this advanced age, this famous old Speyside exhibits all the finesse and elegance you’d expect. A nose of creamy malt, Seville orange peel and honey candies. Sweet rich malt and stewed fruit on the palate with kisses of toasted vanilla, caramel tuiles and touches of warming wood spice on the finish. While some would’ve paid an extra $50 to show off the famous Linkwood name, we prefer mystery and affordability. We think most of our customers do too.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: December 10, 2020

If you missed it on pre-arrival, don’t despair, there is one last shot at this beauty. I must admit that at first blush I was slightly disappointed here. Then I waited. I added a drop of water and I waited. Worth. The. Wait. Golden honey, florals, caramel, butterscotch, brioche, all came pouring forth. Orange blossom and sweet mulled cider sang out. It feels youthful, bright, zippy, and vigorous with a touch of just-harvested malt, seeming to defy its sizable age statement. Then the dramatic and lengthy finish confirms that the 27 years it took for this to mature was definitely worth the wait. And for just 150 bucks, it’s hard to imagine that you’ll ever have a chance like this one again.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: December 16, 2020

The fact that we still have any of this awesome cask is a total shock. On paper this should have sold out along with the old Balvenie and Glenfarclas, but of course Linkwood doesn’t mean much to most drinkers since it’s not a distillery that’s been marketed on its own. Part of what I love about this cask, and the other two I mentioned, is that all three are very much quintessential Speyside in many experts’ estimation, yet they’re all so distinct from each other. The differences outweigh the similarities to the point that, as I’ve said before, it diminishes the importance of regionality in the marketing of Scotch whisky. But I digress. Significantly higher proof than the other two old teaspooned Speysiders this year and the color is pale straw. The nose is also very different, not showing such overt maturity as either of the other two. Instead, we have a robustness-perhaps a lack of fruitiness-that is unique to this Linkwood, but lines up with my idea of the distillery as a bit more rugged than the other two. An interesting mixture of dark malt, vanilla syrup, navel oranges, star anis and underripe banana. One the palate we’re very much on the malt and vanillas now. Prickly spice and a good dollop of pepper. The finish starts to release some sweetness and now we’re getting some exotic honey and some brambly heather. It’s indeed a slightly idiosyncratic style that is one of the reasons we love Linkwood. I prefer this with no more than a few drops of water, if that. Add such with some air and the spirit begins to offer more citrus and white pepper. It’s not as friendly or easy as the other two big Speysiders we’ve bought this year, but I suspect many who don’t want something too fruity and don’t mind a bit of pepper in their malt will find this one very attractive indeed.

Choosing a ‘Malt Of The Year‘ for 2021

Benromach virtual tour opens distillery doors to global audience 

— Benromach reveals details of its unique handmade approach to whisky making in new online experience — 

Whisky enthusiasts and those interested in learning more about the whisky-making process can now tour Benromach Distillery from the comfort of their home.

The Speyside distillery has launched an interactive, virtual tour using 3D technology to provide a step-by-step guide to Benromach’s handmade approach to whisky making.

In a typical year, Benromach welcomes over 15,000 visitors from 70 countries to its distillery and visitor centre but had to close its doors to the public at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic earlier this year.

In a bid to welcome back visitors, albeit digitally, Benromach has partnered with Scottish virtual technology specialists, View360, to create the immersive tour of its Forres distillery which can be accessed through its website.  Virtually hosted by the Benromach Brand Home Manager, Susan Colville, the tour offers visitors the opportunity to learn about some of the specifics involved in the crafting of Benromach and how it is made by hand for genuine character

Keith Cruickshank, Distillery Manager at Benromach, said: “We have always enjoyed welcoming visitors and whisky enthusiasts to our distillery to meet the team and learn first-hand about our unique, handmade approach to whisky making.

“For those who are unable to visit in person now or for whatever reason in the future, we hope you will enjoy being able to experience the distillery for yourselves regardless of where in the world you are.”

Jo Robinson, VisitScotland Regional Director for Moray Speyside, said: “Being home to more than half of Scotland’s malt whisky distilleries, Speyside is famous for its wonderful whisky. This makes it the ideal place to discover more about Scotland’s famous drink but unfortunately visitors from around the world have been unable to experience it for the most part this year.

“It’s great to see Benromach look at innovative new ways of welcoming visitors through its doors, albeit virtually, and help tell the story of the craftsmanship that goes into every dram.”

To take the virtual tour visit: https://www.benromach.com/tours-tastings/tours

About 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.

For more information, visit: www.benromach.com