Welcome to this weeks episode of the show, in which I’ll be looking at some European whiskies, including the Owl and Het Anker distilleries in Belgium and Stauning from Denmark.
Special Guests for The Water of Life Film – Burns Night Celebration Announced
Some of the greats of the whisky world join The Water of Life – A Whisky Film – Burns Night Celebration January 22 – 27, 2021 to support the launch of the Film
LOS ANGELES – JANUARY 07 2021 – Producers Blacksmith + Jones today follow up on last month’s announcement of the launch event for The Water of Life – A Whisky Film with the announcement of the special guests who will be joining the Burns Night Celebration January 22nd – 27th, 2021. (https://www.wateroflifefilm.com/ )
The Burns Night Celebration is a 6-day long virtual online program which will include daily screenings of the film accompanied by an hour-long panel discussion and Q&A session featuring different stars from the film each day. Additionally, a limited-edition one-off tasting kit (sold where licensing permits), specifically curated to accompany the film is available to take viewers on a taste journey while they watch the movie (where licensing laws permit).
The special guests joining the sessions include Jim McEwan (Master Distiller), Adam Hannett (Bruichladdich), Mark Reynier (Waterford Distillery), Rachel Barrie (Brown-Foreman), Stephen Rankin (Gordon & MacPhail), Liam Hughes (Glasgow Distillery), Charles Maclean (Author & Whisky Consultant), Blair Bowman (Author & Whisky Consultant), and Jenna Elie (Scotch Malt Whisky Society), with more being announced in the coming days.
“In the making of the film we had the pleasure of working with some of the legends of the whisky world. We’re thrilled to be able to give our audience the unique opportunity to not only see the film but to also get to experience first-hand what we did when making it: the opportunity to hear the stories, trials, and successes directly from the people who lived it” said Greg Swartz, Director.
For tickets, tasting kits and other offers please go to https://www.wateroflifefilm.com/
Click on Link to see the trailer https://youtu.be/7AlxfMCwlFk
Click here for bios of the stars of the film https://wateroflifefilm.com/cast/
About The Water of Life
The Water of Life is a feature documentary that focuses on the craftsmen, chemists, and renegades at the heart of the whisky revolution that turned the stagnant scotch whisky industry of the 1980s into the titan it is today.
Starting behind the locked gates of an abandoned distillery, Jim McEwan and Mark Reynier — “the most unlikely partnership in the history of whisky” — share their personal experiences of the risk-taking and wild experimentation they used to turn Bruichladdich into a creative and financial powerhouse.
The film also takes you on the journeys of visionaries like Gordon & MacPhail, Billy Walker, Rachel Barrie and David Stewart, whose mixture of talent, chemistry, hard work, grit, and a little sprinkle of magic paved the way for the next generation of innovators like Adam Hannett, Kelsey McKechnie, Liam Hughes, Iain Croucher, and Eddie Brook.
The Water of Life is a uniquely personal perspective on the evolution of whisky by those who lived it – the story of those who played a key part in rediscovering the crafting of the ancient spirit.
About Blacksmith + Jones
Blacksmith + Jones is a media production company that puts story first. Their primary focus has been in documentary style television and short form projects. Principals Trevor Jones and Greg Swartz have decades of experience and have produced shows for NatGeo, Discovery Channel and Animal Planet. They have been partners for more than 10 years. The Water of Life is their first feature documentary.
Halewood Artisanal Spirits Appoints Dr Kirstie McCallum as New Master Blender
Halewood Artisanal Spirits has announced the appointment of Dr Kirstie McCallum as its new master blender, as the business looks to strengthen its fast growing whisky portfolio.
McCallum will be responsible for evolving and developing Halewood’s core whisky brands, which includes Crabbie whisky from Scotland, Irish whiskies, Gelston’s & The Pogues, Aber Falls Welsh whisky and Peaky Blinder English whisky from Halewood’s newest distillery in the West Midlands. In addition, she will work with the group on new projects and expressions.
McCallum has over 20 years experience in the spirits industry, and joins Halewood Artisanal Spirits from Glen Turner, where she worked as head of whisky creation for the Glen Moray brand. Prior to this, she was the senior blender at Distell International, working across the Bunnahabhain, Deanston and Tobermory brands.
Lee Tayburn, Operations and Production Director at Halewood Artisanal Spirits comments; “As a business, we are dedicated to growing our portfolio of artisanal spirits, and of course whisky plays a very important part in this. Over the last five years we have invested heavily in distilleries across the UK and globally, and are constantly evolving to ensure that we provide our customers with premium, quality spirits with provenance. With her extensive experience and expertise, Kirstie will be integral to this, and we look forward to working closely together as we grow and develop our whisky credentials”.
Dr Kirstie McCallum comments; “From brands like Crabbie’s, with its rich whisky history dating back to the 1830s, to new expressions from younger brands such as Peaky Blinder and The Pogues, Halewood Artisanal Spirits has a very diverse and exciting whisky portfolio. I’m really looking forward to working alongside the team to develop these brands, and using my industry experience to help create the best possible whisky offer”.
NOTES:
About Halewood Artisanal Spirits (www.halewood-int.com)
Halewood Artisanal Spirits is an award-winning UK-based craft distiller and the winner of the IWSC UK Gin Producer 2018 Award. Premium gin brands include Whitley Neill, J. J. Whitley, City of London Distillery, Marylebone Gin and Liverpool Gin.
Halewood has a strong portfolio of other high growth premium sprits, including Dead Man’s Fingers spiced rum, Rum Sixty Six, The Pogues Irish Whiskey, Gelston’s Irish Whiskey and Crabbie Whisky.
In the 2020 IWSC Awards, Halewood’s artisanal spirits won 3 gold outstanding, 6 gold, 12 silver and 23 bronze medals. In the 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition they were awarded four double golds, 9 golds, 15 silvers and 24 bronze Awards. The spirits also won 9 silver and 5 bronze Awards in the Global Spirits Masters and two gold, ten silver and six Bronze in the International Spirits Challenge, 2019.
The business operates 11 artisanal distilleries across the UK, Russia, Australia and South Africa including: The Liverpool Gin Distillery, Crabbie Distillery in Edinburgh, Aber Falls Distillery in North Wales, Bankhall Distillery in Blackpool, The City of London and Marylebone Distilleries in London, The Bristol & Bath Rum Distillery, Ironbark in Sydney, Halewood in South Africa and JJ Whitley in Russia. The company also operates the Hawkshead Brewery in Cumbria.
Outside the UK, the business exports products to over 90 countries around the world and has significant operations in a number of international markets including North America, Canada, Russia, Australia and China. The business has a £400m+ turnover, and employs over 750 employees globally.
The business was founded by the late John Halewood in 1978 and it remains owned and controlled by the Halewood family.
Drinkaware is an independent UK-wide, alcohol education charity with the objective of positively changing public behaviour and the national drinking culture. It aims to reduce alcohol misuse and minimise harm by helping people make better choices about their drinking. It achieves this by providing impartial, evidence-based information, advice and practical resources; raising awareness of alcohol and its harms and by working collaboratively with partners (including the medical community, public health, third sector organisations, local authorities, police and the drinks industry).
Drinkaware has more than 100 funders, including UK alcohol producers, retailers in the on-trade and off-trade, and wholesalers.
Relaunch of Old Perth
The relaunched Old Perth is a range of Blended Malt Scotch Whisky – will restore tradition by blending in Perth and exclusively using sherry matured malt from a selection of Scotland’s finest distilleries, located in the Glenlivet region of Speyside.
The relaunched Old Perth is a range of Blended Malt Scotch Whisky which will restore tradition by blending in Perth and exclusively using sherry matured malt from a selection of Scotland’s finest distilleries, located in the Glenlivet region of Speyside.
The Original has sophisticated sherry-sweet tones and subtle spice at the heart, giving way to warm dried fruits and honeyed cloves.
Non chill filtered, no added colour.
The Old Perth Original is setup to be a malt drinker’s everyday dram.
From Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers.
The Cask Strength in The relaunched Old Perth is a range of Blended Malt Scotch Whisky – will restore tradition by blending in Perth and exclusively using sherry matured malt from a selection of Scotland’s finest distilleries, located in the Glenlivet region of Speyside.
The Cask Strength has an earthy palate with ginger and cinnamon spice, this unadulterated whisky is bottled at cask strength to reveal a full bodied aroma.
Non chill filtered, no added colour.
The Old Perth range is setup to be a malt drinker’s everyday dram.
From Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers.
BUNNAHABHAIN DISTILLERY 23 Year Old 1997 The Golden Cask Exclusive
Exclusive 1997 vintage from the Golden Cask. 52.3% for a very tasty £135!
Bunnahabhain 23 Year Old 1997 vintage Islay single malt Scotch whisky. Single bourbon cask #CM265 bottled October 2020 by House of Macduff for the Golden Cask series. 277 numbered bottles exclusive to The Whisky Barrel.
Nose: Peat smoke, brine, pineapple, cinnamon, creme brulee.
Taste: Sea salt, bonfire smoke, vanilla ice cream, ripe banana, sea air.
Finish: Long and oily, with more salt and smoke and pineapple.
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.
Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 365: Auchentoshan 18 Year Old 2000 Malts of Scotland
Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky vlogger, is also known as the Toshan Man. Hence, another Auchentoshan rambling. Malts of Scotland – the German independent bottler – found a beauty of a sherry hogshead in the warehouse, that was filled with Mark’s favorite Lowlander’s triple distilled spirit in 2000. The Auchentoshan matured for 18 years before the cask yielded 329 bottles at cask strength. Two bottles made it his way and he seems very happy with them.
(CHICAGO) Jan. 6 2020 – Jim Beam® Bourbon is kicking off the year by finally offering drinkers a solution to their beer boredom: the refreshing and highly sessionable Jim Beam Highball. The Highball cocktail, which is made by mixing chilled Jim Beam Bourbon with ice and ice-cold, highly carbonated ginger ale, is the perfect alternative for those who are bored of beer but find themselves ordering another one on autopilot. The new marketing campaign, launching nationally this month, encourages those drinkers to add the Jim Beam Highball to their repertoire and order one when they’re looking for a light and refreshing option instead of their next beer.
The campaign first aired on Jan. 4 with a new TV spot, “Need a Break From Beer,” across multiple national news, entertainment and sports networks, and will run nationally throughout the year. The spot uses classic beer tropes found at any local bar to inspire drinkers to make their next round a Jim Beam Highball. Viewers will immediately recognize a traditionally dressed German couple encouraging an order of a Bavarian-style hefeweizen, an old, mysterious man pushing a dark, heavy brew, and a pair of hipsters, goat in tow, playfully offering a “super-filling IPA with aged goat’s milk.” The commercial marks the latest collaboration between the world’s No. 1 bourbon and global advertising agency adam&eveNYC.
“With the launch of ‘Need a Break From Beer,’ we’re taking a widely enjoyed cocktail that’s been trending for years and finally shining the national spotlight on it,” said Jessica Spence, president of brands at Beam Suntory. “We know drinkers are getting bored with beer and are looking for new alternatives. The Jim Beam Highball is incredibly easy to mix and perfect for enjoyment while at home or in bars when the time is right.”
The new campaign spot will air throughout 2021 on more than 20 national TV networks, including sports destinations such as MLB Network and ESPN2, entertainment hubs AMC and Comedy Central, and major broadcast networks including ABC, FOX and NBC. Starcom USA oversees media on behalf of Jim Beam.
In addition to media partnerships, Jim Beam will deploy Highball programming throughout the year including retail marketing, baseball stadium activations, consumer sampling and value-add packaging. The brand will also host “Beam Gardens” — a playful alternative to traditional beer gardens — in several markets across the country for those in need of a break from beer. These pop-up experiences, appearing where local guidelines and public health conditions allow, will welcome legal-drinking-aged consumers to enjoy Jim Beam Highballs on tap with friends and family.
For more information on the Jim Beam Highball and upcoming Beam Garden events, follow Jim Beam on Twitter (@jimbeam) and Instagram (@jimbeamofficial) or find the Highball recipe at jimbeam.com/cocktails.
About Jim Beam
Jim Beam is the world’s best-selling bourbon, crafted by seven generations of family distillers since 1795. Elegant. Smooth. Refined. That’s what years of aging in new charred oak barrels does to our Kentucky Straight Bourbon. Fred Noe, Jim Beam’s 7th Generation Master Distiller, has stayed true to the family recipe that’s been passed down through generations. The Jim Beam portfolio of products includes Jim Beam Bourbon, Jim Beam Black, Jim Beam Double Oak, Jim Beam Devil’s Cut, Jim Beam Rye, Jim Beam Peach, Jim Beam Apple, Jim Beam Vanilla, Jim Beam Honey, Jim Beam Kentucky Fire and Red Stag by Jim Beam among other offerings.
About Beam Suntory
As a world leader in premium spirits, Beam Suntory inspires human connections. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including the iconic Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark bourbon brands, Suntory whisky Kakubin and Courvoisier cognac, as well as world renowned premium brands including Knob Creek, Basil Hayden’s and Legent bourbon; Yamazaki, Hakushu, Hibiki and Toki Japanese whisky; Teacher’s, Laphroaig and Bowmore Scotch whisky; Canadian Club whisky; Hornitos and Sauza tequila; EFFEN, Haku and Pinnacle vodka; Sipsmith and Roku gin; and Midori liqueur.
Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and vision of Growing for Good. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com and www.drinksmart.com.
The Whisky Exchange Single Casks Batch 3
Back in 2019, quite quietly, we launched a new range of whiskies. In the middle of last year, we released a second batch, also quite quietly. But now, with the launch of our latest whiskies, we want to make a bit of noise – please welcome The Whisky Exchange Single Casks Batch 3.
A bit of history. Back in the olden dayes – the early 2000s – The Whisky Exchange launched its first independent bottlings. These eventually led to three ranges of whisky – The Single Malts of Scotland, Port Askaig and Elements of Islay. As they got more successful, more people wanted them, and other shops started buying them – they were no longer special bottlings for The Whisky Exchange.
So, last year, Sukhinder Singh – The Whisky Exchange’s co-founder – decided that we needed our own whiskies again. While we have great bottlings that we’ve done with distilleries and independents from around the world, we didn’t have anything that was truly ours. He dug into his spreadsheets of casks, and chose a few, which were quietly launched at Whisky Show 2019 – a new range of single cask whiskies with our name on: The Whisky Exchange Single Casks.
Our second batch launched during lockdown and included an already sought-after Laphroaig 1998, as well as a miniature set of the whole range to date. With only a few bottles of those early batches left, it was time to bottle some more – five new whiskies: the third batch.
A classic Caol Ila, maybe our favourite distillery – it’s definitely the distillery we go back to the most. Distilled in 2008 and matured in a hogshead for 12 years.
Nose: Incense, candied lemon and biscuity grain are joined by soft liquorice-root sweetness and earthy peat smoke. Notes of sea-spray, gravel and dark chocolate build, with toffee apples and lime following.
Palate: Chocolate limes and burning pine kick things off, sweet, smoky and citrusy. The limes are joined by charred orange peel, crashing waves, freshly spread gravel driveways, tarred ropes and wax-polished oak.
Finish: A touch of floral sweetness lingers, as burning rose bushes, liquorice and chocolate fade.
Comment: A classic, coastal Caol Ila, packed with citrus, minerality, sea-spray and tarry smoke.
Not every distillery in Scotland gets its fair share of the limelight, and Glenlossie is definitely one that hides away a bit. It’s the style we focus on – it’s all about the distillery character. It’s a classic Speyside spirit, with loads of fruit, matured in a bourbon barrel for 11 years.
Nose: Butter icing and crisp apples at first, with sweet pastry, oatcakes and baked apples developing. Fruity caramel builds accompanied by crisp-but-sweet pear and sugared almonds.
Palate: Very sweet to start: apple-and-pear jam stirred through vanilla cream. Sharper notes of unripe apple, mango and pineapple build, along with green leaves, fresh-cut grass, sugared almonds and freshly sawn old oak boards.
Finish: Damp oak fades as apple pies and Granny Smith apples build. Oatcakes, digestives and anise linger.
Comment: Rich, rounded and malty, with a layer of fruit running through the middle.
Another fairly quiet distillery is Glen Elgin. It’s a bit more available than Glenlossie, but the official bottlings haven’t really been that inspiring recently. This single cask bottling is much more so – a balanced combination of fresh and jammy fruit, with an unexpectedly dark back-end. Distilled in 2008 and aged for 12 years in a hogshead.
Nose: A fruit bowl to start: pears and raspberries with some zingy redcurrants and zest lemons. Sweet butter and sugar sandwiches on white-bread are balanced by polished oak and woody spice, with barley sugar and lemon drops hiding at the back.
Palate: Thick and sweet, with the fruit from the nose alternately jammy and poached, with liquorice and damp oak sneaking in behind. Blackcurrant jam and mint cream notes develop, along with sweet, creamy custard and grated 100% cocoa dark chocolate.
Finish: Custard and jam lead to dark oak, gentle char and liquorice pastilles.
Comment: A big, fruity whisky which balances fresh and darker flavours against sweetness and oaky spice.
While Bunnahabhain is best known for its unpeated spirit, increasingly its smoky whisky is making a splash in the single malt world. However, it’s a relatively recent thing, with full smoky production only really starting in the past 20 years. This is a smoky spirit from before that time, which looks to have come from some of the experimental batches they did in 1997. Big and smoky, aged in a single hogshead for 22 years.
Nose: Damp fire-pits and last night’s burnt leaves. Fields of ferns are covered over with sweet smoke, as sea-breeze ozone and sticky liquorice notes build.
Palate: Rich notes of sweet malt loaf, raisins and liquorice sit alongside sea-wettened stones, burning pine and leafy herbs – mint and tarragon. Char and tar hide underneath along with soft spice and a hint of dark chocolate.
Finish: Damp leaves and polished oak linger.
Comment: A dark and smoky dram, with a slice of freshness and maritime character.
When it comes to distilleries that are on the up at the moment, Ben Nevis must be in the top handful. Its own whiskies have been getting loads of love, and independent bottlings are being snapped up at speed, especially of 1996-vintage releases. This bottling – from one of the increasingly well-known #17xx casks – shows why: it’s a beautifully balanced and fruity whisky with loads of spice. It’s maybe my pick of the third batch. Distilled in 1996 and aged for 23 years in a hogshead.
Nose: Sweet, floral and fruity, with meadow flowers, Dolly Mixtures, candied orange slices and a touch of gummi bear. Dried pineapple and mango hide under a layer of apple sauce.
Palate: The fruit continues into the palate, with spicy gingerbread piled high with apple and pear jam. A touch of leafy mint floats over the top, with a river of raisins and currants following. Wax polished oak sits under it all.
Finish: Caramel- and chocolate-dipped apple slices on a freshly cut oak board.
Comment: Layers of fruit, spice and chocolate make for a rich and complex dram that rewards exploration.
The Ben Nevis is sold out online, but you can find details here, and there are a few bottles left in our shops.
You can find all of these whiskies over on our website – The Whisky Exchange Single Casks.
Welcome to a new year, and a new opportunity to journey into the world of flavour with the Society. The new year also marks the end of the Brexit transition period, so the way we service our members in the European Union will change slightly.
We’ll be launching a new website specifically for EU members in the coming weeks. Please note, that we will be unable to fulfil orders to addresses in the EU until the new website launches, and any orders placed on the current UK site will be cancelled and refunded.
In the meantime, we wanted to give you a sneak peak of the new array of intriguing Flavour Profiles which will be coming your way when the new website arrives. These drams will be available on the UK site today, but rest assured, we have kept plenty of these bottles aside to make sure we can share them with our members in the EU very soon.
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
Bestselling Rare
Whiskies of 2020
Don’t miss out on these great bottles from 2020 including GlenAllachie, Cambus, Glen Scotia, Lagavulin and more!
