I queued for two hours (online) trying to get ahold of this bottle, only to then see a three figure price tag…no. My heart instantly said no.

That’s never really happened to me before for any new release from a reputable distillery. Beyond this whisky being one of the most almond driven flavours I’ve ever experienced, in a very pleasant way. It’s very…quiet for an Ardbeg.

I know it was Mickey’s farewell bottle, and this may have been the type of whisky he preferred, but for the price, it should just have been more. More of everything.

I tried the Wee Beastie a few months ago, not yet reviewed on the channel, and that didn’t impress me either. Given Ardbeg’s £700 25YO release which I doubt I’ll try, they’re 0-2 in my book over the last two available, new releases

Cheers.

https://youtu.be/hf_mJU5yvSg

Glen Scotia distillery launches worldwide search for Campbeltown photography 

One of Campbeltown’s three surviving single malt Scotch whisky distilleries, Glen Scotia, is calling for people around the world to share photography of the town which captures the peak of the whisky industry during the mid-19^th and early 20^th centuries.

During the Victorian era, Campbeltown, which lies at the southern tip of the Kintyre peninsula in Argyll and is the most remote mainland town in Scotland, was known as the whisky capital of the world and was home to more than 30 working distilleries.

Since 1832, Glen Scotia has been shaped by the people, time and events; as well as the history of Campbeltown itself and the distillery is searching for photographs which bring its unique whisky history and heritage to life.

A whisky truly made by history, Glen Scotia reflects centuries of craftsmanship and experience associated with Scotland’s fifth and smallest malt producing region and is renowned for its distinct maritime influence and Campbeltown character.

Iain McAlister, Master Distiller and Distillery Manager at Glen Scotia, said: “The contribution Campbeltown has made to Scotch is incomparable and we are proud to continue to fly the flag for the region around the world.

“Whisky was a way of life in our coastal town for over 100 years and over time, all that experience, craft and passion has been poured into Glen Scotia. Now we are looking for photography that will help us uncover what makes Campbeltown the ‘whiskiest place in the world’.”

Digital or print photographs can be submitted via email to glenscotia@bigpartnership.co.uk or by post to Glen Scotia, BIG Partnership, Fountain House, 1-3 Woodside Crescent, Glasgow, G3 7UL, alongside contact details of the sender by 31^st March 2021.

Credit Stenlake Publishing

Selected images may feature as part of this year’s virtual Glen Scotia Whisky Festival, which will welcome thousands of whisky fans from across the globe to experience a range of online tours and tastings from the distillery. The photographs may also be showcased through Glen Scotia’s marketing activity to further raise awareness of the distillery and Campbeltown around the world.

Campbeltown is the forgotten giant of the Scotch whisky industry, once known as “Spiritville” or “Whiskyopolis”. At its peak in the Victorian era, there were around 30 legal distilleries operating in a town with a population of only 9,000 people.

Credit Stenlake Publishing

The search for photography follows in the footsteps of Glen Scotia’s campaign in 2019 which aimed to recognise Campbeltown as the ‘whiskiest place in the world’, and successfully reached the UK Parliament. The motion acknowledged the region for playing a significant part in the history and development of whisky distilling in Scotland and congratulated Glen Scotia distillery manager, Iain McAlister on helping to raise awareness of Campbeltown’s whisky heritage.

For further information about Glen Scotia, visit www.glenscotia.com

About Glen Scotia:

• Independent distiller Glen Scotia has been producing single malt whisky in Campbeltown since 1832.
• Glen Scotia is one of three surviving distilleries in Campbeltown.
• Glen Scotia 25 Years Old Single Malt Scotch whisky was awarded the coveted Platinum award at the prestigious 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition which recognises a brand that has won a Double Gold medal or Best in Class for three consecutive years.
• Glen Scotia Double Cask was awarded a Gold Medal at the Scottish Whisky Awards 2019 and a Gold medal at the 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
• Glen Scotia 18 Years Old won Best Campbeltown Malt at the World Whisky Awards 2018 and a Double Gold medal at the 2018 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
• Glen Scotia 15 Years OId received a Gold medal at the Scotch Whisky Masters 2020.
• Images and interviews with key staff from Glen Scotia are available upon request.
• glenscotia.com /Twitter: @GlenScotiaMalts

The world of malt whisky is filled with incredible specimens – strange and beautiful creatures that can catch you completely unawares. Fruity and spicy, sweet and floral are all very well, but we wanted to make a whisky inspired by some of Scotland’s wilder offerings.

DISCOVER THE ANIMAL INSIDE SCOTCH WHISKY

Menagerie is our answer to the call of the wild. We have rounded up some of Scotland’s prized beasts, harnessing their subtle savoury characteristics in this new limited edition. You’ll get the textures of worn leather and roast lamb from the leading parcel from Mortlach Distillery, malts from the Deanston Distillery bring animalic, forest floor aromas, while hints of the primordial tar pit come courtesy of two casks from the Laphroaig Distillery. Though a meaty or savoury quality could be discerned in each parcel, the whole composition revolves around gentle notes of toffee and roasted peach.

WHERE DOES MENAGERIE SIT IN THE
COMPASS BOX WORLD?

If you’re already a fan of our Myths and Legends III and want to know how a spicier version would feel on the palate, this could be the one for you. And the really observant among you may have spotted that the Mortlach component here was last seen as a minor part of 2016’s Enlightenment.

Menagerie has now been released in the UK and Europe. Please check with your local specialist spirits retailer for availability or visit our website to purchase this limited edition. Menagerie will be landing in the US in early April – keep an eye on our Instagram or Facebook for more details.

Share & Enjoy!
The Compass Box Team

P.S. Don’t forget to join us on March 21st at 8pm (GMT) for an evening of Magic, Art & Science with our limited edition release Magic Cask. Our virtual events are free to join and open to all to attend. To reserve your place, please register here.

Hello again and a very warm welcome to our February auction. We’re finally starting to thaw out here in what has been a rather chilly few months and we’re hoping you’re ready to burst into a fresh start for spring! Now let’s waste no time and show off some of this month’s whisky spread.

We have a great selection of Thompson Brothers bottlings this month! From their inaugural Dornoch 2017 cask as well as some funky pictures on their Bunnahabhain bottles! Psychedelic disco funk! Don’t worry, summer is coming.

If you’re going to pick a strong and bold colour it’s going to be red right? This powerful colour was also used in the 80s to release their oldest vintages of the time and is very much interwoven into the distilleries prestigious branding and history.

 In this trilogy includes a 1960s Bowmore, Macallan and Highland Park! There you go, three fantastic whiskies hand selected by one whisky big wig. This ones in the bag..

Get Bidding!

FREE UK COLLECTIONS

We continue to offer free doorstep collections for over 10 bottles or collectively worth a minimum of £1000. Contact us to find out more and check availability.

A big THANKS from the foodbank.

31 March, 7:00pm (BST)

The Macallan Editions with David Sinclair

The Macallan has been making great whisky for nearly 200 years and the distillery’s limited Edition series emphasises their commitment and borderline obsession to exploring and pushing the boundaries of their craft. Join The Whisky Exchange ambassador Billy Abbott and brand ambassador David Sinclair as they examine and taste Editions 1 through 6.

BOOK NOW

The Society is relentless in its pursuit of flavour, revolutionising how we enjoy single cask, single malt whisky and constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible.

We’re inviting you to join us on our whisky journey, as we level up our whisky knowledge over the next month.  Why not try an unfamiliar flavour profile, or a lesser-known distillery? Now is the chance to get adventurous and try something new.

To get you started, we have five intriguing casks from the March Outturn available online in limited amounts today, ahead of the full Outturn release next week (March 1st). There’s no better time to try something new.

VIEW BOTTLES ONLINE

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

Evan Williams Bourbon Experience Releases Annual Limited-Edition Kentucky Derby Festival Bourbon Bottle

The 2013 Vintage, 115 proof Bourbon is dipped in hot pink wax and features the 2021 Pegasus Pin on the bottle neck

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – As an official sponsor of the Kentucky Derby Festival for the fifth consecutive year, the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience today released a special edition bottle of Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon with a commemorative 2021 Pegasus Pin sealed in wax on the neck.

Dipped in a unique hot pink wax, the bottle features a special face label with the gold and teal Kentucky Derby Festival logo and includes an official 2021 Pegasus Pin in an envelope attached to each bottle. Evan Williams Bourbon Experience Artisanal Distiller, Jodie Filiatreau, and Kentucky Derby Festival President and CEO, Matt Gibson, unveiled the official 2021 pin and limited-edition bottle at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience by personally hand-dipping two of the limited-edition bottles.

This product will be available for purchase at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience for $74.99 beginning Thursday, March 11 and at select Kentucky retailers while supplies last. The limited edition 2013 vintage is bottled at 115 proof, commemorating both the 66^th Kentucky Derby Festival plus the 49^th Pegasus Pin anniversary. Each bottle of Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage Bourbon contains the exact day it was put in an oak barrel to age, the barrel number, and the date it was bottled.

The Bourbon is matured in natural open-rick warehouses under the careful supervision of Heaven Hill’s Master Distiller, who monitors the progress of each year’s vintage to ensure it maintains its intended flavor profile and superb quality. Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage has won five “Whiskey of the Year” awards and is one of the most critically acclaimed specialty Bourbons produced by Heaven Hill Distillery, the world’s second largest holder of aging Bourbon.

“The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience is proud to partner yet again with the Kentucky Derby Festival to share the unique Kentucky spirit of hospitality, entertainment and resiliency,” said Evan Williams Bourbon Experience Artisanal Distiller, Jodie Filiatreau. “Join us as we raise a toast to all of those in the Bluegrass state who have supported our industries over the past year and look forward to a time of celebration during 2021 Kentucky Derby Festival.”

Bringing the community together since 1956, the Kentucky Derby Festival has become a whirlwind of special events leading up to the big race in May. Each year, the Pegasus Pins are a signature of spring in the Derby City and a key fundraiser for the not-for-profit Festival. The 2021 pins can be purchased exclusively at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience through March 1, prior to being available at other local retailers.

“Our partnership with Evan Williams celebrates two of Kentucky’s favorite things – the Derby Festival and bourbon,” said Matt Gibson, Kentucky Derby Festival President and CEO. “Although 2021 will be different, Pegasus Pins are still a great way to share the Derby Festival spirit and support your favorite events.”

ABOUT HEAVEN HILL DISTILLERY: Founded in Kentucky by the Shapira family in 1935, Heaven Hill Distillery continues its legacy as one of the foremost American Whiskey producers. Heaven Hill has cultivated the traditions and history of America’s Native Spirit with its fierce independence, passionate family ownership, dedication to quality, and thoughtful innovation. Today, Heaven Hill Distillery maintains over 1.8 million barrels aging in 63 warehouses throughout Nelson and Jefferson Counties. It is home to an award-winning collection of American Whiskeys including Elijah Craig Bourbon, Larceny Bourbon, Evan Williams Bourbon, Pikesville Rye Whiskey, Rittenhouse Rye Whisky and Parker’s Heritage Collection. Heaven Hill Distillery currently holds the title of 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition Distillery of the Year, Best in Show Whisky, and previously held the titles of 2018 San Francisco Spirits Word Spirits Competition Best Bourbon, 2017 Whisky Advocate Whisky of the Year, 2016 Whisky Magazine Distillery of the Year, 2016 Whisky Advocate American Whiskey of the Year. For more information, please visit www.heavenhilldistillery.com.

Heaven Hill reminds you to “Think Wisely.  Drink Wisely.”

ABOUT THE KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL: Since 1956, the Derby Festival has worked to bring the community together in celebration. The Festival is an independent community organization supported by 4,000 volunteers, 400 businesses and civic groups, Pegasus Pin sponsorships and event participation. This involvement has made the Festival the largest single attended event in Kentucky and one of the leading community celebrations in the world.

Port Ellen 40 Year Old 9 Rogue Casks

Own a piece of Port Ellen history with Port Ellen 40 Year Old Rogue Casks; the oldest and most limited expression from the Islay distillery to date. Distilled at the original Port Ellen in 1979, these nine casks of whisky were discovered and brought together to create a unique limited edition release.

Each cask was matured for at least 40 years before all nine were married together and bottled at a natural cask strength of 50.9% VOL, free from any artificial colouring. Presented in a beautiful case, under lock and key, this release is limited to just 1,380 bottles worldwide.

Enjoy delicate notes of mild smoke, burnt orange and fresh herbs on the nose, before more smoke, rich leather, pipe tobacco and gentle wood spice on the palate. The finish is as long and satisfying as you would expect from such a spectacular dram.

Discover Port Ellen 40 Year Old ›

Port Ellen 40 Year Old
9 Rogue Casks
£6,395.00

Buy Now ›

Learn more about Port Ellen 40 Year Old 9 Rogue Casks from the experts! Diageo’s Global Whisky Master Ewan Gunn delves into the history and production process of this incredible whisky, exclusively for customers of The Whisky Shop. Watch Ewan’s introduction to Port Ellen 40 Year Old 9 Rogue Casks over at our YouTube channel, complete with his own unique tasting notes.

Discover more ›

DOUBLE CASK
DC0109

Our latest batch of Double Cask Single Malt Whisky is ready for release.

DC0109 will be available on our web store on Tuesday March 2nd at 11am, Hobart time.

DC0109 is a marriage of portions from ten different casks, ranging in age from 7 to 17 years. As well as whisky from several American oak ex-Bourbon casks, this batch also contains whisky from both American and French oak casks which have been previously used for either Tawny, white wine, or red wine.

“These casks are team players, they work really well together and complement each other to create a whisky with great character and complexity.”
– Heather Tillott, Head Distiller.

Full tasting notes and cask details can be found on our web store.

Please note, purchases are limited to one bottle per cask, per person.
Bottles added to your cart aren’t guaranteed until the checkout process is complete.