Shelter Point Distillery Newsletter 

 Greetings Shelter Point fans!

Pat Dunlop here, I’m the newest addition to the Shelter Point team. I’ll be handing a number of jobs here at the Distillery, including communications and updates in these newsletters.

With the advent of spring, things are just beginning to ramp up here at the Shelter Point Distillery Farm. We’ll be prepping the fields for another planting and growing season over the next few weeks, as we move into longer days and warmer weather.

On the tastings and tour side of things here at the Distillery: with the B.C. government’s announcement of temporary indoor dining and event restrictions, we’re looking to increase our volume of Virtual Tastings moving forward to accommodate increased demand. Virtual Tastings are $65 and include five 50ml samples of our award winning whiskies, delivered to your door and ready to sample along with a group of friends & new acquaintances, and are hosted by members of the Shelter Point team, including Distiller Leon Webb, and Distillery Manager Jacob Wiebe. For more information and for booking, please visit https://shelterpoint.ca/distillery-tour-booking/

Cheers and stay tuned to our newsletter for further updates and announcements regarding events, new releases and more fun goings on here at Shelter Point!

For all the latest news and information visit our website at www.shelterpoint.ca

Good morning from Glasgow,

We’re delighted to announce that our new website is now LIVE!

Log in to your account now to check out our new feature – My SWA. My SWA is your personal account and inventory. We’ve made some changes that we hope will make the buying and selling process with us even better. From within My SWA you can now see your bottles within your personal collection at a glance, including those in long term storage, select to ship bottles, book appointments with us, relist and much more.

When you first login please be sure to check your default address is correct for tax purposes in “Manage my addresses’ and update your notification preferences within the ‘Update my Details’ section.

We’ve also updated our app to improve speed, and payments are now possible through mobile devices.

Questions? Check out our FAQ’s

The SWA Team.

ralfy review 873 – Poit Dhubh 12yo Blended Malt @43%vol:

DISCOVER LAIR UPON LAIR OF FLAVOUR IN ARDBEG SCORCH – THE DISTILLERY’S LATEST LIMITED EDITION

#Ardbeg #Islay #ArdbegScorch #ArdbegDay2021 #Scorch

– The Ardbeg Distillery invites its noble fandom to join them for an online extravaganza and uncover the ‘lairs’ of flavour in their latest limited edition –

Held annually on the final Saturday of Islay’s Festival of Music and Malt (Fèis Ìle), Ardbeg Day is a global celebration of all things Ardbeg, which this year will take place entirely online. The Distillery invites smoky malt whisky lovers and fantasy buffs everywhere to join them on Ardbeg.com and social media, as fans come together to uncover the myth and the malt behind their new limited edition, Ardbeg Scorch.

Islay folk have long told tales of the island’s dragon, bravely slain by a heroic warrior many moons ago. And on 5 June 2021, Ardbeggians around the world will celebrate Ardbeg Day with a new whisky created in homage to this ‘true myth’. It is said this fiercely delicious dram is the mouthwatering product of Ardbeg’s own flavour-breathing beast, who dwells in Dunnage Warehouse No. 3, scorching staves and burning barrels…

Ardbeg Scorch has been matured in ex-bourbon American oak casks – heavily charred by the fiery exhale of Warehouse 3’s definitely-real-and-totally-not-made-up dragon*. Intense aromas of soot and smoke lie in wait, while grilled fare and black liquorice mingle with bold notes of medicinal lozenge. This truly is a dram of fantastical proportions.

Colin Gordon, Ardbeg’s Distillery Manager, said: “This year will be my first Ardbeg Day ever: a baptism of fire! It’s a shame we Ardbeggians can’t enjoy it together in person, but the online event is shaping up to be tremendous fun. With a whole virtual world to explore, including fantasy inns, campfire tales, medieval feasts and live tastings, there’s plenty for people to be excited about this year.”

Ardbeg’s Director of Distilling and Whisky Creation, Dr Bill Lumsden, said: “Ardbeg Scorch is our tribute to the legendary dragon of Islay. By using our most heavily-charred casks, we’ve created a fire-breathing beast of a dram!” 

Ardbeg Scorch will be available to buy from Ardbeg Embassies, whisky specialists, online retailers and from the Distillery Visitor Centre from 27^th May 2021, RRP: £100. For more news on this event and all things Ardbeg, smoky malt whisky fans can join the Ardbeg Committee at Ardbeg.com.

www.ardbeg.com

Follow us on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ardbeg

Twitter: @Ardbeg

Instagram: @ardbeg

TASTING NOTES: 

Colour

Bright brushed gold

Nose

On the nose, frighteningly intense aromas of soot and smoke lie in wait. Hints of aniseed and fragrant patchouli interlace with bold notes of quenched steel and saddle soap. With a drop of water, herbal top notes of briar wood, sage and pine wisp their way to the fore.

Taste

Take a sip and experience lair upon lair of flavour. An oily mouthfeel grips the senses. Billowy clouds of sweet smoke and dragon charred oak permeate the palate, while grilled fare and black liquorice weave between notes of medicinal lozenge.

Finish

A long and heroic finale, with a subtle tarry aftertaste. A finish that will drag on, well into its happily ever after.

ABV: 46%

RRP: £100 

NOTES: 

Ardbeg:

Ardbeg prides itself on being The Ultimate Islay Malt Whisky. Established in 1815, Ardbeg is revered by connoisseurs around the world as the peatiest, smokiest and most complex of all the Islay malts. Despite its smokiness, Ardbeg is renowned for its delicious sweetness, a phenomenon that has affectionately become known as ‘the peaty paradox’. During the 1980s and 1990s, Ardbeg suffered from an uncertain future and it was not until the brand was purchased by The Glenmorangie Company in 1997 that the Distillery was saved from extinction. Since then, the Distillery has risen like a phoenix and today Ardbeg is well established as a niche, cult malt, with a passionate following.  

Ardbeg Committee:

The legacy of the whisky was safeguarded in 2000 by the formation of the Ardbeg Committee. The Committee is made up of thousands of Ardbeg followers worldwide who are keen to ensure that “the doors of Ardbeg never close again”. Today there are more than 100,000 members of the Ardbeg Committee in over 130 countries. Committee members are regularly consulted on new bottlings and expressions and are offered exclusive Committee bottlings. Members also receive invitations to special gatherings, tastings and events. The Committee, chaired by Mickey Heads, is free to join at Ardbeg.com.

Awards:

Ardbeg is the world’s most highly awarded smoky single malt whisky. Since 2008, Ardbeg has won more than 50 gold and double gold medals in key whisky competitions. Ardbeg has twice been awarded ‘World’s Best Single Malt’ at the World Whiskies Awards in 2010, and 2013. At the 2014 Global Icons of Whisky Awards, Mickey Heads was voted ‘Distillery Manager of the Year’. The following year, Ardbeg’s expressions took the top three spots in Whisky Advocate magazine’s review of the best single malt Scotch whiskies under US$100.  Meanwhile, both Ardbeg Corryvreckan and Ardbeg Uigeadail have been awarded gold medals at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. In 2019, Dr Bill Lumsden was awarded Master Distiller of the Year for the third time in four years. Ardbeg 10 Years Old also won the Best Single Malt Scotch 10 Year Old at the International Whisky Competition 2019, while the Ardbeg Distillery won the Distillery of the Year 2019.

The Glenmorangie Company:

The Company is one of the most renowned and innovative distillers and marketers of Scotch whisky brands worldwide and is part of Moët Hennessy, the wine and spirits division of Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton. Headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland, the Company produces Glenmorangie Single Highland Malt whisky and Ardbeg Single Islay Malt.

Responsible Drinking:

Ardbeg and The Glenmorangie Company advocate responsible drinking and suggest that drinkers savour Ardbeg whiskies in moderation and in line with recommended daily guidelines for alcohol consumption.

Iconic brand, Including Bottled-In-Bond, will now be made at Barton 1792 Distillery

BARDSTOWN, KENTUCKY (Apr. 8, 2021) – Following the purchase of Early Times whiskey in 2020 by Sazerac Company, the notable American whiskey brand will begin distillation, aging and bottling at the 1792 Distillery in Bardstown, KY this summer. First introduced by John Henry “Jack” Beam, uncle of Jim Beam in 1860, Early Times whiskey has rich American roots that will prove a valuable addition to Sazerac’s deep whiskey portfolio.

The Early Times whiskey acquisition comes not only with a historic origin, but a Bronze Medal from the 2021 American World Whiskies Awards as well. Whiskies in each category were subject to blind tastings in a three-round judging process to select, reward and promote the world’s best whiskies to consumers and trade across the globe.

   A magnitude of enthusiasm stems from the Early Times Bottled-in-Bond expression, in particular as a connector to the brand’s early pre-Prohibition era offering. With sweet notes of caramel corn and traces of cinnamon spice, the Early Times Bottled-in-Bond expression has rapidly become a fan favorite. Though Early Times will have a new home, Barton 1792 Distillery will continue to deliver the same great tasting Early Times Bottled-in-Bond product that consumers have grown to love using the original recipe and mash bill.

“We are excited to add such an iconic brand to the Barton 1792 Distillery,” said Adam Wilkins, brand manager, Sazerac Company. “The strong American whiskey lineage of Early Times will be a valuable inclusion to our existing whiskey portfolio.”

With a new source of production, consumers can expect the well-known Early Times BIB whiskey to uphold the Bottled-in-Bond Act regulations and continue to be bottled at 50% ABV (100 Proof).

About Barton 1792 Distillery

Barton 1792 Distillery is part of Barton Brands.  Barton Brands has facilities in Bardstown, Ky., Carson, Calif., and Baltimore, Md. Barton Brands is owned by the Sazerac Company, an American family-owned company based in New Orleans, La. Barton 1792 Distillery was established in 1879 and continues today as the oldest fully-operating Distillery in the “Bourbon Capital of the World.” The Distillery is located on 196 acres and includes 28 warehouses, 22 other buildings, the Morton Spring and the Tom Moore Spring.  Distilling, aging and bottling fine Bourbon whiskey are hallmarks of the historic Barton 1792 Distillery. 1792 Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey is produced at Barton 1792 Distillery and is named for the year Kentucky became a state. The Distillery has garnered a number of prestigious awards for its whiskies, including its 1792 Full Proof, which was named the World Whiskey of the Year for 2020.  To learn more visit www.1792bourbon.com.

Introducing Loch Lomond 45 Year Old
A rare first release in the Remarkable Stills Series

Loch Lomond 45 Year Old is the first release in the distillery’s Remarkable Stills Series celebrating the innovative 1960s straight-neck pot stills that are unique to Loch Lomond Distillery. A highly limited series, only two more releases will follow this spectacular dram.

Distilled in 1973, Loch Lomond 45 Year Old has spent time in American oak casks before being finished for a year in a first-fill Oloroso sherry barrel. Bottled at 42.2% ABV, it is free from chill filtration. The beautiful presentation case and debossed copper plaque is a nod to the unique shape of the stills in which it was made, with availability worldwide of only 200 bottles making it one of Loch Lomond’s rarest expressions to date.

Sweet floral notes and honeysuckle lead on the nose, before lucious aromas of orange blossom and juicy medjool dates, thanks to its Oloroso finish. The palate reveals red apple with a honeyed sweetness and tropical fruits of kiwi and melon. A long finish awaits with warm mixed spices, gooseberries and tart pears. One to savour during a long summer evening.

Loch Lomond Distillery was founded in 1814 but can trace its roots back to Littlemill Distillery, which was established in 1772 making it the oldest licensed distillery in the world. The current distillery, in Alexandria close to the shores of Loch Lomond, was built in 1965 with first distillation in 1966.

When the current distillery opened, their ground-breaking straight necked stills enabled production of a lighter, fruitier spirit and greater control over the whisky’s character. In later years, they added continuous stills and traditional swan neck pot stills to enable versatile production methods. It is among only four distilleries in the Scotch whisky industry to own an onsite cooperage which maintains and repairs up to 10,000 casks every year.

HIGHLAND PARK 50 YEAR OLD

From the far-flung corners of the country on the remote Orkney Isles comes a whisky that has been preparing in the depths of a warehouse for half a century. With the angels taking their fair share there are only 274 bottles available.

Nine refill casks, originally laid down in 1968, were married together in 2008 and re-racked into several first-fill sherry seasoned traditional oak casks. After a further 12 years of maturation, just one sherry seasoned European oak butt was selected and a small quantity of the whisky it contained was married with some of our 2018 batch of 50 Year Old.

Highland Park gain their unique flavour through the use of five traditional keystones of production, unchanged in over 220 years – aromatic peat, hand-turned floor maltings, sherry seasoned oak casks, cool maturation and cask harmonisation.

Here is a look through the years leading up to this release, and a more detailed look at this glorious bottle and presentation case:

Nose: Delicate aromas of ripe black cherries, sweet Muscovado sugar, peaches and rich dark chocolate are conveyed on a whisper of new leather and soft peat smoke.
Palate: A complex and vibrant intensity of flavours follows with exotic spices, candied orange peel, toasted oak and ripe apricots delivering a deliciously rich yet fragrant sweetness.
Finish: Dry spices and the impression of dark espresso coffee linger at the finish, enrobed in aromatic peat smoke.

Here is a another great video of Highland Park’s Master Whisky Maker, Gordon Motion, taking us through the process and his decision making when creating this special expression:

Highland Park
50 Year Old
2021 Release

70cl / 43.8% ABV

£25,000

If you would like information on this release when it becomes available very soon then sign up to register your interest at this link below.

Register Your Interest

May 5 (Wednesday, 8:30pm EST, 5:30 PST)
World Single Malt Whiskies

The World Malt Whisky 3D Session celebrates amazing Single Malts from around the world.

Joining us will be:

Tal Chotiner of M&H Distillery – Tel Aviv, Israel

Hans Rubens of Het Anker for Gouden Carolus Single Malt Belgian Whisky

Chris Uhde of ImpEx Beverages discussing Matsui Single Malts from Japan

Giancarlo Bianchi of Penderyn Distillery, Wales

Please visit our YouTube Channel, which has videos of our past Distillery Deep Dives and links to our future ones.

SCOTTISH GLASSMAKING FIRM LAUNCHES BESPOKE TARTAN

An award-winning Scottish glassmaking firm has created its own Tartan – Whisky and Water by Angels’ Share Glass.

The Stirling company developed the unique tartan with the help of the team at Prickly Thistle who specialise in creating bespoke designs.

Angels’ Share Glass Managing Director Karen Somerville worked closely with Clare Campbell, founder of Highlands-based Prickly Thistle, to come up with a design which would reflect the glassmakers’ story and complement its products.

Three designs were shortlisted and put to a public vote which led overwhelmingly to the choice of the teal blue and gold option – Whisky and Water.

Karen says: “As a proud Scottish business, it was only fitting that we would one day produce our very own tartan to reflect our heritage and the story of how our brand has developed since we launched eight years ago.

“We were delighted with the ideas generated by Prickly Thistle and loved all of the designs Clare developed – but we agree with our supporters and customers that the Whisky and Water design is the best fit for us.”

Prickly Thistle is the firm behind the creation of Outlander star Sam Heughan’s Sassenach tartan and designed the limited-edition tartan weaved for the National Trust for Scotland’s Save Our Scotland Appeal.

Clare says: “It was an absolute joy to work with Karen and hear the lovely stories behind Angels’ Share Glass.

“We worked together to create a flagship tartan using the iconic colours which reflect the brand and all the wonderful imagery and connections inspired by the colours of whisky and glass and by Karen’s father Tom Young’s glassmaking legacy.

“I’m thrilled that everyone loved the Whisky and Water design which was chosen and really enjoyed going on the journey with Karen and her team which led to the creation of the tartan which tells their story.”

Angels’ Share Glass specialises in creating whisky-based glass gifts, many of which include tartan in their presentation, and Karen had been considering producing a bespoke tartan for some time.

She says: “Customers would often ask us if we had our own design to include in the gift sets and staves where we use tartan and it’s something I’ve always wanted to do as a Scottish company which is proud of its heritage.

“Working with Clare to develop the perfect design was fantastic because she is so passionate about storytelling and was determined to find out all about us so she could weave our history and our stories into the design.”

Clare came up with a series of designs for the firm which the team narrowed down to three tartans – Whisky and Wood; Whisky and Water and Whisky and Nature.

These options were voted on by the firm’s many customers, supporters and social media fans with more than 1,000 people completing the survey and a massive 70% voting for Whisky and Water.

Those polled were also asked to put forward name ideas for the tartan before Karen decided on `Whisky and Water by Angels’ Share Glass’ as the perfect title.

She says: “The three designs were all wonderful with the Whisky and Wood colours representing the oak of the whisky barrel which is the wood we use for our staves and Whisky and Nature featuring the black and gold of the flames we use in glassmaking and the black fungus sometimes associated with The Angels’ Share.

“But the Whisky and Water design, representing our brand colours of teal and gold, was the standout winner and a great choice which all of us at Angels’ Share Glass agreed with.

“We’re grateful to all those who voted and quite overwhelmed by the positive response we received as well as some of the unusual entries which were suggested for the tartan names including Greedy Angels and Tartan McTartanFace.

“We’re now looking forward to having our very own tartan woven and using it to complement our products.”

The tartan will now be produced by the Prickly Thistle team at their tartan weaving mill and is expected to be completed by the summer.

It will be used in the presentation of existing products and packaging as well as for creating a range of new gifts including tartan napkins with handmade glass rings, a tartan flat cap and hipflask covers.

For more information about Bridge of Allan-based Angels Share Glass, visit www.angelsshareglass.com

Notes: Angels’ Share Glass is a family-run business based in Bridge of Allan, near Stirling. The firm was co-founded by Karen Somerville and her father Tom Young MBE – a world-renowned Master Craftsman who has been glassblowing and making lamp-work glassware for 60 years. More information about the company can be found at www.angelsshareglass.com