With the distillery doors open to the public and our peat fire lit once more we’re delighted to be giving a warm welcome to those who have managed to join us in Tarbert as lockdown eases.

We’re also very proud of all our local health service staff and vaccination volunteers who have ensured such a safe and swift roll-out of inoculations here in the Outer Hebrides.

Every member of our distillery team has now had at least one of their Covid injections and we’re grateful to NHS Western Isles for all their efforts over the last twelve months.

So, as we look ahead to better days our attention is turning to the arrival of The Hearach Single Malt as we get closer to the day we can share our first historic dram with the world.

Exactly when that will be, only time and taste will tell but expect to hear a lot more from us on the whisky front over the coming months as the story unfolds.

Tonight, we get things started with a visit to our cask warehouse in Ardhasaig as more samples are drawn to take stock of our progress. Join us over on this week ‘s Journal story for more…

And, a big thanks to all our US friends for such an enthusiastic response to last week’s news that we’ve arrived on your shores.

I’ll get around to replying to all your emails eventually but we’ve enjoyed reading every word of them so far!

Have a great week, from all of us at the Harris Distillery…

Le dùrachdan,

Mike Donald
Isle of Harris Distillery Storyteller

The Wait Is Over: The Most Anticipated Rye Release of the Year Has Arrived
Elijah Craig Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey (750ml) ($29.99)

“A modern classic, no doubt, and one that has managed to stay true to everything I expect from Elijah Craig.

No easy feat considering the very high bar I hold for the mark.”
— Andrew Whiteley, K&L Spirits Buyer

Rarely do we wait so patiently and with bated breath for a new release whiskey at a price point under $30, but that’s exactly the case with Elijah Craig’s much-anticipated inaugural straight rye bottling. Well, we can finally say it—the Elijah Craig Kentucky Straight Rye is in stock and available. Wow, does that feel good! This wonderful dram has been the subject of much praise and accolades, eventually landing at #7 on Whisky Advocate’s Top 20 Whiskies of 2020 list, and the accompanying 94-point review sums up what we’ve been expecting from this gem all along: “…this rye delivers powerful flavors that feel excitingly untamed, and will impress bourbon and rye lovers alike.” With the amount of anticipation and hype surrounding this release, we are certain to see it fly out the door, so act faster than you ever have before to secure your desired quantities.

Elijah Craig Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey (750ml) ($29.99)

94 points Whisky Advocate: “Elijah Craig always impresses with value, but until now has been confined to bourbon. This foray into rye whiskey sticks close to Elijah Craig’s bourbon roots by using only the minimum-required 51% rye in its formulation; however, it does achieve a nice departure in flavor. Aromas include butterscotch, caramel-nut clusters, and peppery spice. The spice ramps up on the palate, carried forward by the full body, hearty proof, and mouth-coating texture, as cherry cola, baking chocolate, and darker fruits emerge. Priced a notch below comparable peers, this rye delivers powerful flavors that feel excitingly untamed, and will impress bourbon and rye lovers alike. *Ranked #7, Top 20 Whiskies of 2020* (JL, Winter 2020)”

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 06, 2021

I have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of Elijah Craig Rye since it was first released to limited markets in the U.S. in early 2020. Over a year and many prominent awards and critical reviews later, it feels like I’ve waited a lifetime. Fortunately, now that it is actually in my glass, it has actually lived up to my expectations and the hype. It has fully delivered on the value proposition that is the Elijah Craig brand, a move that makes Heaven Hill one of the greatest in the business. The whiskey is bursting with flavor; rye obviously takes center stage, but it is so well supported by the high corn and malted barley content that it never overshadows its co-conspirators. Sweet spice (i.e. not peppery spice) envelops the palate. Generous toasted oak leans towards coconut. The caramels and vanillas are also there; I want to say prominent, but it isn’t the right word, because while it’s robust, there are no hard edges. It’s a rounded rye in style and texture. At 94 proof (the same as EC’s small batch Bourbon) it has the easy drinkability I associate with the brand without missing the punch so many modern whiskey fans love and expect. A modern classic, no doubt, and one that has managed to stay true to everything I expect from Elijah Craig. No easy feat considering the very high bar I hold for the mark.

Rare Scotch Whisky at an Unbeatable Price

2001 Caol Ila 18 Year Old “Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseur’s Choice” K&L Exclusive First Fill Bourbon Barrel #3308899

Nonchillfiltered Cask Strength Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($189.99)

From their humble beginnings in the grocery business Gordon & MacPhail has become a trailblazing bottler, with elevated status that few others can claim. For premium single malt Scotch whisky fans, any release from this famed house is reason to take note, and this exclusive K&L bottling is no exception. What makes this extra special is the provenance of this vintage bottling: first fill Caol Ila bourbon casks that enjoyed a whopping 18 years of slow maturation. You won’t find a better match of legendary bottler with classic Islay style at this price anywhere on the market today. In fact, a coveted gem of this exceptional quality comes around so rarely, it’s a must-have addition to any whisky connoisseur’s library. Don’t miss out!

2001 Caol Ila 18 Year Old “Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseur’s Choice” K&L Exclusive First Fill Bourbon Barrel #3308899 Nonchillfiltered Cask Strength Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($189.99)

The exceptional products coming from this humble Elgin bottler have long been sought-after by collectors and connoisseurs for their quality and value. Gordon & Macphail’s special position in the Scotch industry is unmatched by any other blender or bottler. It is through the great vision of their predecessors that the current administration of this storied brand is able to offer such amazing and unique stocks that are otherwise not being sold. Represented in their warehouses are over 100 different Scottish distilleries, many of them closed and gone forever. This special cask isn’t from a rare distillery so much as its quality and age make it an incredible find. We typically see young Caol Ila in 3rd or 4th fill hogsheads on the open market. Those were barrels destined for blending, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with them. Anything over 10ish years old, however, is effectively unavailable because the cost-benefit doesn’t often equate. But, here we have absolute top-tier Caol Ila filled into fresh bourbon barrels and aged for a full 18 years. We could have easily paid other suppliers the same for a 12-15 year old expression in a lesser cask. We’re honored to have acquired this perfect Islay artifact. A nose of the finest jamon coupled with a zingy citrus twang. Add a handful of roasted marcona almonds, fresh pome fruit, and raw wild honey! Finish it off with a long smoldering finish. A true gem and easily one of the best peaters we’ll have to sell this year.

TyndrumWhisky.com

Brings you Big Peat ‘Peatrichor’

Feis Ile 2021

Petrichor (or “PEATRICHOR”):
[noun] The unmistakable scent of rain on earthy soil.

A marriage of Single Cask Single Malts only from Islay, Big Peat’s Feis Ile 2021 Limited Edition is named “Peatrichor” in honour of his island home’s rainy climate and the gloriously earthy scent that fills the atmosphere.

Bottled for Feis Ile 2021

A Peatchy Price for this years release!

Order Now >

Petrichor (or “PEATRICHOR”, if you will): [noun] The unmistakable scent of rain on earthy soil.

A marriage of Single Cask Single Malts only from Islay, Big Peat’s Feis Ile 2021 Limited Edition is named “Peatrichor” in honour of his island home’s rainy climate and the gloriously earthy scent that fills the atmosphere.

Bottled for Feis Ile 2021. One of only 5,190 bottles available worldwide.

The Good Dram Show – Episode 412 ‘American Whiskey’

Welcome to this weeks episode of the show. This week I fancied doing an American whiskey episode, so I went digging in my box of samples and pulled these ones out.

https://youtu.be/g7SMIXEHJY4

A CHRONICLE OF THE FINEST KARUIZAWA WHISKY AT BONHAMS MAY SALE

Presenting the best of the famed Japanese distillery throughout its lifetime from 1960s to 2000s

Also featuring single-owner collection of the most coveted wines with impeccable UK provenance

Link to sale: https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/26983/

A series of the finest whisky ever made by famed Japanese distillery Karuizawa will be presented at Bonhams Fine and Rare Wine & Whisky sale in Hong Kong on 21 May. More than 90 bottles are offered and they span the best editions of every decade of the legendary distillery’s history from the 1960s to the 2000s.

Highlights include:

·         From the 1960s: Lot 703. Karuizawa-1963-50 year old. Estimate: HK$800,000-1,000,000.

·         From the 1970s, including more than 20 bottles of the very rare ‘circle label’ editions: Lot 839. Karuizawa-1971‐41 year old-#1842-Noh. Estimate: HK$160,000-230,000.

·         From the 1980s: Lot 569. Karuizawa-1986-#2399. Estimate: HK$100,000-140,000.

·         From the 1990s: Lot 433. Karuizawa-1995-Rouge Cask Collection (9 bottles). Estimate: HK$125,000-160,000.

·         From the 2000s: Lot 425. Karuizawa-2000-花鳥繪系列 (4 bottles). Estimate: HK$80,000-120,000.

Bonhams Director of Wine and Whisky Asia Daniel Lam commented: “This is probably the most comprehensive offering of the sought-after Karuizawa whisky to have ever appeared at auction. For collectors and fans of the distillery or Japanese whisky in general, the sale represents a rare opportunity to acquire some of the best editions ever known – decade by decade and all on one single occasion.”

The wine section of the sale is highlighted by a sublime private cellar – A True Wine Lover’s Collection. Having begun his journey collecting fine wines some thirty years ago, the owner has built a genuinely magnificent cellar, all by purchasing through one of the leading and most prestigious fine wine merchants in the United Kingdom. The provenance is therefore impeccable. Highlights include:

·         Lot 285 & 286: 2007 Harlan, The Maiden (6 bottles OWC). Estimate: HK$8,000-10,000.

·         Lot 297 to 300: 2007 Bond Assortment Case (5 bottles OWC). Estimate: HK$7,000-9,000.

·         Lot 268: 2009 Masseto, Tenuta dell’Ornellaia (1 Imperial – #18/80 OWC). Estimate: HK26,000-34,000.

·         Lot 147: 1995 Château Latour, Pauillac 1er Cru Classé (6 magnums OWC). Estimate: HK$42,000-60,000.

·         Lot 204: 1995 Chevalier-Montrachet 1995, Domaine Leflaive (12 bottles). Estimate: HK$60,000-80,000

Other key wine highlights of the sale include:

·         Lot 382: 1999 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Assortment Case (12 bottles OWC). Estimate: HK$420,000-560,000.

·         Lot 344: 2016 Scharzhofberger Eiswein, Egon Müller (1 magnum). Estimate: HK$20,000-25,000.

NOTES

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s largest and most renowned auctioneers, offering fine art and antiques, motor cars and jewellery. The main salerooms are in London, New York, Los Angeles and Hong Kong, with auctions also held in Knightsbridge, Edinburgh, Paris, San Francisco and Sydney. With a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 22 countries, Bonhams offers advice and valuation services in 60 specialist areas. For a full list of forthcoming auctions, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit bonhams.com. bonhams.com

The Grand Whisky Auction is…closing TOMORROW tonight @ 9pm!

www.thegrandwhiskyauction.com/live-auction

3000+ lots to bid on…including this Karuizawa

Interested in selling whisky in our next auction?

T. +44 (0)1463 210 427

E. sales@thegrandwhiskyauction.com

Please find information below on Craft Whisky Club’s latest virtual tasting event, hosted by global brand manager of Torabhaig, Bruce Perry on Thursday 20th May.

The guided tasting will take participants, whether knowledgeable whisky drinkers or newcomers to the scene, on a journey from inception to bottling, opening up the methods, ingredients and flavours which have brought these whiskies to life. The virtual event will be the perfect evening for those keen to learn more about their favourite spirit, as well as developing the key skills in tasting and understanding whisky.

For the occasion, Craft Whisky Club have put together a special tasting set containing 5 x 3cl samples; one 2017 Torabhaig inaugural release and four private bottlings from Mossburn Distillers & Blenders. All the samples in the tasting set have been selected to demonstrate a real range of exciting and innovative whisky making methods and flavour profiles. Bruce Perry will be talking through all five liquids along with providing background on the Torabhaig Distillery and the very sought-after inaugural release.

The Torabhaig Legacy 2017, an extremely limited bottle was released to Craft Whisky Club members last month, a real scoop with the initial release selling out almost instantly amongst whisky fans. With coastal peat and island aromas such as salt, seaweed and limestone on the nose, the pale copper gold of this whisky takes influence from its surrounding and heritage to create a strong profile of peat, alongside aromatic herbs, peaches, vanilla and roasted almonds.

The tasting packs are available to purchase for both members and non-members directly from the site here. This special Tasting Pack includes a virtual ticket to the event and is priced at £30. Anyone can purchase a Tasting Set (if based in the UK), or members can join to hear all about Torabhaig and Mossburn whilst tasting from their own bottle of Torabhaig.

Kilchoman PX Sherry Cask

It’s here!

 Pedro Ximénez casks aren’t always the easiest to work with. That was why we decided on a combination of full maturation and finishing, to balance the distinct PX influence with that of our spirit.I’m delighted with the result; big and bold but with a delightful poise and balance of flavour.

 Anthony Wills, Kilchoman Founder & MD

The PX Sherry Cask Matured is a vatting of 33 casks, 9 fully matured in Pedro Ximénez casks and 24 finished in PX casks for between 12 and 18 months.

Nose: prunes, sultanas and heathery peat smoke with fresh coffee, sea spray and hints of citrus.

Palate: warming, with dark berries, caramelised brown sugar, tobacco leaf, liquorice and fruit cake with mixed spices and smouldering peat smoke.

Finish: rounded sherry notes with waves of summer berries and dried spices.

Kilchoman PX Sherry Cask

£75.99

GlenAllachie Wine Cask Series

The new wine cask series from Billy Walker and his team at GlenAllachie, three new drams, each given additional maturation for nearly two years in high quality wine barriques…

BUY NOW