The Return of a Bestselling Whisky in a Brand New Format
Compass Box “Flaming Heart” Sixth Limited Edition Malt Whisky (700ml) ($129.99)
“Solid gold: this is what they do best.” — Jonny McCormick, Whisky Advocate

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While the U.K. blending firm Compass Box has long been held in high regard with our most in-the-know whisky aficionados, the products are notoriously difficult to come by. In the case of their 700ml formats, they’ve been impossible to find, thanks to long-standing U.S. import laws—until now, that is. Every year, we look forward to the release of the Flaming Heart, arguably Compass Box’s most popular blend, which always sells out quickly. However, we’ve just taken new stock of a previous release in the form of the 2018 Flaming Heart in the brand new 700ml bottle. This dram was a stupendous hit on initial release, garnering a superb 95-point review from Wine Enthusiast and finding immense favor among our clientele. We’re thrilled to offer this special bottling once again, and we’re sure that like previous renditions, it will move in a flash. You’ll want to act fast and decisively to secure your desired quantity now, as we’ve taken all that we could get our hands on.

Compass Box “Flaming Heart” Sixth Limited Edition Malt Whisky (700ml) ($129.99)

95 points Wine Enthusiast: “Inspired by a rock song by M. Ward, this is a blend of single malts, plus peated Islay whiskey. The original limited edition was released in 2006; this is the sixth release, debuting in the U.S. in September 2018. Overall, this is a soft sipper for those who love peat. Look for a straw hue and lightly smoky scent with a whiff of sea breeze. The velvety palate mingles peat smoke with lemon cream and vanilla, lingering into a gentle fade accented by black pepper. (KN)” (12/2019)

94 points Whisky Advocate: “Refined elegant smoke, quayside ropes, liniment oil, waxed lemon, cake mix, ripe peach, and a buoyant maltiness, as Flaming Heart roars back with a vengeance. After the controversy surrounding the 15th Anniversary edition, this time its all about the whisky. Sweet tangy orange, bitter peel oils, dark chocolate, clove, peppercorn, and nutmeg glide into menthol, spice, beeswax, and espresso on the finish. Solid gold: this is what they do best. *Editors’ Choice* (JM, Winter 2018)”

K&L Notes: This is the sixth release from 2018 but bottled in 700ml bottles consolidated from other markets outside the U.S. Compass Box’s well-loved, limited-edition peater is back in stock thanks to the change in U.S. law that allows us to sell 700ml bottles. The sixth edition has reintroduced a subtle sherry-cask character. First released in 2006, the Flaming Heart was the first whisky to combine the robust flavors of Islay peated malt with the complex spice of new French oak. Compass Box is the leading bespoke blender in the U.K. They’re refining and redefining the often-maligned category through innovative use of ultra-high-quality malt and thoughtful barrel selection and management. They’re also about as transparent as the law allows with their blends. In this case, we have: 39% refill bourbon barrels from Caol Ila, 29% refill hoggies from Deanston, 11% re-charred hoggies and 6% refill hoggies from Clynelish, and finally 15% Custom French/first-fill Sherry/refill American oak with a blend of Highland malts (these vattings consist of whiskies from Clynelish, Dailuaine, Teaninich, Benrinnes, Glen Ord, and Allt A Bhainne). It’s a complicated recipe that exemplifies powerful yet balanced nature that has become so renowned with Flaming Heart.

ralfy review 874 Extras – BigCliveDotCom whisky tamper !

Glen Scotia 25-Year-Old Malt Whisky Named “Best Whisky In The World”   

Glen Scotia 25-Year-Old Single Malt Whisky has been recognised as the ‘Best in Show’ at this year’s San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC), with judges awarding the Scotch single malt whisky from Campbeltown, one of Scotland’s smallest Scotch Whisky regions, as the overall winner of the competition, and therefore The Best Whisky in The World in 2021.

This year the SFWSC judged 3,800 entrants across 31 separate categories, with Glen Scotia 25-Year-Old ultimately being named as Best in Show Whisky.

The SFWSC is one of the world’s most prestigious spirits competitions. Its judges are renowned experts in their fields with decades of industry experience.  The competition started in 2000, making it the second oldest spirits competition in the world, and the oldest and largest spirits competition in the US.

Iain McAlister, Master Distiller, Glen Scotia Distillery said: “To receive such outstanding recognition and be awarded as ‘Best in Show’ at this prestigious competition is an honour, and a tremendous boost to the entire team here at Glen Scotia distillery.

“The Glen Scotia 25-Year-Old (70cl, 48.8% ABV) is a really outstanding whisky and has collected a number of prestigious awards over the years, but this has to be the absolute proudest moment for the distillery to date.”

Glen Scotia 25-Year-Old wasn’t the only whisky from the distillery to receive an award at this year’s competition with the Glen Scotia 15-Year-Old a Gold Medal, and Glen Scotia Harbour Single Malt picking up a Silver Medal.

Campbeltown, although Scotland’s smallest whisky producing region today, was in its heyday during the Victorian era known as “The Whisky Capital of the World” and home to more than 30 distilleries. Although now only three remain, Glen Scotia Distillery, captures the knowledge, experience, craft and passion learnt over the centuries of distilling in Campbeltown to produce an exceptional range of Scotch whiskies, all perfect examples of the classic, maritime Campbeltown style.

The Glen Scotia 25-Year-Old is available to buy at www.glenscotia.com priced at £400. It is accompanied by an exceptional range of other whiskies from the distillery which are all award winners in their own right, including the Glen Scotia Double Cask (46% ABV, £40), Glen Scotia 15-Year-Old (46% ABV, £55) and Glen Scotia Victoriana (54.2% ABV, £65).

For more information, please visit www.glenscotia.com  

Tasting notes: 

Nose: Bracing Atlantic breeze gives a strong maritime influence.

Taste: Red apple and tangy orange peel with vanilla syrup and caramel sweetness.

Finish: Long lingering sea salt with a spicy note of ground ginger.

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 Year Old Single Malt Scotch whisky was named ‘Best In Class’ at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2021, with Glen Scotia 10 Year old collecting a Double Gold Medal, Glen Scotia 15 Year Old a Gold Medal and Glen Scotia Harbour Single Malt a Silver Medal.
• Glen Scotia Double Cask was awarded a Gold Medal at the Scottish Whisky Awards 2019.
• Glen Scotia 18 Year Old won Best Campbeltown Malt at the World Whisky Awards 2018.
• Images and interviews with key staff from Glen Scotia are available upon request.
• www.glenscotia.com /Twitter: @GlenScotiaMalts

SAZERAC’S MISTER SAM CROWNED BEST BLENDED WHISKEY BY WORLD WHISKIES AWARDS 2021 

MONTREAL (April 28, 2021) – The World Whiskies Awards have recognized Mister Sam, a highly limited blend of Sazerac’s finest Canadian and American whiskeys, as the “Best Blended Whiskey” in the Canadian region of the competition.

Named after the legendary Sam Bronfman, Sazerac introduced this limited-edition whiskey in 2019 to honor the founder of the modern-day distilled spirits industry.  Sam Bronfman, or “Mister Sam,” as he was affectionately known, acquired Seagram’s in 1928 and elevated the company and its respective brands to become one of the most respected distillers in the world. The tie between the Seagram and Sazerac Companies was formed in the 1940s, when Sazerac’s owners became one of the first distributors of Seagram brands in the United States, forging a long-lasting relationship between the two companies.

Created by Sazerac’s Master Blender Drew Mayville, the Mister Sam blend is comprised of Sazerac’s top-quality American and Canadian Whiskeys.  Mister Sam is very close to Mayville’s heart, himself a native Canadian who spent 22 years of his career at Seagram’s where he was the fourth and last Master Blender under the Seagram dynasty.

“Mister Sam was known to say ‘Distilling is a science; Blending is an art,’ and he’s right.  Creating the elusive perfect blend is every bit about experimentation and precision,” said Mayville. “To have Mister Sam named Best Blended Whiskey is an honor not only for the team at The Old Montreal Distillery, but also a fitting tribute to Mister Sam Bronfman himself.”

The Old Montreal Distillery was constructed in 1929 in Montreal’s historic district and then purchased in 2011 by Sazerac. After successfully completing an ambitious facility modernization, the Distillery is again producing Canadian Whisky. The Old Montreal Distillery team shares a passionate commitment to elevating the artistry of blending whisky as the pioneer Sam Bronfman did in Montreal years ago.

Complete results for the World Whiskies Awards 2021 can be found at www.worldwhiskiesawards.com

About Sazerac

Sazerac is one of America’s oldest family owned, privately held distillers with operations in the United States in Louisiana, Kentucky, Indiana, Virginia, Tennessee, Maine, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Maryland, California, and global operations in the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, India, Australia and Canada. For more information on Sazerac, please visit www.sazerac.com

ROCK TOWN’S SINGLE BARREL BOURBON SCORES A DOUBLE GOLD
AT THE 2021 SAN FRANCISCO WORLD SPIRITS COMPETITION

Little Rock, AR – (April 29, 2021) – Rock Town Distillery is pleased to announce our Single Barrel Bourbon garnered a coveted Double Gold Medal at the 2021 San Francisco World Spirits competition. Rock Town’s Four Grain Sour Mash Straight Bourbon and our Single Barrel Golden Promise Straight Bourbon each received a prestigious gold medal.

“To win a Double Gold for our Single Barrel Bourbon is an incredible achievement” said distillery founder and head distiller Phil Brandon. “The competition was so fierce with so many entries, we’re over the moon with excitement”.

The competition has been held every year since 2000, making it the second oldest spirits competition in the world and the oldest and largest spirits competition in the US. The 2021 SFWSC saw a 20% increase in entrants, to 3,800, up 20% over the 2020 competition. Roughly 40% of the entrants are from the US, with the balance of 60% international.

Per Amanda Blue, Chief Operating Officer of the Tasting Alliance, “Instead of judging over three days, the judging occurred over a three-week period. We used a total of 30 judges, all based in the US, instead of our usual 56 judges. We did three panels each day, using only nine judges at a time and rotated them over the course of the judging. We separated the judges with plexiglass screens to minimize the risk of infection and we asked judges to get vaccinated if at all possible.”

ABOUT THE COMPETITION
Founded in 2000 by James Beard Award-winning drinks sage Anthony Dias Blue, the SFWSC is one of the spirits industry’s most influential competitions. Throughout the highly controlled blind tastings, the experienced judging panels taste every product to decide if it is medal-worthy. Judges do not receive any information on producer or price point, ensuring each spirit is judged fairly, equally, and without bias.

While tasting, judges evaluate each product on an individual basis—not compared to other entries in the flight. During this stage, judges determine which entries are worthy of a Gold, Silver, or Bronze medal. Entries that receive a Gold medal from all judges on a panel earn a Double Gold award.

ABOUT ROCK TOWN DISTILLERY

Rock Town Distillery produces the award winning Arkansas Bourbon, Arkansas Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey, Arkansas Hickory Smoked Whiskey, Arkansas Rye Whiskey, Rock Town Vodka and more which are distributed to multiple states and Canada. Winner of the 2015 US Micro Whisky of the Year in the 2015 edition of Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible.

Rock Town Distillery, Arkansas’ first legal distillery since prohibition, is located in downtown Little Rock at 1201 Main Street, Little Rock, AR 72202.  The distillery is open for tours 6 days a week. To find out more please visit www.rocktowndistillery.com

Isle of Arran Distillers Ltd – Lochranza and Lagg Distilleries unveil new programme of daily tastings to come following Visitor Centres re-opening

The Isle of Arran’s two Scotch Whisky distilleries have re-opened their visitor centres in line with Scottish Government guidance, as Scotland’s islands begin to welcome back visitors from the mainland.

The whisky production sites at Lochranza in the north of the island and Lagg in the south will open their doors to the public with initial access to their Visitor Centre shops and takeaway cafes followed by a number of new bookable tastings from 17^th May onwards.

As with many other businesses across the country, both distilleries have been shut since Christmas last year but will be open daily from 10am from Mon 26^th April for shop and takeaway facilities. From Mon 17^th May, both sites will begin to run a brand-new calendar of daily tastings while no tours are available.

From 17^th May, there will be a range of tastings held at the Lochranza Distillery Visitor Centre, giving visitors the opportunity to try the award-winning Arran Single Malt whiskies, including a Core Range Tasting at 11am daily (£20 per adult), a Limited Editions Tasting at 2pm daily (£25 per adult) and a Whisky & Arran Chocolate Pairing Tasting at 11am and 3pm daily (£15 per adult).

Also from 17^th May, the Distillery’s CASKS Café will also be open from 10am-4.30pm for a delicious selection of hot and cold beverages and home baking, with a lunch menu served from 12noon-3pm.

All tables must be booked in advance, bookings for tastings and the CASKS Café can be made by contacting bookings@arranwhisky.com or by calling 01770 830 264.

As well as tastings at Lochranza, from 17^th May tastings will also take place at the island’s newer Lagg Distillery, which opened in 2019, and will run daily at 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3pm costing £15.00 per adult.

Bookings can be made in advance by contacting Lagg Distillery on bookings@laggwhisky.com or by calling 01770 870565.

Director of Operations & Production for Lagg and Lochranza Distilleries, James MacTaggart said: “We’re thoroughly looking forward to welcoming visitors back to our distilleries at Lagg and Lochranza, while we’ve been able to stay in touch with them digitally in recent months, there’s nothing quite like welcoming people to the home of our Single Malts and tasting our precious liquid on the site it was crafted.”

Notes:

Accolades for Isle of Arran Distillery include Winner for:

Drinks Business Best Contribution to Wine and Spirits Tourism (2017)

Best Brewery/Distillery Tour – Scottish Outdoor Leisure Awards (2017)

Best Visitor Experience – Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions (2018)

Product Awards include:

Arran 10 year-old: Gold Medal ‘Best Single Malt 12 Years & Under, World Whiskies Awards (2019) San Francisco World Spirits Competition Double Gold Medal (2018). International Wine & Spirits Competition Gold Medal (2018). Category Winner and Gold Medal ‘Best Scotch Under 12 Years’ Islands Non-Islay at the World Whiskies Awards (2018). International Spirits Challenge Silver Medal (2018). Ultimate Spirits Challenge 91 points (2018). Ultimate Spirits Challenge Cocktail Commendation for the Rob Roy (2018). Double Gold Medal China Wine & Spirits Best Value Awards (2014)

Arran 18 year-old: Gold Medal & Category Winner ‘Best Single Malt 13 – 20 Years, World Whiskies Awards (2020)  Gold Medal ‘Best Single Malt 13 – 20 Years, World Whiskies Awards (2019) International Wine & Spirits Competition Gold Medal (2018) Category Winner & Gold Medal ‘Best Scotch 13-20 Years – Islands (Non- Islay) World Whiskies Awards (2018). International Spirits Challenge Silver Medal (2018) Scottish Field Whisky Challenge – Gold Award for Best Whisky £50-100 (2018)

Quarter Cask ‘The Bothy’: Best Scotch Island Single Malt, World Whiskies Awards (2020 & 2019) Category Winner & Gold Medal ‘No Age Statement Single Malt’ for The Bothy Batch 3 World Whiskies Awards (2018). International Wine & Spirits Competition Silver Outstanding Medal (2018). International Spirits Challenge Silver Medal (2018)

Arran Barrel Reserve:  Silver Medal ‘No Age Statement Single Malt’ World Whiskies Awards (2020)

BRUICHLADDICH SET TO CELEBRATE A SWATHE OF ANNIVERSARIES DURING THEIR VIRTUAL FÈIS ÌLE CELEBRATIONS ON THE 30TH MAY 2021

Anniversary Highlights:

-20thAnniversary of Bruichladdich Distillery’s reopening

-140 Years since the distillery was built and first opened

-1 Year anniversary of B Corp certification

Twenty years have passed since Bruichladdich Distillery’s gates were thrown open once more, with dreams of resurrection. Muck was shovelled, walls painted, roofs repaired, stills polished and fresh enthusiasm from a long-neglected community poured into the heart and eventual home off our unique spirits. No-one could have predicted the success story Bruichladdich would become, least so in those early years when the company’s no-compromise approach threatened their very survival.

Those early years were spent convincing an industry that terroir in spirits existed; that barley, people and Islay mattered. Organically grown barley was added to the distillation schedule, quickly followed by Islay raised and the ancient landrace, Bere. An old warehouse was converted into a bottling hall and jobs were created for youngsters who would have otherwise moved off the island. Slowly but surely, a community-oriented business rose from the ashes, with principled founders at the helm driving their passion for provenance and transparency forward. More farmers, hauliers, and contractors would join the efforts as the whisky industry began to boom.

The last decade saw biodynamic barley distilled for the first time, bolstered investment from new owners Remy Cointreau, a Regional Trials experiment kicked off and the status of Islay’s largest private employer earned. Most recently, Bruichladdich have nurtured a renewed appreciation for whisky as an agriculture product involving relationships built with grain breeders and soil experts, and the purchase of 30 acres of croft land intended for R&D purposes. Fresh sights on growing sustainably have been set, with projects underway to decarbonise distillation by 2025, a One Tin Lighter initiative offered to reduce outer packaging, and continued investment in conservation and biodiversity both locally and in partnership with the Botanic Gardens Conservation International.

To cap off a successful decade, Bruichladdich Distillery was awarded B Corp certification in 2020. Focussing on people and planet, they are one of a handful of distilleries worldwide to achieve this accolade, firmly marking their commitment to using business asa force for good.To celebrate these anniversaries large and small, Bruichladdich has planned a programme including an interactive whisky masterclass, music and live action from the island. With a plethora of events, there’s something for the casual cocktail drinker to the most devout malt aficionado.

Co-founder of the business, Simon Coughlin comments:

“‘I can’t believe it’s been so long’ or ‘time flies’… often heard phrases such as these aren’t true when it comes to the Bruichladdich journey. We’ve never had a moment to stop and think or look back. We’ve been on this crusade, focused with such intent to change the way our industry looks at single malt. We’ve been so determined to turn it into something more than just the liquid in the bottle, that pausing to consider where we have come from seems an indulgence. There is still so much to do.

“Having said that, and in all honesty, the Bruichladdich Fèis Ìle day is the one single day of the year I enjoy the most. It’s aday to stop and enjoy a few hours with our supports and friends from around the world. Enjoying a B+T and a dram in the sun, listening to great music and sharing stories with so many Laddie fans really does make you think, we may have struck on something here! Seeing our local community in the courtyard having a bloody good time is just so special. It makes me incredibly proud and it’s a very emotional day and it takes an incredible team to pull it off. We so look forward to 2022 when we can hopefully welcome everyone back into our courtyard for another great celebration.

”Save the Date in your diary for the 30thof May 2021 and keep an eye on@bruichladdich social channel for full details of how to get involved.

NOTES 

Event Info: Following on from our first ever Laddie Lock-In virtual event in 2020, Bruichladdich will be kicking off their Laddie Lock-In II: Time Travellers. Celebrating the anniversaries of 20 years since resurrection, the event them is centred about raising a dram to milestones past, while saluting a toast to the mission we hope to achieve in the future. The event will run from 2pm ‘til 6pm on the 30thMay 2021 and will feature live bands and live content streamed straight from the distillery.

Masterclass kits consisting of 6 x 30m blind samples will go on sale on the 27th of April 2021 through a ballot process. A download pack to prepare enthusiasts for the day will be linked into our digital festival ‘hub’, with festival merch and full scheduling info along the way.

Participants will be asked to register to the distillery’s digital festival hub, and register for the event which will be managed through Hop-In. Full details for registration will be published on the distillery’s social channels on Tuesday 27thApril 2021, with access to event registration open once the first masterclass ballot is closed.

Release Info:1,200 kits of 6 x 30ml blind samples will go on sale on the 28thof April 2021,initially through ballot process3,000 bottles of Laddie Origins will go on sale on the 30thof May 2021,initially through ballot process840 bottles of Bruichladdich Single Cask will go sale on the 30thof May 2021, initially through ballot process.

INTRODUCING…

E-GIFT VOUCHERS 

Introducing our new range of Gift Vouchers.  The perfect gift for Fathers Day or for that someone who’s always difficult to buy for!

They can be redeemed online at www.englishwhisky.co.uk or used on your next visit to The English Whisky Co.

Our new E-Vouchers are ready to be used as soon as they arrive in your recipient’s inbox or postbox.

Available now: 

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Suntory “Hibiki Japanese Harmony” Japanese Whisky (750ml)

$74.99 points Wine Enthusiast

 The newest blended whisky offering from Hibiki is burnished gold in the glass and has a bold aroma that mixes vanilla, fresh pear and a hint of smoke. The smokiness comes forward at the first sip, wrapping around a core of oak and vanilla custard and finishing long, with a mouthwatering bitter chocolate note. *Best of 2016* (KN)  (3/2016)

90 points Whisky Advocate

 Poised and complex, with typically lifted fruitiness: strawberry ice cream, pineapple, peach, balanced by delicate oak, bamboo shoot-like delicacy, then lemon. The palate is more rounded than that very forward nose, with toffee notes adding some weight. A touch of smoke comes along in the mid-palate, before fruits and caramelized coffee biscuits. Water allows the flavors to flood the palate. Exemplary blending skills and classically Hibiki. (DB, Winter 2015)  (12/2015)

Wine & Spirits

 You can’t be a Japanese whisky enthusiast without having noticed that there’s a shortage of the stuff. What once was readily available is now hard to find. What once was affordable now costs various bodily limbs. It is due to more than a fad. The best Japanese whisky is remarkable stuff, and none are better than the top single malts from Suntory, Yamazaki, Hakushu and the blended whisky Hibiki. Hibiki comes in 12-, 17- and 21-year-old expressions, but even the youngest of these is now allocated. Harmony, the newest release, carries no age statement, indicating that it contains younger whiskies than other bottlings. Nevertheless, this is a welcome concession, with Suntory’s classic sense of balance, nuance and delicacy. *Best of 2015* (JM)  (11/2015)

K&L Notes

*96 points, Ultimate Spirits Challenge Top 100 of 2020* The newest incarnation of Suntory’s hugely popular Hibiki series, this time without an age statement attached. The same soft, mellow, vanilla-laden flavor is still here, however. It’s a true harmony of pure Hibiki flavor.

Spring 2021 Release

James Eadie

New Small Batch label now featuring animal artwork by Annabell Pope as a nod to the many pubs James Eadie owned in the 19th century.

Caol Ila 9 Year Old 2011 – The Red Lion

Glenlossie 10 Year Old 2010 – The Blue Boar

Glen Ord 9 Year Old 2011 0 The Acorn

Glendullan 9 Year Old 2011 – The Black Swan

Single Cask UK Exclusives

Blair Athol 13 Year Old 2007 – Marsala Finish – 58.2%

Linkwood 11 Year Old 2009 – re-charred hogshead – 55.2%

Inchgower 13 Year old 2008 – Amontiladdo – 55.8%

Shop – All James Eadie