Watch Hill Proper bourbon bar releases layout and renderings and

announces prominent industry leading members

Bourbon enthusiasts have until June 15 to sign up as a Founding Member

PROSPECT, Ky. (June 7, 2021) – Watch Hill Proper, Louisville’s first premier bourbon club located in Norton Commons, is releasing the layout and renderings for their 5,200 sq. ft. location anticipated to open in the first quarter of 2022. Both the layout and renderings were provided by Design + Inc., an award-winning architectural and design firm that specializes in the restaurant industry.

The club will feature The Fermenter – a waiting room with a smaller bar – two private rooms, a Member Lounge, and a Library. The Member Lounge will be accessible to members during the day, before official opening hours of the club. The Library will be a place for members to relax and expand their bourbon knowledge. The main bar will be in a large open room with nearly 1,000 bottles of bourbon behind the bar. A unique bourbon barrel ceiling feature will be a focal point of the club, with barrels located throughout the club.

“We are really pleased with the design process so far and seeing our vision take shape,” says co-founder Josh Howes. “We want a comfortable space that feels like a big living room yet reminds you of a bourbon distillery. When you first walk inside you will know you are in a special place, and I think our design will achieve that goal.”

Watch Hill Proper began accepting membership applications through its website for all membership types on May 12 of this year.  Industry leaders affiliated with high quality brands including Four Gate, Beam Suntory, Woodford Reserve, Heaven Hill, Angel’s Envy, Castle & Key, Four Roses, Limestone Branch and Peerless have already joined the club.  Many authors and influencers have also joined, and more are being added daily.  “We have received tremendous support from the entire bourbon industry,” says co-founder Josh Howes, “and we can’t wait to promote their brands through our club events.”

“One of the aspects of Watch Hill Proper we are most excited about is the support from the community as well as the bourbon industry,” says co-founder Tommy Craggs. “We have a lot of Bourbon Industry members already who are partnering with us to bring special events to the club. They have been given a special page on our website because they will help make sure Watch Hill Proper will be an exciting place to visit on a regular basis.”

Membership applications submitted by June 15, 2021 will have Founder Member status with additional perks including the ability to attend barrel picks, behind-the-scenes distillery tours in 2021 and 2022, priority access to rent a spirit locker, as well as one complimentary bourbon tasting a month. Membership will be capped to ensure a premier experience for the members. The club will be open to the public, but members will have reservation privileges, receive a 20% discount on drinks, and have the ability to attend special events amongst more than a dozen additional privileges.

Watch Hill Proper not only plans to deliver a large selection of bourbon and whiskey cocktails, but Howes states that prices will be extremely competitive. “One of the questions I am asked the most is what are our prices? We have posted some sample drink prices on our website because we want our members, and potential members, to know that our goal is to provide one of the best values in the city of Louisville. We want our guests to try lots of new bourbons and we will provide a large selection at good prices. Plus, every week members will have access to our ‘break-even pour’ which is a bottle that we select to be priced by the drink at our cost. Not many bars are willing to do that.”

For membership details, please visit the Watch Hill Proper website at www.watchhillproper.com or contact Bev Reese at (502) 230-1982.

About Watch Hill Proper:

Watch Hill Proper is Louisville’s first premier membership bourbon club anticipated to open early 2022. Our purpose is to be a community built around a common interest – bourbon. Our goal is to be a community of ambassadors for Kentucky’s signature industry. And do it in style. For more information about Watch Hill Proper, or to apply for membership, visit www.watchhillproper.com.

Meteorological summer began at the beginning of June but we’re waiting for the more formal astronomical date of the 21st before we officially break out the suncream and sandals.

Or, will it be midgie spray and waterproofs?

If you’re planning to visit us here at the distillery over the coming season our doors are open six days a week and a warm welcome awaits, whatever the weather.

Our tours are particularly busy right now so please give us a call on 01859 502 212 as far in advance as you can to avoid disappointment.

Meantime, we’re pleased to mark another milestone on the road towards the release of The Hearach single malt whisky.

Read more about our two new blenders who will be tasked with defining the final taste of our historic dram over on this week’s Journal.

From all of us here in Harris, have a very fine weekend!

Le dùrachdan,

Mike Donald
Isle of Harris Distillery Storyteller

Read This Week’s Journal: ‘The Blenders Pt.1’

Faultline Blended Scotch Whisky (750ml)$24.99 View

For years, we’d dreamed of creating an inexpensive, delicious, value-driven, yet simultaneously interesting expression of blended Scotch whisky that we could feature under our Faultline label. There were many times when we thought we were close, but either the quality of the whisky or the cost of the barrels proved prohibitive. We didn’t want to make a $25 bottle of whisky just for the sake of it. If we were going to do it, then we were going to it right. Finally, after working on and off with the Laings for a year-long blending process, we hammered out a profile we were happy with. Big smoke, Ardbeg-like peat flavors, and a kiss of sweet grain was our goal and we definitely achieved it in this bottle. Unlike most big brand blends, there are no coloring agents in the Faultline Scotch, just a pale straw-colored liquid that bursts with character and, due to the heavy malt content, finishes with richness and weight. We wanted to make sure that, upon launch, there would be absolutely nothing on the market that could match the quality of flavor, price, beauty of design, and bang for the buck. Now after proving that we could do it, we’ve recreated our original blend. Just like the first batch for $25 you get one helluva bottle of Scotch. Smokier than Johnnie Black, more complex than Chivas, and less expensive than either. Plus, at an assertive 100 proof you can try it in a cocktail, pour it over ice, add in soda water and not worry about it. This is the real deal.

St. George “Baller” Single Malt Whiskey (750ml) $69.99 View

Whisky Advocate

 Hugely floral and perfumed on the nose, with rose petals, violet candies, and dried orange peel. This is the Gewürztraminer of American single malts—sweet lychee, laced with sachet aromas that explode as if opening Grandma’s dresser drawer. The palate is more tropical; dried pineapple, canned peach syrup, and spice. This could be polarizing, but it’s utterly captivating and worth a try. (JL, Fall 2017) 

K&L Notes

St. George’s new single malt release is described by Master Distiller Lance Winters as a California take on Japanese Malt. Initially aged in used bourbon and French oak barrels for 3-4 years, then finished in St. George Ume plum liqueur barrels. The result is an absolutely unique twist on the American single malt, namely that is was designed

Barrell Craft Spirits “Armida” Bottling Cask Strength Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $79.99 View

Barrell strikes again. The first release of Armida is just 3,504 bottles and is a blend of 3 straight Tennessee bourbon whiskies finished in pear brandy, Jamaican rum, and Sicilian amaro casks. Their blending prowess is on full display as they perfectly mesh this wide array of flavors into a cohesive and delicious bourbon.

AMERICAN WHISKEY

Not keen to stray too far from your normal Scotch? Why not try an American whiskey for a change, we’ve got bourbon and corn whisky to enjoy.

EASY PEELER

Cask No. B5.4

Age: 4 years

Cask: Charred New Oak Barrel

DISCOVER MORE

A ROCKING CHAIR WHISKEY

Cask No. CW1.1

Age: 11 years

Cask: Charred New Oak Barrel

DISCOVER MORE

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

The Dalmore: the ultimate whisky gift

Pioneers of cask curation with expertise passed through generations of distillers, The Dalmore is a world-renowned luxury single malt – and makes the perfect whisky gift.

Discover the collection

Dalmore 12 year old sherry cask select
The whisky shop exclusive

An exclusive to The Whisky Shop in the UK, The Dalmore 12 Year Old Sherry Cask Select showcases the affinity between The Dalmore and rich sherry maturation. This expression begins its journey in American white oak ex-bourbon casks where it spends ten years maturing, laying down the foundations of the distillery’s house style: chocolate, orange and spice. The liquid is then finished in an assemblage of hand-curated sherry barrels from Andalusia in Spain, making this 12-year-old a delicious and decadent drinking experience, full of sweet fruits and autumnal spice.

buy now

“Packed full of sweet sherried flavours, this stunning Dalmore offers notes of treacle toffee, dark berries and figs. Pair with rich dark chocolate for the perfect indulgence.”

Neil, Whisky Specialist at The Whisky Shop

 Welcome to this weeks episode of the show, in which I’ll be taking a look at the current range of bottlings from the relatively new independent bottler called the Whisky Baron. This weeks episode of the Good Dram Show https://youtu.be/kxRlOVWIkmM 

Glen Moray unveils new 2005 Tokaji Finish UK exclusive for Warehouse 1 relaunch

Glen Moray’s famed ‘Warehouse 1’ has today (9^th June) released another treasure from behind its deep blue doors: a 2005 Tokaji Finish expression, which is the first of three whiskies scheduled in 2021 from the ‘new look’ Warehouse 1 Collection.

Distilled in October 2005 and finished in oak casks that once held Tokaji Aszú wine, this new cask strength dram will sweep discerning drinkers away with its sumptuous marriage of Glen Moray spirit and the sweet, nutty notes of Hungary’s decadent dessert wine.

Five Tokaji casks from the Elgin distillery’s Warehouse 1 – home to Glen Moray’s most unusual and adventurous maturation experiments over the years – have been used for a small batch release of just 1244 bottles for the UK market.

Expect sugar, spice and all things nice from this golden, cask strength dram, which moves through a ‘full-on sweetshop’ on the nose, to malty, maple syrup flavours and a long, lingering marzipan finish that beautifully balances the structure of Glen Moray spirit.

After the success of the first Warehouse 1 release last year – Sauternes Cask Matured – the Collection has been given a fresh, bold design update. A colourful Warehouse 1 stamp in deep, soft gold represents the Tokaji casks, with an illustration of the warehouse in question also featured, including the birds that circle overhead on a typical day at the distillery.

The new Tokaji Finish expression will be the first of three launches scheduled for the Collection in 2021. All will share a common theme, celebrating Glen Moray’s classic Speyside spirit matured in casks sourced from some of Europe’s oldest, noblest and most distinctively flavoured wine varieties.

Hungarian Tokaji is a wine with a rich, royal and romantic heritage that stretches back hundreds of years. It is now enjoying an exciting resurgence, inspiring Glen Moray’s master distillers as they seek out interesting, eclectic casks to create this special collection of whiskies.

As Glen Moray Brand Ambassador Iain Allan notes: ‘When our distillers talk about Warehouse 1 it’s almost as if they’re letting you into a secret. This is their special space for experimentation, innovation and patiently waiting for the character of each whisky to develop.

Tasting Notes

Colour: bright gold

Nose: a sweetshop of aromas: sugared almonds, caramel toffee, freshly baked gingerbread. Sweet sugars hold back the traditional fresh fruit character of Glen Moray spirit.

Taste: Malty, biscuity, hints of freshly baked bread, slightly sweet. Maple syrup on Scottish pancakes along with warm pecan pie.

Finish: nutty, almond marzipan, long and lingering.

‘Our team searches the world for interesting casks and they’re not afraid to push the boundaries, try the unusual and creatively combine Glen Moray whisky with unexpected casks. In this case, we have turned to Tokaji, which is a very old but lesser-known wine that has created a wonderful, flavour-packed dram that we’re very proud to release.

‘It’s also very fitting that Warehouse 1 now has its own new and distinctive identity. This is a mark that signifies exclusive, small scale releases, non-chill-filtered and bottled at cask strength and with natural colour. Drinkers can be assured that each whisky has been made with a spirit of adventure, resulting in a dram packed with character and delicious flavour.

‘I’m excited to see what whisky fans will make of our new Tokaji release, and as we move through 2021, I can promise there are more surprises to come from Warehouse 1.’

Crafted since 1897 in the ancient town of Elgin, the capital of the Speyside whisky region, Glen Moray distillers have been curious about flavour throughout their history. Surviving handwritten ledgers show that a wide variety of casks were used to mature new make spirit back in those early days, which was an unusual practice for the time. A deep knowledge and expertise of wood has developed at Glen Moray through generations of distillers, resulting in today’s exceptional range of whiskies with a style to suit everyone.

Glen Moray Warehouse 1 2005 Tokaji Finish is bottled at cask strength (56.3% ABV), non-chill-filtered and with natural colour. It is a UK exclusive, available in 70cl packs in specialist whisky shops, RRP £75.

Watch the Warehouse 1 Tokaji Finish film on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfeDfvcDM-E

www.glenmoray.com

www.facebook.com/GlenMorayDistillery

www.instagram.com/glen_moray_whisky

www.twitter.com/glenmoraydist

ABOUT GLEN MORAY

Glen Moray is one of Scotland’s best loved single malt whiskies. It has been crafted since 1897 in the ancient town of Elgin, the capital of the Speyside whisky region, on what was once the Elgin West Brewery site on the banks of the River Lossie. Pure waters from the river, locally malted barley, distillation in traditional copper stills and maturation in American ex-bourbon casks combine to give the whisky its smooth, well-balanced, classic Speyside character. Glen Moray has always been a place where curiosity about flavour and cask maturation has been encouraged. Records dating back to the early days show new make spirit maturing in a wide variety of different casks – a highly unusual practice at this time. A passion for experimentation and a deep knowledge of wood have been passed down through generations of Glen Moray distillers. The result is today’s exceptional and extensive range of whiskies, offering a flavour and style to suit all tastes. Glen Moray is the 5th biggest malt whisky brand by volume in the UK and is growing in international markets.

ABOUT LA MARTINIQUAISE-BARDINET

Founded by Jean Cayard in 1934, La Martiniquaise is an independent French spirits group with a large portfolio of international brands. Headquartered near Paris, the group operates in over 100 countries with 38 subsidiaries and production sites. The Group’s four pillars are Scotch whiskies, ports, brandies, wines, rums and craft spirits from France.  www.la-martiniquaise.com

Hamish’s Hidden Malt:
Win the full Game of Thrones Limited Edition set of bottles and chest to match!

In our latest edition of Hamish’s Hidden Malt we are offering up a highly collectible prize: a Game of Thrones Limited Edition Chest (1 of only 205!) with the full set of 8 original bottles in the series representing each house including Cardhu, Clynelish, Dalwhinnie, Lagavulin, Oban, Royal Lochnagar, The Singleton of Glendullan, and Talisker.

To be in with a chance of winning this incredible prize all you have to do is purchase any of the featured bottles below to automatically enter into our giveaway. One lucky winner will be chosen from all these orders and sent this striking chest filled with single malt treasure! Winter isn’t quite coming just yet but I’m sure like Jon Snow you could put your feet up with a dram of Cardhu or Dalwhinnie any time of the year!

Take a gander below and enter before Friday 18th June is up. All orders from now until then will be in with a chance of winning. But win or lose you’ll still receive a lovely new malt to your door. Good luck!

Win!

GLENFIDDICH GRAND SERIES PRIZE DRAW

Glenfiddich’s Grand Series is a range of well-aged single malts that have each been finished in an unusual cask – everything from rum to Champagne. To celebrate the series we’re bringing you the chance to win a VIP experience at Tom Sellers’ Restaurant Story, including all travel and a stay in a 5* hotel. To enter, just buy any whisky from the series before the end of June.

  ENTER NOW  

The Grand Whisky Auction ends soon!

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3550+ lots to bid on…including this 68 YO Macallan!

Interested in selling whisky in our next auction?

+44 (0)1463 210 427

sales@thegrandwhiskyauction.com