Construction of Dunphail Distillery underway

Work on new Speyside whisky distillery and visitor centre begins

Founders’ Club and initial private cask offerings launched

Dunphail Distillery today announced that following significant initial investment into the new business, that construction was underway at the single malt whisky distillery and visitor centre based south of Forres in the Speyside region of Scotland. The build is planned to take approximately 12 months to complete.

The 200,000 LPA capacity site, converted from an existing farm steading, is aiming to shift the perceptions of what Scotch whisky can be. Dunphail will adopt a single-minded approach to its production, utilising time-honoured processes such as on-site floor maltings, traditional kilning, long fermentations and direct-fired stills. Through this resolutely traditional mindset, character and flavour will be placed ahead of yield in order to craft spirits that possess the essence and distinctiveness of whisky the way it used to be made.

“We’re thrilled to be starting the construction of Dunphail Distillery” said spokesperson Matt McKay. “We fundamentally believe that the most charaterful whiskies in the world are created from the finest ingredients and are crafted using authentic traditional processes. At Dunphail we’ll be applying our established expertise in developing world-class whiskies and employing the traditions of the past to shape the whisky of tomorrow.”

To mark the commencement of the construction of the distillery, Dunphail will be launched its Founders’ Club and initial private cask offering (via www.dunphaildistillery.com) from 1pm on Friday 10th December 2021.

Dunphail Founders’ Club members will receive a bottle of the distillery’s inaugural single malt whisky (expected in 2026) plus four exclusive releases including the first peated whisky produced at the distillery, two Founder member-only Gonzalez Byass single sherry casks and a specially commissioned ‘commemorative’ release from Bimber Distillery in London that celebrated the important role that Bimber’s pursuit of tradition has played in the establishment of Dunphail’s values and production processes.

Founders’ membership is priced at £695 and also includes a host of additional benefits such as 10% discount on online purchases, notice of future releases and a welcome pack containing branded nosing glasses.

Alongside the Founders’ Club, the distillery’s inaugral private cask programme has launched offering the opportunity for families, friends and enthusiasts to lay down their own stock of Dunphail single malt and enjoy its development from spirit to maturity. 200 litre ex-bourbon barrels, 125 litre Pedro Ximenez and 125 litre oloroso sherry cask are offered in both unpeated and peated styles, with prices ranging £3,800 – £6,400.

About Dunphail Distillery

Our firm belief in the importance of high-quality barley and the use of onsite traditional floor malting and kilning ensures that Dunphail’s spirit is a product of uniqueness, shaped by generations of rich distilling heritage. We craft the finest whisky the way it used to be made – by hand and by heart.

Kentucky Peerless Double Oak Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)

$79.99 View

93 points Whisky Advocate

 A nose of confectioners’ sugar and peach tart, as well as Toblerone, cherry cola, roasted almonds, barrel char, leather, and drying oak. More baking spice on the palate, melding with chocolate syrup, savory notes of roasted nuts and charred corn, pepper, and perfumed oak. Earthy notes emerge with water, along with spice and chocolate. An herbal finish offers flavors of cherry tart, light chocolate, and spice. Very tasty, and with plenty of panache. (DF, Summer 2020) 

K&L Notes

#8 on the Whiskey Advocate’s Top 20 Whiskies of 2021! This limited edition release used to be absolutely impossible to get. With the tremendous reception they had at the distillery for the Double Oak, Peerless decided to double down and expand it’s distribution. They combed the warehouses for the most fruity, grain forward, and herbal barrels – the more intense the better – and then promoted those barrels into the Double Oak program. The extra intensity of the original barrels is able to stand up to a second maturation in new oak. The whiskey than becomes the balanced Bourbon Peerless requires but with the added focus on American oak.

What’s new? Fettercairn 16 Year Old 2nd Release 🥃

Fettercairn 16 Year Old 2nd Release: 2021

The 2021 batch of the 16-year-old Fettercairn has just landed! And here we have a delcious trio of casks in this unique maturation: first-fill Oloroso, refill Oloroso and rare Palo Cortado sherry butts. Expect that tropical fruit forward character with the influence of those sherry casks bringing complexity and depth. Bottled at 46.4% abv as a limited annual release, we can’t wait to taste a bit of Summer in a dram!

£69.99
Buy Now

Available to order here now

Apogee XII From Bimber in London, is a flawlessly balanced, meticulously crafted unity of exceptional world whiskies, created as a celebration of the fine art of blending. Apogee draws from generations of historical expertise combined with modern virtuosity and elegance to offer an alluring, versatile and deeply captivating whisky. Artfully composed from a selection of the finest world whiskies, the aromas and flavours of Apogee have been enhanced further through sympathetic maturation in casks sourced from London’s award-winning Bimber Distillery. NOSE Spiced pears and oven-baked apricot flans are sweetened by candy necklaces and scented with rosewater, nutmeg and powdered ginger PALATE Syrupy orchard and stone fruits provide a bright and fresh mouthfeel supported by lightly charred oak, gentle white pepper and cooling mint FINISH Lingering ripe and sweet fruits alongside sympathetic, aromatic oak. Speyside & Highland Whisky, with a further maturation at Bimber Distillery.

Friday, December 17th, 3-6PM:

Australian Whiskey: Starward

Starward whiskey brings together Australian malted barley and Australian red wine barrels to create a distinctly Australian spirit. Housed in a large industrial space in Melbourne, this urban distillery is as bold and unconventional as the spirit it produces and the city it calls home. Starward’s distinctive whiskies are exclusively matured in Australian wine barrels in the variable Melbourne climate – which experiences “four seasons in one day” – to create a dynamic form of elemental maturation..

Click Here to RSVP

(or email us at info@whiskyshopusa.com)

ralfy review 906 Extras – Three great peated malts I bought again in 2021

IGNITE YOUR SENSES WITH THE SCOTCH MALT WHISKY SOCIETY THIS CHRISTMAS:

SMWS PARTNERS WITH SCOTLAND’S FIRST FRAGRANCE HOUSE

This Christmas, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society has teamed up with Kingdom Scotland to pair single cask whiskies with two gorgeous perfumes

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) has collaborated with Scotland’s first fragrance house, Kingdom Scotland, pairing SMWS single cask whiskies with two luscious perfumes. Available to sample at Society venues in London, Glasgow and Edinburgh – including Edinburgh’s Kaleidoscope Bar, Whisky Magazine’s ‘Whisky Bar of the year’ – the partnership explores the fascinating relationship between whisky and perfume.

The Kingdom scents Metamorphic and Portal have been expertly paired with SMWS Flavour Profiles Lightly Peated and Juicy Oak & Vanilla. The collaboration will bring to life Society guests’ olfactory systems (sense of smell), igniting the senses at Society venues across the UK this festive season.

METAMORPHIC paired with LIGHTLY PEATED
Inspired by metamorphic rock, Metamorphic fuses black pepper and tobacco, incense, minerals and rose absolute. As it’s warmed on the skin, the scent reveals a base of amber resin and leather. A natural fit for the Lightly Peated Flavour Profile, the scent was matched with bottling ‘Peat fire tales on Orkney’.

PORTAL paired with JUICY OAK & VANILLA

Portal evokes a fresh, outdoorsy, gusting nose with herbaceous botanicals and bergamot, resting on a veritable forest floor of vetiver and Scots pine. Sampled & sprayed with ‘Summer garden curiosity’, a match made in heaven for Juicy Oak & Vanilla.

Inspired by a career in the aromatic world of luxury Scotch whisky, Kingdom Scotland founder Imogen Russon-Taylor has created a fragrance house with a difference.

Kingdom’s scents capture the history and majestic landscapes of Scotland in a contemporary way. The perfumes capture stories, experiences and dramatic contrasts at the heart of a land that enthrals the imagination.

Expertly crafted using only the most precious natural and aromatic ingredients. Kingdom is Scotland’s first fragrance house creating evocative and modern, unisex scents.

Commenting on the collaboration, Imogen Russon-Taylor said: “I’m delighted to be working with The Scotch Malt Whisky Society. My background is in luxury whisky, so to be working with such a well-respected organisation is a dream.

“Your sense of smell is an incredible thing. It possesses the same characteristics as a dram, especially a Society dram, by transporting you away to great memories and special places.

“I can’t wait to hear the feedback from Society guests this Christmas, I’m very confident these pairings will inspire new conversations on appreciating fine spirits.”

Belonging to the world’s most entertaining whisky club gives you access to exclusive Members’ Rooms, partner bar discounts, colourful tasting events, whisky education, and a monthly members’ magazine Unfiltered.

Click here to take part in this truly unique sensory journey.

The Christmas whisky gift that keeps on giving all year round. There’s so much more than whisky to appreciate when your loved one joins the Society for just £65 this Christmas: https://cutt.ly/oTvSO4X 

SMWS EDINBURGH

28 Queen St, Edinburgh EH2 1JX

The Vaults, 87 Giles St, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6BZ

SMWS GLASGOW

38 Bath St, Glasgow G2 1HG

SMWS LONDON

19 Greville St, London EC1N 8SQ

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society

f:  https://cutt.ly/WYnKFwl

i: https://cutt.ly/KYnMUix

t:  https://cutt.ly/wYnMmn2

yt:  https://cutt.ly/tYnMEl7

#SMWS

About The Scotch Malt Whisky Society

• The Scotch Malt Whisky Society was established in Edinburgh in 1983 and now has more than 27,000 members and branches around the world.
• The SMWS bottles rare single malt whisky, and a range of other spirits
• The Society bottles single malts, unique single casks and exclusive blends
• The Society has bottled whisky from more than 140 distilleries from Scotland and beyond
• The Society offers a new batch of around 20 single malt whiskies every month
• The Society offers a variety of membership packages that can be tailored. Please see:https://cutt.ly/aQGwfkH
• For more information about the Society, visit:https://cutt.ly/HQF6PTv
• Twitter: @SMWSUK Facebook: @thesmwsuk Instagram: @smws_uk

About Kingdom Scotland

Kingdom Scotland is a timeless realm explored in scent. This is Scotland’s first fragrance house and their luxury perfumes are unisex, sustainable, ethical and expertly crafted in Scotland. Available at the SMWS, Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Les Senteurs, Gleneagles and The Balmoral Hotel Edinburgh.

Kingdom Scotland

@kingdomscotland Instagram and Facebook

#madeofscotland

A Night on Earth in Scotland:

The Macallan Estate unveils an extraordinary festive experience

The Macallan Estate has unveiled a unique festive experience inspired by, and carefully curated to honour, its latest whisky expression, A Night on Earth in Scotland.

For one night only, on Friday 10 December, guests are invited to journey to The Macallan Estate after hours for an intimate evening of fine dining and an extraordinary whisky tasting.

Decorated for the festive season, including a magnificent Christmas tree stretching towards the distillery’s iconic roof, A Night on Earth, The Macallan Estate Experience provides a unique opportunity to experience The Macallan in all its seasonal splendour. With limited spaces available, it is a highly exclusive and intimate experience.

On arrival at The Macallan Estate, guests will be welcomed with an exclusive cocktail to be enjoyed in front of The Macallan Whisky Wall – a showcase of some of the brand’s most iconic single malts.

This warm welcome is followed by a bespoke seven-course tasting menu of the finest seasonal produce designed by Head Chef, Pawel Sowa, with a tasteful selection of wines and whiskies carefully selected by The Macallan Estate sommelier to complement the evening meal.

After dinner, guests will retreat to The Macallan Bar, home to the world’s largest selection of Macallan whiskies available to sample. The Macallan Bar overlooks Easter Elchies House – the spiritual home of The Macallan which has appeared on every bottle of The Macallan for almost 200 years.

Here, a tutored tasting of The Macallan’s latest expression, A Night on Earth in Scotland, which reveals the story of Scotland’s world-famous Hogmanay festivities and captures the universal joy of celebrating the change of year, will be enjoyed.

Stuart Cassells, General Manager at The Macallan Estate, said:

“Christmas is a special time of year where we can gather with family and friends, reflecting on the past year and looking ahead to the future with optimism and anticipation.

“We can’t wait to welcome guests to The Macallan Estate for a truly special festive experience. A Night on Earth, The Macallan Estate Experience is an opportunity to celebrate with friends and family here at The Macallan, savouring the true meaning of Christmas – quality time, spent together.”

The first in a new limited edition gifting series, A Night on Earth in Scotland is a collaboration with acclaimed Japanese-French illustrator Erica Dorn, whose artwork has featured in films by leading director, Wes Anderson.

Presented as part of innovative multi-layered packaging that provides an exceptional unboxing experience, Erica Dorn’s playful abstract illustrations are inspired by the historic fire rituals dominant in New Year celebrations around the world.

They also reveal some distinctive Hogmanay customs, including the tradition of first footing: when it is good luck for a dark-haired visitor to be the first person to enter your home after midnight, bearing symbolic gifts – whisky coal and shortbread – that aim to bring comfort and happiness in the year ahead.

With a soft, velvety mouthfeel, it excellently showcases The Macallan’s commitment to craftsmanship and uncompromised excellence.

Tickets for A Night on Earth, The Macallan Estate Experience are available to book now, priced at £350 per person. Please note that the experience is limited to a maximum of five guests per booking, and that this experience is only suitable for guests aged 18 and over.

For further details, and to book, please visit: https://www.themacallan.com/en/the-macallan-estate-festive-experience

For further information, visit www.themacallan.com

About The Macallan 

Founded in 1824, The Macallan is renowned worldwide for its extraordinary single malt whiskies. Their outstanding quality and distinctive character reveal the uncompromised excellence pursued by The Macallan since it was established by Alexander Reid, on a plateau above the River Spey in north-east Scotland.

In 2018, The Macallan opened a new chapter in its history with the launch of its award-winning Speyside distillery. Designed by internationally acclaimed architects to promote sustainability, the building takes inspiration from the surrounding ancient Scottish hills. It stands nearby Easter Elchies House, the Highland Manor built in 1700 which is The Macallan’s spiritual home and remains the heartbeat of The Macallan’s beautiful 485-acre Estate.

Crafted without compromise. Please savour The Macallan responsibly.

Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday season!

It’s been quite a while since our last newsletter, we’ve been busy navigating the ever-changing Public Health Orders. Rest assured all is good down at The Kitchen and we hope to host our Whisky Pairings dinners in the new year.

Here’s an update, and refresher on our Free The Whisky Campaign.

The largest whisky raid in Canada in over 100 years took place almost 4 years ago at Fets Whisky Kitchen on January 18, 2018. Later this week, December 9^th and 10^th 2021, we will finally go before a British Columbia Supreme Court Justice to take the government to task. Along with our lawyer Mr. Daniel Coles, we have also hired Mr. Kevin Westell, a criminal lawyer to tackle the government’s breach of Section 8 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

We invite everyone to come join us in our quest for justice at 10am this Thursday and Friday at the BC Supreme Court, 800 Hornby Street, Vancouver.

As you may recall on January 18^th, 2018, government liquor agents from Victoria arrived at our small family-run restaurant on Commercial Drive in a rented U-Haul van filled with empty boxes and a couple of hand trucks. The two out-of-town agents met a regional liquor inspector manager accompanied by two Vancouver Police Officers at the restaurant at 10am. Meanwhile on Vancouver Island liquor inspectors raided Nanaimo’s Grand Hotel, also at 10am. Later that day inspectors raided Victoria’s Little Jumbo Restaurant and The Union Club, all under the guise of “liquor inspections”. All coordinated for the same day, seeking the same product. Coincidence? We think not.

Allura Fergie, one of the owners of Fets Whisky Kitchen was called by a staff member advising her that the inspectors were there. Allura spoke to an agent on the phone and was told that she needed to attend the premises immediately. When she arrived, she was told “We’re seizing these bottles as evidence in an on-going investigation.” She asked if she had time to consult her lawyer and was told that she did not. She asked why the police were in attendance and was told they “Never know how these things go”. We’ve had many liquor inspections since we opened our doors in 1986 and never once were the police involved or in attendance.

We felt uncomfortable with how the government agents handled the situation and decided to challenge them. That’s when things got strange. We requested information regarding the “inspection” but were denied any information other than a record of all our previous liquor inspections. We were denied any information about why they raided our place and the three other establishments on the Island. We eventually filed an FOI request. Our request was repeatedly delayed, and our hearing was repeatedly postponed while we waited for the results of our FOI request. We finally received documentation from our FOI request. Hundreds of heavily redacted pages! What are they trying to hide?

Although we finally had some of the information we were looking for, we received it too late for our enforcement hearing. Due to the government’s delay in providing us the necessary documents needed for our defense, we missed our submissions deadline. We arrived for our enforcement hearing armed with this new information. The branch advocate and the adjudicator, who both work for the same government agency, denied us our right to produce evidence that we had just obtained from the government, their employers. We were told that none of this new information would be admitted as evidence, as we missed the submissions deadline. Our submissions would have been on time had the government not repeatedly delayed the release of our FOI request. We did find out that the government started their investigation on December 7th, 2017, seven weeks before what they refer to as a routine liquor inspection. The investigation had a name, Operation Barley Malt. There were emails between government actors discussing the raid and how it was going to go down. There was even approval for the raids from management. All for a routine inspection?

When Government Liquor Agents conduct inspections, licensees are compelled under the liquor Control and Licensing Act to answer all of the agent’s questions and supply them with all requested documentation. When the government conducts an investigation and arrives to further their investigation — remember they were “seizing these bottles as evidence in an ongoing investigation” — they have other rules and guidelines to follow.  As with all government agents seeking evidence while building a case, licensees are to be issued a Charter Caution and the agents are to produce a Search and Seizure warrant to conduct a search and to seize any evidence pertaining to said investigation. The agents did not produce a warrant, nor did they issue Allura a Charter Caution advising her of her rights.

These government actors conducted a seven-week investigation, including clandestine visits to the four establishments being investigated, thus requiring them to follow their rules under section 44 of the Liquor Control and Licensing Act. When charges against any citizen of Canada can lead to incarceration it is imperative that all government agents protect the rights and freedoms of the citizenry. This licensee was charged under sections of the act that carry penalties that include incarceration. Both owners had jail time held over them for over a year. It wasn’t until the enforcement hearing that they were told the government wasn’t pursuing jail time. Needless to say, it was a very stressful year.

As the agents came in using their inspection powers, we incriminated ourselves by answering their questions as instructed. The information garnered at the time of the “inspection”, through their continuing investigation and follow up communications was used as evidence against us. This is Canada, we are looked upon by the world as having a fair judicial system. But this was not fair. This is not how our system was designed to work. Rogue agents and bad government actors are dangerous to us all.

Fets Whisky Kitchen | 1230 Commercial Drive,
Vancouver, V5L 3X4 Canada

Scotch Whisky Auctions are on the road again!

Please see below for our final collection before Christmas. To register your interest in a collection please complete the form which can be found here. Please note home collections are available to those customers sending 10+ bottles or bottles to the value of £1000 and above in towns and cities where we do not offer a collection point. Please get in touch if your area is not listed below but you would like a home collection. We will do our best to accommodate all requests.

Collections are limited and by appointment only. If you would like to attend please complete the form which can be found here. Please note dead lines apply for collection requests. It would be appreciated if bottles could be packed for uplift. In addition the attached submission form and label should be completed. A winner in our auction? We are now offering a delivery (to collection point) service to customers who are dropping bottles off for a future auction. This service is charged at £12 (inc VAT), optional loss and breakage cover is available.

Submission Form & Label