New fill whiskies stars, a new limited-edition range from VCL Vintners

Release No.1 features just 109 bottles from Royal Brackla and Benriach Distilleries

As we reunite with old friends and family in person this festive season, such special occasions warrant a memorable, limited-edition spirit to mark the event. Thanks to its relationships with some of the most exciting distilleries in production today, VCL Vintners, a premier City-based whisky cask broker, is launching its very own independent bottling line this winter, giving whisky lovers just that experience.

With a limited run of bottles available for purchase from 30 November 2021 on the VCL Vintners’ website, this inaugural release is made up of a Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky from Royal Brackla Distillery and a Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky from Benriach Distillery. Both spirits were aged for 9 years and finished in octaves: the Highland Single Malt in a port cask and the Speyside Single Malt in a sherry one.

Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (Royal Brackla 2012) ABV 54.80% AYS 11 June 2021 Cask number 435 (Octave)

Royal Brackla is a distillery steeped in history; boasting a home that is said to have inspired William Shakespeare’s Macbeth and producing the first Scotch whisky to receive a royal warrant. Over its 200-year history, Royal Brackla’s whisky has been often affectionately nicknamed “The King’s Own Whisky.” Releases of Royal Brackla have been limited over the years. One of those, a 35-year-old 200th-anniversary edition was sold for $15,000 in 2014. This release with VCL Vintners is therefore an exciting new opportunity for whisky lovers to discover and taste whisky from a historic distillery.

On the nose, the ruby-coloured Highland Single Malt delivers a fruity aroma of blackberry and cherries, with hints of candy floss, vanilla, and polished mahogany. The palate presents rich dark chocolate with berries and dates, with a hint of sultanas.

The whisky finishes with a lingering taste of sugared almonds and dark chocolate, followed by hints of red grapes: a truly exquisite whisky to experience.

Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (Benriach 2012) ABV 50.08% AYS 06 February 2021 Cask number 215 (Octave)

Benriach is a distillery known for doing things differently; it is one of just two distilleries in Speyside to still practice traditional floor malting on-site. It is also one of the few distilleries in Speyside that makes both peated and unpeated single malt. As a result, the whisky has a distinctly smoky and sweet note.

On the nose, the golden-coloured Speyside Single Malt delivers a fruity aroma of banana and grape, with hints of apple, citrus, and raisins. The palate presents you initially with caramelised banana, followed by the wintery aromatic flavours of cloves and spice.

The whisky finishes with black pepper with orange zest and hints of charred vanilla. As the cold winter takes hold over the next few months, this rich whisky will warm you from the inside, while conjuring up cosy wintery moments of being indoors by a fire.

Both bottles will retail at £65 (including VAT) on VCL Vintners’ website, available from 30 November 2021.

Discussing the launch, Stuart Thom, Director of VCL Vintners, said: “Whether it’s a bottle for yourself or a present for your friends and family, this is going to be the perfect gift this Christmas. Our goal is to bring whisky to as many new people as possible and we are thrilled to bring these whiskies to market, giving everyone the opportunity to enjoy top-of-the-range whisky from the comfort of their own homes. It was a pleasure to work with the wonderful liquid produced by people at Royal Brackla and Benriach distilleries, as we know how much time, effort, and care goes into producing these spirits. We are very excited for what is in store for 2022.”

In January 2021, VCL Vintners reported that more than half of their cask sales were to buyers in the 18–44-year-old age demographic.

About VCL Vintners

Founded in 2010, VCL Vintners sources and manages fine single malt Scotch whisky casks;  the highest performing alternative asset of the 21st century according to the 2020 Knight Frank Luxury Investment Index, which found that the ROI on whisky investments has grown by 586% in the last decade[1].

VCL Vintner’s assets range from young, new-fill barrels to some of the rarest and oldest casks on the market today. To date, the company has traded and exchanged on tens of millions of pounds of whisky, wine, port, champagne and cognac. VCL Vintners currently holds £70m of whisky under management, and is on track to corner 2% of the whisky industry’s total reserves, with a target of managing £300m in the next 15 years.

Approximately 3 billion litres of raw spirit are housed in Scottish HMRC bonded warehouses with an estimated value of £15 billion. VCL Vintners holds a prestigious HMRC issued WOWGR license, which is issued upon rigorous assessments, and interviews, and is subject to annual review and renewal, which allows the company to access this raw spirit for trade and exchange.

VCL Vintners is part of ‘The London International Vintners Exchange’, an invitation only organisation with only 400 companies globally in its membership. The company’s brokers are all accredited by the Wine Spirit and Education Trust in London.

Conecuh Brands Announces New Innovations For

 Clyde May’s Whiskey Collection

 Brand Support Includes TV Schedule with Vice Media

GARDEN CITY, NY, November 15- – Conecuh Brands, LLC is launching four new innovations.  Between now and December, the brand is releasing its most extensive line up of innovations to date.

The four new innovations include:

• Clyde May’s Single Barrel Straight Bourbon 5-Year-Old (102 Proof; $49.99)
• Clyde May’s Special Reserve Straight Bourbon 6-Year-Old (110 Proof; SRP: $59.99)
• Clyde May’s 13 Year Cask Strength Alabama Style Whiskey (120 proof; SRP: $ 139.99)
• Clyde May’s Kentucky Straight Bourbon 15-Year-Old (112 Proof; SRP: $199.99)

“We’re pleased that we can meet the demand from our loyal fans and consumers with these outstanding offerings,” says Roy Danis, President and CEO Conecuh Brands, LLC.   “Those who have been tasting the special cask offering each year are likely to experience the subtle nuances of our cask strength program. Our Cask program started 6 years ago with our 8-year-old and each year we have released a portion of this whiskey.   It is fascinating to see the whiskey evolve over this period of time.  I believe our current 13year old Cask Alabama Style Whiskey could be the best ever,” he added.

The new releases are already award winners in the most recognized spirit competitions.   The San Francisco World Spirits Competition awarded the Clyde May’s Special Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey a Double Gold Medal and the Ultimate Spirits Competition scored this expression a 93.

The Clyde May’s Special Reserve Straight Bourbon 110 Proof is a select reserve of the producer’s special stock that is non-chill filtered and aged 6 years in American oak barrels.   The Clyde May’s Cask Strength Alabama Style Whiskey 120 Proof is an exclusive limited-edition release of only a few thousand bottles every consecutive year.  This liquid is aged 13 years and part of the Cask Whiskey Continuity Program.  Another new limited-edition in time for holiday gifting is the Clyde May’s Kentucky Straight Bourbon 15-year-old.

Being the rarest bottling yet, this expression embodies Clyde May’s grit and pays tribute to Kentucky’s fine bourbon tradition.

Conecuh Brands is continuing to build awareness for the Clyde May’s label by working with Vice TV on a broadcast campaign during the 4^th quarter. In addition to being the official state spirit of Alabama, the brand is also the Official Whiskey of the Talladega Superspeedway.

About Clyde May’s Whiskey:

Clyde May’s Whiskey has been distilled since 1946 and legal since 2001.  More than 75 years of authenticity, dedication and perseverance is behind the brand.  It’s the first official state spirit in the country and the official state spirit of Alabama.

The Clyde May’s portfolio includes Clyde May’s Original Alabama Style Whiskey, Clyde May’s Straight Bourbon, Clyde May’s Straight Rye, Clyde May’s Special Reserve Straight Bourbon and Clyde May’s Cask Strength Whiskey and Bourbon.

About Conecuh Brands LLC.

Founded in 2014, Conecuh Brands is a fully integrated, marketing and sales company. Led by Roy Danis, President and CEO, the company is focused on developing, marketing and maximizing the sales potential of quality super-premium spirits brands.  Brands created and marketed by Conecuh Brands are delivered in world-class packaging at outstanding value. In addition to Clyde May’s Whiskey, the company also owns the award winning Próspero Tequila Portfolio in partnership with global superstar Rita Ora and McConnell’s Irish Whisky.  For more information visit www.conecuhbrands.com.

Restock: Glen Moray Warehouse 1 Barolo!

When the latest Warehouse 1 series by Glen Moray was released earlier this month it flew off the shelves. For those left disappointed we have managed to secure a limited restock! Aged for 23 years and finished in ex-Barolo wine casks, expect wonderfully winey tannins with chocolate Werther’s, leathery oak, figs, dark plum fruits, and blackberries. Act quick!

Glen Moray Barolo →

WE’VE UNLOCKED THE ARCHIVES

We’ve unlocked the archives and are releasing the very last bottle from some of our most coveted casks.  There are two ways you can get your hands on a piece of Wemyss Malts history; our charity auction which is now live, or directly through our website from 10am today.

WEMYSS MALTS FOR THE DRINKS TRUST

We’ve donated some of our most precious bottles from our archives to raise money for The Drinks Trust. The Drinks Trust supports every person who is working in, or has worked in the UK drinks industry, regardless of their position. The Drinks Trust is truly a lifeline to drinks industry staff and we’re incredibly proud to support them. Every penny from this auction goes to The Drinks Trust. A  special thanks to The Whisky Shop who have hosted the auction and waivered all fees for the cause.

EXPLORE THE AUCTION

The auction closes on the 3rd of December 2021.

GIVE THE GIFT OF WHISKY MAGAZINE AND SAVE 45%

This Christmas give the gift of Whisky Magazine (or treat yourself) and enjoy great savings of 45% OFF the regular rate. It’s a gift that keeps on giving all year round.

ORDER NOW

45% discount on Whisky Magazine subscriptions applies to Continuous Credit Card orders bought via the Whisky Magazine shop. Discount value is based on full regular subscription rates. Closing date for Xmas gift subscriptions is 10^th December 2021. Where you indicate this is a Christmas gift, the subscription will commence with the first issue published in 2022.

12 YEAR OLD CASK STRENGTH – 2021 EDITION
70cl | 55.1% ABV

Matured on the remote, north-eastern coastline of Islay, and produced using pure spring water from the Margadale Spring, this 12 Year Old Cask Strength is an undiluted celebration of the distillery’s hugely popular Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old expression.

Colour: Deep russet gold.
Nose: Dark berries, citrus and toasted oak which gradually transitions to sweet vanilla and a hint of cinnamon spice.
Palate: Creamy chocolate, sherry-soaked fruit and a balanced nuttiness give way to cloves, nutmeg and a subtle sea salt spray.
Finish: A lingering sweet finish with cherries and a touch of wood spice.

LIMITED TO 1 BOTTLE PER CUSTOMER

£74.95

Add To Basket

A complete one-off!

Originating from the SYN Syndicate in the south of England, this 23YO vintage is one of the finest and most wonderful examples of Springbank that I’ve ever had the privilege to taste. These bottles are now fully sold out…sorry. But, the story behind it, both the happy and the sad parts have meant it now gets its place in the fuller world of whisky history.

https://youtu.be/-h4B4aZkDtQ

WHY, HELLO OLD SPORT!

THE SCOTCH MALT WHISKY SOCIETY BRINGS BACK THE ROARING TWENTIES

The world’s most entertaining whisky club invites you to 28 Queen Street in Edinburgh for a night of glitz and glamour

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) is transforming its Members’ Room at 28 Queen Street into a Gatsby-themed party for one night only. From 7 pm on Friday, 26 November 2021 the venue will be transported back to the ‘Roaring Twenties’, as SMWS members and non-members are invited to the party of the century.

With champagne on arrival, live music, cocktails, canapes, and the Society’s ever-changing selection of single cask whiskies, 28 Queen Street will be engulfed with guests dressed to impress.

Tickets are available now for members and non-members for just £65. Get yours here: https://smws.com/queen-street-does-gatsby/

Sarah Prior, Queen Street Venue Manager, said: “We can’t wait to see all those smiling faces at 28 Queen Street for our Gatsby event. The world is getting back to (almost) normal, and what better time to celebrate as we enter the glorious festive season.

“With what has been a challenging year for everyone, we are delighted to welcome our members and new faces back to Society events. With Christmas around the corner, it’s the perfect time to come and see what the Society is all about.”

For the SMWS monthly Outturn this November, a new cask collection is taking to the stage every week: https://smws.com/latest-outturn

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. There’s so much more than whisky to appreciate when you join the Society for just £65: https://smws.com/whisky-club-membership

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society

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#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/aQGwfk

 For more information about the Society, visit: https://cutt.ly/HQF6PTv

Twitter: @SMWSUK Facebook: @thesmwsuk Instagram: @smws_uk

For more than three generations, the master blenders at the House of Suntory, the Founding House of Japanese Whisky, have devoted themselves to pursuing the harmony of Japanese nature and craftsmanship to produce the legendary Yamazaki, Hakushu, Hibiki and Toki whiskies.

The House of Suntory recently unveiled a limited-time only edition of Hibiki® Japanese Harmony™ (SRP: $125). The specially-designed bottle is adorned with painted flowers and flowing ribbons of water, representative of the vital force of Japan’s everchanging twenty-four seasons. Embraced as the paragon of Japanese Whisky, the Hibiki brand is Japan’s most highly awarded blended whisky and among the most prestigious and honored whiskies in the world. Hibiki Japanese Harmony is a meticulous blend of the finest selection of malt and grain whiskies from the House of Suntory Whisky’s Yamazaki, Hakushu and Chita distilleries. 

Made at the first distillery on Islay since 1779, Bowmore Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky is known as one of the most balanced Islay whiskies, which are often thought to be the smokiest Scotch whiskies in the world.

The latest in a series of collaborations between Bowmore and Aston Martin, the U.S. release of Bowmore Masters’ Selection (SRP: $400) marks the first time Bowmore has adopted the “Golden Ratio” principle – the mathematical ratio found in nature that creates aesthetically pleasing compositions – which sits at the heart of the design of every Aston Martin. Taking inspiration from an engineered approach, Bowmore Masters’ Selection incorporates the divine proportion of 61.8% formed from a base of 21 year old Bowmore matured in first fill Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso sherry casks. The remaining parts are made up of exact ratios of each other, in line with the Golden Ratio theory, and include exceptionally aged Bowmore matured for over 35 years. Imagined and defined by two Masters, Bowmore Master Whisky Blender Ron Welsh and Aston Martin Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman, Bowmore Masters’ Selection bridges two distinct worlds in a powerful, yet inspiring way. Available in the U.S. as of January 2022.

Alfred GIRAUD French Malt Whiskies are produced in Cognac, France and developed by renowned Master Blender Georges Clot, who spent decades at an acclaimed cognac house. With close to 100 years of experience crafting some of the world’s most coveted cognacs, the Giraud family draws on its mastery of blending to establish a new tradition of French malt whisky.

Daring and innovative, VOYAGE by Alfred GIRAUD French Malt Whisky (SRP: $180) is the first release in the Exploratory Blends Range, a series of rare, limited whiskies that see only periodic and exclusive releases at the Giraud family’s discretion. Showcasing two of the best French single malts, one leaning on fruity notes and the other on cereal notes, each is matured in casks with bold characteristics: new French Robina casks, a powerful and rare wood found locally in France, and Sauternes wine casks sourced from nearby French wineries. The whisky then sees its final aging stage.

Scotch Whisky Industry Set to
Reunite in Glasgow

The national awards celebration event which recognises and promotes Scotland’s greatest global product is now only two weeks away.

The Scottish Whisky Awards takes place as a live celebration dinner on St Andrews Day and is set to reveal the winners in the 3rd annual competition which presents prizes for both taste and business performance.

The results of the popular competition will see 14 Gold Medals presented to Scotch whiskies which scored the highest marks in a blind tasting competition of 225 Scotch whiskies as assessed by a judging panel of 45 industry professionals and experts.

The ultimate award of the evening, Scottish Whisky Distillery of the Year, sponsored by Bruce Stevenson Insurance Brokers, has four West Coast distilleries vying for the title.  Ardbeg, Ardnamurchan, Glen Scotia and Glasgow Distillery are all in the running.

The awards celebration is hosted by Heart FM and BBC broadcaster, Des Clarke, and takes place on Tuesday 30 November 2021 at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Glasgow Central.

With over 300 guests already booked, it is not too late to secure a table at the epicurean event which includes a three-course gourmet meal, paired with three Scotch whiskies and including wine.  Welcome drinks have been kindly supplied by The Glasgow Distillery Co. who in 2020 were awarded the Scottish Whisky Distillery of the Year.

For Table Bookings please contact Kelly@kdmedia.co.uk

For Sponsorship Opportunities, please contact: Angie@kdmedia.co.uk

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