COMPASS BOX ANNOUNCES A LIMITED EDITION LIKE NO OTHER –

EXPERIMENTAL GRAIN WHISKY

A Curiously Delicious Grain Whisky With a Surprisingly Smoky Accent Blurs Scotch Whisky Boundaries

 February 2022 – Compass Box Scotch whiskymakers announce a new limited edition, Experimental Grain Whisky (RRP £100, ABV 46%), containing a parcel of whisky made from 100% peated malted barley that blurs Scotch whisky boundaries.

Compass Box is synonymous with creating compelling, yet surprising whiskies and the central theme for Experimental Grain Whisky is contrast. This is a unique release that will transport whisky lovers to new territories. Experimental Grain Whisky will be available in the UK online from 14th February online with only  6,142 bottles released worldwide.

This parcel sourced from Loch Lomond Distillery, which makes up one third of the recipe, might be 100% malt, but because it is produced in a column still rather than a pot still, Scotch whisky conventions require it to be classified as grain whisky.  In addition, Experimental Grain Whisky contains conventionally made grain whiskies aged in re-charred barrels and hogsheads, contributing rich crème brûlée notes that bring depth to the Loch Lomond whisky’s unique herbal and spicy smoke aromas. The intense toffee, apple and vanilla notes one might expect from a Compass Box grain whisky are woven together with  mossy, creamy peatiness, making for an unexpected and delicious blend of contrasts.

In keeping with Compass Box’s dedication to presenting design that is as interesting as its whiskies, Experimental Grain Whisky’s label artwork draws on technical distillation textbooks, and the subversive doodlings of Picasso. With heavy copy on the front rather than the back, it is designed to capture the imaginations of whisky enthusiasts by reinventing the unique labels the producer is known for. The back label sticky notes convey the work-in-progress nature of bringing whiskies to life.

James Saxon, lead whiskymaker says, “Experimental Grain Whisky tastes like no limited edition we have made before, and we even flipped the front and back labels – creating a unique mid-century modern design for the bottle as well. We set out to create the alter ego to Hedonism, our signature whisky and the world’s first ‘Vatted Grain.’ The whisky we sourced from the Loch Lomond Distillery has been made from a mashbill of 100% peated malted barley; this component, in what is officially a grain whisky, feels like a spy travelling under a false passport. We love this tension that so often exists between the rules and a modern willingness to do things differently, in pursuit of flavor”.

For more information about Compass Box, visit www.compassboxwhisky.com or check them out on Instagram or Facebook.

ABOUT COMPASS BOX

Compass Box are Scotch whiskymakers. The word ‘whiskymaker’ is their word – it does not appear in a dictionary. For 20 years they have been relentlessly focused on reinventing Scotch whisky, with every new blend designed to help make the world of whisky a more interesting place. They have not done it on their own and have collaborated with some of the world’s most visionary bartenders and designers to really push the boundaries of what is possible. Compass Box have won more awards for innovation than any other producer in Scotland because they are always experimenting. Always looking for sparks of creativity that will deliver something totally compelling, yet completely surprising. Whiskies that just must be experienced. This vision motivates them as whiskymakers. Their blends are consistently rated equal to or better than the great single malts of Scotland by the most respected voices in the industry.

American ex-pat John Glaser is the founder and head whiskymaker of Compass Box and six-time Whisky Magazine Innovator of the Year and 2020 Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame Inductee.  He began his career on a path to become a winemaker, before re-routing himself through the corporate world and ending up as a Marketing Director for Johnnie Walker in London. With a desire to do things differently, John started Compass Box from the kitchen of his west London home in 2000 in order to bring the joys of Scotch whisky to more people. From the beginning, his vision has been to create one of Scotland’s finest and most compelling whisky companies, re-imagining the standards for quality and style in the industry. In 2020, John was inducted into the Whisky Magazine’s Hall of Fame. Two decades later, Compass Box now has two blending rooms in London, a team of 20 working internationally and stocks of maturing whiskies in Scotland. In 2020, Compass Box celebrated its 20th anniversary. With a forward-looking approach and unrelenting focus on creativity and integrity, John and his team continue to take forward his mission to make the world of Scotch whisky a more interesting place.

Our February Auction Ends Soon!!

Auction closes from 8pm (GMT) Tuesday 1st March.

www.speysidewhiskyauctions.co.uk

Macallan – Diamond Jubilee

We are now operating from our new home!
110B High street, Aberlour. AB38 9NX
+44 (0)1340 835445

Interested in Selling Whisky?

Click below for more information or to arrange a FREE* Bottle collection

 4.9 / 5 | 305 reviews

St Bridgets Kirk Batch One 6yo Heavy Sherried Blended Islay 70cl

St Bridget’s Kirk is a blend of 100% malt whiskies and will vary in style and profile from batch to batch. Batches will be mostly small of no more than 600 bottles and in most cases, the whisky will be blended and married by the HWM team in their own warehouse.

Batch #1 is a heavily sherried blend of 3 casks of peated Islay Malts.

1x Caol Ila sherry hogshead from 2015

1x Caol Ila refill hogshead from 2013

1x Unnamed Islay malt refill barrel from 2009

£58.99

Shop now

Aberlour A’bunadh Alba

Here we have a variation on the much-loved A’bunadh expression from Aberlour, but this time they haven’t gone for their usual sherried maturation and have instead opted for first fill ex-bourbon barrels. An homage to our whiskymaking friends across the pond that help keep the Scotch industry running! Brighten your day with this sunlight gold expression with notes of grapefruit, apple and almond.

£95.00
Buy Now

A sunlight gold expression that pays homage to our whiskymaking friends across the pond. Aberlour’s A’bunadh Alba has been matured in first fill ex-bourbon barrels to create a sweet and fruity dram. It has been bottled at a cask strength of 60% abv and is free from artificial colouring and chill filtration.

Nose: juicy fruits, heather honey, warming vanilla.

Palate: grapefruit, apple, almonds.

Finish: shortbread, smooth.

Calumet Farm 14 Year Old “Single Rack Black” Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $109.99 View

(PRNewsfoto/Heaven’s Door Spirits, LLC)

Heaven’s Door 6 Year Old K&L Exclusive Barrel #114 Indiana Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $59.99 View

Email: wine@klwines.com
Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 431: Torabhaig Allt Gleann

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, tastes a new release from Skye. After the successful launch of their Inaugural Release, the Torabhaig distillery founded on Skye in 2017 came up a few months ago with this second release in their so-called Legacy Series. The young malt, composed from around 300 bourbon barrels from 2017 and 2018, listens to the name Allt Gleann, which means as much as Old Valley. Like its predecessor, it is bottled at 46%.

https://youtu.be/2nukD6lHJcc

O’EVERYONE IN GREEN WITH HEARTS OF GOLD: TULLAMORE D.E.W. LAUNCHES YEAR 2 OF O’EVERYONE,

A SPIRITED BENEVOLENCE CAMPAIGN IN SUPPORT OF THE CANADIAN CENTRE FOR DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

Tullamore D.E.W., one of the world’s top Irish whiskey brands, launches the second year of O’Everyone in Canada, a spirited benevolence campaign that donates 100% of dollars raised to the powerful education-led diversity initiatives of the CCDI.

Tullamore D.E.W., one of the world’s most recognized Irish whiskies, is proud to announce the return of O’Everyone, a year-long, spirited benevolence campaign that invites Canadians to unlock the power of their O’Lastnames in support of the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI).

From January 1^st to December 31^st, 2022, Canadians coast to coast can participate again, in supporting the O’Everyone benevolence campaign by purchasing a Tullamore D.E.W. personalized “O’Everyone” t-shirt and bottle label bundle at www.OEveryone.ca for $20 CAD inclusive. Sales are tracked via the…v

ia the live-ticker on the website and 100% of proceeds from merchandise sales go directly to the CCDI to support DE&I initiatives across Canada.

“Bringing Canadians together to raise awareness and dollars for the powerful and much needed diversity focused work of the CCDI is the heart of Tullamore D.E.W.’s O’Everyone Inclusivity campaign,” comments Beth-Anne Perry, Country Marketing Director, William Grant & Sons.  “That is why we are proud to announce again in 2022, we will be making another kickoff donation of $20,000 to celebrate the second year of O’Everyone. After raising over $45,000 in 2021, we look forward to raising even more funds and awareness for the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion with Canadians of legal drinking age from coast to coast.”

Founded in 2012, The Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI) is a registered national charity organization.  Their mission is to help create inclusive spaces that are free of prejudice and discrimination, and to generate awareness, dialogue and action that helps recognize diversity as an asset and not an obstacle.

“CCDI is proud to renew the partnership with Tullamore D.E.W.’s O’Everyone and are grateful for the continued support of our objectives driven by inclusion, diversity, solidarity and celebration,” comments Anne-Marie Pham, Executive Director, CCDI.  “We look forward to continuing the spirit of benevolence for a second year.”

“From influencers to media, from spoken word artists to musicians and consumers, Tullamore D.E.W.’s O’Everyone brought together Canadians for the purpose of supporting the powerful work of the CCDI,” comments Daniel “Gravy” Thomas, Global Advocacy and Ambassador Community Manager, William Grant & Sons & O’Everyone Community Champion.

“As the O’Everyone O’Community Champion, I got a first-hand look at the passion and stories that Tullamore D.E.W’s O’Everyone helped bring to the forefront, it was a truly inspiring experience and I look forward to growing O’Everyone in 2022.”

The O’Everyone customized O’Lastname T-shirt and bottle label bundle costs $20.00 and is available for purchase in Canada at www.OEveryone.ca until December 31, 2022, at 11:59 p.m.  Tullamore D.E.W. will continue to cover all costs associated with production and shipping, ensuring that 100% of all dollars raised continue to support the CCDI.

Tullamore D.E.W.’s O’Everyone will run until December 31, 2022.  Additional information about O’Everyone can be found by visiting www.OEveryone.ca.

For additional information about the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI), please visit www.ccdi.ca

For press images and information about O’Everyone and Tullamore D.E.W. in Canada, please visit https://tullamoredew.alchemystsinc.com/

For additional information about Tullamore D.E.W. globally, please visit www.tullamoredew.com

THE CRAFT IRISH WHISKEY CO. WINS THE CATEGORY FOR

BEST IRISH SINGLE MALT AT THE WORLD WHISKIES AWARDS

(London/Dublin – 21 February 2022) The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. has won Best Single Malt whiskey in Ireland under the no age statement category from The World Whiskies Awards with its inaugural release The Devil’s Keep. This is the first time The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. has entered the prestigious World Whiskies Awards after narrowly missing the deadline last year in order to allow The Devil’s Keep an extra week in virgin Hungarian oak. This year the company entered three of its four releases, and not only topped the category with The Devil’s Keep but it dominated it too, receiving a Silver for its latest release The Taoscán, and a Bronze for its third release, The Brollach.

The Devil’s Keep will now go forward to fly the flag for Ireland at the finals of The World Whiskies Awards on 24th March where it will be up against gold standard single malts from over 17 countries worldwide.

It’s a phenomenal achievement for the young Irish company which was founded just four years ago in 2018. The Devil’s Keep saw off competition in the category from Teeling Whiskey Single Malt, Method and Madness Single Malt, The Whistler P.X. I Love You and Writers’ Tears Red Head.

This is the eighth award for The Devil’s Keep, a rare triple distilled, single malt whiskey and one of the finest whiskies that Ireland has ever created. The launch of The Devil’s Keep in November 2020 saw just 333 bottles released. It was the most expensive inaugural first release in history, and sold at auction for USD $60,000 (almost £46,000 and €51,000 Euros), and the oldest triple distilled Irish whiskey in existence, only to be topped by The Craft Irish Whiskey Co.’s second release in February 2021 of the 30-year-old The Emerald Isle Collection.

Amongst its other accolades is a Gold award from the world-renowned International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) 2021 and a Gold from the Global Luxury Spirit Masters 2021. The Devil’s Keep also scooped the highest scoring Gold award in the ‘Packaging Design Category’ of the A’ Design Award, Bronze at the Pentawards 2021 and an iLuxury award. It follows a further two awards from 2020; winner of the Luxury Drinks Secondary Pack award at the 2020 Luxury Packaging Awards and Highly Commended under the category of Luxury Drinks Primary Pack at the 2020 Luxury Packaging Awards.

A second release of The Devil’s Keep is due in the coming months.

Commenting on the award, Jay Bradley, founder and CEO of The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. said: “I couldn’t be prouder of the impact The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. is having on the whiskey industry and of how our whiskeys are speaking for themselves on the world stage. We spared no expense with The Devil’s Keep, from the liquid to the design to the accompaniments. At The Craft Irish Whiskey Co., we believe age is just one tiny factor of what makes a whiskey great which is why we make no age statements and why we entered this specific category. We missed last year’s awards deadline for that very reason; I felt the whiskey needed another week in virgin Hungarian oak and I was tasting it daily. I didn’t compromise and I only released when I knew it was absolutely perfect. It’s all the sweeter to be recognised this year by the highly regarded World Whiskies Awards and we look forward very much to representing Ireland on the 24^th March for the world title!” 

Judges making up the World Whiskies Awards panel include international leading journalists, specialist drinks retailers and industry experts. Each whiskey goes through a rigorous three-round judging process at The World Whiskies Awards.

For the first round, each whisky is tasted in its relevant style to identify and select the style winners. For the second round, the Style winners are tasted against each other to identify the ‘Best’ whisky in each category and for the final round the ‘Best’ whisky in each category are then tasted against each other one last time to select the World’s Best whisky. Judges at this stage include those in Round 1 and 2 as well as a panel of leading distillers and experts from the whisky industry.

The World Whiskies Awards will take place on Thursday 24th March.

Video: https://vimeo.com/520874271

About The Craft Irish Whiskey Co.

The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. is on a mission to reinvent Irish whiskey, elevating its potential as a luxury product and restoring Ireland’s reputation for crafting the finest whiskeys in the world.

Formed in 2018 by Irish entrepreneur Jay Bradley, The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. was born from a desire to return Irish whiskey to the heights it once enjoyed. To achieve such a goal has taken a complete reimagining of the craft; honouring centuries of tradition but questioning convention and adding scientific understanding to reinvent the maturation of the whiskey. No expense is spared, no corners are cut.

To elevate Irish whiskey’s potential, The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. has looked to the past, revisiting the art of whiskey-making perfected by the country’s master distillers. While the rise of mass production and blends has pushed this art to one side, the company is invested in restoring it by adding scientific knowledge and a willingness to push boundaries. Underfilling the barrels allows maturation to start at once. Adding water before maturation, or before finishing, allows the water and whiskey to marry over time and avoids the need to dilute the single malt before bottling. The whiskeys are bottled at cask strength to preserve the complex flavour profiles and rich viscosity. Using ultra-premium finishing barrels to mature the single malt delivers rich, rounded notes, while a deep understanding of barrel craft ensures the barrels are moved, rotated and the whiskey disgorged into new ones to create a bespoke journey. The whiskeys are accompanied by skilfully designed and scientifically-perfected accessories that deliver a whiskey experience worthy of the liquid.

In 2021, The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. became the most awarded new company of the year amassing a total of seventeen awards across both Taste and Design for four of its ultra-rare whiskey releases.

The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. is the exclusive Michelin Plaque Distribution Partner for The Michelin Guide Star Revelation Great Britain and Ireland 2022.

For more information visit www.craftirishwhiskey.com 

The Devil’s Keep – Tasting Notes 

Colour:

1.4 Tawny

Characterised by its distinctive tawny, amber colour 

Nose:

The Devil’s Keep opens with a nose of the rich aromas of a traditional Christmas cake and Vermont maple syrup, followed by powerful notes of ripe banana, sherry-soaked raisins and hints of 70% dark chocolate adding depth. 

Palate:

The sweetness of golden honey combines with Amarone and accents of dark cherries to add a velvet softness balanced beautifully by a dusting of rich dark chocolate to round off the palate. Rich and warming yet fresh and well-balanced, with supple sweetness and a rich texture. 

Finish:

Beautifully constructed, long and viscous with remanence of maple syrup and chocolate which opens up the liquid to a fine balance of smooth and rich flavours. Rich and oily on the palate, but not overwhelmingly so, and underpinned with a slightly dry finish, providing an indulgent and inimitable taste that will remain on the taste buds.

Croydon Whisky Festival

The Venue on Middle Street, 3-7 Middle St, Croydon CR0 1RE

On Saturday 2^nd April Whisky is coming to Croydon!

For the very first time there is going to be a Croydon Whisky Festival, featuring progressive and craft whisky brands from across the UK, Europe, USA and beyond. Featuring 24 whisky brands and other spirits, alongside beer from Sydenham’s Ignition Brewery and hot & cold refreshments from Croydon’s own Mr. Tinto this is an event not to miss.

Tickets are £35 (early bird discounts until the end of Feb) and attendees receive:

• complimentary tasting glass
• bottle of Sekforde botanical mixer
• samples of all the whiskies and spirits on the stands

Starting at midday on the 2^nd April and finishing at 5, we’re giving people 5 hours of whisky enjoyment to meet the brands, hear their stories and – most importantly – try their products.

With an on-site shop attendees can walk away with a bottle (or 2) of their favourite whisky from the day, ensuring the memory of this fantastic event lingers with every future sip.

Croydon deserves it’s own whisky festival – we have big plans to expand in 2023 and beyond, but for now, come down to The Venue of Middle Street (formerly Beano’s record store) and soak up amazing whiskies and spirits in great company.

Ticket Link: HERE

Brands attending:

– Armorik (France)

– Artful Dodger (Independent bottler)

– Balcones (USA)

– Bladnoch (Scotland)

– Bruichladdich (Scotland)

– Bruges Whisky (Belgium)

– Copper Rivet (England)

– Cotswolds (England)

– Doghouse Distillery (England)

– East London Liquor Co. (England)

– Eire Whiskey (Ireland)

– Glencadam (Scotland)

– Hyde Irish Whiskey (Ireland)

– Kyro (Finalnd)

– Mackmyra (Sweden)

– Milk & Honey (Israel)

– Nc’Nean (Scotland)

– Penderyn (Wales)

– Spirit of Birmingham (England)

– The Oxford Artisan Distillery (England)

– Tomintoul (Scotland)

– Uncle Nearest (USA)

– Westland (USA)

Our February Auction ENDS SOON!

Place your bids from Friday 18^th February until Sunday 27^th February.

www.whiskyhammer.com

Every month, we present an incredible selection of whiskies and other fine spirits to our members right across the globe. You will find everything here from limited edition releases and vintage bottles to whole casks of rare whisky. There is certainly something for everyone – whether you are looking to collect, invest or enjoy!

Macallan – 71 Year Old (Tales of The Macallan)

Glendronach – 50 Year Old

Hanyu – Ichiro’s Malt (Joker)

Bowmore – 50 Year Old (1966)

Macallan – 1938

Selling whisky? Why not arrange the pick-up of your bottles using our global courier service? If you’re based in Scotland, you might want to arrange the personal collection of your bottles. Wherever you’re based in the world, we will make getting your bottles into our monthly auction as simple as possible. Get in touch with the Whisky Hammer team now by dropping them a message at sales@whiskyhammer.co.uk