Welcome to this weeks episode of the show in which I have absolutely no idea what I am tasting! What am I on about? You had better watch and find out. There are some Westland samples though!
BUSHMILLS® IRISH WHISKEY UNVEILS NEW PACKAGING AND BOTTLES FOR ITS ICONIC SINGLE MALTS
-Ireland’s oldest licensed distillery revamps the bottle design and labelling of their pioneering Single Malt Irish whiskey range-
London February 2022: Bushmills® Irish Whiskey, the pioneers of Irish Single Malt, has unveiled a new bottle and label design for its iconic Single Malts to showcase the contemporary vision of the world’s oldest licensed distillery.The new packaging and bottles will be rolling out from Februrary across Waitrose, Tesco and Sainsbury’s as well as whiskey specialists retailers including The Whisky Exchange and The Whisky Shop with a starting RRP of £35.
The sleek, new bottle design is a departure from Bushmills’ use of its iconic heritage bottle and will excite Irish Whiskey fans across the core range of Bushmills Single Malts. The refreshed packaging launches in the context of extraordinary growth of the premium single malt category and Bushmills’ acceleration within it. The distinguished pack provides a platform to recognise Bushmills’ ongoing pursuit of perfection as the pioneers of Irish Single Malt Whiskey.
Designed by New York agency Stranger and Stranger the glass bottle is a broader, more angular shape influenced by the hexagonal columns of the Giant’s Causeway – a stone’s throw from the Old Bushmils Distillery, which has long been the source of inspiration for Bushmills. The bold new labelling champions a more vibrant colour palette of aqua green for the 10 Year Old, a maroon shade of red for the 16 Year Old and mushroom grey to dress the rare 21 Year Old.
Beyond the updated colour palette the side panels of each bottle feature an embossed homage to Bushmills’ 1608 heritage and a pot still. Bushmills’ quality first mindset is realised in parchment labels and varnished cork closures for the 10 and 16 Year Old, whereas a bold matt black zamac cap offsets the gunmetal label and gold detailing of the 21 Year Old.
The start of 2022 has also seen Alex Thomas become Master Blender, taking responsibility for selecting and managing the casks for Bushmills famous single malts, nurturing the Bushmills Irish whiskey portfolio of premium blends, and new product development.
Alex is one of the world’s few female whiskey master blenders and succeeds Helen Mulholland who began her long career at the Old Bushmills Distillery almost 30 years ago.
Born in Ballymoney, just 15 minutes from the Old Bushmills Distillery, Alex joined the Bushmills team in 2004. Since then, she has spent over 17 years honing her craft, fascinated in particular, by the maturation phase of the whiskey making process. This interest, and her initial experiences led to experimentation with different taste profiles and ultimately, her development of The Sexton Single Malt, where she was appointed as Master Blender in 2017.
Master Blender Alex Thomas, commented: “It is a privilege to be appointed as Master Blender for Bushmills Irish Whiskey. The Old Bushmills Distillery is a very special place and I’m excited to explore my passion for developing new whiskeys and experimenting with different casks and flavours, while still maintaining the iconic Bushmills taste and quality.
“The craftmanship and passion that goes into Bushmills is something that has truly captured my imagination. Whiskey fans know Bushmills Irish Whiskey for the brand’s 400 years of quality and taste, so part of my job will be ensuring that we continue to meet that high standard.’’
“It is a really exciting time for Bushmills, and I look forward to seeing what the future brings both here at the distillery and in the industry as a whole. I am very honoured to be a part of the amazing history and heritage and I look forward to using the wisdom and experience I have inherited from those who have gone before me.”
About Bushmills® Irish Whiskey
Bushmills® Irish whiskey is crafted with care and passion at the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery, The Old Bushmills Distillery. Bushmills has more than 400 years of whiskey-making heritage, which has been passed down through generations. The brand’s award-winning triple distilled single malt whiskey is renowned for its signature smooth taste. www.bushmills.com
About PROXIMO
PROXIMO is a global innovator of quality spirits that create excitement with every sip. Its unique portfolio of brands includes the world’s largest selling tequila, Jose Cuervo®, Bushmills® Irish whiskey, The Kraken® Black Spiced Rum, TINCUP® American Whiskey and Boodles® British Gin. www.proximospirits.com
SINGLETON, 39 YEAR OLD, HIGHLANDS, 1982
Price: £2,295
Almost four decades in the making, released in an edition of just 1,695 bottles, J&B are delighted to offer perhaps the most indulgent Singleton release to date. The second of the Epicurean Odyssey series was aged in a blend of casks, including Port, Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso, before being finished in ex-Bordeaux barrels. The result is a rich and succulent whisky, one that layers classically dried fruit flavours with the spicy red fruits of wine and sumptuous whisper of crumbled muscovado sugar.
Almost 30 years ago, Master Blender Maureen Robinson took an elegant 12 year old Singleton and rehoused it in hand selected European Oak casks; barrels that had variously held port, red wine and a blend of Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso. 27 years later, Maureen married these whiskies together in red Bordeaux casks. “I was adventurous in my approach over the years with this whisky, drawing on memories of tasting ripened grapes fresh off the vine, and newly uncorked wine around a table with my friends. Tasting a dram takes me back to that time – a shared epicurean adventure and moment of indulgence.”
About Justerini & Brooks
Justerini & Brooks continue to look after the needs of the discerning whisky collector and connoisseur across the
globe. Priding themselves on their access, expertise and personal service, Justerini & Brooks’ time-honoured relationships to many of the world’s best distilleries opens the doors to those seeking rare and collectable gems, including whiskies from lost or ghost distilleries, such as Brora and Port Ellen, alongside limited-edition releases or exclusive single cask bottlings. Justerini & Brooks is the destination for the ultimate whisky collector.
Our February auction is now LIVE!
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
Click below for more information or to arrange a FREE* Bottle collection
4.9 / 5 | 305 reviews
Glendronach 10 Year Old Single Cask
Bottled by Hart Brothers for their single cask, cask strength label is this wonderful first fill sherry butt from Glendronach Distillery. A November 2011 vintage that was bottled this very month, February 2022 at a lovely 56.8%. Independently bottled Glendronach is a rare sight so grab one of these while you can.
Buy – Glendronach 10 Years 56.8%
Well, we tell a slight fib. We also have available this sister cask Glendronach from Hart Brothers. Also a November 2011 vintage but this one bottled in November 2021 at 56.5%. A Glendronach cask comparison!
Glendronach Malt Whisky Distillery was established north east of Huntley in the Highland whisky region by James Allardice in 1826. The malting floors at Glendronach Distillery closed in 1996 and it was the last distillery in Scotland to heat its stills directly with flames from a coal-fired furnace, until it had to comply with new regulations in 2005. Glendronach Distillery is resplendent with a traditional cask iron mash tun, wooden washbacks, four stills. Famous for its well-aged and top quality sherried single malt, for example Glendronach 21 Year Old Parliament, and single cask releases. The distillery is now owned by Brown Forman of America.
The UK’s biggest celebration of old and rare whisky is back! Join us for virtual tastings of some of the rarest and most-treasured bottles in the world alongside whisky experts during Virtual Whisky Show: Old & Rare 2022.
Show co-founders Sukhinder Singh, Angus MacRaild, Jonny McMillan will once again be digging deep into their collections to bring you a range of unforgettable Old and Rare Masterclasses. Simply purchase the tasting pack for the masterclass you’d like to attend, and you’ll receive a Zoom link to the virtual tasting a few days before the show.
Alba refers to Quercus Alba, the type of American White Oak that are used to mature A’Bunadh Alba. Coincidently, Alba is also the Scots Gaelic name for Scotland.
The English name refers to the light colour of the bark of some species. American Oak trees grow much faster than most European Oak species and can live for hundreds of years. Mainly found in Eastern North America, American white oak’s durability as well as its ability to hold water and oxygenate it make it favorable for bourbon barrels. American oak is denser and harder than French oak, making barrels less prone leakage.
Using only 1st fill American Oak barrels that previously held Bourbon whiskey to preserve the intense sweet flavours. Further concentrating the flavours in every single drop, this is as close as you can get to experiencing whisky straight form the cask. Using a small number of carefully selected casks highlights the hand-crafted spirit and the willingness to produce a single malt of the highest quality.
Nose: Sweet orchard fruit aromas of fresh green apple and juicy sweet pears complemented with delicate lavender honey, smooth vanilla cream and zesty sherbet lemon.
Taste: An initial burst of citrus lemon zest and tangy grapefruit revealing rich all-butter shortbread and soft baked apples, followed by a hint of sweet sugared almonds.
Finish: Smooth and sweet with a hint of toasted almonds.
Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 430: Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old 2009 Klubb23 for Buds & Barrels
Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, tries an independently bottled Bunnahabhain. Mark says: ‘Bunna 2009 on sherry? I have good memories of that. There’s good reason for having bottled such a cask with Mark & Manny’s malts. But our friends from Klubb23 also could get their hands on such a cask and bottled it for the shop Buds & Barrels, run by our good friend Tom Haseldonckx.’ It’s the first of a series of four single casks in the series ‘L’Histoire d’Alixe’, so we have something to look forward to. Nice label, by the way, by the hand of Annie Mation (see what she did there?).
meetNKY Celebrates John G. Carlisle with Bottled-in-Bond Blind, Whiskey Tasting Event and Competition
The Kentucky’s Edge event includes a four-course tasting menu from Smoke Justis and guided tasting
COVINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 17, 2022) – Whiskey fans from across the Tri-State are invited to attend the John G. Carlisle Bottled-in-Bond (BIB) Competition and Celebration from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 3 at Smoke Justis in Covington. The inaugural event escorts guests through a four-course tasting menu from Smoke Justis and blind-pour guided tasting of four of the best BIB whiskey varietals in the country. Attendees will also crown the best BIB and award it with the John G. Carlisle Award.
The date celebrates both the 125th anniversary of the passage of the BIB Act and the influence Covingtonian John G. Carlisle had on pushing the act through Congress. Prior to the passing of the Act in 1897, much of the whiskey being produced nationwide often included harmful additives like iodine, tobacco and even paint thinner. The Act established stringent standards and an authentication process to uphold the quality of whiskey-making in America.
Participating BIB distillers are required to put their products into federally bonded warehouses for at least four years and bottle at 100 proof (50% alcohol by volume). Additionally, owners must stipulate on the labels of their bottles where the whiskey is distilled and where it was bottled, if not at the same location of where it’s distilled.
“We’re excited to launch this competition and celebration to commemorate one of Kentucky’s signature industries, bourbon and whiskey,” said Julie Kirkpatrick, president and CEO, meetNKY. “Bottled-in-Bond has been synonymous with quality for 125 years and distillers who agree to these standards make a clear commitment to quality. Because Northern Kentucky is the birthplace of these standards, it only seemed fitting to host this inaugural event here to honor the benchmark for quality that was set for the entire nation right here in the Commonwealth.”
The evening kicks off with a welcome drink, short education on BIB and John G. Carlisle and then moves into the four-course tasting menu paired with a guided BIB tasting. The tasting menu will feature a smoked onion and cheddar flatbread, peanut mole carnitas taco with cilantro lime slaw, Sriracha honey smoked chicken lettuce wrap with blue cheese and crispy sweet potato straws and concludes with a dark chocolate panna cotta with smoked pecan caramel. Tickets cost $40 per person and are limited in quantity.
In 2019, meetNKY partnered with the NKY Chamber of Commerce to create events focused on highlighting elements of Kentucky that gives the state and region an “edge.” The Kentucky’s Edge events continue to evolve and grow after the pandemic. The launch of this inaugural event celebrates the best of Kentucky whiskey and the “edge” we have in that industry globally.
“I’m enthusiastic about the growth and opportunities that I know will come out of the Kentucky’s Edge events,” said Brent Cooper, president and CEO, Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. “We know we have a big edge in NKY with our fantastic quality of life and unparalleled growth. The BIB event is a great addition, and a super celebration of the impact John G. Carlisle continues to have on the spirit industry.”
The event takes place from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 3 at Smoke Justis, 302 Court St., Covington, KY 41011. Those interested in learning more about the event and purchasing tickets can visit meetNKY’s website here and purchase them from Eventbrite here.
About meetNKY:
meetNKY drives quality of life and economic growth for Northern Kentucky through tourism marketing and destination development. Learn more at www.meetNKY.com.
WE GOT DODGE RAMMED
DAY 12 UPDATE!
I hope this finds you well, warm, and rested from the Family Day weekend… if Family is restful for you!
The last dozen days have been, to say the least, challenging. By now I’m sure you are aware that we were the victim of a very destructive break and enter on the morning of Friday, February 11. A brand-new pickup, stolen from a dealership lot, was used to break into the shop, completely destroying our front entrance in the process. We were, quite literally, Dodge Rammed… but we haven’t lost our sense of humour!
Over the last twelve days, we have picked up most of the pieces, counted our losses, and tried to keep things in perspective. The good news outweighs the bad: no one was injured, we are insured, a suspect has been apprehended, and we have been bolstered by the love and support from our friends, neighbours, customers, suppliers, and even our competitors.
Restoration has been slow going, due to supply shortages and bottlenecks. A week in, we received some much-needed good news, confirmation the building suffered no structural damage. While impatiently waiting for our temporary entrance to be finished, which finally happened on Sunday (Day 9), the team was busy getting the store ready to finally welcome customers in-store again while working around construction.
The storefront may not look quite as charming as you are used to, at the moment there is unpainted plywood where once we had windows. And unfortunately, due to supply constraints and bottlenecks, it will be 4-5 months until the entrance is restored to its former glory. In the meantime, we’ll pretty it up when the weather permits, and in time it will be repaired. Until then, as the sign hanging above our temporary entrance says: “I assure you, we’re open!“
At some point in the months ahead there might be a “Door Crasher” or “Truckload Sale,” but the wound is a little too fresh right now. In the grand scheme of things, and in the fullness of time, this will be just another chapter in KWM’s long and colourful history. Our business remains strong, our team’s spirits are high, and we have a 30th Anniversary to celebrate in May… It will take a lot more than a little broken glass to spoil that!
On a more positive note, just before the “Dodge Ram incident,” we made a donation for $3000 to the MS Society of Canada, as a part of our pledge to donate $25/bottle from every bottle sold of our Kilchoman 14 Year MS Society Cask. Andy Dunn of Gold Medal Marketing, Kilchoman’s Alberta importer, has topped this up with a further donation of $2100.
Kensington Wine Market has been the organizer of the MS Calgary Whisky Festival since it started in 2011. 2021 would have been the 10th annual Calgary Whisky Festival, but due to Covid, we have had to cancel it for the last two years. Working with Andy Dunn and Anthony Wills from the Kilchoman Distillery, we selected a cask to help raise funds for the MS Society. At 14 years of age, it is one of the oldest Kilchomans ever bottled.
And we’re not done yet. We still have about 90 bottles of the cask to sell, and we will continue to honour our pledge to donate $25/bottle until every last bottle is sold!
Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts, your messages of support, and your continued patronage over the last couple of weeks. We look forward to seeing you in-store!
Sincerely,
Andrew Ferguson, and the Team at KWM
403-283-8000 / 888-283-9004
Kensington Wine Market
