Local apprentices employed at The Cairn Distillery site

Eleven apprentices have had the chance to learn their trade on the construction site for The Cairn Distillery near Grantown-on-Spey.

Gordon & MacPhail, the Elgin based family firm behind the new distillery, committed to employing as many local firms as possible during construction. With more than 90% of work going to local companies, this approach has helped to create a number of opportunities for local apprentices.

Ewen Mackintosh Managing Director of Gordon & MacPhail commented “We have a strong commitment to our local communities. We wanted to ensure the building of The Cairn helped boost the local economy and we’re really pleased this has involved supporting young people to pursue apprenticeships.”

The main contractor, Morrison Construction, has employed four joinery apprentices during the construction period, including one who completed their apprenticeship in November. EJ Parker Technical Services had three electrical apprentices on site working on the electrical installation and plumbing, heating, and ventilation. A further two apprentice stone masons have been employed by AB Masonry at The Cairn. A mechanical engineer apprentice and an electrical apprentice were also employed by Forsyths, who manufactured the distilling equipment at their workshops in Rothes and Elgin before installing it on site.

The Cairn Distillery is due to open to visitors in the summer of 2022 and will offer a range of immersive visitor experiences, whisky tastings and a bistro with a menu shaped by ingredients from the local area.

This will be the second distillery for Scotch malt whisky experts Gordon & MacPhail who bought and re-equipped Benromach Distillery at Forres in the 1990s.

Gordon & MacPhail’s ongoing commitment to local business was demonstrated last year with the news that more than 90% of the £20m investment in The Cairn Distillery near Grantown-on-Spey had been awarded to firms in the North of Scotland.

Olivia McGillivray, one of Morrison Construction’s apprentices, on site at The Cairn Distillery

L-R Olivia McGillivray and Scott Murray, two of Morrison Construction’s apprentices on site at The Cairn Distillery

Notes 

Gordon & MacPhail is a family-owned premium spirits company based in Elgin, Scotland. Owner of Scotch whisky distilleries, Benromach and The Cairn, Gordon & MacPhail is also a Scotch whisky maturation expert, the owner of Scottish Gin brand, Red Door and the operator of a wholesale business in the United Kingdom selling premium Scotch whiskies and spirits, along with a high-quality retail outlet.

The company owns Benromach Distillery located in Forres in Moray.  Benromach Single Malt Scotch Whisky is handcrafted using traditional methods by a small team of distillers using the finest Scottish barley and the purest spring water from the nearby Romach Hills. The multi award-winning portfolio of single malts is enjoyed by whisky drinkers worldwide.

The company launched Red Door in the summer of 2018. Created at Benromach Distillery, this award winning, small batch Scottish gin now forms a strategic part of the company’s product portfolio.

Work commenced in July 2020 on The Cairn, the company’s second distillery, overlooking the River Spey towards the Cairngorms.  The new site will add further distillation capacity and brand ownership to the company’s asset base and is a key part of the plans to continue building a long-term sustainable business.  A high-quality visitor experience offering tours and tastings will also attract visitors from around the world.

Since the founding of the business in 1895, Gordon & MacPhail has sent casks to Scotch whisky distilleries throughout Scotland to be filled with new-make spirit, before being left to mature for many years either at the distillery or in their bonded warehouses in Elgin.  The Gordon & MacPhail portfolio offers some of the world’s rarest and most sought-after Single Malt Scotch Whiskies to discerning whisky drinkers globally.

The company’s wholesale business serves customers throughout the United Kingdom selling Benromach Single Malt, Red Door gin and Gordon & MacPhail whiskies into the on and off trade. The business also exclusively represents a number of ‘distributor’ brands and stocks premium whiskies and spirits.

The retail shop in Elgin remains the ‘spiritual home’ of the business, 125 years after it was first established in 1895.  The shop is home to a large selection of Single Malt Scotch Whiskies and is a destination for many whisky aficionados from around the world.

We wanted to give you a quick update about what’s happening at Sotheby’s – both now and in the pipeline. We closed 2021 with sales of Spirits totalling $21 million, and 2022 looks set to be an equally exciting year.

Currently open for bidding (until 18th February) is Whisky | Asian Spirits featuring The Three Continents Collection Part II, Sotheby’s first ever spirits sale consisting of only Asian Spirits. It is made up of bottles from The Three Continents Collection Part II, (The first part of The Three Continents Collection – which numbers some 5,000 bottles of Scotch, Japanese and American bottles in total – debuted at auction in December 2021, selling for two times its low estimate.)

The sale also sees bottlings of Karuizawa dating from 1980 all the way through to 2000, the year in which the distillery closed, as well as a handful of non-vintage bottlings, alongside a number of rare Hanyu bottlings. Last but not least, the very best of both the Suntory and Nikka portfolios are on offer, with sought after single bottles and the opportunity to bid on full cases of six and twelve bottles across several price brackets.

Demand for US whiskey seems to have grown significantly over the last year. Next month will see Sotheby’s increasing its American Whiskey offerings significantly, further to our first American Whiskey Single Owner auction in New York in April 2021 with The Thoroughbred Collection, which comprised rare Bourbon and Ryes from one dedicated enthusiast. The sale total achieved more than 300% of its low estimate at just shy of $1 million, and set a new benchmark for what the future of Whiskey auctions will look like.

On March 19th in New York we will host a US Whiskey-only auction featuring two significant collections. The first: American Muscle, a collection accrued over the last 10 years by one of California’s most renowned Muscle Car drivers featuring a significant selection of Willett, Four Roses and Van Winkle. The second: The Three Continents Collection Part III (containing just US Whiskeys).

Looking ahead, we will be holding a sale of Spirits as part of our Spring series of auctions in Hong Kong in April, and beyond that on the horizon, a sale of Asian spirits in May and Scotch Whisky in June, both in London.

Whisky  | Asian Spirits featuring The Three Continents Collection Part II, New York, 2 – 18 February

American Muscle | Rare Whiskey, Bourbon & Rye, New York, 19 March

With Deanston Master Distiller, Brendan McCarron

Tickets on sale now

Tuesday 22 February 2022
7.30pm-10.00pm
£35
Limited Spaces

Tickets on sale now

Book now

There is a reason this distillery won our coveted title “Whisky Of The Year” and now we get to show you why. Join host and Master Distiller of Deanston, Brendan McCarron, as he guides you on an unparalleled journey through the Deanston portfolio.

This tasting offers you the opportunity to delve into some of the core whiskies in the Deanston range so you can experience exactly what makes them the true embodiment of this iconic distillery. And what’s more, you’ll have the exclusive opportunity to taste coveted cask samples that have never been tried before!

Join us for the evening to taste these stand-out whiskies and learn the story of Deanston from the very man who creates each and every one.

THE LINE UP

Deanston Virgin Oak
Deanston 18 Year Old
Deanston 2013 Organic Fino Finish Bot.2020 Union Exclusive
Deanston Organic Cask Sample
Deanston 20 Year Old, Manzanilla Cask
Deanston 25 Year Old Ex-Bourbon & Oloroso Sherry Cask Sample

“The entire line-up is a variety of very special samples to show the range and diversity of Deanston’s waxy spirit, with the cask samples being particularly exquisite. They are genuinely single cask, never before seen one of a kind samples just for this tasting. “

Brendan McCarron, Master Distiller, Deanston Distillery

TUESDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2022
7.30PM-10.00PM

£35

Tickets on sale now

BOOK NOW

Book now

The exceptional GlenDronach 50 Year Old has arrived…

This rare expression was distilled in 1971 and filled to Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso sherry casks from the bodegas of Jerez, Andalucia. Left to mature quietly in The GlenDronach dunnage warehouses for half a century, this Speyside single malt represents a milestone achievement in the near 200-year history of the distillery.

Register Your Interest→

The Glendronach 50 Year Old

£POA

Personally selected by Master Blender Dr Rachel Barrie, this limited edition release is the first ever 50-year-old expression from the distillery. Just 198 individually numbered bottles have been produced, each one presented at a natural cask strength of 43.8% abv.

Discover more about the release at our blog → 

The GlenDronach
50 Year Old

The nose is rich and seductive with layers of dark cherry, plum and smouldering tobacco, with light notes of bramble, orange and cranberry. The palate has dense notes of dark chocolate, tobacco and cocoa, countered by elegant plum, black cherry and velvety espresso.

Register
Your Interest

Glen Grant 12 Years

Selected for the UK market. Single refill sherry hogshead yielding just 286 bottles.

£74.46

Shop Glen Grant 12 Years »

Glen Grant 12 Year Old 2009 vintage Speyside single malt Scotch whisky. Single refill sherry hogshead #900932 bottled September 2021 by Gordon & MacPhail for the Connoisseurs Choice series exclusive to the United Kingdom market. 286 bottles.

Nose: Sherry aromas interwise with Autumn spice and morello cherry. Sultanas and orange peel come to the fore alongside baked apples.

Taste: Sweet and smooth stewed fruit comes with blackcurrant and hazelnut. Cocoa powder and huiner spice give way to honeycomb.

Finish: A full finish with lingering spice and red berries.

Established in 1840 by brothers James and John Grant, the business prospered and in 1897 Glen Grant No. 2 Distillery was established across the road in order to meet the high demand for Glen Grant whiskey. During the late nineteenth century a Victorian garden was laid out in the valley behind the distillery and is now open to distillery visitors. Glen Grant is a Speyside malt whiskey distillery situated in Rothes equipped with eight stills and an on-site bottling plant. Gordon & MacPhail has released some rare vintage single malts dating back to the 1950s.

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 427: Lagavulin 11 Year Old Offerman Edition

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, tries a US-only Lagavulin. Nick Offerman is an American actor and comedian who makes no secret of the fact that he loves to drink Lagavulin. He even had this included in the script by the screenwriters of the TV series Parks & Recreation, so that his character Ron Swanson also likes Lagavulin. It was inevitable that a Lagavulin Offerman Edition would appear, being an 11-year-old.

https://youtu.be/w_SldtEodi0

THE MUCH AWAITED, AWARD-WINNING GRANT’S TRIPLE WOOD 12YO BLENDED SCOTCH WHISKY ARRIVES IN THE LA BELLE PROVINCE.

THE BOLD, NEW BOTTLE IS NOW AVAILABLE AT SELECT SAQ STORES ACROSS QUEBEC

February 10, 2022 — Grant’s Blended Scotch Whisky is rolling out its award-winning 12-year-old whisky at select SAQ stores across the province of Quebec.  With its distinctive sleek black bottle with gold accents that represent the gold medals awarded to the whisky, Grant’s Triple Wood 12 joins the Triple Wood line up within the Grant’s Family.

Grant’s is the cornerstone brand from William Grant & Sons (four-time winner of the IWSC Distiller of the Year), six generations of the Grants family have stood together through thick and thin to hold the title of Scotland’s oldest continuously family-run blended whisky makers. Grant’s remains the only blended whisky producer to have its own Stillman (The Maker), Cooper (The Muscle), and Master Blender (The Master) working together in one location. Grant’s is blended by the respected master blender, Brian Kinsman, who personally selects the three barrels to create the smooth, fruit-balanced flavour of Grant’s Triple Wood 12.

“When you have a winning team and determination, you can really do great things,” comments Brian Kinsman, Master Blender at William Grant & Sons.  “We’ve gone the extra mile for Grant’s Triple Wood 12, aging it for a minimum of 12 years and using a sherry cask as the third barrel to layer in a sweet spice to balance the vanilla and sweetness.”

Grant’s Triple Wood 12 takes a creamy, fruity spirit and is aged in three barrels. Each barrel provides a distinctive layer of flavour to the final blend. Refill Bourbon barrels offer brown sugar sweetness, American oak lend subtle vanilla smoothness, and the revered sherry cask – that dials the quality up a notch, adds a sweet, spicy finish that sets Grant’s Triple Wood apart. The liquid is aged for a minimum of 12 years before blending, resulting in a rich, complex, final product.

Grant’s Triple Wood 12 is produced at Grant’s Girvan Distillery, an impressive structure that was built in 1963.  When another Scotch company threatened to cut off the supply of grain whisky, Charles Gordon, great-grandson of William Grant, worked together with a team of 400 local workers to complete the distillery in a record time of nine months. The result of their combined efforts and steely determination was the most technologically advanced distillery of its day.  Today, Grant’s Girvan Distillery is home to Grant’s not-so-secret weapon: the Girvan Patent Still, which produces its signature – and coveted – sweet, fruity, and light distillate.

“When savouring Grant’s Triple Wood 12, don’t be afraid to break convention and add a little ice and a bit of orange peel to accentuate the fruity character,” comments Danny Dyer, Grant’s Global Brand Ambassador.  “It’s a blended scotch whisky to be enjoyed many ways.”

Grant’s Triple Wood 12, winner of the Gold medal at ISC 2021 & 2020 and world’s best blended scotch whisky at the IWSC in 2019 (one of the industry’s most prestigious competitions), will be available online at SAQ.com and at select SAQ  stores across Quebec, starting this month.  With its distinctive premium black bottle and triangular bottle design, this makes both a gift and an ideal dram or cocktail to enjoy on those special occasions together, all year round.

“Grant’s Triple Wood 12 is also great in a long, refreshing drink like a Grant’s & Soda, which I serve with fresh orange and a touch of local honey,” adds Dyer.  “The honey and orange work together to give that fruity sweet zing and complements the flavours of our whisky perfectly. I’m excited to share our newest innovation with Quebec residents of legal drinking age!”

Other liquids from the Grant’s Family available in Quebec include the signature Grant’s Triple Wood which provides an array of distinctive flavour profiles to delight consumers.

For more information, samples, or images, please visit http://grantswhisky.alchemystsinc.com.  For information about Grant’s globally, please visit www.grantswhisky.com.

TASTING NOTES:

Aged in three distinct woods for smoother taste:

Nose:  Sweet and sherry-like, with dried fruits. Subtle woody notes and malty undertones.

Taste:  Vanilla, honey, and spice. All mixed together for a rich, sweet flavour. Aged grains and peated malt add depth.

Finish: Long soothing and warm, a feeling you won’t want to rush.

GLENLIVET DISTILLERY

33 Year Old 1986 Connoisseurs Choice

Cask #16601801

£820.00

Shop Glenlivet 33 Years »

Glenlivet 33 Year Old 1986 vintage Speyside single malt Scotch whisky. Single refill sherry hogshead #16601801 bottled March 2020 by Gordon & MacPhail for the Connoisseurs Choice series. 303 bottles.

1986 vintage single sherry hogshead of the famous Speyside distillery.

Having out-grown his distillery at Upper Drumin George Smith built a new distillery in 1858 at Minore just short distance upstream of the River Livet and which he opened the following year and named Glenlivet Distillery. During the 1850s the Edinburgh firm of Andrew Usher produced the first vatting of malt whisky from a single distillery using a number of different vintages of Glenlivet whisky. Following expansion in 2010 this distillery is now equipped with fourteen stills making it one of the largest malt whisky distilleries in Scotland. The range includes Glenlivet Founders Reserve and Nadurra.

BEN NEVIS
TYNDRUMWHISKY EXCLUSIVE

One of only 87 bottles available from this Single Cask Octave, Distilled back in 2012. Cask Strength, Natural Colour, Only £65, our last Ben Nevis didn’t last long.

ORDER NOW – DON’T MISS OUT

The GlenDronach
1993 26 Year Old #8635
TWS Exclusive

This one-off release has been aged for 26 years in a Pedro Ximénez puncheon – a rich and bold sherry that has intense, sweet dried fruit, raisin and fig notes. This release is limited to 682 bottles at a strength of 54.9% abv.

£395.00
BUY NOW

GlenDronach 1993 26 Year Old #8635 Description