Milroy’s September Tastings – Whisky News
SEPTEMBER TASTINGS
Milk & Honey Distillery construction began in June 2014.
Within a year the first spirit flowed from its pot stills, located in a former bakery in an urban neighborhood of Tel Aviv. There’ve been a few highly limited releases, but now Milk & Honey is finally ready to conquer the world of whisky with the release of its first widely-available single malt. Among the original Israeli dreamers is Milk & Honey Head Distiller Tomer Goren. Partly self-educated, Goren also spent time honing his craft at distilleries in Scotland, as well as at the British Institute of Brewing & Distilling. He quickly discovered that distilling in the hot Israeli climate is a far cry from the mild weather in Scotland. Goren talked with us to discuss the advantages and challenges of producing whisky in Israel. Shilton Almeida the Area Sales Manger and Brand Ambassador for Milk & Honey Distillery will be talking us through the following line-up:
Milk & Honey Classic
Milk & Honey Elements Sherry
Milk & Honey Elements Red Wine cask
Milk & Honey Elements Peated
Milk & Honey Apex Pomegranate
Milk & Honey Apex Dead Sea
The distillery, originally named Scotia, was built in 1832 by Stewart, Galbraith & Co who ran it until 1895. In 1919, it was one of the founding members of West Highland Malt Distilleries which brought together six Campbeltown distilleries in an attempt to share costs and stave off potential closure. Five of the six failed, but in 1924 when the axe was falling across Campbeltown, Scotia was purchased by Duncan MacCallum who had founded Glen Nevis. He was forced to close it in 1928, but it reopened in 1930. That year however, MacCallum committed suicide after owing his life savings in a scam (his ghost is said to haunt the distillery) and it was bought by Bloch Bros [see Glengyle, Scapa] which added ‘Glen’ to the name.
In 1994, Gibson’s whisky interests were bought by Glen Catrine Bonded Warehouse Ltd which promptly mothballed Glen Scotia once more. It worked intermittently until 1999, when it returned to fully staffed production. Although a 12-year-old was available, it was more widely available through occasional bottlings by independent bottlers. In 2012 however a new range, with striking wrap-around packaging featuring Highland cows, was launched. With Glen Catrine’s subsequent purchase in 2014 by private equity firm Exponent, there are hopes that there will be further investment in plant and brands.
The Master Distiller Iain McAlister will be coming down for this evening, with an unique cask tasting, all from never released stock. Reveal of the special casks on the evening, a night to don’t miss!!
The Cotswolds Distillery was founded in 2014 by Dan Szor. A native New Yorker, Dan had been working in finance in London and was looking for a new direction that would let him move permanently to the countryside and do something he was passionate about. He began his production in September 2014, just a few months after the distillery was commissioned. Since then we have produced a number of different spirits and liqueurs, from absinthe to a rye whisky, whilst also steadily increasing production of our Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky. Dan will be coming down to Soho for this evening, he will talk us through the line-up below:
Cotswolds Signature
Cotswolds Reserve
Cotswolds Founder’s Choice
Cotswolds Sherry Cask
Cotswolds Bourbon Cask
Cotswolds Peated Cask
The origins of distilleries are often, as they should be, obscured by the clouds of half-truth and myth. Such is the case with Highland Park. Was it founded by famed priest turned smuggler Magnus Eunson, or by farmer David Robertson in 1798? The distillery’s ornate wrought ironwork gate certainly attests to the 1798 story. It first appeared as single malt in the late 1970s, as an eight-year-old, but the packaging was revamped in the 1980s (and repeatedly ever since) when the 12- and 18-year-old expressions were introduced. It soon built up a strong, even cult, following with the range expanding continually. As well as a core range with age statements, various series have been released themed around Orcadian history and Norse gods. In this particular evening David Miles will be coming down talking us through the line-up below:
Highland Park 12Years Old
Highland Park 15 Years Old
Highland Park 18Years old
Highland Park Cask Strength
