ralfy review 938 Extras – ‘Navigating’ a single cask integrity malt.

U.S. Distilleries Applaud Federal Ruling to Designate American Single Malt Category 

LOVINGSTON, Va. (July 29, 2022) – Virginia Distillery Company and members of the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission (ASMWC), an organization designed to define, establish, promote and protect the category of American Single Malts, are celebrating a new ruling based on the notice of rulemaking process by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) that will formally define American Single Malt whisky. 

The rule ensures that any spirit labeled American Single Malt must be made from 100% malted barley, mashed, distilled and matured in one distillery, produced entirely in the U.S., distilled to a proof not exceeding 160, matured in oak casks not exceeding 700 liters and bottled at a minimum of 40% ABV.   

Today, the TTB issued the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Federal Register and will enter a 60-day comment period for the public and industry to suggest changes to the proposed rules.  

“Announcing American Single Malts as a formal category by the TTB is a historic moment for the industry, as it has been decades since a new whisky category of this magnitude has been added to the Beverage Alcohol Manual,” said Virginia Distillery Company CEO Gareth H. Moore and ASMWC Treasurer. “The American whisky category was synonymous with bourbon just 15 years ago, but the resurgence of rye diversified that view. The American Single Malt category will further broaden the view of the American whisky consumer and fuel innovation and premiumization across domestic products.”   

Virginia Distillery Company, the largest independently owned American Single Malt distillery in the U.S. and one of the co-founding members of the ASMWC has been highly active in advocacy efforts leading up to the recent announcement. The distillery has worked in close alignment for several years with advocates at Westland, Balcones and Copperworks distilleries to push for the designation.   

Moore added: “Formally defining American Single Malt will enable retailers and ultimately consumers to recognize the growing category that might otherwise be lost in the broad array of spirits on the market.”  

Producers anticipate that the designation will accelerate U.S. Trade association efforts for American Single Malts to be recognized as a category by other countries and expect growth in both export as well as competitors small and large.   

In 2020, Virginia Distillery Company launched Courage & Conviction, its signature American Single Malt whisky, and in 2021 added three new whiskies to the Courage & Conviction lineup featuring individual bottlings of the core trio of casks – bourbon, sherry and cuvée – that make up Courage & Conviction. Last fall, the distillery released its inaugural cask strength whisky, Courage & Conviction Cuvée Single Cask and in 2022 began rolling out Courage & Conviction PX Sherry Single Cask and Courage & Conviction Bourbon Single Cask.   

The Courage & Conviction line is the most awarded American Single Malt with more than 100 accolades earned over the last five years, including a 98-point rating – the highest awarded in 2022 – and #12 in the Top 100 in the 2022 Ultimate Spirits Challenge, Best American Single Malt in the 2022 International Whisky Competition, and a best of class gold medal at the 2022 LA International Spirits Competition. The line was produced to meet the standards that the ASMWC proposed in anticipation for the category designation. Coinciding with the rollout of Courage & Conviction, the distillery launched a complete guide to American Single Malt whisky.   

For more information about the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission, visit https://www.americansinglemaltwhiskey.org/. 

For more information about Virginia Distillery Company, visit https://vadistillery.com.  

About Virginia Distillery Company   

Staffed by a local Virginia team mentored by Scottish consultants with decades of experience, Virginia Distillery Company is the largest dedicated American Single Malt whisky distillery in the U.S. The distillery has a current annual production volume of 80,000 4.5L cases and growing. At full capacity, the distillery can produce over 8,000 casks yielding 350,000 4.5L cases annually. The distillery produces award-winning Courage & Conviction American Single Malt on-site using malted barley from North America and water from Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. In addition, the distillery offers the award-winning VHW series, made with 100% malted barley. Showcasing both Old and New World whisky-making, the line marries whisky made on-site in Virginia with whisky from Scotland.  

Although July is traditionally rather quiet with many Scottish people away on their holidays, this corner of Fife has been very busy!

The 150th Golf Open was held at nearby St Andrews, and was a fantastically busy period for us. The visitors book is filled with wonderful, enthusiastic and complimentary comments from guests from all over the US and the world who were visiting Fife for the Open.

We also held a series of lunches, dinners, tastings and highland games throughout the week for sponsor companies and their guests and the feedback for all these events has been, to a tee (sorry) nothing short of outstanding.

Even though we are in the midst of the silent season, the distillery team have been far from quiet as maintenance is undertaken, the boiler has its five year big service and there are lots of other annual jobs to take on during this time. The bottling line continues to be the busiest small facility in Scotland and we praise everybody working on it during the soaring temperatures.

We have been joined this month by Thomas Debing who is working as an intern for six weeks. He will be studying the generation of biogas using draff, pot ale and spent lees. He will also spend time learning how a distillery functions and getting hands-on with the process.  He has come from Chateau Pabus in Belgium and we are delighted to be passing on our knowledge to another generation.

Finally, we found themselves back in the gorgeous village of Thiron Gardais hosting a group of journalists and suppliers at the launch of a new Thiron virgin oak bottling. In association with our distributors in France, L’Explorateur du Gout they took guests on a guided tour of the ancient abbey and its gorgeous gardens. We planted an oak tree with our cask suppliers NAO Oak, before hosting a tasting and delicious lunch on the sunny terrace overlooking the abbey. None of this would have been possible if it hadn’t been for the help of our friend Victor, the mayor of Thiron, the staff of the abbey and Simon, owner of the local hotel.

Stay safe and stay well, from our corner of Fife

Slàinte

Drew & Helen McKenzie Smith
Custodians of Lindores Abbey Distillery

Tamdhu Batch Strength Batch 7

Batch Strength 007 is bottled un-chill filtered at 57.5% ABV, and has a rich, natural copper hue crafted by the finest Oloroso sherry seasoned casks from the bodegas of Jerez, Spain.

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Batch Strength 007 is bottled un-chillfiltered at 57.5% ABV, and has a rich, natural copper hue crafted by the finest Oloroso sherry seasoned casks from the bodegas of Jerez, Spain. On the nose you’re met with a subtle waft of vanilla sponge, followed by spicy cinnamon and roasted praline. The luxurious, thick mouthfeel is complimented by a decadent pavlova filled with luscious raspberries. A drop of water unveils caramel apricots with a wave of oak spice, and a zingy lemon punch. On the lengthy and lingering finish, warm oak spices give way to baked figs and evident sherry flavours, which ascend to meet the freshly peeled clementine.

Tasting notes:

Nose: Cinnamon oak, then a praline and vanilla sponge.

Palate: Raspberry pavlova. Water brings apricot, lemon, and a fresh wave of oak.

Finish: Oak spice gives way to baked figs and freshly peeled clementine.

Kavalan “Solist” Amontillado Sherry Cask Strength 56.3% ABV Single Barrel Taiwanese Single Malt Whisky (750ml) (Previously $600) $249.99 View

From the producer, “Amontillado is a dry sherry that is darker than Fino, but lighter than Oloroso, maturing under a cap of flor and then exposed to the air for further oxidation. Toasted almond and hazelnut are the classic aromas for Amontillado-seasoned casks.”

Kavalan “Solist” Amontillado Sherry Cask Strength 57.8% ABV Single Barrel Taiwanese Single Malt Whisky (750ml) (Previously $600) $249.99 View

From the producer, “Amontillado is a dry sherry that is darker than Fino, but lighter than Oloroso, maturing under a cap of flor and then exposed to the air for further oxidation. Toasted almond and hazelnut are the classic aromas for Amontillado-seasoned casks.”

Kavalan “Solist” Manzanilla Sherry Cask Strength 58.6% ABV Single Barrel Taiwanese Single Malt Whisky (750ml) (Previously $600) $249.99 View

From the producer, “Manzanilla is much like Fino sherry, which is produced by the sea where the conditions are even more suitable for the growing of flor. Though the maturation is the same as for the Kavalan Fino, the texture is lighter and more delicate with a touch of saltiness together with mineral flavours, which are all the consequences of a stable and thick layer of flor, sea breezes and brine.”

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

Gordon & MacPhail releases historic Single Malt Whisky

Gordon & MacPhail is releasing its last cask laid down in the 1940s from Milton Distillery, today known as Strathisla. This is the oldest and last ever single malt to be released by Gordon & MacPhail to carry the Milton Distillery name.

Matured in a cask filled for Gordon & MacPhail, the 72-Year-Old Gordon & MacPhail 1949 from Milton Distillery is exceptionally rare, with only 180 bottles available worldwide. The distillery’s original name was given by founder George Taylor, and this single malt represents one of very few releases ever to carry the Milton name.

It was thanks to close ties with Milton that the precious spirit was entrusted to Gordon & MacPhail to mature in a first-fill Sherry puncheon, where it would gently slumber for 72 years, finally bottled at a remarkable ABV of 48.6%.

Renowned whisky writer Gavin D Smith said of this 72 years old whisky, “Once again, Gordon & MacPhail has delved into the darkest recesses of their Elgin warehouse and come up with a unique chapter in Scotland’s liquid history. This is the first time in my career that I’ve sampled a whisky distilled at Milton Distillery – prior to it becoming known as Strathisla – which illustrates just how truly precious and important this release is.”

Ewen Mackintosh, managing director at Gordon & MacPhail adds: “Milton, or Strathisla as it is known today, has small copper stills with a distinctive shape that helps to give the spirit its rich, fruity and full-bodied character. Decades of experience led us to fill the spirit into a first fill Sherry puncheon for long-term maturation. Having carefully assessed its progress down the decades, we feel now is finally the right moment to reveal this landmark single malt to enthusiasts and collectors. In terms of rarity, this deserves true ‘icon’ status. A whisky of this age bearing the Milton name has never – and will never – be seen again. Its long maturation has seen the cask gift the spirit notes of toffee, spice and a hint of smoke not traditionally found in more modern Speyside releases.”

“Whether it was produced under the name Milton or Strathisla, greatly aged single malts from the site have always been met with anticipation. Given that so few releases have ever carried the Milton name – and that this bottling represents the oldest and our last – we expect demand for the 180 decanters to be extremely high.”

Matured in cask 383, a first-fill Sherry puncheon, and bottled at 48.6% ABV, this whisky will be available to pre-order from selected whisky specialists from 25^th July 2022.

To discover more about this one-of-a-kind whisky and to see Gordon & MacPhail’s latest feature films starring industry titans including – Christopher Coates, Becky Paskin, Alice Lascelles and Charlie Maclean click below.

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Michel Couvreur “Blossoming Auld Sherried” K&L Exclusive Malt Whisky (750ml) $279.99 View

The chance to work with Michel Couvreur on a special K&L whisky project was something that David and I had been dreaming of for years. We had heard the stories. This crazy Belgian had moved to Burgundy in the ’60s, carved out a wine cellar inside a mountain, only to fill it with Scottish single malt whisky instead of Pinot Noir. He set up camp in Beaune, ordered new-make spirit to be delivered by tanker, and drove down to Jerez himself, selecting his own sherry butts to ensure the finest quality casks for his contracted spirit. Unfortunately, Michel Couvreur passed away in 2013 from pancreatic cancer, thus ending the career of one of the industry’s most courageous pioneers. Luckily for us, however, apprentice Jean-Arnaud has carried on after studying under Michel for more than a decade. When we visited the underground cave, we were all in total awe. The tunnels of dripping stone go on forever, and the amount of whisky stored in this secret lair is jawdropping. We put our trust completely in Jean-Arnaud and are happy we did. Our peated version of the incredible sherry expression is a seamless creation that drinks like the best version of Johnnie Black ever, mixed with the most supple and soft expressions of Macallan. It’s a lush, unfiltered, creamy, caramel-laden dream of a whisky composed only of malts 12 years and older. There’s a bit of peat on the finish, but the soft sherry is the star. (NOTE: do NOT cut the hard wax seal, use a wine opener to go through it)

Michel Couvreur “Peaty Overaged” K&L Exclusive Malt Whisky (750ml) $79.99 View

Michel Couvreur established his business selling Burgundy wines in the early 1950s in Scotland. In 1978, French friends suggested that he add a top-quality Scotch to his portfolio, which began Couvreur’s interest in the whisky industry. He believes that the oak whisky is aged in has an outsized influence on the character of the finished product. He also strongly prefers sherry casks for the maturation process, and has gone to great lengths to source what he believes are the finest casks from Andalusia. The Blossoming Auld Sherry is a recreation of the legendary malt whiskies of the Victorian era. An era when sherry and Scotch were both kept on hand in the cellars of England and Scotland’s great estates and drawn for consumption as needed. Matured in one single butt of the freshest possible Montilla-Moriles casks, this whisky is redolent of that great wine of Jerez in a way that’s simply not available in modern bottlings. This ultra-saturated butt from a solera started in the 1950s at Toro Albala is one of a kind. Couvreur is the only producer able to buy from the venerable Bodega and they receive the choicest butts delivered still wet to the cellars in Burgundy. The cask was kept in medium humidity for the majority of its maturation before being moved to the wettest part of Couvreur’s cellar where extractive atmosphere is at a maximum. Age is inconsequential in terms of the quality here, but it is indeed older than all but the most expensive of Couveur’s offerings. A triumph!

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 453: Suntory Old Special Quality

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, tries an older Japanese blend. Suntory Old is a popular whisky from Japan, which first appeared in the 1940s. It continued to lead the way until the 1980s when single malts began to grow in popularity and this fun blend lost its prestige somewhat. Mark was able to pick up a bottle from the 1990s with the strange contents of 760ml.  It is more than plausible to suspect that this contains quite a lot of Yamazaki, Hakushu and Chita, right?

https://youtu.be/gpyCcb6fCjs

FETTERCAIRN DISTILLERY UNVEILS NEW

16 YEAR OLD 2022 LIMITED EDITION

2022 marks the third limited release in the annual series, which showcases different maturation journeys from the distinctive distillery character

Fettercairn Distillery has unveiled the latest release of its popular 16 Year Old Single Malt Whisky. The collection launched in 2020 as a series of limited-edition annual releases of 16 Year Old Single Malt, each with their own distinct recipe. This 2022 release offers a taste of the Aberdeenshire distillery’s distinctive tropical house style, whilst exploring the influence of a unique finish for Fettercairn.

This highly anticipated release offers a rare experience of the distillery’s tropical character with accentuated notes of exotic fruits and syruped figs, underpinned by gentle roasted coffee. This 16 Year Old is an expertly balanced expression finished with a trilogy of casks; influence led by maturation in first fill Oloroso sherry cask, before further maturation in first fill Pedro Ximénez sherry casks and a final finish in ex Bourbon barrels, all shaping the unique character of this refined whisky.

This specially selected trilogy of casks illustrates Fettercairn Distillery’s curiosity – seeking to create and evolve flavour with each new release. The resulting 16 Year Old Single Malt whisky unites exotic fruity aromas in the form of ripe guava with patisserie spices, cocoa and a crescendo of natural vanilla to create layers of rich flavour bringing depth to the ripe exotic fruit characteristics typically found in Fettercairn spirit when it reaches its mid-late teens.

Bottled at 46.4%, natural in colour and non-chill filtered, this new 16 Year Old promises the very best of Fettercairn, unifying rare, matured spirit with a unique cask journey for Fettercairn, bringing to life a story of creativity and craft in the distinctive way which has come to define the distillery.

Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass: “In creating this recipe, selecting these casks, I set out to further explore the boundaries of what we can achieve at Fettercairn in our quest for true distinction whilst continuing to deliver on the tropical house character that defines Fettercairn.  Once again, the result is a very special, one-off creation that will never be repeated.  The challenge was to fine tune the balance of cask influence that would deliver the unique profile I was looking for. A unique drinking experience, which, with accentuated flavour characteristics, define Fettercairn.”

Fettercairn 16 Year Old 2022 release will be available across Europe including France, UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium from July onwards, extending to Global Travel Retail and key Asia markets into 2023, at an RSP of £72. The GTR edition will be in 1L formats with an RSP of £82.50.

TASTING NOTES

COLOUR – Amber gold with sunrise flecks.

NOSE – Dried exotic fruits, lightly syruped figs, grapefruit and notes of mature oak.

TASTE – Sunkissed raisins, ripe guava, patisserie spices and cocoa qualities elaborated with a crescendo of natural vanilla. Finish encompasses moist ginger cake, passion fruit, baked apple, underpinned with gentle notes of roasted coffee.

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About Fettercairn 

Driven by an enlightened ethos at the heart of our distilling philosophy since 1824, today Fettercairn Distillery lives by a long-standing commitment to unfettered thinking.

We’re not like other distilleries and we’ve never been afraid to tread our own path.  It’s only by defying convention, tradition and expectation, we can adopt an enlightened and progressive approach.

Take our cooling ring, our home grown Scottish oak and single estate whiskies, the special collaboration with 200 local farmers, the Warehouse 2 Collection. And not forgetting the unicorn on our bottle!

Our vision is future facing, so we don’t need to look back to move forward.  But ultimately, all of this leads to an unwavering commitment to a prosperous and sustainable future for whisky making.

We are Fettercairn; the home of enlightened whisky making. 

www.fettercairnwhisky.com

About Gregg Glass- Master Whisky Maker

Respected whisky maker Gregg Glass joined Whyte and Mackay in 2016, where he has been a leading light in the rejuvenation of Fettercairn alongside Distillery Manager Stewart Walker.

Gregg enjoyed a childhood in the heart of whisky making country, the Black Isle. With 22 years in industry notably 11 years at innovative whisky maker Compass Box, Gregg joined Whyte and Mackay in 2016 to work alongside renowned Master Distiller Mr Richard Paterson OBE.

Gregg has enjoyed 15 years career as a blender and whisky maker. At Whyte and Mackay Gregg has led whisky development for Fettercairn Single Malt Whisky, Jura Single Malt Whisky and in 2017 launched Whisky Works – an independent innovation wing of Whyte and Mackay.

Gregg is devoted to his craft and believes in flavour-led hands-on whisky making. Gregg is passionately involved in every aspect of the whisky making process from ‘acorn to glass’ and since 2020 leads whisky making across the Whyte and Mackay portfolio. 

Award-Winning Whisky Makers Whyte and Mackay

Whyte and Mackay is home to a collection of multi-award-winning Single Malt Whiskies including The Dalmore, Jura and Fettercairn. With a premium spirits portfolio that includes contemporary whisky brands Shackleton, Woodsman and John Barr, alongside popular alcohol brands Wildcat, Fundador and Harveys Bristol Cream and Aperitivo. In the UK the company produce Whyte & Mackay, an award-winning ever-popular Blended Whisky, which recently launched the market-leading ‘Whyte & Mackay Light’ – a lighter spirit drink from Scotland, bottled at a lower ABV.

In 2020 the company were publicly recognised by the First Minister of Scotland for their support of the national pandemic response. Whyte and Mackay are official partners to SAMH – Scottish Association for Mental Health, which saw Whyte and Mackay employees worldwide complete a virtual-race-around-the-world to raise awareness for the charity.

Founded in Glasgow 1844, the whisky makers celebrated their 175 year anniversary in 2019. Today Whyte and Mackay have offices from New York to Singapore. In Scotland, Whyte and Mackay operate a state-of-the-art Bottling Hall and Distribution Centre in Grangemouth and a Whisky Production and Warehousing Centre in Invergordon.

Whyte and Mackay’s whisky making is led by Master Distiller Richard Paterson OBE and pioneering Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass.

Fancy investing in a whisky cask?

Holyrood is an exciting new distillery in the heart of Edinburgh. Auld Reekie has turned out to be a particular inspiration and is represented in their two smoky expressions. Through their cask programme, you can purchase a cask of heavily peated or lightly peated spirit, allowing you to make your own mark on Scotland’s whisky industry. W Club members receive a £250 discount until the end of August so join the club now.

Register your interest →

Cask programmes can make for excellent investment opportunities. If you decide to sell on the whisky from your cask, you could be making yourself quite the profit! Alternatively, you could pitch in on a cask with a group of friends or fellow whisky enthusiasts. Even if you don’t decide to sell on the whisky from your cask, you have a whisky of your very own to enjoy with family and friends.

If you are keen to find out more, you can check out Holyrood’s website here and read all about their cask programmes. If they sound right up your street, you can register your interest via our form below.

Register Your Interest

Holyrood Distillery
Lightly Peated Cask

Aged in a lightly toasted port wood, the lightly peated cask makes for a beautiful subtly smoked malt. The cask is filled with a combination of heavy peated malt and Rauch malt to create the smoky flavours, and East Lothian malt and Caramalt to add a sweeter note to the spirit. Edinburgh Ale yeast is used to create refreshing citrus flavours in the expression which wonderfully balance the more powerful smoky notes. The single malt will then spend ten years maturing in a 225 litre lightly toasted first fill port barrique.

£3,500.00
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Holyrood Distillery
Heavily Peated Cask

The heavily peated expression is a true smoke bomb. It is made from 50% Islay peated malt, 38% Maris Otter, and 12% Amber malt which adds some sweetness to the smoke from the Islay malt. Some beer yeast is added to draw in citrus flavours, as well as Kviek yeast which is used in Norwegian Ales. The expression is then poured into a 250 litre Spanish sherry hogshead of your choice – either first fill Pedro Ximenez sherry or first fill Cream sherry – before a ten-year maturation.

£5,000.00
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