INNOVATIVE ENGLISH WHISKY PRODUCER, THE OXFORD ARTISAN DISTILLERY, ANNOUNCES INVESTMENT BY DIAGEO THROUGH DISTILL VENTURES 

17^th November 2022 (Oxford, UK): The Oxford Artisan Distillery, an ultra-premium English rye whisky producer seeking to revolutionise farming practices in the category, has announced that Diageo has made a minority investment in the company through Distill Ventures, the independent drinks accelerator devoted to building and scaling the drinks brands of the future.

Founded in 2016, The Oxford Artisan Distillery produces whisky using biodiverse populations of ‘heritage’ grains grown through an approach to grain farming known as Restorative Continuous Grain Cropping (R-CGC). These heritage grains and farming techniques have been developed in partnership with John Letts, a farmer and archaeobotanist with over 25 years’ experience, and an innovator in this field. The Oxford Artisan Distillery is the only distillery in the world with a license to use John’s grains, a proprietary mix of 30 to 100 different varieties grown exclusively for flavour and not yield.

The distillery’s first English rye whisky was released in April 2021, with a second batch available shortly after. To date, The Oxford Artisan Distillery has released a further nine batches of whisky and its distillery tour, just outside of Oxford, is rated one of the top things to do in the city on Tripadvisor. With ultra-premium whisky growing at 11% in the United Kingdom over the last five years^[1], the brand’s vision is to grow a modern and scalable whisky brand centred on restorative agriculture, driven by their forward-thinking approach to sustainable farming.

The investment will support the next stage of the company’s growth by enabling the upgrade and expansion of its production sites, and the continued development of The Oxford Artisan Distillery brand and its consumer experiences.

Dave Smith, CEO of The Oxford Artisan Distillery, said: “Over the last few years we have seen the industry take major steps towards addressing the climate crisis, but we have a responsibility to do more in tackling sustainable farming and grain production. With Diageo and Distill Ventures’ support, we believe we can use whisky to further a revolution in the field. We have been blown away by the team’s belief in our mission and could not be happier to be entering the next stage of our journey with them alongside.”

Frank Lampen, Founder and CEO of Distill Ventures, said: “Grain is becoming an important part of how whisky producers are continuing to innovate and develop new styles and flavours, and the heritage grains used by Oxford Artisan Distillery together with their ground-breaking approach to farming in a sustainable way make this one of the most exciting distilleries in the English whisky scene, and we’re delighted to be able to support them in their development.”

Eugene Khabensky, Vice President of Global Ventures at Diageo, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome The Oxford Artisan Distillery into the Distill Ventures portfolio. Its ultra-premium positioning coupled with its commitment to put regenerative agriculture at the heart of what it does, fits perfectly with our strategy to support premium and environmentally responsible brands.”

As with all brands within the Distill Ventures portfolio, the founding Oxford Artisan Distillery team will retain majority ownership and control of the business.

The Oxford Artisan Distillery

The distillery opened for business at its purpose-built site in Oxford on 27th July 2017.

It is Oxford’s first ever distillery and produces whisky with total provenance from grain to glass. The Oxford Artisan Distillery uses biodiverse populations of ‘heritage’ grains grown through a new approach to grain farming known as Restorative Continuous Grain Cropping (R-CGC).

R-CGC:

With Restorative Continuous Grain Cropping there are no fallow years, no tillage and no chemical inputs, leading to greater biodiversity in the field. As well as producing three times as much grain as any other modern rotational organic grain production system – driven by the fact that there is no need for rotation – R-CGC sequesters more carbon than any other modern organic grain production system. 

About Heritage Grain:

The Oxford Artisan Distillery uses genetically diverse populations of heritage grains – revived from historical sources by a leading archaeobotanist and grown sustainably on over 350 acres in the UK. The distillery’s grain contributes to biodiversity and soil health in the English countryside. The grains are the result of archaeobotanist, John Lett’s lifelong research on heritage grains: John has spent a large part of his life sourcing and growing heritage grains together, as polycultures. John takes 30-100 varieties of grain, mixes them up, and grows them together in the same field, at the same time. These sustainable fields are similar to what you would have seen in medieval times – the grains are grown specifically for the distillery, making The Oxford Artisan Distillery the only distillery in the world with a license to use John’s grains, grown exclusively for flavour and not yield.

Distill Ventures

Distill Ventures (DV) is the drinks industry’s first accelerator for new and growing brands. Since its founding in 2013, DV has invested in 35+ brands in a wide range of drinks categories, including New World whisky, premium gin, and non-alcoholic spirits. Through a combination of cash investment, mentoring support and access to a network of experts, DV works with founders from all backgrounds and stages of growth to help brands go further, faster.

Through both its traditional investment pathway and its Pre-Accelerator, which launched in 2021 and focuses on recruiting diverse entrepreneurs into drinks, DV operates across both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink categories, and invests at all stages, from pre-launch through to those requiring significant growth and expansion capital. It is operated independently and backed by Diageo, the world’s leading premium drinks company, providing investment funding, as well as resources and access through its global network of experts. For more info on, or to learn about our portfolio of current and exited brands, visit www.distillventures.com.

Diageo

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal and JεB whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company whose products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO). For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives and ways to share best practice.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

[1] IWSR, 2017-2021: by volume

NOSE: Crystallised ginger, sherry oak and rich golden syrup.

PALATE: Sherry-soaked winter fruits, giving way to rich malt loaf topped with vanilla cream.

FINISH: Honeyed apricots, then toasted nuts.

SHOP NOW

A Must-Have, Ultra-Classic Highland Rarity from Hunter Laing
2002 Pulteney 18 Year Old “Hunter Laing Old & Rare”
Single Bourbon Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky
(750ml) ($200.00)
“…one of the best products I’ve ever had from this lovely distillery.” —
David Othenin-Girard, K&L Spirits Buyer

The inimitable team at Hunter Laing Old & Rare strikes again. In Scotch connoisseurs’ circles, the Old Pulteney brand holds a special sway as one of Scotland’s most distinctive, highly sought-after malts. Tucked up on the far Northern Coast, this special old distillery has built quite a reputation for its singular style—an old-school, ultra-classic Highland profile that satisfies every last criterion for excellence. This special Pulteney cask from a first-class independent bottler offers a truly quintessential expression of unpeated ocean malt, and 18 years in ex-bourbon cask have only ramped the complexity and character up to eleven. “This is exactly the type of Highland malt I like to drink,” declares K&L spirits buyer David Othenin-Girard, “an absolute dream, offering so much unique character and further solidifying Pulteney as one of the greats of the Northern Coast.” It’s hard to overstate the rarity of any opportunity to acquire Old Pulteney, and anyone who’s ever found the brand on the open market knows a distillery bottling at this age will run many multiples of the $200 price of this special cask. So, the truly astute collector will act quickly on what is undoubtedly a proposition of both world-class quality and remarkable value.

2002 Pulteney 18 Year Old “Hunter Laing Old & Rare” Single Bourbon Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (750ml) ($200.00)

K&L Notes: The wonderful Pulteney distillery in the town of Wick was at one point the most northerly distillery on the mainland of Scotland. This far-flung distillery was established to support the extremely popular fishing industry in the area. While the herring was plentiful, so were rowdy fishmen, leading to a prohibition in the town from 1922 to 1947. The extreme location of the distillery meant that all supplies for a significant portion of its existence had to come by boat. Now the Old Pulteney brand is starting to become more important, the stocks are now being diverted from blending toward the brand. It’s always been extremely rare on the independent bottler markets, and we’ve only had the honor of selling a few version from Gordon & Macphail and Duncan Taylor over the years. Now this cask from the excellent Hunter Laing Old & Rare line offers a completely classic Pulteney profile. Filled into a bourbon barrel in September 2002 and bottled in January 2022 at a perfect 18 years of age, this whisky is quintessential Pulteney offered in a way the distillery isn’t even able to replicate. If we were to have found an equivalent barrel under the owner’s brand, it would have certainly commanded 2-3 times this price, but be no more delicious. Expect a complex mix of mature malt and vibrant ocean character that exemplifies this excellent distillery. Please remember to add a drop of water or two to release the aromatic potential.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: November 08, 2022

This gorgeous cask of Pulteney is one of the best products I’ve ever had from this lovely distillery. Old-school and absolutely pristine, aged 18 years in a fresh bourbon barrel, this is exactly the type of Highland malt I like to drink. In lots of ways, it exemplifies the idea of unpeated ocean malt that the Northern Coast does so well. It’s not as waxy and oily as Clynelish, but with a tons of character. Let’s taste. The color is a vibrant pale gold. The nose is a complex mix of fresh herbs, salted fruit, tea tree oil, and very old, fine wood. On the palate, it’s very malty, extremely sweet, and approachable at full strength, but it’s obviously hiding tons of character behind its 118 proof. With a drop of water and some air, we’ve got a huge change—sweet malt, licorice candies, pulverized stone, distant waves, gooseberries, greengage, petroleum jelly, fragrant scrubby heather, and salty chutney. The palate remains extremely rich and supple now with more salt and a complex mixture of white raisins dipped in dark cocoa powder. This whisky is an absolute dream, offering so much unique character and further solidifying Pulteney as one of the greats of the Northern Coast. It may seem pricey compared to other 18-year-olds we sell/have sold, but is in fact an incredible value considering the quality and scarcity of this special malt.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 03, 2022

The Old and Rare bottlings from Hunter Laing are always of impeccable quality, and this cask is certainly no different. This 18-year bourbon barrel yielded only 197 bottles of a golden elixir that is sweet and honeyed, as well as salty and fresh. At 58.6% ABV, it’s a big whisky but not overly hot. The nose is full of marmalade, honey, sea spray, lemongrass, peaches, and malt balls. The palate is lifted and lively, jumping from honey and cream to snappy citrus and sweet herbs. With a touch of water, the fruit explodes into a tropical maelstrom set off beautifully by the salty tinge. The finish is long and clean. It’s a beauty all around.

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

Win a VIP tasting experience at Dundonald Links with Bunnahabhain

Are you a fan of whisky AND a fan of golf? Well, we have partnered with Bunnahabhain and Dundonald Links Golf Resort to offer an incredible prize.

At the very heart of Ayrshire’s golf coast lies a modern links golf masterpiece. Win a two nights stay for four people in a luxury two bed lodge surrounded by private putting greens, including an exclusive dinner and tasting experience in The Whisky Room with Bunnahabhain’s Master Distiller, breakfast each morning, and a full round of golf for your group.

Purchase a bottle of Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old Cask Strength 2022 and you will be entered into the prize draw! This activation runs from today (21st November) until the 6th December. Best of luck!

Discover Bunnahabhain Whisky →

Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old Cask Strength 2022

Last years inaugural release of the cask strength version of the legendary 12 Year Old was a roaring success, and the second edition follows that trend but at an even higher strength of 56.6% abv. A richer, creamier, and more intense flavour profile shines with oak spice, marmalade and lots of dried fruits.

£80.00
BUY NOW

WINTER EVENTS AT THE SOCIETY

Get involved with a Society event near you

SEE ALL EVENTS

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ

Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

Matured in Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks. GlenDronach Cask Strength Batch #11 is the latest release of the richly sherried Highland malt. Expect richly spiced bramble wine and treacle toffee, to lingering Seville orange peel and nutmeg layered with caramel and maraschino cherry

MAXIMUM 1 BOTTLE PER CUSTOMER.

Buy – GlenDronach CS Batch #11 – £85 / $83* / €81*

Nose: Mulled cranberry, orange and clove liqueur meld with dark honeyed treacle on a base of nutty oak.

Palate: Richly spiced bramble wine and treacle toffee interweave with chocolate raisin, cinnamon maple and sultana

Finish: Lingering Seville orange peel and nutmeg layered with caramel and maraschino cherry.

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.

Friday, December 2nd, 3PM – 6 PM

Craigellachie & Aberfeldy Scotch Whiskies

Come by for a taste of new and rare single malts presented by whisky experts and distillery ambassadors. Craigellachie single malt is considered “the rock at the heart of Speyside,” yet is anything but your typical ‘Speyside’ whisky. Considered old fashioned even in 1891, its fruity, muscular flavour stems from the use of traditional worm tub condensers, producing a full, yet aromatic, character that defies expectations.

Perthshire distillery Aberfeldy is perhaps best known for their contributions to blended scotches, producing beautiful balanced single malt whisky since 1898. Often referred to as ‘the golden dram’ in blended malts, their core expressions are rare to find and enjoyed the world over.

Click Here to RSVP

(or email us at info@whiskyshopusa.com)

Drumshambo Single Pot Still Whiskey, 43%

https://youtu.be/YbAq_0Ak9XM

The Shed Disitllery in Ireland have long been a favourite of my family, but mainly for gin…turns out they also have a whiskey!

A single pot still whiskey comprised of malted barley, unmalted barley, and Irish barra oats! All working wonderfully together, along with barrel influences from Kentucky and Spain, this rich, creamy, Pot Still spice whisky is a true contender to take the place of some high-ranking bottles from across Ireland.

Bottled at 43%, natural colour and un-chill filtered, at roughly around what Redbreast now want for their 12YO, this thing is stepping into the boots of a rather big brand and taking, for me, quite abit of its limelight.

But with all things fun and new in Irish whiskey, this product is very much at the front of the queue. Hopefully, you’ll agree too!

THE MACALLAN RELEASES GLOBAL CAMPAIGN FILM CELEBRATING THE EXTRAORDINARY WOMAN BEHIND FINE & RARE 1926 SINGLE MALT WHISKY

THE MACALLAN RELEASES GLOBAL CAMPAIGN FILM CELEBRATING THE EXTRAORDINARY WOMAN BEHIND FINE & RARE 1926 SINGLE MALT WHISKY

The Macallan has released a short biopic revealing the real-life story of former managing director, Janet Harbinson, who in 1926 crafted the most valuable bottle of wine or spirit ever sold at auction, The Macallan Fine & Rare 1926.

The eight-minute campaign film, ‘The Spirit of 1926’ which will be screened in selected cinemas globally and available on The Macallan’s website and YouTube, celebrates her quiet heroism and her profound legacy and encapsulates the brand’s values in her character. It is set in Speyside, Scotland, primarily at The Macallan’s 485-acre Estate.

Janet Harbinson, known as ‘Nettie’ is a key figure in The Macallan’s history. In 1918, just months before the end of the First World War, her husband Alexander, who had been running the distillery, sadly passed.

Nettie was committed to the local community and following his death, she assumed control of the distillery as it was the best way to secure The Macallan for its employees and help the community. Through her passion and care for those around her and her dedication to craftsmanship, she kept the business afloat and helped to rebuild the local area.

Without setting out to do so, she also crafted The Macallan Fine & Rare 1926, which achieved legendary status after it fetched £1.5m at Sotheby’s in 2019. Several years on, it continues to be the world’s most valuable bottle of wine or spirit ever sold at auction. Its existence is a direct legacy of Janet Harbinson’s commitment to doing the right thing for her family, the community and The Macallan.

Jaume Ferras, Global Creative Director for The Macallan and a producer of the film, said: “We uncovered Janet Harbinson’s story when researching the background to The Macallan Fine & Rare 1926 and we knew we had to share it as soon as we learned of her role in its distillation and maturation, as well as the deep influence she had on the future development of the brand.

“At its heart, this is a love story; it celebrates the love that Nettie had for her husband, her love for the local community, her love for nature and her love for the family business. She cared deeply about others and was determined to use her position at The Macallan to enrich the lives of those around her.

“Guided by her conviction and strong belief in doing the next right thing for everyone she cared about, she unconsciously made history and it is only right that we pay tribute to her.”

To create the short film, which stars British-American actress Emily Mortimer in the role of Nettie, The Macallan collaborated with an array of leading creative talent including acclaimed director Mike Newell, whose credits include Four Weddings and a Funeral, Donnie Brasco, Mona Lisa Smile, and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. The script was written by award-winning screenwriter Allan Scott, whose Hollywood hits include Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Don’t Look Now, Castaway and the recent Netflix series, The Queen’s Gambit.

Allan Scott is the pen name of Allan Shiach – a former chairman of The Macallan and great nephew of Nettie Harbinson. As chairman Allan Shiach took the decision to bottle The Macallan Fine & Rare 1926 after 60 years of maturation in 1986.

Globally renowned Scottish fashion designer Christopher Kane created a series of 1920s outfits for the film using historic, luxury fabrics from artisan suppliers including hand-crafted lace and The Macallan tweed, while Scottish rock group Simple Minds delivered the film’s exclusive soundtrack.

Emily Mortimer, who plays Nettie, said: “The story is all about people finding their vocation in life. It’s really about holding onto the memory of someone that you really love.

“Nettie is living in the first half of the 20th century. She just enjoys her life then her husband dies. She had to decide what to do with the business and she decides that she’s going to run it.

“There are some people who take what they do very seriously and care, not just about the product they’re producing, but about the people who work for them and what they are adding to the world. There’s something about that whisky, that was made under her watch in 1926, that symbolises the heart of the company and what The Macallan whisky is all about.”

Jaume Ferras added: “Film is in The Macallan’s DNA. Our whisky has appeared in the background of many movies and TV shows, even taking centre stage on occasion, and our former chairman Allan Shiach is an award-winning screenwriter.

“Turning Nettie’s story into a film was a huge challenge, but a bit like Janet herself, we felt compelled to follow the courage of our convictions and give her contribution the treatment it truly deserves.

“As a brand with a long Scottish heritage it was important to us to bring together the best of the country’s creative talent – people who are also dedicated to the incomparable creativity and craftsmanship for which The Macallan is renowned.

“Each of our incredible collaborators have done a magnificent job of bringing to life our vision of Nettie.

“We can never repay her for her wisdom, her courage, her care and her craftsmanship, but we hope through our film our gratitude as a brand shines through.”

The Spirit of 1926 will be screened in select cinemas around the world and is available to view at www.themacallan.com from 16 November 2022.

About The Macallan
Founded in 1824 on a plateau above the River Spey in north-east Scotland, The Macallan is renowned globally for its incomparable craftsmanship, creativity and innovation with each bottle of single malt whisky revealing its unique mastery of wood and spirit.

Social and environmental sustainability is at the heart of The Macallan, and as part of its commitment to establishing a positive legacy it revealed its award-winning new Distillery in 2018. Designed by internationally acclaimed architects, the building takes inspiration from the surrounding ancient Scottish hills and is located on The Macallan’s beautiful 485-acre Estate. To this day, the single greatest influence on The Macallan’s sought after portfolio of single malts is its sherry seasoned oak casks from which its whiskies derive their distinctive flavours, aromas and natural colour.

Crafted without compromise. Please savour The Macallan responsibly.

The Macallan has released a short biopic revealing the real-life story of former managing director, Janet Harbinson, who in 1926 crafted the most valuable bottle of wine or spirit ever sold at auction, The Macallan Fine & Rare 1926.

The eight-minute campaign film, ‘The Spirit of 1926’ which will be screened in selected cinemas globally and available on The Macallan’s website and YouTube, celebrates her quiet heroism and her profound legacy and encapsulates the brand’s values in her character. It is set in Speyside, Scotland, primarily at The Macallan’s 485-acre Estate.

Janet Harbinson, known as ‘Nettie’ is a key figure in The Macallan’s history. In 1918, just months before the end of the First World War, her husband Alexander, who had been running the distillery, sadly passed.

Nettie was committed to the local community and following his death, she assumed control of the distillery as it was the best way to secure The Macallan for its employees and help the community. Through her passion and care for those around her and her dedication to craftsmanship, she kept the business afloat and helped to rebuild the local area.

Without setting out to do so, she also crafted The Macallan Fine & Rare 1926, which achieved legendary status after it fetched £1.5m at Sotheby’s in 2019. Several years on, it continues to be the world’s most valuable bottle of wine or spirit ever sold at auction. Its existence is a direct legacy of Janet Harbinson’s commitment to doing the right thing for her family, the community and The Macallan.

Jaume Ferras, Global Creative Director for The Macallan and a producer of the film, said: “We uncovered Janet Harbinson’s story when researching the background to The Macallan Fine & Rare 1926 and we knew we had to share it as soon as we learned of her role in its distillation and maturation, as well as the deep influence she had on the future development of the brand.

“At its heart, this is a love story; it celebrates the love that Nettie had for her husband, her love for the local community, her love for nature and her love for the family business. She cared deeply about others and was determined to use her position at The Macallan to enrich the lives of those around her.

“Guided by her conviction and strong belief in doing the next right thing for everyone she cared about, she unconsciously made history and it is only right that we pay tribute to her.”

To create the short film, which stars British-American actress Emily Mortimer in the role of Nettie, The Macallan collaborated with an array of leading creative talent including acclaimed director Mike Newell, whose credits include Four Weddings and a Funeral, Donnie Brasco, Mona Lisa Smile, and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. The script was written by award-winning screenwriter Allan Scott, whose Hollywood hits include Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Don’t Look Now, Castaway and the recent Netflix series, The Queen’s Gambit.

Allan Scott is the pen name of Allan Shiach – a former chairman of The Macallan and great nephew of Nettie Harbinson. As chairman Allan Shiach took the decision to bottle The Macallan Fine & Rare 1926 after 60 years of maturation in 1986.

Globally renowned Scottish fashion designer Christopher Kane created a series of 1920s outfits for the film using historic, luxury fabrics from artisan suppliers including hand-crafted lace and The Macallan tweed, while Scottish rock group Simple Minds delivered the film’s exclusive soundtrack.

Emily Mortimer, who plays Nettie, said: “The story is all about people finding their vocation in life. It’s really about holding onto the memory of someone that you really love.

“Nettie is living in the first half of the 20^th century. She just enjoys her life then her husband dies. She had to decide what to do with the business and she decides that she’s going to run it.

“There are some people who take what they do very seriously and care, not just about the product they’re producing, but about the people who work for them and what they are adding to the world. There’s something about that whisky, that was made under her watch in 1926, that symbolises the heart of the company and what The Macallan whisky is all about.”

Jaume Ferras added: “Film is in The Macallan’s DNA. Our whisky has appeared in the background of many movies and TV shows, even taking centre stage on occasion, and our former chairman Allan Shiach is an award-winning screenwriter.

“Turning Nettie’s story into a film was a huge challenge, but a bit like Janet herself, we felt compelled to follow the courage of our convictions and give her contribution the treatment it truly deserves.

“As a brand with a long Scottish heritage it was important to us to bring together the best of the country’s creative talent – people who are also dedicated to the incomparable creativity and craftsmanship for which The Macallan is renowned.

“Each of our incredible collaborators have done a magnificent job of bringing to life our vision of Nettie.

“We can never repay her for her wisdom, her courage, her care and her craftsmanship, but we hope through our film our gratitude as a brand shines through.” 

The Spirit of 1926 will be screened in select cinemas around the world and is available to view at www.themacallan.com from 16 November 2022.

About The Macallan 

Founded in 1824 on a plateau above the River Spey in north-east Scotland, The Macallan is renowned globally for its incomparable craftsmanship, creativity and innovation with each bottle of single malt whisky revealing its unique mastery of wood and spirit.

Social and environmental sustainability is at the heart of The Macallan, and as part of its commitment to establishing a positive legacy it revealed its award-winning new Distillery in 2018. Designed by internationally acclaimed architects, the building takes inspiration from the surrounding ancient Scottish hills and is located on The Macallan’s beautiful 485-acre Estate. To this day, the single greatest influence on The Macallan’s sought after portfolio of single malts is its sherry seasoned oak casks from which its whiskies derive their distinctive flavours, aromas and natural colour.

Crafted without compromise. Please savour The Macallan responsibly.

2012 Bunnahabhain 10 Year Old “Signatory” K&L Exclusive 1st Fill Sherry Butt Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

($149.99)

Bunnahabhain, originally founded in 1881, has, like many distilleries, had a rocky history. Built at a heady time for the Scotch industry, it is simply massive. The huge size helped it supply Highland Distillers (the precursor to Edrington) with copious amounts of smoky malt for blends like Famous Grouse and Cutty Sark. The 60s saw a doubling of the stills and the removal of the floor maltings, but eventually the 1980s took their toll and the remote distillery was mothballed in favor of easier to operate venues. While the closure was short, the distillery wasn’t really returned to its former glory until recent times. Now under the stewardship of Distell and with massive upgrades underway, Bunnahabhain, while still hard to pronounce, has become a household name (at least in those households that drink single malt). The enormous still provide ample copper contact giving a lighter profile to the spirit, but in a return the classic style of the 19th and ealry 20th centuries, this cask from Signatory is a first fill sherry butt of the highest order.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: October 27, 2022

The color of this 10-year is outrageous. It’s dark like molasses in the bottle and pours looking like XO Cognac from a big house. The nose is sherry-forward and loaded with toasted nuts, orange peel, and raisined fruits. If you diligently examine the aroma, you’ll find a plethora of malty goodness underneath. Sweet grain tea, chocolate malt balls, and the salty influence of the sea. On the palate, stewed fruits and a mushroomy umami note arise from the complicated interaction of spirit and cask. In a short 10 years, this has become a bomb of flavor from an epic distillery in an equally epic sherry butt. The finish highlights citrus, chocolate, and salted caramels and lingers for a long time. At 65.4% ABV, it’s no wonder it’s a powerful Scotch. With a touch of water, fruit tumbles forth bouncing between fresh and rancio notes. It’s a delightful cask with tons to offer. If you like a sherry bomb, you’ll be happy with this with no effort required. If you want a complex malt with a big sherry profile, but one that isn’t a one trick pony, this will reward the patient drinker willing to sit with a dram for an extended period of time.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: October 21, 2022

Lots of B distilleries coming from Signatory this year. I think the B distilleries rival the C distilleries in terms of the finest set of Scotch distilleries associated by an arbitrary factor like the first letter in the name. Nonetheless, we do very well with the B distilleries and a big part of that is Bunnahabhain! Somewhat like Bowmore, which offer some interesting if not always very exciting distillery releases, it is the independently bottled stock from Bunnahabhain to which we can attribute its stellar reputation. Although the quality contrast between distillery releases and IB bottlings is not as stark as its Islay neighbor, there seems to be a lot of really good Bunnah that makes it out of the clutches of corporate ownership. That’s likely due to the multiple owners this old distillery has had over the years, but as we see younger stocks in high-quality barrels come through, it becomes clear that the current owners aren’t opposed to divesting high-quality stocks to the right partners. The worry with such an active sherry butt and the sometimes more subtle spirit of the famously unpeated Islay, is that its character gets lost behind the bold sherry flavors. We’re very grateful to not have that problem with this stupendous cask. That’s not to say that it’s not absolutely packed to the brim with intense sherry goodness. The color is a deep, brown sherry. The dark nutty aromas of oloroso are tempered by the robust savory character of the malt, adding salty umami and an almost sweet, oceanic character. Less like the sea itself and more like the windswept sands and rocky beaches of Islay, with the salty churning currents of the straights of Islay bubbling in the distance. Rich roasted espresso beans, black berry jam, cedar, sweet tobacco leaf, dried mango, salt- and caramel-covered nougat candies. Rich and surprisingly drinkable at the extremely high proof, offering tins of molasses cookies and dark fruit compote, with a dark herbal quality. With water we have more vibrant plum and stewed peach. This thing absolutely loves water. Super complex now, with lots of dark chocolate and salted caramel. On the palate, it sweetens considerably, adding fruit and a caramel finish to the tanned hide and the old, antique wood. I just can’t believe this thing is only ten years old. So much going on here, this bottle will keep giving and giving for ages.

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