ralfy review 938 – Talisker 12yo @ 48.4%vol: (Indi/D Laing)

anCnoc celebrates modern makers with new Craft Cast campaign

anCnoc Highland single malt whisky is taking drinkers into the world of the modern maker this year, with a new partnership and event series celebrating some of the UK’s most dedicated craft producers.

The anCnoc Craft Cast will shine a light on the hidden corners of workshops and studios where the magic of craft production happens – telling stories of the people who share anCnoc’s passion for crafted products, made well.

The first partnership kicked off this month with Glasgow’s Overtone Brewing Company. One of Scotland’s most exciting and experimental craft beer producers, their creative brewing team takes inspiration from the culture of music to craft small batches of hop-forward beers for their growing fan base.

On Friday 15^th July anCnoc and Overtone hosted an evening to explore craft beer and whisky, with guests enjoying beer and whisky pairings and a unique, after-hours glimpse behind the scenes on Overtone’s small brewery floor.

A mix of makers, media and craft fans savoured drams, sipped on an array of beers and even had a chance to get creative and dive into the world of design, developing new names and labels for future Overtone beer releases.

For anCnoc’s team, these partnerships are a celebration of the values they hold dear as whisky makers: traditional techniques and skills, slow hand-crafted processes and products imbued with the personal care and passion of the people who make them.

Stuart Baxter, Global Whisky Ambassador for anCnoc led the tastings for Craft Cast guests on the night. He said: ‘We hear the word craft a lot these days, and it’s easy to forget what it really means for true craft makers and the products they make. With the Craft Cast we’re on a mission to dig a bit deeper, stepping into the communities of some incredibly skilled craftspeople to explore their world and celebrate the values we have in common over a dram. The brilliant beer makers at Overtone were a natural first partner for us, and it was a pleasure learning more about the creativity, commitment and energy they put into every can of beer, at what was very relaxed and enjoyable evening’.

Kayley Barbour, Head of Overtone’s Brand Marketing added: “We’re very grateful to be working with anCnoc as part of their Craft Cast campaign and the event couldn’t have gone better, the brewery has never felt more alive. The entire campaign is an amazing opportunity for creative businesses to work together, think outside the box and engage customers in different ways.”

To accompany the Craft Cast campaign, anCnoc has commissioned long term collaborator, New York based Scottish illustrator Peter Arkle, to create a suite of hand-drawn illustrations to bring anCnoc’s passion for craft to life.

Also, inspired by the Overtone Brewing partnership, anCnoc has created a new microsite which will offer fun tips and help drinkers to find their perfect beer and anCnoc whisky pairing via a short quiz.  Visit: https://www.ancnoc-untapped.com/

Global Whisky Ambassador for anCnoc Stuart Baxter (middle) with the Overtone Brewing team

www.ancnoc.com

https://www.facebook.com/ancnocsinglemalt/

www.instagram.com/anCnoc_whisky

www.twitter.com/anCnoc_whisky

anCnoc Highland single malt Scotch whisky (pronounced a-nock) is crafted at Knockdhu Distillery in the small village of Knock in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Established in 1894, the distillery was built in an area with an abundance of the natural resources needed for making whisky: pure spring water and plentiful supplies of peat and barley.

Sitting in the shadow of the ‘Black Hill’ (Knockdhu in Gaelic) which gives the whisky its unusual name, Distillery Manager Gordon Bruce and his long-standing team dedicate themselves to the traditional craft of making excellent whisky every day.

In an industry where many distilleries aim to be bigger and better, Knockdhu is known as one of the smallest and most enchanting distilleries in the Scottish Highlands. And little has changed in the way whisky has been made here over the decades. Two copper pot stills replicate the original 1894 design, old fashioned worm tubs condense the vaporised alcohol, and Gordon’s team (and many dogs) make up one of the smallest workforces in the industry. Sustainability is at the heart of everything they do, including the ‘wetlands’ they’ve created in the land surrounding the distillery to naturally process the co-products of production.

As a result, anCnoc is a celebration of traditional whisky making, with skills handed down from one generation of Distillery Manager to the next, retaining the slow, hand-crafted techniques that make single malt Scotch whisky so highly prized around the world. But there’s nothing old fashioned about the finished products. These are light, fruity, refreshingly modern single malts, bottled and sent out to the world for everyone to enjoy.

ABOUT OVERTONE BREWING

Inspired by the culture of music, Overtone aims to bring people together, incite conversation and make memories through the enjoyment of craft beer.

Brewing in Glasgow since 2018, Overtone have quickly established itself as one of Scotland’s best and most creative craft breweries, encouraging a new thirst for New England style IPAs. There are new releases every week: from experimental hop combinations to exciting fruited sour blends, with a high standard and consistency that has won over the craft beer scene.

Head Brewer Dan Miller is from New Hampshire in the US and brings with him a knowledge of American style beers. This has allowed Overtone to consistently produce award winning New England IPAs that are loved by craft beer fans nationwide.

THE WAIT IS ALMOST OVER

After years of working with the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission, we’re thrilled to share that today, the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) issued the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Federal Register to formally recognize and define the American Single Malt Whisky category after a 60-day comment period.

The rule would ensure 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. All of our Courage & Conviction American Single Malt whiskies already meet these requirements but having this formal recognition will define and protect the category as it continues to grow.

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This is a historic moment for us, and we can’t thank you enough for your continued support. The future of American Single Malt at Virginia Distillery Company will be an exciting one, so stay connected with us for future updates!

Cheers,

Virginia Distillery Company 🥃

Milton 1949 Private Collection

An incredibly rare release from Milton, now known as Strathisla, and the oldest distillery in Speyside. This liquid has slumbered for over seven decades in a first-fill sherry puncheon.

This single malt was distilled at Milton (now known as Strathisla), the oldest distillery in Speyside. Distilled in 1949, the expression spent an eye-watering 72 years maturing in a first fill sherry puncheon before being bottled by Gordon & MacPhail in 2022 at 48.6% abv.

The nose is full of baked forest fruits, fresh vanilla, and plenty of sherry influence before leading to an inviting palate with notes of apple pie, vibrant citrus, and caramel. The finish is lingering with toffee apple and a gentle hint of smoke.

£50,000.00
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SPECTACULAR SPICY & SWEET SPECIAL

Our Spicy & Sweet flavour profile is a spectacular sensory adventure, perfect for these summer months and seasonal food matching, bringing layers of wonderful soft spice into sweet dishes.

BECAUSE we love this flavour profile (and YOU our members), we’re continuing our summer sale this weekend with a saving finale – save 25% on a selection of outstanding bottlings from our Spicy & Sweet Flavour Profile. Enjoy this HOT NEW offer now until midnight on Sunday, 31 July.

But be quick, bottlings are limited in availability and once they’re gone, they’re gone forever. There are 8 amazing bottlings in our Flavour Finale Sale – click over to our website now to explore OR keep on scrolling for some tasty recommendations.

HOW TO REDEEM:

Simply apply our coupon code to your online basket: (JOIN THE SOCIETY TO FIND OUT!)
Your saving will be applied automatically to all bottles within our sale selection

VIEW ALL WHISKIES

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

THE CRAFT IRISH WHISKEY CO. TAKES BOTH #1 AND #2 SPOTS IN TOP INDUSTRY EXPERT WHISKEY BLIND TASTING

The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. takes the top two spots with The Devil’s Keep at #1 and The Taoscán at #2 in a whiskey blind tasting by top industry experts from Whisky Magazine. The two top-scoring whiskies were the only ones from the company included in the tasting, making the results all the more incredible and just the latest in a long line of accolades for the groundbreaking brand.

The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. is a trailblazer in the whiskey industry; a brand that has got plenty of people talking in the UK, Ireland, and beyond. Since launching with The Devil’s Keep in 2020, the company has broken the record for the world’s most expensive whiskey and won prestigious awards for taste and design including World’s Best Irish Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards 2022.

Whisky Magazine’s Editor, Christopher Coates and Deputy Editor, Phoebe Calver carried out the blind-tasting of 6 Irish whiskies including expressions from Clan Colla, J J Corry Irish Whiskey and Teeling Whiskey as well as The Devil’s Keep and The Taoscán.

The Process

• All samples were blind tasted, with ABV, country/region and style the only information disclosed
• Samples were tasted individually over a two-week period
• Tasters worked to tasting and scoring guidelines in order to assess samples consistently
• The top-scoring sample was awarded Editor’s Choice

Coates remarks, “The Devil’s Keep is delicious,” with Calver adding, “There’s an interesting play with flavour here. I like the sweet and herbal surroundings.”

From the Devil’s Keep winning overall top scorer and winner of Whisky Editor’s Choice award in the tasting to The Taoscán, being the second highest scoring sample. Coates observes, “The Taoscán is like drinking a ready-made Manhattan of Boulevardier. It’s delicious!” with Calver noting, “It’s a sweet lover’s paradise. Nicely balanced and characterful.”

Jay Bradley, Founder and CEO The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. comments, “The Craft Irish Whiskey Co, is on a mission to reinvent Irish whiskey and craft the finest whiskeys in the world. To receive the top two spots for the only two whiskies of ours included in a blind tasting of some great whiskies by industry experts speaks for itself! We are very grateful to Whisky Magazine for this accolade and the ongoing recognition from the editors.”

The full results of the blind-tasting including tasting notes feature in the June 2022 edition of Whisky Magazine.

The Craft Irish Whiskey Co.

The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. is on a mission to reinvent Irish whiskey, elevating its potential as a luxury product and restoring Ireland’s reputation for crafting the finest whiskeys in the world.

Formed in 2018 by Irish entrepreneur Jay Bradley, The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. was born from a desire to return Irish whiskey to the heights it once enjoyed. To achieve such a goal has taken a complete reimagining of the craft; honouring centuries of tradition but questioning convention and adding scientific understanding to reinvent the maturation of the whiskey. No expense is spared, no corners are cut.

In 2021, The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. became the most highly awarded new company of the year amassing a total of seventeen awards across both Taste and Design for four of its ultra-rare whiskey releases. In 2022, the company continued this award-winning streak, adding the world’s Best Irish Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards for The Devil’s Keep, and a perfect score to achieve Platinum at the A’Design Awards for The Emerald Isle.

The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. is the exclusive Michelin Plaque Distribution Partner for The Michelin Guide Star Revelation Great Britain and Ireland 2022.

For more information visit www.craftirishwhiskey.com  or click vimeo.

About Whisky Magazine and the tasters 

Whisky Magazine is an international publication covering whiskies from around the world. It includes distillery focuses, news, and topical features, explores the history and production of the liquid, and includes tastings of new and exciting whiskies. Whisky Magazine is written by world-class drinks writers and is published eight times a year as a print and digital edition, with regular updates and more original content at www.whiskymag.com.

An editor of American Whiskey Magazine and deputy editor of Whisky Magazine, Phoebe splits her focus between the US and global whisky scenes. She is also co-host of Whisky Live TV and a global whisky taster for the title.

A member of the team since 2013 and a keen whisky drinker long before that, Christopher Coates was appointed as editor of Whisky Magazine in 2020. Beyond this, he is a keen photographer and chair of judges for the World Whiskies Awards and Icons of Whisky.

Mossburn Distillers established in 2017 

Mossburn has a fast-growing whisky brand portfolio from across Scotland. Their first bottling under the Mossburn name was released in 2017 as a range of classic Independently Bottled Single Malts.

The family behind the brand have over 100 years heritage in the whisky industry today they are using the experience and passion gained over time to offer some outstanding whiskies bottled from across Scotland to the distilleries they own and run.

Mossburn Distillers it is a young company with a growing whisky brand portfolio of single malts and now with two distilleries, one is located on the Isle of Skye, established in 2017 making it the second legal licenced distillery on the Island.

The Second Distillery they run is in the Scottish Borders region

The whiskies made at this distillery is going to be a contrasting style to the Skye distillery, not only in taste, they will be more experimental and free flowing with ideas at the Reivers distillery.

Join us in this tasting event as we delve into the range of tastes and flavours they have to offer all whisky fans.

Bruce Perry is the Global Brand Manager of the Mossburn Distillers, he will be guiding us through the line-up below:

Caisteal Chamuis

Caisteal Chamuis 12yo

Torabhaig Allt Gleann

Torabhaig 2017

Mossburn Island

Mossburn Speyside

Mossburn Vintage N’28

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We are running a Yamazaki ballot!

We are sure you’ve heard all about this super-popular release. And we have our hands on some! But we are running a ballot so you have a fairer shot at having a chance to purchase a set. Sign up below to receive any updates on this one coming up in the next wee while.

Interested? Sign up! →

Yamazaki Tsukuriwake 2022

This limited edition collection from the House of Suntory’s Yamazaki distillery consists of four cask-finished expressions showcasing the diversity in whisky making in just four bottles – Puncheon, Spanish Oak, Mizunara, and Peated Malt.

Puncheon is at the heart of Yamazaki. Spanish Oak is matured in some of the finest sherry casks Spain has to offer. Peated Malt highlights the gentle smoky notes. Mizunara (Japanese oak) celebrates the wood that gives Yamazaki its distinctively Japanese character.

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Hard Truth Distilling Co. Announces Significant Expansion Plans 

New Rack House, Fermenters and Blending Room Expansion Planned to Manage Increased Product Demand

Nashville, IN – Hard Truth Distilling Co., Indiana’s largest destination craft distillery, today announced a major expansion that will include several projects, beginning with the construction of its second rackhouse.

Rackhouse No. 2 will be twice the size of Hard Truth’s current rackhouse, tripling storage capacity from 4,000 to 12,000 barrels for its critically acclaimed Sweet Mash Rye and other whiskies.

Hard Truth will also be installing three, new 5,000-gallon fermenters in addition to its current 2,500-gallon fermenters, allowing the distillery to increase its current production rate by more than 800 percent. Along with this expansion, the distillery is transitioning to 24/7 production to keep up with demand.

Work began in late June with projected completion within six months.

Hard Truth Distilling Co., located in the heart of Indiana’s famous Brown County artists’ colony, was founded in 2015. Sales have grown steadily year over year. Then, from 2020 to 2021, sales nearly doubled thanks to increases from existing brands and the introduction of three new products, including Hard Truth Maple Bourbon Cream.

In addition to ongoing sales gains, Hard Truth continues to add new markets. Already in the major markets of Illinois and Florida, Hard Truth products are now available in Texas, including the cities of Dallas, Houston and Austin.

The distillery’s portfolio of award-winning spirits can now be enjoyed in 16 states and in the Bahamas, and according to Jeff McCabe, Hard Truth Co-Founder, market expansion is a priority. “We expect to see our brands in 28 states by 2023,” said McCabe.

Hard Truth’s portfolio of award-winning premium spirits includes Hard Truth Toasted Coconut Rum, Toasted Coconut Rum Cream, Maple Bourbon Cream and Cinnamon Vodka — which has become the best-selling cinnamon vodka in the U.S. Whiskey brands in addition to Hard Truth Sweet Mash Rye, include Indiana Straight Rye Whiskey, the Sipes’ family of bourbon and rye whiskeys, and the Schoonover family of bourbons.

Hard Truth: A Leading Midwest Tourist Destination

Many distilleries offer tours and tastings, but few sit among 325, explorable, wooded acres in some of the most beautiful countryside in the Midwest. Visitors to Hard Truth can tour the distillery, dine at its 250-seat restaurant, and hop on an ATV with a tour guide to explore the property while learning about the history of distilling.

Hard Truth hosts festivals, health and wellness adventures, mixology classes, and more. The forest-framed Hard Truth on the Rocks terrace and stage area offers live music and special events, a unique terrace food menu, and drinks.

“A key component of our mission at Hard Truth is offering visitors an opportunity to experience this place and our brands, and by doing so, become part of the Hard Truth family,” said McCabe. “We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished in just eight years, and there’s so much more to come.”

About Hard Truth Distilling Co.

Headquartered in Nashville, Indiana, Hard Truth Distilling Co. produces more than 20 premium spirits, including critically acclaimed Hard Truth Sweet Mash Rye Whiskey and top-selling Hard Truth Cinnamon Vodka, Hard Truth Toasted Coconut Rum, and Hard Truth Toasted Coconut Rum Cream.

Hard Truth’s spirits are distributed throughout Indiana and Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Florida, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine with several new states coming on board in 2022.

Founded in 2015, Hard Truth Distilling Co. quickly outgrew its original production facility, and, by 2017, construction had begun on its current facility, a distillery housed in a 50,000-square-foot building equipped with a state-of-the-art Vendome Copper & Brass distilling system. Hard Truth’s destination campus spans 325 wooded acres in Brown County, Indiana — an artists’ colony and tourist destination known for its natural beauty.

Visit hardtruth.com for the complete Hard Truth experience.