Welcome to this week’s episode of the show in which I’ll be taking a look at some releases from Henstone Distillery in Shropshire and the Pocketful of Stones Distillery in Cornwall.
Bunnahabhain Distillery unveils trio of new expressions to mark Fèis Ìle 2023
To mark Fèis Ìle 2023, Islay’s renowned whisky and music festival, Bunnahabhain Distillery has unveiled three new expressions: Canasta Cask Matured, 1998 Manzanilla Cask Finish and 17-year-old Triple Cask Moine.
Fèis Ìle is one of the biggest events in the Single Malt Whisky lovers’ calendar, with thousands of people travelling to Islay to visit the nine distilleries that each get their own dedicated ‘day’ – Bunnahabhain’s being on Friday 2nd June.
For the first time ever, Islay’s most remote distillery is also launching a fully immersive virtual reality experience for those who can’t make it in person. This virtual reality experience allows users to fully immerse themselves in the world of Bunnahabhain, explore the distillery in 360 degrees, and enjoy tastings with the distillery team, including Master Distiller Brendan McCarron, from the comfort of their own homes.
Two of the new expressions, the Canasta Cask Matured and the 1998 Manzanilla Cask Finish, will be available globally with a special experimental peated expression, the 17-year-old Triple Cask Moine exclusively sold at the distillery and at bunnahabhain.com.
The Canasta Cask Matured is a distinctive expression, inspired by the success of the Bunnahabhain 1980 Canasta Cask Finish limited release. Canasta casks are rarely used in whisky making and were once home to a skilful blend of Palamino and Pedro Ximenez grapes before being used for whisky making. This spicy and sweet combination compliments the Bunnahabhain unpeated spirit exceptionally well, adding layers of complexity and richness. No added colour and non-chilled filtered, the expression has been created to enjoy as nature intended, with an ABV of 51.2%.
The 1998 Manzanilla Cask Finish is a celebration of the influences experienced at Bunnahabhain’s unique coastal home at the Northern most part of Islay. Manzanilla is famed for its coastal, nutty and salty characteristics, which pair beautifully with Bunnahabhain’s unpeated sherried spirit resulting in a warming and welcoming dram, bottled at cask strength with an ABV of 52.3%.
The 17-year-old Triple Cask Moine expression is exclusively available at the distillery. This experimental expression was inspired by Julieann Fernandez, Bunnahabhain’s Master Blender, and her love for rum and raisin ice-cream. A contrast to Bunnahabhain’s house style, the 17-year-old has an ABV of 52.6% and is a marriage of three skilfully blended peated single malts that offers notes of the finest artisan rum and raisin ice-cream, with a wonderfully smoky finish.
Brendan McCarron, Master Distiller at Bunnahabhain, said: “We’re so excited to welcome whisky fans from across the globe to celebrate the world of Bunnahabhain at Fèis Ìle once again. We look forward to the festival every year as it is a great way to spend time with whisky lovers, bring them into our world and share some fantastic drams in such a beautiful setting.
“Our Canasta and Manzanilla expressions showcase the very best of our distillery home and our signature unpeated, sherried house style. Fèis Ìle also gives us a fantastic opportunity to experiment with the limited peated spirit we have, and our 17-year-old triple cask is a uniquely wonderful and smoky expression to add to the celebration. We’re very much looking forward to raising a dram with fellow whisky lovers later this year.”
To join the virtual Bunnahabhain experience, tasting kits and access to the virtual guide are available from www.bunnahabhain.com.
Notes
About Bunnahabhain:
Established in 1881 and situated on Islay’s most northerly point, Bunnahabhain is the island’s most remote distillery, overlooking a notorious passage of ocean known by seafarers as the sound of Islay. It has long established links to the sea, previously only accessible by boat – with ships loaded up daily before transporting their important whisky cargo back to the mainland for sale.
The word ‘Bunnahabhain’ is Gaelic for ‘mouth of the river’ referring to the Margadale River, its source of pure spring water which is distilled in the island’s tallest stills, creating the renowned malts. It’s the use of pure spring water that is piped to the distillery which gives it its unique light colouring setting it apart from other darker liquids on the Islay landscape. The distillery goes against the grain – quite literally – with a portfolio made up of broadly non-peated expressions, however, its peated Toiteach A Dhà expression recently won in the Scotch Islay: No Age Statement category at this year’s World Whiskies Awards. Bunnahabhain took home a further four titles in the 2020 awards ranging from silver to gold certificates – showcasing the calibre of its range
Tasting notes:
Bunnahabhain Canasta
Colour: Polished Mahogany
Nose: Classic sherried nose, sweet and caramelised fruits, honey roasted nuts, waves of cinnamon and clove with a hint of rancio.
Palate: Maple syrup leads with creamy vanilla, dried figs, poached pears and a sprinkle of cocoa. A gentle twist of orange appears in the background.
Finish: Long and sweet with notes of brown sugar, red apples and vanilla custard.
Bunnahabhain 1998 Manzanilla Cask Finish
Colour: Chestnut
Nose: Notes of freshly baked pastry with sweet almonds, rose petals, grapefruit and dried spices are balanced with a touch of mahogany and incense.
Palate: Coastal influence of seaweed and fresh sea air are met with raisins and dates and intertwined with creamy fudge, waxed red apple and a warm sweet spice reminiscent of star anise
Finish: Spicy and aromatic, with caramelised walnuts; the star anise fades to reveal lemon peel and pears with a lingering note of sea salt.
Bunnahabhain 17 Year Old Triple Cask Moine
Colour: Golden
Nose: Perfumed smoke with violet flowers, barbequed pineapple, salted raisins and fresh vanilla pod
Palate: Rippling notes of smoke with double cream, raisins, crispy burnt sugar, ripe bananas and a twist of tropical fruits.
Finish: Rich finish with notes of smoky panna cotta.
Douglas Laing’s “Timorous Beastie” 24 Year Old Limited Sherried Edition Highland Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) (Elsewhere $300) $109.99 View
91 points Whisky Advocate
Coconut macaroon, baked sweet pastries, peach purée, sanded oak, Starburst chews, pear, caramel shortbread, strands of orange zest, and crushed allspice and coriander seeds. Far from timorous, this grown-up Highlander has the heart of a lion, with flavors of cooked apple, dark molasses, vanilla pod, lots of oak tannin, pepper, and coriander seed, with a finish of dark sugars and peppery heat. Quite an animal. (JM, Spring-2019) 
(3/2019)
K&L Notes
This unprecedented value will NOT be around forever. This is in every sense of the word an “ABSURD” deal. Even in the old days decades ago, finding a sherried unchillfiltered malt of this age and quality at this price would have been a serious score. Timorous Beastie is composed of exclusively Highland malts, the names often batted about for this brand are Glen Garioch, Glengoyne, Blair Atholl and Dalmore, but likely includes whiskies from many other great distillers in the region. They are particularly heavy on the sherry, but not married and finish, instead blended with ex-bourbon casks, for a sherry heavy character. It’s extremely well put together with a gorgeous complex nose and a subtle earthy character to remind us of what great old sherry is all about. You won’t find another store in California selling this for less than $300. Another in our series of “deflationary” buys. Together we can fight high whisky prices!
1982 Douglas Laing’s Big Peat 26 Year “Platinum Edition – The Vintage Series” Islay Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) (Elsewhere $300) $120.00 View
The Big Peat Vintage Series is an unusual vintage expression of blended malt whiskies from the famous Isle of Islay. Utilizing the deepest stocks of this famous bottler, they’ve put together an unbelievable blend of old peated whiskies. This is the second release in their Vintage Series, and represents an exceptional, value considering the cost of old Islay whiskies (even before we acquired the country’s remaining stock at an enormous price advantage). We were more than happy to sell this exceptional whisky when it was $250+, but for less than half the price, it’s simply irresponsible not to procure as much as you can fit in your whisky closet. Drawn entirely from the 1992 vintage and bottled at a hearty 103 proof, you’ll no doubt notice the complex character of Islay greats like Ardbeg, Caol Ila, Bowmore and more. The story goes that every working distillery at the time was included in this blend, but regardless of the components, this whisky simply over delivers in every regard. K&L is committed to offering deflation level deals on the finest whiskies. Together we can fight high whisky prices!
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
The seventh release in The Macallan Archival Series, Folio 7, celebrates a beautiful and deliciously quirky advert. It cleverly features a group of scientists called ‘The Boffins’ in their baffling quest to determine the scientific rationale behind the magic that takes place inside The Macallan casks.
After much investigation, ‘The Boffins’ were left positively baffled by this task, and so, insisted on taking a barrel of whisky back to the laboratory, all in the name of ‘research’.
This fine release exudes complex flavours of raisins, milk chocolate and orange peel that give way to vanilla and baked fruits on the palate, leaving a long, creamy finish with warm spices. Folio 7 will be available to experience as a dram from The Macallan Estate Bar via reservation only from April 2023. There will be limited product availability worldwide.
The Macallan Distillery Experience, The Macallan Distillers Ltd, Easter Elchies, Craigellachie, Moray, AB38 9RX, Scotland, +44 (0)1340 318 000
MACLEAN’S NOSE – ADELPHI
Maclean’s Nose, a new blended Scotch whisky from Adelphi, expertly crafted to have a west coast character with the blend containing a high proportion of malt and sherry casks.
Named MacLean’s Nose due to the close relationship that Adelphi and Ardnamurchan have with Charlie ‘The Nose’ MacLean along with the beautiful landmark located on the south coast of the Ardnamurchan Peninsula, named MacLean’s Nose.
Bottled at 46% ABV, un chilled filtered and at natural colour along with an impressive label which has been printed on crushed barley paper made from a byproduct of whisky production.
If you have any questions, please just get in touch…
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Slàinte
NOSE Burnt citrus peel, sea salt, bonfire. Nectarine syrup, lime marmalade, hay bales, coal bunker and oily shed.
PALATE Puffed rice, homemade rice pudding and white chocolate. Bright citrus lime pickle. Chantilly cream and Viennetta ice cream. Ferrero Rocher. Hessian. Burning heather and smoked praline.
A Week of Whisky Diplomas
We’ve been back at Arniston House this week hosting another sold out Diploma in Single Malt Whisky. It’s been a pleasure teaching enthusiastic learners from all around the globe, with attendees from Austria, Canada, China, Germany, Latvia, Netherlands, Puerto Rico, Sweden, UK & USA.
Due to popular demand, we’re pleased to announce a second September date for the course which means we’ll be hosting a full week of whisky Diplomas!
Monday 18 & Tuesday 19 September
Diploma in Single Malt Whisky
SOLD OUT
Wednesday 20 September
Diploma in the Art of Tasting Whisky
Thursday 21 & Friday 22 September
Diploma in Single Malt Whisky
Put yourself in the picture and earn your SQA Diploma (or two) with us at Arniston this September. 2024 dates will be announced soon.
Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 488: GlenAllachie 10 Year Old 2009 Sauternes Barrel
Mark Dermul, Belgian whiskyblogger, goes to the Speyside. Before 2017, hardly anyone spoke about Glenallachie, but since Billy Walker took over in 2017, he has put this Speyside distillery on the map. Now it has become GlenAllachie, with a capital A in the middle. This malt was put in the barrel for the duration, but it was Billy who, after 10 years of maturation on a Sauternes wine barrel, found it ready to bottle at cask strength.
Raise a glass to Edinburgh’s history
– Celebrate Whisky Month this May at The Real Mary King’s Close –
The Real Mary King’s Close is celebrating Whisky Month this May with specially curated ‘A Dram of History’ tours. The underground attraction is inviting you on an exclusive historical tour and whisky tasting experience underneath Edinburgh’s iconic Royal Mile.
The one-hour interactive history tour will be rounded off with a crafted whisky tasting led by local experts with over 15 years of industry knowledge, allowing you to sample the best Scotland has to offer. Guests will discover the secrets of Edinburgh’s illicit stills, learn about the origins of ‘usquebaugh’ (water of life) and why Mary King’s Close was at the centre of its thriving and bustling trade.
On ‘A Dram of History’, visitors will have the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of a former resident, journey back in time and explore the rooms, streets, and spaces which now lie underneath the vibrant Old Town of Edinburgh.
Paul Nixon, General Manager at The Real Mary King’s Close, said: “Whisky is so ingrained within Scottish culture and is celebrated in Edinburgh and by whisky lovers all over the world. We are so excited to play a part in the festivities and delve into the history of our national drink whilst of course having a few drams – responsibly!
“Here at The Real Mary King’s Close we are passionate about storytelling and creating unique experiences which transport our guests into special moments in time. We love sharing tales about Edinburgh’s rich past and we can’t wait to welcome everyone on A Dram of History tour.”
Tours will be running throughout May, every Friday and Saturday at 5.15pm, 5.45pm and 6.15pm. Tickets are £39.50pp. Pre-booking is strongly recommended as places are limited. Over 18’s only.
For more information and bookings please visit HERE
About The Real Mary King’s Close
Lux Row Distillers’ Blood Oath Pact 9 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Arrives at Retail in April
Latest offering from master distiller and master blender John Rempe features bourbon finished in Oloroso Sherry casks
St. LOUIS (April 20, 2023) – Lux Row master distiller and master blender John Rempe renews his annual pact with bourbon drinkers with the release of Blood Oath Pact 9 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey finished in Oloroso Sherry casks. A limited supply of 17,000 (3-pack) cases will arrive at retail this April at a suggested price of $129.99 per 750 ml bottle. As with all of Rempe’s pacts, Blood Oath Pact 9 is offered at 98.6 proof (49.3% ABV).
Blood Oath Pact 9 combines some of the finest extra-aged bourbons Rempe could find, including a 16-year ryed bourbon and a 12-year ryed bourbon, as well as a 7-year ryed bourbon finished in Oloroso Sherry casks from the Sherry Triangle region in southwest Spain. These casks impart unique woody and ripe-fruit aromas and flavors to make Blood Oath Pact 9 a memorable pour.
“Blood Oath Pact 9 contains three great bourbons, and the Oloroso Sherry cask finish has resulted in a deep, dark amber liquid with long legs,” said Rempe. “The Oloroso Sherry casks also bring out tasting notes of sweet sherry with hints of ripe fruit on the nose, as well as flavor notes highlighted by ripe fruits including figs, plums and raisins, with notes of molasses, chocolate and tobacco. This bourbon also provides a long-lasting finish characterized by fruit notes and complemented by hints of spicy oak. I’m proud to share Blood Oath Pact 9 with bourbon lovers.”
Each Blood Oath pact has featured a different colored label. This year, Blood Oath Pact 9 features a label that is deep crimson in color. And like its predecessors, each bottle of Blood Oath Pact 9 comes in a commemorative fire-branded wooden display box.
The official launch of Blood Oath Pact 9 will include a total allocation of 51,00 bottles, 1,400 of which will be held for a future Trilogy Pack release. The first Trilogy Pack, featuring Pacts 1, 2 and 3, was released in 2018, and the second Trilogy Pack, featuring Pacts 4, 5 and 6, was released in September 2021 in conjunction with National Bourbon Heritage Month. The next Blood Oath Trilogy Pack, featuring Pacts 7, 8 and 9, will be offered in 2024.
About Luxco
Founded in St. Louis in 1958 by the Lux Family, Luxco is a leading producer, supplier, importer and bottler of beverage alcohol products. Our mission is to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of consumers, associates and business partners. Merged with MGP Ingredients, Inc. in 2021 (Nasdaq: MGPI), Luxco operates as MGP’s Brands Division and manages all MGP/Luxco brands. This extensive and award-winning spirits portfolio includes well-known brands from four distilleries: Bardstown, Kentucky-based Lux Row Distillers, home of Ezra Brooks, Rebel, Blood Oath, David Nicholson and Daviess County; Lebanon, Kentucky-based Limestone Branch Distillery, maker of Yellowstone Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Minor Case Straight Rye Whiskey and Bowling & Burch Gin; Jalisco, Mexico-based Destiladora González Lux, producer of 100% agave tequilas, El Mayor, Exotico and Dos Primos; and Ross & Squibb Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, where the Remus Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Rossville Union Straight Rye Whiskey are produced. The innovative and high-quality brand portfolio also includes Everclear Grain Alcohol, Pearl Vodka, Saint Brendan’s Irish Cream, The Quiet Man Irish Whiskey, Green Hat Gin and other well-recognized brands. For more information about the company and its brands, visit luxco.com.
We’re celebrating 40 years this year, and the May Outturn is another spectacular line up of whiskies worth discovering!
QUIET CONFIDENCE
REGION: Highland Island
CASK TYPE: 1st fill ex-bourbon hogshead
AGE: 25 years
FLAVOUR PROFILE: Sweet, fruity & mellow
BOTTLE NOTE: “A sense of calmness, with aromas we associated with sweet tobacco and soft waxy pieces of papaya. Gentle yet complex, delicate yet incisive!”
THICK AS MINCE
REGION: Speyside
CASK TYPE: 1st fill ex-bourbon barrel
AGE: 8 years
FLAVOUR PROFILE: Spicy & sweet
BOTTLE NOTE: “An immensely ‘fat’ and well-textured dram. Full of sweet fruit juices and dessert wines, along with camphor waxes, resins, herbs and spice.”
UNTO THINE OWN CASK BE TRUE
REGION: Speyside
CASK TYPE: 1st fill ex-bourbon barrel
AGE: 11 years
FLAVOUR PROFILE: Juicy, oak & vanilla
BOTTLE NOTE: “A big hearty, cask-driven dram. Lots of juicy oaky sweetness, condensed milk, sweetened herbal teas and richer tones of tobacco and gorse.”
CHILLI-BAKED CASHEWS
REGION: Highland
CASK TYPE: 1st fill ex-bourbon barrel
AGE: 9 years
FLAVOUR PROFILE: Spicy & dry
BOTTLE NOTE: “We collected conkers under a horse chestnut tree eating a Danish smorrebrod. Diluted, an elderflower cordial with sweet chilli baked cashews.”
SMOKUS FRUTICOSUS
CASK TYPES: Bourbon, PX & Oloroso barrels, butts & hogsheads
AGE: 10 years
This blended malt is comprised of malt whiskies from the islands of Islay & Orkney. We made use of bourbon barrels and hogsheads, as well as Spanish and American oak sherry hogsheads, which were seasoned with Oloroso & Pedro Ximenez wines. The resulting whisky is sweet, rich & intensely smoky, as the medicinal character of Islay peat marries with the floral & earthy smoke of the Orkney isles.
FANCY MEATING YOU HERE
REGION: Taiwan
CASK TYPE: 1st fill barrel #3 char level
AGE: 6 years
FLAVOUR PROFILE: Lightly peated
BOTTLE NOTE: “Wild, dark, densely meaty, herbal and with deep medical complexities. A thick and savoury dram to chew over. *May require a knife and fork*”
TARRED AND TREACLED
REGION: Islay
INITIAL CASK: Ex-bourbon hogshead
FINAL CASK: 1st fill American oak PX hogshead
AGE: 14 years
FLAVOUR PROFILE: Heavily peated
BOTTLE NOTE: “Like a Sunday feast for the nose yet more like a beast on the palate. Diluted, blackened Cumberland sausages and a sweet smoky beef consommé.”
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada
Suite 160
104 – 1240 Kensington Road NW
Calgary, AB T2N 3P7
403-969-8225
curious@smws.ca
www.smws.ca
