Speyside 1992 30 Year Old XOP, Xtra Old Particular Cask #17240

Speyside 1992 30 Year Old

Matured in a sherry butt.

One of only 538 bottles produced

£445.00 >

One of only 538 hand-filled bottles available. From the ‘XOP Old Particular’ range of whisky by Douglas Laing. From Speyside Distillery. Distilled May 1992, bottled March 2023, from a Sherry Matured Butt – DL17240 Natural Cask Strength, Natural Colour – No Chill Filtration.

Official notes from Douglas Laing:

The nose is rich and darkly attractive, with spiced and macerated red fruits “en croute”. The palate is subtly piquant, minted and gently oaked with a later honey and nuts style. Catch walnuts and sweet damp sugary dates amongst the molasses on the finish.

Cask Strength – Set in a gorgeous wooden presentation box. From Speyside Distillery. Matured and bottled by Douglas Laing.

Welcome to this week’s episode of the show in which I’ll be taking a look at their Spring 2023 releases.

https://youtu.be/zhVmKuisC84

International Beverage Completes £4 Million Balmenach Distillery Upgrade to lead Sustainability Drive

Integrated Anaerobic Digestion and Bio-Methane Technologies Cut Carbon Footprint

International Beverage Holdings Ltd (IBHL) has today announced the completion of an ambitious £4 million upgrade at Balmenach, which will place this historic Speyside distillery amongst the greenest operating in the Scotch whisky industry today.

Founded in 1824 just a few miles from Grantown-on-Spey and one of the oldest distilleries in the Speyside Region, IBHL has invested in an integrated system of innovative green technology at the site, which produces nearly 3 million litres of alcohol per year for the company’s own blends as well as the blended Scotch market. It is also home to the company’s super-premium Scottish gin, Caorunn.

At the heart of the project is a new Anaerobic/Aerobic Digestion (AD) Plant which uses micro-organisms to break down the liquid co-products of whisky production (pot ale and spent lees), allowing them to be processed on site. This process produces clean bio-methane gas which feeds a Combined Heat & Power (CHP) Engine to generate power for the Distillery and the grid, integrated with an existing biomass boiler which uses locally-sourced wood pellets to produce zero-carbon steam for the system.

Having paused the development during the pandemic, the site is now fully operational, and is having an immediate impact in terms of significantly reducing the Distillery’s overall carbon footprint:

• Renewable energy: each day approximately 130m³ of whisky co-products are processed to produce 2,000m³ of clean bio-methane gas which feeds a CHP Engine to generate renewable steam. This meets 100% of the Distillery’s energy requirements, producing 30,000kW of energy per week, 25,000kW of which is used to power the site (with the remaining 5,000kW exported to the grid);

• Improved energy efficiency: results to late 2022 report a reduction in Distillery energy use from 7.8kWh to 6.8kWh per litre of alcohol produced;

• Reduced Co2 emissions: from 1.5kg to 0.5kg per litre of alcohol produced.

• Water efficiency: the system cleans and returns 40% of processing waters back to the Distillery’s watercourse, the Cromdale Burn, which is a tributary of the River Spey;

• Reduced road transportation: a drastic reduction in the need for heavy goods vehicle movement at the site, removing 12 tankers from Spey Valley roads every week (each with a capacity of 25,000 litres);

• Efficient use of co-products: the AD plant produces a permeate stream, providing nutrient rich bio-solids for use as fertiliser by local farmers in the Speyside region;

The Balmenach project is IBHL’s biggest investment in sustainable whisky production to date. It represents a major step forward in meeting the company’s commitment to use only renewable energy for production by 2040: a goal that is made possible by IBHL’s early adoption of various clean fuel sources across its five distilleries. The business no longer uses heavy fuel at any of its sites and reduced the group’s energy consumption from 11kWh per litre of alcohol in 2005 to 6.4kWh in 2022.

The company’s Group Distillery Manager Sean Priestley explained: ‘At IBHL there is a culture of genuine accountability for the environmental impact of our production process, which means we have been striving for cleaner, greener whisky production many years ahead of the current Scotch Whisky Association’s sustainability target of net zero by 2040. The system we’ve built at Balmenach has been challenging, but a combination of investment, innovation, partnership working and perseverance are paying off, resulting in the significant reductions we are able to report in emissions and energy use today, which will only increase over time.’.

IBHL Managing Director Malcolm Leask added: ‘The completion of our £4 million project at Balmenach leads our ambition to decarbonise production and achieve industry leading standards of sustainability in the future. Sustainability is a long held and central commitment in our business – from the Dow Jones Sustainability Index listing of our parent company ThaiBev, to the daily efforts of our distillery teams across Scotland to respect and care for the local land, lochs and rivers that surround them. This is one of the industry’s oldest distilleries and it wasn’t built for efficiency. But nearly 200 years on, the improvements we are seeing in terms of energy use, emissions and efficiency show just what is possible in sustainability at such a historic site.’ 

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL BEVERAGE

International Beverage is one of the drinks industry’s most dynamic global businesses. Established in 2006 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Thaibev, the company operates as its international business arm, specialising in the development of premium local spirits for the global market. Its success is built on a strong understanding of local cultures and markets within a worldwide business network. Based in Hong Kong with regional offices in Singapore, Malaysia, the USA and UK, the company is responsible for the sales, marketing and distribution of a portfolio of premium brands in over 85 markets. These brands are built on character, craftsmanship and quality, led by a range of award-winning Scotch whiskies and an array of vibrant spirits. These include:

• Single malt Scotch whiskies Old Pulteney, Balblair, anCnoc and Speyburn
• Blended Scotch Hankey Bannister
• Caorunn, No.1 Premium London Dry Gin in the Scottish Off Trade*
• Mekhong, ‘The Spirit of Thailand’ since 1941
• Phraya, a premium rum handcrafted in Thailand

*Neilson IQ – Volume and Value latest 52 weeks to 28/08/2022.

The Dead Rabbit who have been named as ‘The World’s Best Bar’ have embraced Killowen in not one but two of their cocktails for what is a phenomenal new menu.

Just check out the Seanchaí ‘storyteller’ which embraces the Killowen Pangur Irish Poitín perfectly.

As a thank you to our distillery workers Killowen laid down a firkin 1 year ago to acknowledge their efforts and the efforts of workers worldwide today and historically.

Joe Hill Firkin 1

The bottle is named ‘Joe Hill’ as it pays homage to the inspirational labourer and union organiser. Joe became famous around the world after a Utah Court convicted him of murder.

Widley believed to have been framed due to his support of trade unions, he was executed. To this day he remains a labour folk hero living on in song, poetry and art.

The staff have each received a number of bottles as gifts and we are sure some of them will make Irish Whiskey Auctions at the end of this month, so keep an eye on their webpage if you want to taste it and support the workers of today at a time when workers are organising once again across the world.

Killowen’s New Still

Our new still works are well underway and we are now just completing the final fire sealing, the still itself is a replica of one of our current stills and will assist us in making some more whiskey to keep up with demand. Photos will come, but right now we are still finalising a name which we believe might acknowledge a small drumlin a couple of fields away ‘Cnóc Ór’ ‘ Golden Hill’ which sounds like Croc ore, named because at this time of the year the broom blossoms brightly around its peak.

Now it’s time for our New USA Exclusive Releases

Our most favoured 2 casks (one Killowen distillate and one bonded whiskey) where bottled up and sent to the USA some months ago to be released, Thursday 8th June TBC. The Barantúil Single Pot Still is full term in White cognac leaving a delightfully delicate but wonderfully balanced whiskey with plenty of pot still spice.

Also being released is a Coconut Rum & Raisin 5 year Old Single Malt special that was finished in a beautiful Coconut Rum Cask for a year leaving a coconut creamy palate and finish. (More on this to follow!)

Sláinte

The Killowen Distillery Team

Win an incredible VIP Tour with Glenfiddich

Buy any of the expressions within the Grand Series range from now until 18th June.

Discover Glenfiddich Grand Series →

InchDairnie is a Fife based distillery that takes an innovative approach to flavour and pushes the limits of Scotch whisky production. Their unique mash filter, grain selection and fermentation process is opening up new complex corners of the flavour map, not yet reached by other distilleries.

RYELAW

Fife Single Grain Scotch Whisky 2017 Vintage

70cl | 46.3% ABV 

A spectacular rye whisky that challenges traditions, the inaugural release of RyeLaw from the InchDairnie distillery was distilled in 2017 and bottled in 2022. This Scottish rye is a limited release and is the outcome of just a single week’s production, meaning that only 200 casks of this particular vintage were bottled to be released worldwide.

As the only precision-distilled, malted rye Scotch whisky in the world – RyeLaw is a stand-out in modern distilling, in a field of its own.

NOSE: ​​Distinguished rye spiciness mingling with mellow oak above a soft layer of vanilla.

PALATE: ​Cascading pepper from the rye caressingly wrapped in mouth-coating, oily viscosity and sweet biscuity, cereal and dried fruit notes

£106.95

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Cambus 1982 40 Year Old XOP, Xtra Old Particular Cask #17181

Cambus 1982 40 Year Old

Matured in a refill hogshead.

One of only 157 bottles produced.

£455.00 >

One of only 157 hand-filled bottles available. From the ‘XOP Old Particular’ range of whisky by Douglas Laing. From Cambus Distillery. Distilled December 1982, bottled March 2023, from a Refill Hogshead – DL17181. Natural Cask Strength, Natural Colour – No Chill Filtration.

Official notes from Douglas Laing:

Opens roundly sweet, and full of bourbon, coffee, plus later citrus and cereal. More (Arabica) coffee on the palate ahead of liquorice and slightly burnt vanilla toffee. The coffee finish now carries cream and sugar, ahead of the whisky.

Cask Strength – Set in a gorgeous wooden presentation box. From Cambus Distillery. Matured and bottled by Douglas Laing.

START the summer here…we’re shaking the senses and embracing the rising temperature by enjoying our whisky outdoors or within a tasty cocktail concoction. Our NEW Outturn is bursting with fresh flavours and inspiration, click over to our website NOW to explore OR keep on scrolling for our Outturn highlight you won’t want to miss…

READ NEW OUTTURN

CHERRY CHANTILLY CAKE

Cask No. 112.118

Age: 18 years

Cask: First Fill #4 Charred Hogshead

DISCOVER MORE

BROWSE NEW BOTTLINGS

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

FETTERCAIRN DISTILLERY ANNOUNCE 2023 EDITION OF

PIONEERING WHISKY – FETTERCAIRN 18 YEAR OLD – SCOTTISH OAK

Fettercairn distillery has announced the 2023 release of their pioneering, limited-edition, Scottish Oak-matured Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Fettercairn 18 Year Old.

First launched to market in 2022, the release of Fettercairn 18 Year Old marked a new dawn in progressive whisky making as the whisky enjoys a unique, hand-crafted finish in 100% locally sourced Scottish Oak barrels.

Fettercairn 18 Year Old is the complete embodiment of Fettercairn’s values and their commitment to the future of progressive, flavour led, whisky making. This expression is both innovative in style and substance and celebrates what makes Fettercairn different, from their unusual tropical house style – achieved by the unique copper cooling ring distillation – to their future-focussed approach to local sourcing.

Golden amber in colour, expect aromas of sugared almonds, baking spices and a tropical sweetness of passionfruit and guava. To taste, enjoy exotic syruped fruits, patisserie sugars, brioche and spices with soft hints of berry fruit. To finish, savour soft spice, cacao and natural vanilla.

Fettercairn 18 Year Old is created through a marriage of American White Oak casks and a hand-crafted finish in 100% Scottish Oak. Non-chill filtered and natural in colour, this whisky has been bottled perfectly at an ABV of 46.8% and consumers can expect to enjoy the same great quality liquid in this 2023 edition, as with the initial 2022 release.

Beyond the 18 years dedicated to making this remarkable whisky, this Single Malt is part of something truly significant. Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass founded the ground-breaking Scottish Oak Programme which, whilst born at Fettercairn distillery, was created to ultimately support the drinks industry for generations to come.

Scottish Oak imparts incredible flavour and the programme – which has seen ancient forests replanted as well as skills honed in sawmills and cooperages – has created a circular economy for future whisky makers.

Gregg Glass was named as Global Master Distiller of the Year at the Icons of Whisky Awards, in part for his innovative and pioneering work on the Scottish Oak Programme, which has also since been awarded the industry’s Innovation of the Year*, reflecting this pioneering approach to flavour-led whisky making.

The first release of Fettercairn 18 Year Old received an overwhelmingly positive response from whisky lovers and curious explorers alike. With liquid scarce, it is anticipated that the 2023 annual release will be highly sought after.

Fettercairn 18 Year Old 2023 limited-edition annual release, will be available to purchase from premium and specialist retailers from June onwards in key markets including UK, France and Germany, priced at £200 ($275).

For those keen to explore Fettercairn and take a journey through unexpected flavour experiences, further whiskies available in the core collection include a 12 Year Old, 22 Year Old and a 28 Year Old.  Fettercairn also has a number of rare and aged whiskies including 40, 46 and 50 Year Old expressions, as well as an experimental series, The Warehouse Collection, which concluded this year.

* Whyte & Mackay Scottish Oak Programme, winner of The Spirits Business Award for Innovation in Production 2022

About Fettercairn
Fettercairn Distillery is a hidden gem – a Single Malt Scotch Whisky Distillery located in the heart of a thriving agricultural community, Aberdeenshire – ‘The Garden of Scotland’. A spark of whisky making ingenuity is what makes Fettercairn special. A sense of wonder has been a constant theme back to 1824, as illustrated by our beautiful copper cooling ring, which produces a uniquely tropical style of new make spirit, and our Scottish Oak Programme from which we developed our Fettercairn 18 Year Old Scottish Oak. Today we continue to take a progressive outlook and make new unexpected journeys in flavour led whisky making. We invite curious whisky lovers and connoisseurs to explore and enjoy Fettercairn Single Malt.
www.fettercairnwhisky.com

About Gregg Glass- Master Whisky Maker
Icons of Whisky Distiller of the Year, Scotland 2023

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, 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.

Summer awaits, and with it, another selection of tasty tipples to shake up the season. Enjoy them on their own, over ice on a hot evening, or in a cool cocktail. They’re yours to enjoy!

WICKEDLY VILE AND DESPICABLY DREADFUL!

CASK NO. 63.101

REGION:  Speyside

CASK TYPE:  1st fill ex-bourbon barrel

AGE:  19 years

FLAVOUR PROFILE:  Spicy & dry

BOTTLE NOTE:  “You will not like this whisky! It is not painfully exquisite and drenched in old style highland waxiness. Nowt to see or sip with awe here!”

LIP-SMACKING, CITRIC AND SUMMERY

CASK NO. 1.257

REGION:  Speyside

CASK TYPE:  2nd fill ex-bourbon barrel

AGE:  8 years

FLAVOUR PROFILE:  Sweet, fruity & mellow

BOTTLE NOTE:  “Suede, burlap and tatami; rain forests and heathery hillsides; coconut and tannic oak; a jackpot of melons, pineapple, papaya and lemons.” 

A STICKY, SWEET, SPICY TREAT

CASK NO. G10.41

REGION:  Lowland

INITIAL CASK:  Ex-bourbon barrel

FINAL CASK:  2nd fill HTMC hogshead

AGE:  16 years

FLAVOUR PROFILE:  Juicy, oak & vanilla

BOTTLE NOTE:  “Aromas of banana skins, stone fruits and raisins joined sticky flavours of butterscotch, caramel and custard with nutmeg and a menthol finish.”

CHANGES FASTER THAN A CHAMELEON

CASK NO. Distillery 93 small batch

REGION:  Campbeltown

CASK TYPE:  1st fill ex-bourbon barrels

AGE:  8 years

FLAVOUR PROFILE:  Oily & coastal

BOTTLE NOTE:  “This is firmly in our Oily & Coastal flavour profile that is often associated with Campbeltown. There is no peat influence but still a coastal salinity, while the 1st fill bourbon barrels bring a lovely woody influence with vanilla and spice to balance everything beautifully.”

ONE FANCIES A SHERRY

CASK NO. 108.58

REGION:  Speyside

INITIAL CASK:  Ex-bourbon hogshead

FINAL CASK:  1st fill PX barrique

AGE:  13 years

FLAVOUR PROFILE:  Deep, rich & dried fruits

BOTTLE NOTE:  “Dark chocolate cherry liqueurs, roasted beetroot and goat’s cheese tart followed by creamy spicy jalapeno jam, hoisin sauce and ginger cake.”

FROM COAST TO KILN

CASK NO. 4.319

REGION:  Highland Island

INITIAL CASKS:  Ex-bourbon hogsheads

FINAL CASK:  1st fill ex-bourbon barrel

AGE:  10 years

FLAVOUR PROFILE:  Lightly peated

BOTTLE NOTE:  “In typical Orkney style: coastal on the nose, then peat arrives on the palate. Single malt originally from hogsheads, married in this cask.”

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada
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104 – 1240 Kensington Road NW
Calgary, AB  T2N 3P7
403-969-8225
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