Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 494: Lindores Abbey Friar John Cor Chapter I

Mark Dermul, Belgian whiskyblogger, enjoys a special release by Lindores. It was inevitable that Lindores would release a whisky under the label of Friar John Cor, of course – the monk of Lindores Abbey who is said to have distilled the first whisky (or whatever it was then) in 1494. It was this Cask Strength Congregation Chapter I – at a wholesome 60.2% – of which the vatting was composed with young single malt from the three classic cask types at Lindores (bourbon, sherry, STR wine barrels) and Monbazillac. The latter is a sweet French wine from Bergerac (southern France) made from the Semillon grape.

https://youtu.be/VVGNwpAvzQU

Speyburn Unlocked

A historic day at Speyburn Distillery as doors open permanently to visitors after 126 years

One of Speyside’s most picturesque distilleries will open to the public permanently following the success of their first ever public opening at this year’s Spirit of Speyside Festival. The new visitor experience will give whisky fans the chance to enjoy an authentic, behind-the-scenes experience of Speyside distilling life.

After 126 years making award-winning single malt whiskies behind closed doors, Speyburn Distillery in Rothes will open permanently to visitors from 1^st August, and booking is now open via Speyburn’s website for the Distillery’s three daily tours, which will run every week from Tuesdays through to Saturdays.

The milestone decision to unlock the Distillery gates follows the success of several special one-off events during the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival earlier this year, during which the Distillery team were delighted when tickets sold out within 12 hours. In addition to the positive feedback received, Speyburn secured the prestigious ‘Best New Event’ award at the festival.

Up until now, Speyburn fans have not had the chance to see behind the scenes and discover first-hand how this award-winning single malt is made. The new tours will offer this opportunity and provide a genuine experience and tasting of one of Speyside’s best kept secrets.

Euan Henderson, Speyburn Distillery Manager

Guests can look forward to an exploratory 1 hour 45 minutes tour around the Distillery, which is tucked away in a beautiful leafy glen on the edge of Forres near Aberlour: a location that has lost none of the quiet charm that first appealed to entrepreneur and Speyburn founder John Hopkins when he chose to build his distillery on this spot back in 1897.

Today, many of the original buildings, features and stonework still exist for guests to enjoy, as they are invited to immerse themselves in Speyburn’s world: from the banks of the Granty Burn which provides the Distillery’s crystal-clear water; through to the filling of casks for maturation in Speyburn’s traditional dunnage warehouses.

There’s a special treat for whisky enthusiasts, with a fascinating peek into Speyburn’s Old Drum Maltings: a traditional maltings building featuring three impressive floors of rarely seen vintage equipment. Mothballed half a century ago, it has lain locked and perfectly preserved until today, offering guests a unique glimpse into Speyside distilling history.

Speyburn’s Old Drum Maltings

The tours will also provide an insight into Speyburn’s environmental credentials, and the measures the Distillery team are taking to protect the surrounding environment and make their whisky one of the most sustainably-produced on the market today.

Speyburn Distillery Manager Euan Henderson explained that opening to visitors has been a long-held dream for the Distillery team, and that the time is finally right for it to become a reality. He said: ‘There is something very special about the setting and atmosphere at Speyburn, perhaps because it’s quite a hidden distillery and one that has gone about the business of making award-winning drams that are loved the world over in a very quiet and modest way. But now it’s time to let the world in and we couldn’t be more excited! There’s no artifice about the visitor experience we have created. This will be a true taste of Speyside distillery life that will offer an accessible and enjoyable experience for all. This is about the people who make our whiskies welcoming guests into our home to share a taste of Speyburn single malts and the stories and secrets of how they are made. There’s 126 years of previously unseen distilling history here just waiting to be discovered in the heart of Speyside – so make sure you don’t miss your slot on one of our tours this summer.’

Speyburn Distillery tours run from Tuesday to Saturday, 10.30am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm

1 hour and 45 minutes each, 10 guests maximum per tour

Adults £20, children aged 12 – 17 can attend for £10

Book a Speyburn tour online at https://www.speyburn.com/visit-us/tours, or by telephoning +44 (0) 7977 706676

www.speyburn.com

Facebook / twitter @SpeyburnWhisky / Instagram @Speyburn_Whisky

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL BEVERAGE HOLDINGS

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.

ABOUT SPEYBURN

Speyburn was founded in 1897 by entrepreneur John Hopkins who harboured an ambition to build a distillery and make a single cask of whisky for Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee that same year. Trusting his instincts that the small, hidden Rothes valley was perfect for the production of fine whisky, he achieved his goal and created one of Speyside’s enduring whiskies.

125 years since distilling their first drop, Speyburn is proud to symbolise all that is special about the great region where it is produced and has become known as one of Scotland’s most picturesque and historic distilleries. It is the only distillery to use the fresh water of the Granty Burn, a tributary of the River Spey famed for its exceptional purity, which runs close to the Distillery site and gives Speyburn whiskies their perfectly-balanced, unique flavour. Bold, bright and full of character, like the Speyside region itself, its single malts are as inspiring to newcomers as they are to seasoned whisky enthusiasts, allowing everyone, everywhere to enjoy the classic taste of Speyside in every dram.

In 2016, Speyburn completed a £5 million investment programme which supported demand for its award-winning whiskies around the world and made it one of the greenest producers in the industry. The Speyburn team took two years to carefully renovate and expand the Distillery site, combining sustainability and the very latest energy efficient technology with traditional techniques, stonework and craftsmanship. As a result, production capacity has been doubled from 1.8 million litres to over 4 million litres per year, making Speyburn the largest distillery in the International Beverage group – and allowing the brand to lay down stock for its core markets, expand into new territories and build its portfolio of malt whiskies in the years ahead.

The Speyburn range includes:

Bradan Orach

10 Years Old

15 Years Old

18 Years Old

Our July 2023 Auction is LIVE!

Only 8.5% buyer’s commission.

Auction ends Wednesday 2^nd August from 2000 GMT.

 www.highlandwhiskyauctions.com

Click here to register as a user.

Looking to sell in our next auction? 0% Sellers commission & FREE* UK doorstep collections.

We offer FREE valuations to give you an idea of what your whisky may sell for at auction.

Contact us to arrange a valuation or collection.

www.highlandwhiskyauctions.com

A look into the Wemyss Family History

As we mentioned in our previous newsletter and blog, there is more than meets the eye at Wemyss Malts than award winning spirits and captivating scotch. Indeed, Kirsty – our Brand Manager – runs a tight ship but she is backed up and aided by the two Wemyss siblings – William and Isabella.

William and Isabella’s family go back deep into Scottish history and have a relationship with whisky that dates back to James Haig in the 19th Century. Starting their own avenue into scotch in 2005, Wemyss Malts has garnered respect and notoriety for producing class leading blends and releasing covetable single malts. Read our latest blog to find out more!

Wemyss Family History

We wanted to celebrate the art of American coopers with Peat Monster Cask Strength and did this through a partial finishing of the whisky in American white oak barrels, made for us in Missouri and specially toasted to deliver extra caramel notes.

Sixty-four percent of the final whisky has been finished in these casks with the white oak barrels delivering added richness and vanilla notes to the palate.

JAMES SAXON
WHISKYMAKER

Available Now

US  |  FR  |  UK

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The Compass Box Team

Introducing Cask No. 19.83: Fortification from Vienna to Athens, a dram to enjoy during a warm sunset with a nice cool summer breeze and to celebrate the year of the Society’s birth.

Some clichés are clichés for a good reason. So yes, if you think of an apple strudel you might be transported to Vienna, for a dough filled with sweet-tart apple pieces, fine breadcrumbs, rum-soaked raisins, ground cinnamon, lemon juice and icing sugar. That’s where our Tasting Panel started the journey with this whisky, where strudel was served with whipped cream and a Wiener melange – an espresso with steamed milk, topped off with milk froth. Diluted, the whisky took our adventurous panellists on the Orient Express from Vienna to Athens, enjoying Kalamata olives followed by a Greek meze platter with plenty of pitta bread, feta and tzatziki. All this was washed down with a mastiha liqueur, made using the resin from the mastic tree on the island of Chios.

LEARN MORE AOBUT THE BOTTLING

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

ralfy review 987 – Indri Trini Indian malt whisky @46%vol:

THE HOUSE OF SUNTORY PARTNERS WITH 100 OF THE UK’s BEST BARS TO CELEBRATE A 100 YEARS OF WHISKY INNOVATION

From July, in celebration of The House of Suntory’s 100^th anniversary, 100 of the UK’s most prestigious bars including The Arts Club, Three Sheets, The American Bar at Gleneagles and Lucknam Park Hotel will be serving a host of specially created cocktails and serves

LONDON, 19 July 2023 – To mark The House of Suntory’s 100th anniversary, the Founding House of Japanese Whisky is partnering with 100 of the UK’s most prestigious bars. As part of the brand’s ongoing commitment to the on-trade and hospitality sector, partnering venues will offer their guests the unique opportunity to experience firsthand the elevated Japanese craftsmanship and attention to every detail the brand is renowned for.

Bars including The Arts Club, Coupette and Three Sheets, as well as hotels such as the Ham Yard Hotel and Calcot Manor, have created bespoke menus of The House of Suntory cocktails and serves, crafted in line with the brand’s three pillars; being in harmony with nature (Wa), elevated Japanese craftsmanship (Monozukuri) and the enjoyment of an authentic Japanese cultural experience (Omotenashi).

Each venue will offer guests the chance to sample from across the brand’s portfolio, including serves made with Toki and Hibiki, in addition to new limited-edition whiskies released in honour of the anniversary – the Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara and the Hakushu 18 Year Old Peated Malt.

Sarah Isaac, Head of Beam-Suntory brands, UK commented: “Our anniversary isn’t just a celebration of 100 years of The House of Suntory, it’s also a moment to celebrate our ongoing collaboration with our trade partners in the appreciation of Japanese culture and bartending. As a mark of our continued support, we’re joining the best venues and bars in the country to toast 100 years of pioneering Japanese spirit.” 

From July until the end of the year, those wishing to experience a sample of Japanese craftsmanship and innovation can do so by visiting the below bars in July and August.

The 100 bars initiative follows the launch of the brand’s centennial campaign in May, with the House partnering with Academy Award-winning Director Sofia Coppola and Actor Keanu Reeves to create the Suntory Anniversary Video Tribute which tells the remarkable story of the brand’s heritage and whisky-making legacy over the last 100 years, depicting the meaning of “Suntory Time”.

Later this summer, Reeves, who previously appeared in a Suntory Reserve ad campaign in 1992. will star in a series of documentary shorts titled: “The Nature and Spirit of Japan,” directed by Roman Coppola. The series explores Japanese whisky culture inspired by harmony with nature (Wa), elevated by Japanese craftsmanship (Monozukuri) and enjoyed as an authentic Japanese cultural experience (Omotenashi).

In honour of the centennial, the House of Suntory has also released several limited-edition whiskies that highlight the unique Japanese craftsmanship at Suntory’s whisky distilleries and their meticulous art of blending, including Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara and Hakushu 18 Year Old Peated Malt whiskies.  Limited 100th anniversary labels of the flagship Yamazaki 12 Year Old and Hakushu 12 Year Old have also been released for the centennial.

For more information about the House of Suntory, please visit us online here. Search #SuntoryTime for more information or visit @suntorywhisky.

About The House of Suntory

Since 1923, Suntory has been renowned as a pioneer of Japanese Whisky for its House of Master Blenders and for their Art of Blending. Founder Shinjiro Torii built Japan’s first malt whisky distillery in Yamazaki, and the Suntory legacy continued with Torii’s son and Suntory’s second Master Blender, Keizo Saji, who continued to establish distilleries including the Hakushu Distillery. As the generations of Suntory’s master blenders carry on, Suntory Whisky remains committed to heritage and innovation. The House of Suntory has been named four-time Distiller of the Year at the International Spirits Challenge in London, UK (2010, 2012, 2013, 2014). Suntory Whiskies are subtle, refined and complex. The portfolio includes Yamazaki, Hakushu, Chita, Kakubin, Hibiki, Suntory Whisky Toki and Ao. The House of Suntory portfolio also offers Roku Japanese Gin and Haku Japanese Vodka. Created from Japanese ingredients by the master artisans at the House of Suntory, Roku Gin and Haku Vodka represent the nature and spirit of Japan. This year, Suntory Whisky celebrates one hundred years of whisky innovation—a major milestone not only for the brand’s history, but for Japanese spirits culture as a whole. To mark this anniversary, the House of Suntory will be rolling out its centennial campaign throughout 2023.

About Edrington UK

Edrington UK is the UK’s number one whisky supplier, part of the global Edrington family and responsible for the UK sales, marketing, and distribution of a portfolio of premium brands including The Macallan, Highland Park, The Famous Grouse, Naked Malt and Brugal. 

As a valued distribution partner of Beam Suntory, Edrington UK also represents many of its brands in the UK marketplace, such as Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Bowmore, Laphroaig, Courvoisier and The House of Suntory range of Japanese craft spirits.

Benromach Single Cask 

This is our second exclusive from the Benromach Distillery. This single cask was distilled on the 12th of August 2013, aged in a single First-Fill Bourbon Barrel and bottled on the 22nd of May 2023, without chill-filtration or artificial colouring. The malt is complex and rich with notes of red apples, milk chocolate, citrus peel and soft smoke.

£77.00

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ABV: 60.7% | COUNTRY: Scotland |REGION: Speyside | DISTILLERY: Benromach | WHISKY TYPE: Single Malt

CASK TYPE: 1st Fill Bourbon Barrel |CASK NUMBER: 503 | OUTRUN: 237 Bottles

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