ralfy review 995 – Kilkerran Heavily Peated (Batch 8) @58.4%vol

GORDON & MACPHAIL UNVEILS ‘EXTRAORDINARY’ 74-YEAR-OLD WHISKY FROM GLENLIVET DISTILLERY

Gordon & MacPhail has unveiled the latest addition to its prestigious Private Collection range – a single malt described by acclaimed whisky writer, Dave Broom, as ‘extraordinary’. 

Gordon & MacPhail 1949 from Glenlivet Distillery was laid down in a refill Sherry butt selected by Gordon & MacPhail on New Year’s Day 1949 and bottled on 6^th March 2023. Priced at £35,000 RSP and retaining a cask strength of 49.3%, only 192 bottles of the ultra-rare whisky are available for sale.

Its remarkable age means the whisky is among one of the oldest Glenlivet released by Gordon & MacPhail, having been aged in its warehouse for over seven decades. Adding an extra layer of rarity, the single malt is the company’s last ever 1949 cask from Glenlivet Distillery.

Layered with complex notes and full of vibrancy and character, the whisky displays sweet, stewed fruit aromas that combine with fragrant cinnamon, aged leather, clementine, and beeswax polish. On the palate, autumnal spices and fruitcake are balanced by cracked pepper, with undertones of garden mint, dark treacle, and charred oak.

Dave Broom, whisky writer, said: “To find a whisky of this age is absolutely extraordinary. What comes across immediately is the fruit – there’s richness and there’s depth. You have this wonderful interplay of distillery character, of oak and oxygen. It’s a gift that keeps on giving.

“When you taste it, you taste time. You can taste all the vintages and everything that’s happened. The concentration of fruits, the layers and the complexity are off the scale. You’d think it’s an old whisky but it’s not just an old whisky. It’s an extraordinary whisky.”

Ewen Mackintosh, Managing Director at Gordon & MacPhail, said: “Patience, knowledge, skill, and a commitment to quality are all principles exemplified in this greatly aged single malt. Gordon & MacPhail 1949 from Glenlivet Distillery is extremely scarce – our very last cask of Glenlivet from 1949, making it a must for whisky enthusiasts looking to savour a remarkable greatly aged single malt exuding layers of character and decades of maturation expertise.”

Those looking to be among the first to taste this latest Private Collection release can purchase the whisky at Dubai International Airport. Launching in partnership with Le Clos on Friday 1^st September, the Dubai airport store will have an exclusivity period, before the whisky becomes available worldwide on the 19^th of September.

Founded in 1895, Gordon & MacPhail has bottled spirit from over 100 Scottish distilleries, developing unique experience of how to mature single malts for many decades in their own casks.

For more information, visit www.gordonandmacphail.com

#GordonandMacPhail 

RSP: £35,000 ABV: 49.3% 

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Sweet stewed fruit aromas combine with a fragrant cinnamon spice and aged leather. A hint of aniseed gives way to clementine and beeswax polish.

Palate: Autumnal spice and fruitcake flavours are balanced by cracked black pepper. Undertones of garden mint come to the fore alongside dark treacle and charred oak.

Finish: A spicy finish with lasting citrus fruit and mixed nuts.

About Gordon & MacPhail Whiskies

For over 125 years, Gordon & MacPhail has been driven by a simple mission: to create single malt Scotch whisky of exceptional quality. Through four generations of family ownership, the company has matched spirit from over 100 Scottish distilleries to its casks. It is this unique depth and breadth of experience that enables Gordon & MacPhail to combine oak, spirit and time to create a portfolio of iconic whiskies found nowhere else in the world.

ELEMENTS OF ISLAY LAUNCHES NEW LIMITED EDITION

 BEACH BONFIRE GLOBALLY 

Elements of Islay, the award-winning independent whisky brand, is releasing its limited-edition whisky Beach Bonfire to global markets following an initial launch at Islay’s iconic whisky festival Fèis Ìle earlier this year.

The team wanted to create a whisky that captured the essence of the island’s rugged wilderness and transport the drinker to the heart of this untamed land with each sip. Head Blender Oliver Chilton took inspiration from a bonfire night where colours, smoke, flames, and sand all collided on a beach – truly representing the unique spirit and terroir of Islay.

The new release, bottled at 54.5% to be consistent with Elements of Islay’s core range, is matured in new oak, bourbon refill and sherry casks. The result is a powerful, herbaceous Islay malt with a rich, complex profile, laden with bonfire ember smoke and a sweet spice finish. Similarly to the rest of the range, Beach Bonfire is non-chill filtered and retains its natural colour.

“We’re thrilled to be releasing Beach Bonfire to markets across the world following its limited release at Fèis Ìle 2023,” said Elixir Distillers Head Blender, Oliver Chilton. “Beach Bonfire takes three distinct Islay spirits matured in a variety of different cask styles to bring a singular location and experience to life through flavour. The chance to condense and reimagine the incredible atmosphere of Islay’s coast by bonfire light into a glass of whisky is another step on our journey as blenders.”

The whisky is the first limited edition release from Elements of Islay since the re-launch of its core range in 2022.

Elements of Islay, Beach Bonfire, 70cl, 54.5% ABV, RRP £79.95, $115.00, €85.00 will be available in key markets across Europe in October 2023. It will be rolled out to Asia and the US from 2024.

Tasting Notes by Oliver Chilton, Head Blender

Nose: Oyster shells and bonfire smoke blend with rich baking spices and subtle notes of cherry and tarragon. Hints of mint and black pepper temper lemon oil and caramel cooking on a wood burning stove.

Palate: Bourbon-soaked Amarena Cherries, with baked vanilla pods, cinnamon and light ginger are surrounded by rich wood smoke. Touches of traditional, medicinal Islay peat play against a wonderful herbaceous character.

Finish: Warm and long, with more wood fire and soft brown sugar. A gingerbread spice starts to develop long after the last sip.

We hope you have enjoyed the summer and had plenty of family (or otherwise) fun. I know it is still hot for most of us this week, but the cooling autumn is just round the corner, and I, for one, am quite looking forward to it!

With the autumn comes the 2nd half of our festival year. Liverpool is just a week away, with York, Manchester and, finally, Nottingham waiting in the wings. Tickets are still available for all of these and, if you’re quick, there might well be some juicy ‘early-birds’ still left for some of them.

I thought for this newsletter, we could focus on some new exhibitors, fresh to our festivals, for you to look out for…

Saturday 16th September 2023
The Crypts

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Annandale have been with us a for a year or so now, but in the short time they have, they have swept the honours in terms of Dram of the Day! Making both, peated and unpeated single Lowland malt whisky and having the mystique of the Dr. Jim Swan connection, they are well worth seeking out! We are delighted to re-introduce

Buffalo Trace to you! It has been a very long time since we were able to do that, and we are hugely excited to broaden the range of American whiskies in our shows, especially with those from such a historical and legendary name. Our gain is your gain!

Saturday 7th October 2023
York Racecourse

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Although not new to us, we have not had Compass Box at our events for a good few year, and god did we miss them. Creative, innovative and always pushing the whisky boundaries, the line-up they have on offer at their stands has already delighted festival-goers…

Friday/Saturday 20th/21st October 2023
Manchester Cathedral

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These two, relatively new distilleries are both doing very exciting things and are well worthy of your attention. WEETWOOD are a Cheshire brewery and distillery, only a (long) stones throw from both Liverpool and Manchester. Only distilling since 2018, they are very keen to experiment with all the variables that make a difference, such as different yeast strains, maturation ABVs, distillation cuts and more.

NC’NEAN, from close to Oban, Scotland, are an organic whisky-maker, with one of the only net zero carbon whisky distilleries in the world. Aside from the mission to be as planet-friendly as possible, they make very tasty whisky indeed, so be sure to seek them out in Manchester!

Saturday 4th November 2023
St.Mary’s Church

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Ok, so neither of these guys are new to us, sorry! However, the Scotch Malt Whisky Society have not done all of our shows for a long time and, being one of, if not THE world’s largest independent bottler, they have really gone all out this year, in terms of breadth of range. Come and see and taste for yourself! When the guys and gals at Ardnamurchan told us they wanted to more shows this year, we were very excited!

We have know Antonia of Adelphi for a long time and were delighted when the long awaited distillery came on stream in 2014. The whiskies from this beautiful, west of Scotland located distillery are very exciting too, normally with bold and slightly smoky characteristics.

Balblair 2006 #73

Made with 100% rye malt, double copper pot distilled and finished in a delicious Moscatel wine cask, at 51.1% abv. This 16-year-old single Oloroso sherry cask has been bottled exclusively for us by Balblair. Distilled in 2006 and bottled in 2022, this has been left at a natural cask strength of 55% abv and limited to 564 bottles.

Notes from Charlie MacLean in Whiskeria Spring 2023: “Old amber in hue with good beading. A mild nose feel at natural strength, with top notes of clotted cream, on a faint base of strawberry jam (with a suggestion of scone? i.e. cream tea!); beneath all this is warm brown paper. The taste is a nice balance of light sweetness and faint saltiness, with a medium length, warming, finish.”

£179.00
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Free Next Day Delivery for 12 Months For just £14.95 you can enjoy free next day delivery on all your orders for a whole year! Geographic restrictions apply, see full T&Cs. Find out more ❯

Bourbon

Volume 3

Bourbon is an annual publication celebrating one of the most beloved categories in American whiskey, brought to you by the creators of American Whiskey. The publication is devoted to the production, history and lifestyle that come hand-in-hand with this beloved American spirit. Included are in-depth interviews, alongside news, blind tastings and features that get beneath the surface of this great liquid and the people who make it. Bourbon focuses exclusively on America’s native spirit, providing readers with an array of dedicated content.

BUY TODAY

Editorial Highlights include more than 50 tastings from Kentucky and around the USA • Distillery tours • Food and Bourbon • Interviews and news from the world of Bourbon • Whiskey trails • The history of Bourbon • Where to buy your Bourbon whiskey • Bourbon whiskey heroes and heroines • Production of the spirit here to buy your Bourbon whiskey • Bourbon whiskey heroes and heroines Buy a single copy today!

https://youtu.be/Xj9F3LXq4rM

Glenturret 12YO

I feel as if this whisky is doing the rounds amongst most whisky reviewers, so here I am!

A distillery with plenty of history, but it’s new approach reaches beyond that, in my eyes. These elegant looking decanters that can house a variety of whisky styles from The Glenturret distillery are a much more open, and welcoming approach to whisky drinkers of all varieties.

Matured solely in ex-sherry casks, this liquid noses much brighter than you would imagine, and it tastes much older than it states on the label.

All in all, this stuff is gold in the current whisky world, I genuinely feel as if Glenturret are setting up securely for their future’s, as well as fans of their new liquid.

Jack Daniel’s Introduces New Bottled-in-Bond Rye Whiskey as Permanent Extension of its Bonded Series

Jack Daniel’s Bonded Rye Whiskey is the first rye whiskey from the Jack Daniel Distillery with the Bottled-In-Bond designation

Lynchburg, Tennessee (September 6, 2023) – The Jack Daniel Distillery introduces Jack Daniel’s Bonded Rye Whiskey as the newest member of its Bonded Series, a line of innovative expressions that honors the distillery’s heritage of whiskey-making excellence. Available now across the U.S., Jack Daniel’s Bonded Rye is a Tennessee Rye Whiskey bottled at 100 proof (50% alc. by vol.), and is the first rye whiskey from the Jack Daniel Distillery with the Bottled-in-Bond designation.

As stipulated by the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897, a bonded whiskey must be distilled by a single distiller during a single season, matured in a government bonded warehouse for at least four years, and bottled at 100 proof.

“The Bottled-in-Bond designation on Jack Daniel’s Bonded Rye is another stamp of quality, assuring consumers that every drop of our whiskey is made right here in Lynchburg at the Jack Daniel Distillery with the highest standards possible,” said Chris Fletcher, Jack Daniel’s Master Distiller. “Bonded Rye features our uniquely crafted rye grain bill at 100 proof, delivering a unique and balanced profile that drinkers have come to expect and seek out from our rye releases.”

Jack Daniel’s Bonded Rye has a grain bill of 70% rye, 18% corn, and 12% malted barley and is charcoal mellowed before aging in new, handmade American white oak barrels. It opens with notes of dried fruit followed by lingering hints of toffee, imparting a bold, complex, and balanced taste with a rye spice finish.

With packaging inspired by the original design of the 1895 Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey bottle, Jack Daniel’s Bonded Rye will be available in 700mL bottles across the U.S. for a suggested retail price of $31.99. It will be available for pre-sale through ReserveBar starting September 6 including a limited edition Jack Daniel’s gift item while supplies last.

Jack Daniel’s Bonded Series includes Jack Daniel’s Bonded, Triple Mash and now Bonded Rye. For more information, visit www.jackdaniels.com.

About Jack Daniel’s

Officially registered by the U.S. Government in 1866 and based in Lynchburg, Tenn., the Jack Daniel Distillery is the first registered distillery in the United States and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Jack Daniel’s is the maker of the world-famous Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey, Gentleman Jack Double Mellowed Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Apple, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Rye, Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Select and Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails. Today, Jack Daniel’s is a true global icon found in more than 170 countries around the world and is the most valuable spirits brand in the world as recognized by Interbrand.

Harvest Time.

The big news of the last few weeks has been the harvest of our extra special bere barley, the heritage grain that will form the backbone of our upcoming whisky production. It was a beautiful day on September 1st as the barley was harvested under a bright blue sky, with the sound of the sea just a stone’s throw away, the big yellow combine harvester trundling back and forth, bringing the beautiful golden grains one step further on their journey to becoming beautiful golden whisky.

Whisky Fest.

We might not have started production quite yet, but that didn’t stop us having a blast with our very first whisky festival taking place on Monday. We welcomed a steady stream of whisky fans to the distillery, including 4 of our cask holders, and enjoyed a day of drams with our friends from Island Spirit Whisky in Stornoway, delicious seafood from Lochmaddy Bay Prawns, a fantastic croft tour and talk with our very special neighbour, Donald, and a film screening of Whisky Galore in what is soon to be our production room. Our visitor centre team led hourly tours of the building, sharing our story so far and plans for the future, and all in all it was a really fantastic day that we look forward to repeating next year.

The finale of the whisky trail festival takes place on Saturday at Talisker in Skye, and we hope to see at least some of you there. Come and say hi in the North Uist Distillery yurt and enjoy tastings, perfect serves, and stocking up on your Downpour favourites.

Just Landed: FETTERCAIRN 16YO 4th Release

Fettercairn 16 Year Old 4th Release 2023

A characterful whisky matured in first fill ex-Port Pipes and ex-Bourbon casks. The 2023 edition offers a finely balanced spirit that accentuates the beauty of the distillery’s unique tropical stye.

£82.00

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Fettercairn 16 Year Old 4th Release 2023 Description

Free Next Day Delivery for 12 Months For just £14.95 you can enjoy free next day delivery on all your orders for a whole year! Geographic restrictions apply, see full T&Cs. Find out more ❯