Archive for September, 2023

DISCOVER SOME AMAZING BLENDS TODAY! – Aberdeen Whisky Shop News

Blends are some of the most underrated whiskies out there, getting a bad rep from some lower-quality products available on the market. But blending can be used to create unique and complex whisky profiles that can truly stand out from the single malt crowd. The art of blending is often overlooked and undervalued, yet it is a skill that requires a great deal of expertise and experience to perfect. The most successful blends are those where the individual components are perfectly balanced, creating a whisky that is greater than the sum of its parts.

DISCOVER SOME AMAZING BLENDS TODAY!

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Offer ends Sunday 17/09/2023 at 11.59pm

Aberdeen Whisky Shop
474 Union Street, Aberdeen, United Kingdom, AB10 1TS

MAKER’S MARK ANNOUNCES NEW UK BRAND DIPLOMAT, CHARLOTTE PEDERSON – American Whiskey News

MAKER’S MARK ANNOUNCES NEW UK BRAND DIPLOMAT, CHARLOTTE PEDERSON

30th August 2023, London: Edrington UK announces the appointment of its latest UK Brand Diplomat for Maker’s Mark bourbon, Charlotte Pederson.

Pederson’s new role will centre around brand engagement and education within the UK on- and off-trade, providing bespoke educative programmes into the brand and bourbon category, as well as supporting the brand development strategy. Pivotal to the role, will be driving and communicating the brand’s higher purpose credentials, having earned its B Corporation Certification last year – making Maker’s Mark the largest bourbon distillery in the world and the first in Kentucky’s famed Bourbon Country to achieve this distinction.

Pederson will transition from her position as Whisky Specialist at Edrington UK, where she played a key role as an education provider for the business’s portfolio of luxury and premium whiskies, which includes Highland Park, The Glenrothes, Bowmore and Laphroaig.

Andrea Montague, Head of Advocacy at Edrington UK, states:

“We are excited to see Charlotte transition into her new role as Maker’s Mark Brand Diplomat. Her experience and skillset gleaned through leading in-house training sessions and drink development strategies as Whisky Specialist means she is perfectly placed to shine in the role and continue educating others on this growing category.”

Prior to joining Edrington UK, Pederson enjoyed a successful and highly respected career as Head Bartender and Bar Manager across venues in London, Paris, and Barcelona. Commenting on her new role, Charlotte Pederson says:

“Maker’s Mark is not only an iconic American Whisky, but a brand that is committed to being a force for good, with years of industry-leading efforts to benefit the lives of their team, customers, communities and shared natural environment.  I could not be more excited to be the new Maker’s Mark Brand Diplomat in the UK to communicate these credentials as well as the rich brand story that sets Maker’s Mark apart. Having recently visited the home of Maker’s Mark at Star Hill Farm and seen where the magic happens, I am even more looking forward to sharing the exciting things in store for the brand this year.”

 About Maker’s Mark® Bourbon

In 1953, in Loretto, Ky., Bill Samuels, Sr., fulfilled his dream to create a handmade and delicious bourbon. He decided to make his whisky in small batches, using soft red winter wheat to enhance the softness and sweetness. He then rotated each barrel by hand for consistency and, finally, aged each barrel to taste. Bill Samuels, Sr., transformed bourbon from a “commodity” into a premium handmade spirit, and today Maker’s Mark continues to make its bourbon the same way. That time-tested approach seems to still be working just fine 60+ years later, as Maker’s Mark Kentucky Straight Bourbon was awarded a Gold medal at the esteemed International Spirits Challenge in 2022. In recent years, Maker’s Mark has introduced thoughtful, super-premium innovations to its portfolio, including Maker’s Mark 46, Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series, Maker’s Mark Cask Strength and Maker’s Mark Private Selection, the brand’s first-ever custom barrel program. Today, Maker’s Mark is the largest bourbon distillery in the world to achieve B Corp Certification and the first distillery to achieve Regenified certification, a reflection of the brand’s dedication towards building a more inclusive and sustainable economy. For more information, visit www.makersmark.com.

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 Glenrothes, The Famous Grouse, Naked Malt and Brugal. As a 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.

WE MAKE OUR BOURBON CAREFULLY. PLEASE ENJOY IT THAT WAY.
Maker’s Mark® Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky, 45% Alc./Vol. ©2023 Maker’s Mark Distillery, Inc., Loretto, KY.

https://www.makersmark.com/

Click Whisky Auctions September 2023 Auction Ends Soon! – Auction Whisky News

 

Our auction is almost at a close, finishing on Sunday the 17th September from 8pm BST.

Don’t miss out on your last chance to bid on some interesting bottles, including these charming examples from the glorious times of the 1980’s.

This earlier version of the Highland Park 30 Years Old with the screen printed label design were revamped in 2006 with different packaging and a new shaped bottle. Versions of these early Highland park 30 year olds are now becoming harder to find.

Lucky bottle #7 of this stunning hand-filled expression from the much loved Glendronach distillery. Distilled in 1994, matured in a single Oloroso Sherry Cask and then bottled at Cask strength 2021.

We have wonderful Wolfburn whiskies this month, including the inaugural release and these limited edition bottlings, celebrating and commemorating.

Whatever your preference, we’ve got something we think will interest everyone and remember folks, if you want to place a cheeky late bid, you’ve got to be in it to win it! There’s still time to register at clickwhiskyauctions.com. Auction ends from 8PM BST on Sunday 17th September.

MACALLAN DISTILLERY 25 Year Old 1997 Signatory Symington’s Choice Cask #12/3 – The Whisky Barrel News

 

MACALLAN DISTILLERY

25 Year Old 1997 Signatory Symington’s Choice

Cask #12/3

£2,074.99

Macallan 25 Year Old 1997 vintage Speyside single malt Scotch whisky. Single 1st fill Oloroso Sherry Butt #12/3 bottled July 2023 by Signatory Vintage for the (Andrew) Symington’s Choice collection. 649 numbered bottles.

The Macallan Distillery was established by Alexander Reid in 1824 as Elchies Distillery near Easter Elchies House. Easter Elchies House dates back to 1700 and the estate itself to at least the 17th century. Macallan Distillery is a malt whisky distillery situated in Speyside whisky region. The old still house was re-commissioned in 2008 and now Macallan Distillery operates with two still houses sheltering twenty-one copper stills. A brand new distillery is under construction and designed to house thirty one stills thereby retaining Macallan amongst the top producers by volume. On-site maturation is carried out in traditional dunnage warehouses and by racking in large new warehouses on the estate. Popular official releases include Macallan 18 Year Old and Macallan 30 Year Old.

Benromach Contrasts – Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky at Hard To Find Whisky

Located in Forres in Morayshire, the Benromach distillery produces a traditional style of Speyside whisky, inspired by whiskies of the past. Benromach single malt has a fruity character, enhanced by the use of Sherry casks, and a delicate touch of peat smoke.

The Contrasts Collection is a series of limited edition releases that showcase Benromach’s diverse and innovative approach to whisky making. These small batch single malts offer a unique spin on Benromach’s signature fruity, smoky style.

 

KILN DRIED OAK

70cl | 46% ABV

This limited edition single malt was matured in kiln dried virgin oak barrels. This results in sweet malted biscuit aromas with lemon and apple. Creamy and fruity flavours, barley sugar, tropical fruit and wafts of bonfire smoke.

£59.95

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AIR DRIED OAK

70cl | 46% ABV

Matured in air dried Virgin Oak barrels, resulting in sweet vanilla fudge aromas with toasted cereal and citrus blossom. Smooth yet peppery notes follow, with vanilla, fresh peppermint, oak and subtle smoke on the finish.

£59.95

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Two new Islay single casks bottled by us 💥 – Loch Fyne Whiskies News

Two new Loch Fyne single cask releases!

We have two new additions to our Loch Fyne range of single casks and these are two delicious treats from Islay! One is a Bruichladdich that looks like one of the richest, deepest sherried drams we have seen a while…The other is a Caol Ila smoke bomb bottled at just shy of 60% abv – get these whilst we have them!

The Loch Fyne Bruichladdich 12 Year Old Single Cask #2114

Deep mahogany in colour, the liquid has been decanted into just 397 bottles, at a whopping cask strength of 63% abv. From The Loch Fyne Single Cask collection, this limited edition Bruichladdich expression has been aged for a dozen years in cask #2114, a Rivesaltes hogshead. Deep mahogany in colour, the liquid has been decanted into just 397 bottles, at a whopping cask strength of 63% abv.

 

The Loch Fyne Caol Ila 9 Year Old #319096

After spending 9 years maturing this one was presented at cask strength 59.7% abv, as one of only 386 bottles. A wee beauty from our single cask collection, this heavily peated Caol Ila single malt has been matured for nine years in refill Hogshead cask #319096. Presented at huge 59.7%, this bottle is one of a yield of only 386.

Suntory “100th Anniversary – Hakushu” 12 Year Old ~ Japanese Single Malt Whisky News

Suntory “100th Anniversary – Hakushu” 12 Year Old Japanese Single Malt Whisky

(2 bottle limit) (750ml)

$300.00 View

While the Hakushu distillery came a bit later than Yamazaki, The House of Suntory is celebrating its centennial with these limited edition special releases from their two single malt distilleries. Yamazaki and Hakushu both have 100th Anniversary offerings featuring an understated label and supremely delicious 12 year old whiskies from their respective distilleries. The unique Japanese style utilizes a wide array of barrel types, peat levels, and still shapes and sizes to produce many different malts at each distillery. The blend of all of these makes for single malt of unmatched complexity and elegance and the limited supply makes for fantatic following and collectability with consumers that is envied by nearly every other producer in the world.

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

International Beverage acquires New Zealand’s Cardrona Distillery ~ New Zealand Whisky News

International Beverage acquires New Zealand’s Cardrona Distillery

Global drinks business International Beverage has today (13th September) announced its acquisition of Cardrona Distillery, one of New Zealand’s pioneering premium spirits producers.

The acquisition includes the Cardrona Distillery and visitor centre near Wanaka in New Zealand’s Crown Range Mountains; plus Cardrona’s portfolio of super-premium brands including Cardrona single malt whisky, The Reid Vodka, The Source Gin and the Rose Rabbit liqueurs.

Following the company’s recent acquisition of the Larsen Cognac business, this deal will give International Beverage a foothold in the dynamic New World spirits category, to complement its established and highly successful Scotch whisky and spirits brands which include Old Pulteney, Speyburn and Caorunn Gin. Desiree Reid, who founded Cardrona Distillery in 2015, will remain as Managing Director.

Cardrona is celebrated as one of New Zealand’s most innovative craft spirits producers. Its spirits are produced from grain to glass at the site and have earned multiple accolades since launch, including category wins over 4 consecutive years at the World Whiskies Awards.

International Beverage will focus on investment in the purpose-built distillery site and maximising the potential of Cardrona’s brands in the core New Zealand, UK and USA markets. They will also deploy International Beverage’s global network to build select new routes to market.

Cardrona Distillery founder and Managing Director Desiree Reid said: ‘This is an exciting day for all of us at Cardrona Distillery. Building Cardrona has been a remarkable journey, made possible through the work and support of many, many people. I’m thrilled that International Beverage shares our belief in Cardrona’s quality and potential as we embark upon the next chapter of our story together. I look forward to working with their team to bring our spirits to more people in markets around the world in the future.’

Malcolm Leask, Managing Director (UK) of International Beverage added: ‘A warm welcome to Desiree and everyone at Cardrona Distillery to International Beverage. We are delighted to have their skilled team and exceptional craft spirits join our business. The team has done an excellent job in building Cardrona’s super-premium brands to date with so much integrity, quality and potential for the future. We are very much looking forward to working with them to build on their success within our international network, as we strengthen our premium spirits portfolio for the global market’. 

About International Beverage

International Beverage is the international arm of Thai Beverage Public Company Limited.  It is one of the industry’s most dynamic global drinks businesses and specialises in developing distinctive, premium brands for global markets, with a portfolio that is led by a range of high-quality Scotch whiskies and some of the fastest growing premium spirits and beers. These brands are enjoyed by consumers in over 85 countries and include Old Pulteney single malt Scotch whisky, Hankey Bannister blended Scotch whisky, Caorunn Gin, Phraya aged rum, Mekhong Thai spirits, Chang Beer and Saigon Beer.  www.interbevgroup.com

About Cardrona

Founded in 2015, Cardrona Distillery is situated in the beautiful Cardrona Valley, in the Crown Range Mountains of New Zealand.  All Cardrona spirits are hand-crafted from grain to glass on site, and start with just three ingredients: pure Cardrona alpine water, malted barley and distillers’ yeast. The portfolio includes Cardrona Single Malt Whisky, The Source Gin, The Reid Single Malt Vodka and the Rose Rabbit Liqueurs. Founder Desiree Reid spent years researching distillation prior to establishing the purpose-built distillery. Cardrona’s The Reid featured in the World’s 50 Best Vodkas and Cardrona Whisky has been a category winner at the World Whiskies Awards for 4 consecutive years from 2020-2023.

Woodford Reserve Announces 5-Year Commitment to Buy Rye from Kentucky Farmers as Part of Research Project

Woodford Reserve Announces 5-Year Commitment to Buy Rye from Kentucky Farmers as Part of Research Project

Goal is to bring rye production back to local farms

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – In an ongoing effort to bring production of rye grain back to Kentucky, Woodford Reserve today announced a five-year commitment to purchasing the grain from local farmers while working with the University of Kentucky to conduct research.

Beginning this summer, Woodford Reserve will run small distillation trials on ten varieties of rye to determine their flavor nuances that impact bourbon.

“If we can bring rye back to Kentucky, it would not only support farmers, but give a sustainable grain to whiskey producers across the state,” Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall said “Sustainability is a topic I care passionately about – and, working with partners, we can make a big impact.”

Woodford Reserve will purchase the rye grown by four farmers in the trial for the next five years. The grain will be used in production and distillery trials to run sensory tests on the final distillate.

Rye is difficult to grow in Kentucky because of its generally warm, humid climate. Rye is mainly sourced by distillers from the cooler climates of Canada or Europe. To overcome these challenges, more than $1 million will be invested collectively by partners in the development of an open-sourced Kentucky variety over the course of the program.

This project aims to uncover an open-sourced rye variety that will grow well locally in Kentucky.

Rye is an essential part of a suitable environment as it improves the health of soil by reducing negative impacts of rainfall variability and sequesters carbon. Growing rye locally provides a third cash crop for farmers in a two-year corn and soybean rotation. Partnering with local farmers allows for a reduced carbon footprint at the Woodford Reserve Distillery and diversification in supply while strengthening relationships and the economy.

“Woodford Reserve is committed to the environment and to caring for the natural resources that go into making the world’s finest bourbon,” Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall said.  “Six ambitious sustainability commitments were announced in 2021, including a commitment to creating a resilient and agile agricultural supply chain.”

Rye project partner quotes

“Woodford Reserve’s dedication to local farmers has given them the opportunity to grow something better than before so we can not just survive, but thrive in the future,” McCall said. McCall is also a Dendrifund board director, a non-profit seed fund created in partnership with Brown‑Forman and the Brown family with a mission to inspire joint action to improve the natural, social and economic environment for future generations. By working with the Dendrifund, Kentucky Small Grain Growers Association, UK, and Walnut Grove Farms since 2017 on the Initiative to Bring Rye Back to Kentucky, Woodford Reserve helps accelerate open sourced rye varietals.

“We need to find a rye variety that is well suited to our region of the country,” says Sam Halcomb, President of the KY Small Grain Grower’s Association and Managing Partner of Walnut Grove Farms, the visionary family farm behind the initiative. “Woodford Reserve has been very receptive to those ideas, and they’ve been very patient to work with us as a family farm and allow us to experiment with some things and support us in those experimentations.”

Several Brown Forman family growers have agreed to grow rye “in kind” for agronomy research. Dace Brown Stubbs, owner of Log House Farm, will be growing the seed needed for the farmer trial plots, “Rye is a wonderful crop. Cover crops keep our topsoil from blowing away and supply the soil with proper nutrients for growing other crops,” says Stubbs. “Rye is such a hot commodity in the spirits industry today so why do we buy our rye from Canada and Germany, it needs to happen right here at home.”

“We feel confident celebrating the Rye commitment knowing that our local Kentucky farmers are truly partners and not just suppliers. We look forward to continuing bringing together different stakeholders to grow Woodford Reserve,” McCall said.

Hibiki Japanese Harmony Ryusui-Hyakka Limited Edition 2021 – The Whisky Shop News

Hibiki Japanese Harmony Ryusui-Hyakka Limited Edition 2021

Commemorating the 90th anniversary of Suntory, this pays tribute to Japan’s blossoming and the ever-changing flow of water.

£550.00

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Hibiki Japanese Harmony Ryusui-Hyakka Limited Edition 2021 Description

It is very appropriate that a blended whisky should be so focused on the idea of harmony. This Hibiki 2021 Limited Edition whisky celebrates this idea across the taste, the design, and pretty everything else. Using a combination of grain and malt whiskies from Suntory’s revered Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Chita distilleries, these drams are meticulously combined to create a strong sense of unity in flavour.

The elegant bottle is the cherry on top. Designed to commemorate the 90th anniversary of Suntory, this pays tribute to the blossoming of Japan’s many seasons and the ever-changing flow of water.

Strong notes of lychee, rosemary, and sandalwood combine with a potent oakiness. The palate is balanced between sweet honey and candied orange peel, and subtle white chocolate. The finish is long, delicate, and leaves with a lingering note of oak.

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


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