GRILLING MEETS DISTILLING AS ARDBEG SERVES UP

ITS FIRST BBQ-INSPIRED WHISKY

Introducing Ardbeg BizarreBQ – a mouth-watering Limited-Edition Single Malt cooked up by Master Distiller, Dr Bill Lumsden, in partnership with pitmaster DJ BBQ

Ardbeg is launching Ardbeg BizarreBQ – the Distillery’s first ever Limited-Edition barbecue-inspired whisky. Cooked up by the experimental and eccentric mind of Ardbeg’s Director of Whisky Creation, Dr Bill Lumsden, this whisky captures and complements the flavours of smoky barbeque. The unique flavour concept for the expression has been aided by the expertise of grilling guru, Christian Stevenson (AKA DJ BBQ), resulting in an Ardbeg that packs a meaty, peaty punch.

Like grilling, distilling shares a key element when it comes to the creation of flavour – fire. Using an experimental cask toasting process, the recipe for Ardbeg BizarreBQ is made up of double-charred oak casks, Pedro Ximénez sherry casks and the distillery’s unique BBQ casks that have been extra-charred on an old-fashioned brazier. This cask combination comes together to imbue a mouth-watering sweet, tangy and smoky flavour that’s perfectly suited to barbecuing.

Bottled at 50.9% ABV, this Limited-Edition whisky has been inspired by the Islay Distillery’s ongoing collaboration with DJ BBQ, which began in 2020. Fuelled by a shared obsession for smoke and its rich flavour possibilities, Dr Bill and DJ BBQ have been on a mission to create a new Single Malt that complements both whisky-making and barbequing. As one of the world’s most awarded smoky malts, Ardbeg is renowned for its smoke mastery, and so the new expression also marks the next phase of the distillery’s journey to uncover new ways of experiencing and enjoying smoky flavours.

Dr Bill Lumsden, Ardbeg’s Director of Whisky Creation, commented: “Ardbeg BizarreBQ is certainly a hare-brained idea, but with DJ BBQ’s help I was able to cook up something truly incredible. Puffs of charcoal and soot mingle with smoky wood and aromatic herbs and spices. The undeniable smell of bonfire and BBQ embers linger in the background. Deep, warming smoke follows in flame-grilled steak, chilli oil, cured leather and clove. If there’s one Ardbeg you want with you grill-side, it’s this one.”

Christian Stevenson (DJ BBQ) said: “Barbeque lovers and Ardbeg lovers are one and the same – it’s all about the smoke – which is something Ardbeg BizarreBQ has in spades. I’ve been on a mission to create and perfect a variety of BBQ dishes and accompanying Ardbeg serves that honour the fundamental laws of smoke, wood and heat for some time. This new Limited-Edition Ardbeg takes this match made in heaven to the next level, and I can’t wait for BBQ and whisky fans to try it.”

Fans can also head over to ardbeg.com to watch the hijinks as they happened when DJ BBQ joined Dr Bill at Ardbeg Distillery on Islay to lend a hand in creating this mouthwatering malt.

Ardbeg BizarreBQ Limited Edition will be available initially from the Ardbeg Distillery Visitor Centre on Islay and in Germany from 3^rd April 2023 onwards. It will launch in global markets later this year and in the UK in June, and will be available from Ardbeg Embassies, whisky specialists, online retailers and from the Distillery Visitor Centre.

For more news on Ardbeg BizarreBQ and all things Ardbeg, and how smoky malt whisky lovers can be a part of Ardbeg’s global Committee, visit Ardbeg.com.

www.ardbeg.com

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ardbeg

Instagram: @ardbeg

Twitter: @Ardbeg

BizarreBQ Limited Edition Tasting Notes

Colour              Glowing Charcoal Embers

Aroma             Puffs of charcoal and soot mingle with smoky wood and aromatic herbs and spices. Treacle toffee, hickory smoked ham and cinnamon-dusted espresso rise up.

A splash of water releases distinctively sharp citrus aromas, along with herbal notes such as fennel and aniseed. Grilled artichokes and a suggestion of seared meat sizzle the senses. The undeniable smell of bonfire and BBQ embers lingers in the background.

Taste                The mouthfeel is alive with spice, like BBQ ribs smothered in chilli. A myriad of deep, warming smoke follows close behind in flame-grilled steak, chilli oil, cured leather and clove. Ginger, aniseed and tar crackle on the palate with an aromatic woodsmoke edge.

Finish               The massive, hot aftertaste lingers on and on with more grilled artichoke, black olives and a sooty note that slowly simmers away.

ABV:                50.9%

RRP:                 £75 

 NOTES 

Ardbeg:

Ardbeg prides itself on being The Ultimate Islay Malt Whisky. Established in 1815, Ardbeg is revered by connoisseurs around the world as the peatiest, smokiest and most complex of all the Islay malts. Despite its smokiness, Ardbeg is renowned for its delicious sweetness, a phenomenon that has affectionately become known as ‘the peaty paradox’. During the 1980s and 1990s, Ardbeg suffered from an uncertain future, and it was not until the brand was purchased by The Glenmorangie Company in 1997 that the Distillery was saved from extinction. Since then, the Distillery has risen like a phoenix and today Ardbeg is well established as a niche, cult malt, with a passionate following.

Christian Stevenson (DJ BBQ)

DJ BBQ (aka Christian Stevenson) is a live fire chef and a leading name in the world of BBQ. After a successful broadcasting career he harnessed his passion for cooking over fire and now has his own YouTube channel and is also a regular on Jamie Oliver’s FoodTube. DJ BBQ stars in and hosts festivals including Meatopia, The Big Feastival, Camp Bestival, Grilltopia and The Big Grill. He is the author of Fire Food (2018), The Burger Book (2019) and Fire Feasts (2022).

In 2020, Ardbeg partnered with the ‘catertainment’ star and certified pitmaster to create The Smoke Sessions – an online series which offers a guide to mouthwatering barbecue serves, and smoky whisky cocktails. This was followed by the BizarreBQ World Tour, where DJ BBQ embarked on a global mission to find fellow smoke obsessives and uncover some of the weirdest and wildest BBQ dishes in all the land.

https://www.youtube.com/c/djbbq

The Ardbeg Committee:

The legacy of the whisky was safeguarded in 2000 by the formation of the Ardbeg Committee. The Committee is made up of thousands of Ardbeg followers worldwide who are keen to ensure that “the doors of Ardbeg never close again”. Today there are more than 180,000 members of the Ardbeg Committee in over 130 countries. Committee Members are regularly consulted on new bottlings and expressions and are offered exclusive Committee bottlings. Members also receive invitations to special gatherings, tastings and events. The Committee, chaired by Jackie Thomson, is free to join at ardbeg.com/en-gb/committee.

Awards:

Ardbeg is one of the world’s most highly awarded smoky single malt whiskies.  Since 2008, Ardbeg has won more than 50 gold and double gold medals in key whisky competitions.  Ardbeg has twice been awarded ‘World’s Best Single Malt’ at the World Whiskies Awards (2010, 2013).  At the 2014 Global Icons of Whisky Awards, Mickey Heads was voted ‘Distillery Manager of the Year’.  The following year, Ardbeg’s expressions took the top three spots in Whisky Advocate magazine’s review of the best single malt Scotch whiskies under US$100.  Meanwhile, both Ardbeg Corryvreckan and Ardbeg Uigeadail have been awarded gold medals at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Ardbeg 10 Years Old also won the Best Single Malt Scotch 10 Year Old at the International Whisky Competition 2019, while the Ardbeg Distillery won the Distillery of the Year 2019. In 2020, the International Whisky Competition awarded Ardbeg Corryvreckan first place for Best Single Malt Scotch, Best Single Malt Scotch (No Age Statement), Best cask Strength (Over 57% ABV), Best Peated Scotch and Best Islay Single Malt. Ardbeg Wee Beastie also earned first place for Best Single Malt Scotch Under 10 Year Old and The Ardbeg Distillery achieved another Distillery of the Year award. In 2021, Dr Bill Lumsden was awarded Master Distiller of the Year for the fifth time, and Ardbeg Uigeadail won World Whisky of the Year in the International Whisky Competition. In 2022, at the International Whisky Competition, Ardbeg was awarded The Distillery of the Year Award, while Ardbeg Ardcore won first place in Best New Scotch Release, Best Peated Single Malt and Best Islay Single Malt. 

The Glenmorangie Company:

The Company is one of the most renowned and innovative distillers and marketers of Scotch whisky brands worldwide and is part of Moët Hennessy, the wine and spirits division of Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton. Headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland, the Company produces Glenmorangie Single Highland Malt whisky and Ardbeg Single Islay Malt.

Last chance to get your hands on the many rare listings in this month’s auction!
Get your bids in before it’s too late!

Auction closes tonight from 8pm (BST) Tuesday 4th April

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Spirit of Toronto returns on Saturday May 6!

They say the devil is in the details: we’ve been unusually quiet while planning this edition of Spirit of Toronto, feeling the need to put more thought and more TLC into organizing our first full-fledged show since 2019.

Suffice to say that after sending out 2458 virtual tasting kits, we can’t wait to gather, in person and in full force, and to celebrate the warmth of human connection.

And it looks like we’ve been missed as well: we’re welcoming a record number of brands to this year’s show, and with so much on offer we’ve streamlined our masterclass offerings to allow guests a more relaxed pace to take it all in.

2009 Craigellachie 13 Year Old “Redacted Bros.” (Thompson/Dornoch) Single Refill Hogshead Cask Strength Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Pre-Arrival) $64.99 View

2009 Aultmore 14 Year Old “Redacted Bros.” (Thompson/Dornoch) Single First Fill Red Wine Barrel Cask Strength Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Pre-Arrival) $69.99 View

2010 Williamson (Laphroaig) 12 Year Old “Redacted Bros.” (Thompson/Dornoch) Single Refill Sherry Butt Islay Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Pre-Arrival) $109.99 View

Glenburgie 27 Year Old “Redacted Bros.” (Thompson/Dornoch) Single Refill Hogshead Cask Strength Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Pre-Arrival) $200.00 View

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

Grab some exceptionally limited whiskies for spring, this is the last chance to buy the remaining bottles from some outstanding casks before they vanish forever. With 15 bottles or fewer available, don’t miss out on an unbelievable flavour experience.

With the numbers dwindling on these rare beasts, capture these captivating casks NOW. Click over to our website to explore or keep on scrolling for some of our flavour favourites.

VIEW ALL THE BOTTLES

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

Cardrona Distillery’s latest Special Release wins gold at World Whiskies Awards

New Zealand’s luxury small batch spirit producer, Cardrona Distillery, is celebrating scooping a gold medal for its outstanding Otago Pinot Cask single malt at the World Whiskies Awards 2023. Crowned New Zealand’s best small batch single malt, the category win marks the distillery’s fourth consecutive year of gold medals at the prestigious global awards.

Released in November last year to mark a milestone seventh year of production at the distillery,

the Otago Pinot Cask is an exquisite marriage of four locally sourced, hand selected Felton Road Pinot noir casks. The result is an extraordinary dram from a New World Master. With only 1,217 bottles available, the distillery’s first 700ml bottle is the perfect gift for any discerning whisky lover keen to explore New Zealand’s leading-edge contributions to the art of distilling.

Cardrona’s Founder, Desiree Reid explains:

“Cardrona Distillery uses a revolutionary method to preserve the casks’ rich Pinot noir seasoning, bringing them to the distillery within hours of the wine leaving the barrel and immediately charging them with new make spirit. 

 The casks are then matured in the extreme environment of the Cardrona Valley, which itself plays a vital part in the maturation process. Temperatures can vary from -10°C in winter to a soaring 40°C in summer, and at 600m above sea-level with zero humidity – there really is nowhere on earth quite like the Cardrona Valley. The elements have all played a part in this expression, melding the spirit into a simply extraordinary whisky. We can’t wait for the UK’s discerning whisky afficionados to sample a dram.”

The Cardrona Day Special Release: 2022 Otago Pinot Cask is non-chill filtered and naturally flavoured. RRP £175

Tasting notes

Colour: warm rose gold

Nose: black amber plum and nectarine

Taste: raspberries, poached nectarines, toffee, roasted cashews and baking spices.  

Available from Harrods, Berry Bros & Rudd, Master of Malt, House of Malt, Whisky World, Whisky Exchange, Hard to find whisky, Hedonism Wines, Partners in Wine, Alexander Hadleigh wine merchants, Callander Drinks Company, Aberdeen Whisky Shop, The Whisky Nest

Instagram:  @cardronadistillery     Facebook: @cardonadistillery    LinkedIn:@cardonadistillery

About Cardrona 

Pictured: Desiree Reid

Cardrona is a unique brand, distilling hand-crafted luxury spirits in New Zealand’s stunning Southern Alps to share with the world. The Cardrona story is infused with the magic of the Cardrona Valley and the incredible vision and determination of founder, Desiree Reid, who sold her family farm to pursue her dream of building a modern, family-run distillery in her native New Zealand. She chose the Cardrona Valley for its unspoilt tranquillity, crisp clean air and the availability of superb quality local ingredients, perfect for foraging across the seasons. Most importantly, it gave her access to the crystal-clear, mineral-rich Alpine waters of New Zealand’s highest mountain pass for production.

Glen Scotia announces a remarkable programme of events for Campbeltown Malts Festival 2023

Annual festival in the ‘Wee Toon’ will celebrate the distillery’s heritage and renaissance with a series of tastings, tours, and entertainment

Award-winning whisky Distillery of the Year 2021, Glen Scotia, has announced a jam-packed series of events for this year’s Campbeltown Malts Festival (23-24^th May 2023).

A pinnacle moment in the distillery’s annual calendar, the Festival provides an opportunity for visitors to enjoy the affectionately named ‘Wee Toon’ and learn more about the world’s finest drams while soaking up the history of Scotland’s smallest whisky-making region.

Master Distiller and Distillery Manager, Iain McAlister, and his team will be joined by a host of industry ambassadors for a programme of events that uncover the magic of Glen Scotia, which continues to gain global recognition.

In a first for the Glen Scotia event, visitors will be able to attend a selection of talks and tasting in the Courtyard free of charge, as well as ticketed events. Should they wish to enjoy a dram at the same time, they can purchase a £25 ‘Drampack’ which will give them access to four of the distillery’s finest drams, handpicked for each tasting, as well as a branded festival Glencairn glass and a lanyard.

Kicking off events, Glen Scotia’s Malts Festival Dinner will take place at the Machrihanish Airbase on Tuesday (23^rd) evening where guests can hear from Iain McAlister and special guests alongside a three-course meal. This will be accompanied by entertainment and five drams including the yet unreleased annual limited-edition Festival Release and a number of single cask drams not otherwise available for sale.

On Wednesday, 24^th May, a taster of the schedule includes:

• Industry guru, Charles Maclean MBE will join Iain McAlister for a special Dunnage Warehouse Tasting, where visitors will get the chance to sample five unreleased liquids handpicked by Iain from casks in the heart of the distillery.
• Loch Lomond Group’s Master Blender, Michael Henry will guide a Deconstructed Victoriana Tasting using five cask-strength drams to show the makeup of Victoriana, one of Glen Scotia’s signature drams.
• Drinks experts Neil Ridley and Joel Harrison will take inspiration from their latest book in a series of 60-second cocktails masterclasses, using a selection of spirits including whisky and gin. They will also host a Cask Strength Tasting in the Courtyard with Iain, Charles and Michael, where visitors can listen and join along as the group make their way through a selection of Glen Scotia’s core range, limited release, and single cask samples.
• Felipe Schrieberg, spirits writer and musician, and Paul Archibald, drummer, will bring a bespoke Glen Scotia version of their much-loved Rhythm and Booze Project, which incorporates folk and blues music with dram tastings.
• Glen Scotia will unveil the results of its latest artistic collaboration through an immersive exhibition space deep inside its atmospheric warehouse. Guests will have the opportunity to hear directly from the artists themselves as well as sample liquid used during the recording

The event will also bring together some of Argyll’s most prominent whisky figureheads for ‘New Dawn for Campbeltown’ – a panel talk in the Courtyard, hosted by Neil Ridley and Joel Harrison with Iain McAlister and guests.

The session will explore the remarkable history of the region, from a bustling whisky hub in the Victorian era to Scotland’s smallest whisky-making region, looking at the re-emergence of the town’s distilleries, and why the world is taking notice once again, with a chance to sample Glen Scotia’s signature drams.

This year the programme will be bigger than ever before as Glen Scotia has also teamed up with the Mull of Kintyre Music Festival, to organise a series of one-off performances, talks and tastings on two new purpose-built stages in the distillery’s Courtyard. Acts will include local Argyll band Heron Valley and Salthouse vocalist and guitarist Jenny Sturgeon.

Launched in 2008, the Campbeltown Malts Festival is a celebration of the region known as the ‘Victorian Whisky Capital of the World’ due to its illustrious past and the role whisky-making has played in the town for centuries.

Glen Scotia’s full programme of events and tickets are available via its website: https://www.glenscotia.com/

Iain McAlister, Master Distiller and Distillery Manager at Glen Scotia, said: 

“Once again, The Campbeltown Malts Festival returns to the Wee Toon and we couldn’t be more thrilled with the fantastic line-up of events, which will highlight what makes the town and our distillery such a remarkable place in the world.

“There will be a real focus on exploring our award-winning drams, and I’m really looking forward to the variety of sessions on offer for our visitors who come from all around the world.

“We’ve managed to secure some top names from the industry, from our good friend and whisky icon, Charles Maclean, Felipe and the amazing Rhythm and Booze project, and Neil and Joel who will host a varied selection of talks and tastings.

“Alongside tours of the town and distillery, the event, bigger and better than ever before, is a real chance for us to share what makes Glen Scotia such a special place.”

Today, Glen Scotia is one of only three surviving distilleries in the coastal town but through a programme of continued investment and local effort, it is growing its presence in the UK and international markets, allowing the potential of Campbeltown to once again be realised.

For further information about Glen Scotia and regular updates on the Campbeltown Malts Festival, visit www.glenscotia.com or follow:

Twitter: @GlenScotiaMalts

Instagram: @glenscotiamalts

Facebook: @GlenScotiaWhisky

About Glen Scotia 

Distiller Glen Scotia has been producing single malt whisky in Campbeltown since 1832 and is one of three surviving distilleries in Campbeltown. The distillery still maintains much of its original design, including the fermenters, the stillroom, and the dunnage warehouse dating from the 1830s.To this day, the distillery team follow in the footsteps of their founders, using traditional methods, carefully creating the unique Campbeltown maritime style the brand has become world-famous for.

In 2021, Glen Scotia’s 25-Year-Old Single Malt whisky was awarded ‘Best In Show Whisky’ at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Over 3,800 entries across thirty-one categories were judged with Glen Scotia being awarded the overall winner across all countries and styles. In addition to this, Glen Scotia was also named Scottish Whisky Distillery of the Year at the Scottish Whisky Awards, an accolade it received just seven months after being crowned as the ‘Best in Show.’

In 2022, Glen Scotia’s Victoriana won Best In Class in the Distillers’ Single Malt Scotch – No Age Statement category at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

March 2023 Auction // 31.03.23 – 10.04.23

Now Live: March Auction

A warm welcome to our March auction. Featuring over 8,500 rare whiskies and fine spirits.

Highlights this month include a number of incredibly well-aged single malts from the 1920s-40s, including 50 Year Olds from Balvenie, Macallan and Dalmore. For Bourbon fans, a brilliant selection of Very Olde St. Nick is featured, from the sought-after Kentucky Bourbon Distillers era. Incredible independent bottles feature including Intertrade bottles signed by Nadi Fiori, early Gordon & MacPhail cask strength bottlings and two exceptional Hart Brothers Bowmore releases.

We are extremely excited to partner with Norwegian whisky distillery Aurora Spirit once again, as our March auction sees the release of the unique Fram whisky, commemorating Norwegian explorer and humanitarian Fridtjof Nansen. You can read more about the Fram whisky in our latest article.

Discover some of our curated highlights below and bid now.

John Jameson & Son Irish Whisky 1920s-1930s

📖 Read: The recent fortune and luck of Irish whiskey

4

Red Hook 23 Year Old Single Barrel Kentucky Rye #2 / LeNell’s

Sensationally Aged 50+ Year Old Malts

1960 & 1965 Signatory Vintage Rosebank

📖 Read: An Independent Approach: Signatory Vintage

Glen Garioch 1958 46 Year Old

Exclusive to Whisky Auctioneer: Fram Whisky Charity Auction

Interested in selling in our next auction? Fill out our Seller Form today.

From Distillery 29, prepare to find a tropical flavour paradise, with elegant perfumed spice and ripe tropical fruits finding perfect harmony after 27 years of maturation in bourbon wood. Elegant perfumed smoke met juicy ripe tropical fruits in a near-perfect balance. The effect was almost one of hallucination. The taste was almost impossible to describe; some sort of delicate food fusion, so we tried. A sushi grain bowl with smoked sardines, spicy mayo, furikake and tempura crunchies … we do hope you get the idea. A drop of water and miraculously we were transported to Havana, Cuba, in the 1920s, and the Sevilla Havane hotel, haunt of the rich and famous; the air heavy with sweet cigar smoke, the allure of the most expensive perfumes and the tropical heat – truly extravagant. Keep scrolling to learn more about each of these bottlings, or WATCH our introduction below.

ELEGANT EXTRAVAGANCE Cask No. 29.288

WATCH NOW

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

Bruichladdich 30 Years 1988 The Untouchable

1988 vintage ‘The Untouchable’ rare cask series. Refill bourbon and squat hogsheads at 46.2%. Bruichladdich 30 Year Old 1988 vintage Islay single malt Scotch whisky. Matured in Refill Bourbon & Refill Squat Hogsheads. The Untouchable Rare Cask Series.

Buy Bruichladdich 30yo»

Floral aromas of dried hay, buttercups, primroses and coconut oil burst through the nose, followed by vanilla fudge, porridge with golden syrup, sweet citrus, sherbet, apricot and caramel. The palate initially offers notes of coconut, pink grapefruit, granola, malt and toast, slowly developing oak spice, pipe tobacco and fudge, with ripe pineapple, mango and mint building towards the finish.

Bruichladdich Distillery was established in 1881 by the Harvey family of distillers based in Glasgow. Situated on the Rhinns peninsular on the island of Islay close and close to the sandy bays of Loch Indaal. Re-opened in 2001 with much of the original Victorian equipment restored to working order. The first release of Bruichladdich’s new whisky was the highly acclaimed PC5, the first release in the limited Port Charlotte range. Also producing very highly peated Octamore, Organic using Islay grown barley, and triple and quadruple distilled single malt and single cask releases. Bruichladdich distillery participates in Feis Ile, the annual Islay Whisky Festival.