Archive for 2023

The Quintessential Guide to AMERICAN SINGLE MALT – Virginia Single Malt News

BECOME AN AMERICAN SINGLE MALT EXPERT

Embark on a thrilling journey into the world of American single malt whisky, where tradition meets innovation, and a tantalizing adventure awaits. Featured in Whisky Advocate, our course is not just any course; it’s the definitive resource worldwide, offering an unparalleled deep dive into this exciting new whisky category.

Designed for whisky aficionados, spirits distributors, retailers, and industry professionals, this course is your gateway to mastering every aspect of American single malt whisky. From its history to the meticulous production techniques employed by the top distilleries, you’ll gain expert knowledge of this evolving and dynamic spirit.

The program covers the following topics:

  • Defining American single malt
  • Comparing American single malt to other single malts
  • Regional production approaches
  • Production methods
  • Cask selection and influence
  • The science and art of blending and vatting whisky
  • Guide to understand and read whisky labels
  • Tasting and appreciation of American single malt whisky

But that’s not all! Join us, and you’ll uncover the secrets of our Courage & Conviction American single malt whisky’s distinctive flavor profiles, and explore the nuances that set it apart from its counterparts. Immerse yourself in tasting sessions and experiences that will ignite your passion for this exceptional spirit.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to become a true connoisseur and a pioneer in the world of whisky. Enroll today and discover why our course is the unrivaled authority on American single malt whisky.

ENROLL HERE

Don’t wait until December to start your holiday shopping – start now! – Whisky Magazine News

Start your Christmas shopping early this year!

This Christmas, give the gift that any whisky enthusiast would love – Whisky Magazine! Whether you want to treat yourself or surprise someone special, we have an exclusive offer just for you.

For a limited time only, enjoy 3 ISSUES of Whisky Magazine for just $19.99! That’s right, three jam-packed issues filled with the latest news, expert reviews, and captivating stories from the world of whisky. But that’s not all -as an added bonus, you’ll also receive the latest edition of the Scotch Whisky Annual absolutely FREE.

But wait, there’s more! As we approach a significant milestone, we want you to be a part of the celebrations. We have exciting plans for 2024, including big competitions and amazing giveaways. By subscribing to Whisky Magazine today, you’ll be joining us in the festivities and not miss out on any of the incredible experiences we have in store.

Don’t miss out on this incredible offer – it’s the perfect opportunity to share the joy of whisky this Christmas. 

AMRUT TWO CONTINENTS at Abbey Whisky – Bangalore Single Malt News

AMRUT TWO CONTINENTS

The fourth instalment from the excellent Two Continents expression from Amrut Distillery. Using barley from India’s north- west provinces, Amrut Two Continents is distilled in Bangalore in the heart of southern India and matured in this tropical climate before being transported to the temperate climate of Europe to undergo a further, more gentle maturation.

Packed with notes of banana, mango, guava and baked pineapple, along with dark muscovado sugar and rich vanilla.

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Whisky Wednesday Reviews RoseIsle 12YO – Scotch Whisky News

RoseIsle 12YO

A long time coming, the first single malt release from The RoseIsle Distillery!

Boasting a 12.5,000,000 litre capacity and being used as a blending distillery for Diageo, RoseIsle has been sat in the background while crazy things have happened in the whisky industry. Now it arrives with a rather wonderful twelve-year-old single malt with a rather surprising flavour profile.

You’ll have to go and check out the video for more detail on the smells and flavours, but it’s really worth sitting back and enjoying this liquid as it could be a long time before we see another release.

The Diageo Special Releases used to be fun, the last few years have been very stagnant and tedious. However, this is a small shining light that things could get better…we hope. We pray.

BOWMORE® SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY UNVEILS NEWEST EXCLUSIVE RELEASES IN LEGACY “TIMELESS” SERIES – Islay Scotch Whisky News

BOWMORE® SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY UNVEILS NEWEST EXCLUSIVE RELEASES IN LEGACY “TIMELESS” SERIES

Two New Single Malts Shaped by Time Inspire Dynamic Collaboration

with Virtuoso Pianist Hania Rani

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – Bowmore® Islay Single Malt Scotch is pleased to unveil the two latest editions to the Bowmore Timeless Series: Bowmore Timeless 29 Year Old (introduced worldwide, slated to arrive in the US this month) and Bowmore Timeless 33 Year Old (exclusive to Global Travel Retail). The series is a celebration of time, but with a definitive appreciation as to how each moment comes to bear on the character of the whisky. These two exquisite new offerings showcase the dedicated creative process which sits at the heart of Bowmore.

Created from a combination of maturation in Sherry-seasoned European oak casks and ex-bourbon American oak barrels filled in 1991 and 1992, the limited-edition Bowmore Timeless 29-Year-Old promises true multidimensionality, with an intensely rich flavor profile of dark fruits akin to sherry-soaked raisins, cocoa, bitter orange, cherry blossom and liquorice. Bowmore Timeless 33-Year-Old celebrates the complex layers of flavor from bringing together bourbon barrels with a definitive sherry finish, shaped by Matusalem Sherry seasoned European oak butts and 2nd fill European oak Oloroso sherry butts. Leading with sweet honey and jasmine notes on the nose, this whisky opens up to lively hints of menthol and eucalyptus and evolves to ripe orchard fruits with peat smoke on the palate.

Calum Fraser, Bowmore Master Blender, said, “The rare whiskies in Bowmore Timeless Series really capture the essence of time beautifully and showcase how special aged Bowmore truly is. We purposefully strive for more character by harnessing the optimal conditions and protecting the precise processes used to ensure that we bring bold flavours to the front. Both the 29-Year-Old and 33-Year-Old are testament to the fact that our spirit ages like no other and keeps delivering breadth and depth of flavour as it matures.”

Beautifully crafted to celebrate precious moments of time, the launch is in collaboration with award-winning Polish pianist, singer and composer, Hania Rani, who was captivated by the remarkable spirit of Bowmore’s home of Islay. Through the medium of music, Hania Rani has expressed her vision and interpretation through the song ‘The Boat’. The partnership toasts to a breath-taking and rich experience by thrilling the senses and enriching the soul; just like every sip of Bowmore.

Hania Rani said, “I was truly captivated by my visit to Islay and really enjoyed learning about the history of Bowmore and the centuries old traditions of whisky distilling. Being on Islay was a beautiful experience and I was able to bring this all together in my original composition The Boat.”

Inspired by the classic hourglass shape, each edition of Bowmore Timeless is housed in a distinctive black box.  Inside the bottle sits alongside an hourglass, which once turned allows nature’s gravity to release the grains of sand into the base of the hourglass giving three precious minutes to enjoy the nose of this beautifully balanced masterpiece that has taken decades to perfect.

Bowmore Timeless Series 29-Year-Old and 33-Year-Old are limited editions with just 3,000 bottles available globally respectively and will be available from October 2023. Bowmore Timeless 29-Year-Old will be available from specialist retailers in key markets including UK, Germany, Canada, USA, and China whilst Bowmore Timeless 33-Year-Old will be exclusive to Global Travel Retail in Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Istanbul, Paris, Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai, and Hainan.

www.bowmore.com/timeless

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Twitter.com/BOWMORE
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Tasting Notes

Bowmore Timeless 29 Year Old

Color: Old oak

Nose: Intense dark fruits of sherry-soaked raisins and sultanas, Muscovado sugar with cocoa nibs, a touch of bitter orange marmalade, Christmas spices and a hint of menthol. Extremely complex with notes of cherry blossom, maraschino cherries, liquorice, and delicate citrus fruits are apparent.

Taste: Rich and complex, warming peat character with notable hints of fruitcake and cocoa with a hint of sea salt.

Finish: Mouth warming followed by peat drying and salt on the lips with a long lasting finish.

SRP: $1,800 

Bowmore Timeless 33 Year Old

Color: Deep gold

Nose: Sweet Acacia honey with jasmine floral notes merging with hints of menthol and eucalyptus. Herbal notes, Brazil nuts and toffee apple come through with dry grass in the background.

Taste: Sweet ripe orchard fruits with peat smoke, mouth warming.

Finish: Mouth coating then drying with long lasting peat.

SRP: $2,800 

ABOUT BOWMORE®

For over 240 years, the Bowmore Distillery has been capturing the essence of Islay from the shores of its remote island home. Shaped by centuries of skill and tradition, Bowmore’s single malt harnesses the power of this time in every single drop, defined by the past and savoured in the present.

Time is defining at Bowmore® and we tirelessly harness the power of time to shape our whiskies. Our distillery’s adherence to traditional production methods helps to shape the character of our fruity and smoky single malts. Today, we are amongst one of a few distilleries which still produces its own floor malted barley, hand-turned by a traditional wooden malt shovel and hand drawn machinery.  Water for the whiskies is specially drawn from the Laggan River, with its rich peaty overtones – the same Islay peat that fires the malt-drying kiln.

Bowmore® Distillery’s proximity to the sea is also vital in determining the final character of its spirit and gives a hint of sea air to the character. The legendary Bowmore® No. 1 Vaults is where most of the whiskies spend their long lives resting quietly in the cool, dark, damp cellars below sea level, oblivious to the waves thrashing the vault’s sea-facing wall.

Matured in oak casks, previously used for bourbon, sherry, or claret, over time developing rich and mellow flavours until the expertise of our whisky makers deems them ready for bottling.  It is this combination of peat, barley, sea breeze, water, wood, people, and tradition that makes Bowmore the exceptional single malt it is today.

Time is marked on each and every bottle of Bowmore, proudly and boldly as a marker of where and when each one’s journey began.  This is our story of time. This is Bowmore; the Art of Time since 1779.

www.bowmore.com

ABOUT BEAM SUNTORY

As a world leader in premium spirits, Beam Suntory inspires the brilliance of life by delivering great consumer experiences through its world-class portfolio of brands.  Known for its craftsmanship of premium whiskies, including Jim Beam®, Maker’s Mark®, Basil Hayden® and Knob Creek® bourbons; Japanese whiskies, including Yamazaki®, Hakushu®, Hibiki® and Toki™; and leading Scotch brands including Teacher’s, Laphroaig® and Bowmore®, Beam Suntory also produces leading brands such as Courvoisier® cognac, Tres Generaciones®, El Tesoro® and Hornitos® tequila, Roku™ and Sipsmith® gin, Canadian Club® whisky, and is a world leader in ready-to-drink cocktails, with brands like -196 and On The Rocks™ Premium Cocktails.

A global company with approximately 6,000 employees in more than 30 countries, one of Beam Suntory’s core values is Growing for Good and through its Proof Positive sustainability strategy, the company has committed to ambitious goals and investments to promote environmental sustainability in its operations, ensure the company has a positive impact on the communities where employees live and work, and programs to educate and inform consumers to make the right personal choices about drinking. Headquartered in New York City, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com and www.drinksmart.com.

ABOUT HANIA RANI

Hania Rani is an award-winning pianist, composer and singer. Her debut album “Esja”, a beguiling collection of solo piano pieces on Gondwana Records was released to international acclaim in 2019. Her follow-up sophomore album, the expansive, cinematic, “Home”, was released in 2020 and finds Rani expanding her palate: adding vocals and subtle electronics to her music. When Hania reintroduced herself this spring with “Hello”, the preliminary taster for her new album, “Ghosts”, it most likely startled many who’ve come to love her work. Otherworldly yet upbeat, its mischievous melody, eloquent Rhodes piano, sparkling synths and nimble rhythms offered little indication of the New Classical style.

Rani, who grew up in Gdansk, Poland and currently divides her time between Warsaw and Berlin, is probably still best known for Esja, its instrumental piano pieces swiftly and widely embraced during the pandemic for a palliative beauty which BBC Radio 4’s Mark Coles described as “sublime and minimalist”. Her Covid era “Live from Studio S2″ performance video has now clocked up almost 6 million views. Nonetheless, she’s always embraced broad horizons, far broader than her strict, two-decade training as a pianist might initially suggest. Alongside her classical activities, most notably award-winning collaborations with cellist Dobrawa Czocher (released via Deutsche Grammophon), not to mention her first piano concerto, “For Josima”, premiered this spring, she was for a while one half of Poland’s respected alternative pop duo Tęskno.

She’s also worked with other media, releasing a ‘highlights’ reel, “Music for Film and Theatre”, in 2021, and her scores include Piotr Domalewski’s “I Never Cry”, winner of the 2020 Polish Film Festival’s Best Score award, last year’s “Venice – Infinitely Avantgarde” and, coming later this year, Amazon’s “The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart”. In 2022, Hania was also asked by director Susanna Fanzun to score the documentary about the artist Alberto Giacometti.

Her interests extend, too, into the realms of art: last summer, for instance, visitors to Zodiak, the Warsaw Architecture Pavilion, are encouraged to enjoy “Room for Listening”, a sound and spatial art installation, designed with architecture studio Zmir. 

Hania played concerts across Europe, North America, Australia and Japan. She performed sold out shows in prestigious venues like NOSPR in Katowice, Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, Funkhaus in Berlin and The Roundhouse in London. In 2022 Hania was invited to perform recorded live shows for ARTE, KEXP and Cercle.

Bimber Distillery unveils The Spirit of the Underground Release No.5 – London Whisky News

Bimber Distillery unveils The Spirit of the Underground Release No.5

London’s Bimber Distillery today announced the launch of the fifth release of its celebrated The Spirit of the Underground Collection, produced in conjunction with Transport for London (TfL).

Release No.5 showcases four new stations: Bond Street, Hammersmith, Regent’s Park and Tottenham Court Road – each adorned with striking labels and packaging designs that explore the pasts and presents of each of the four famous London locations.

This release contrasts Bimber’s signature house-style ex-bourbon maturation with the intensity and spice of ex-rye casks. Drawn from the distillery’s finest casks – all from spirit that was distilled within the same production month – the four new releases proudly display the increasing levels of maturity and complexity that the London distillery is now seeing across its growing inventory of casks. Each is bottled at natural cask strength and without filtration:

  • Bond Street – fully matured in an ex-bourbon cask, 56.3% abv, 278 bottles
  • Hammersmith – fully matured in ex-rye cask, 56.9% abv, 280 bottles
  • Regent’s Park – fully matured in an ex-bourbon cask, 56.8% abv, 284 bottles
  • Tottenham Court Road – fully matured in an ex-rye cask, 57.1% abv, 274 bottles

The Collection, which will total 44 individual releases, features a selection of iconic single malt whiskies that celebrate the heritage and diversity of the distillery’s home city. With eye-catchingly unique designs, each bottle presents a different Tube station on the London Underground network – the oldest underground passenger railway service in the world.

Release No.5 of The Spirit of the Underground Collection will be available directly from Bimber’s Spirit of the Underground website from Tuesday 31st October till Friday 3rd November via a ballot, and with an RRP of £135 per bottle.

Speaking of the launch of the fifth release of the Collection, Matt McKay Bimber’s Director of Marketing and Communications said: “The latest release not only presents a glimpse into some of London’s most famous locations, but it also offers a fascinating insight into Bimber’s maturation regime. All four casks from this release were filled within the same month of production – with Regent’s Park and Tottenham Court Road being sequential casks which were filled from the same spirit run, but into different cask types. As such, these four new Spirit of the Underground releases offer a particularly nuanced exploration of the developing character of our London single malt whisky.”

Ellen Sankey, Brand Licensing Manager at TfL, said: “The continuation of our partnership with Bimber Distillery sees the release of four new bottles, named after some of our most recognisable Tube stations, which is particularly significant as this year is the 160th anniversary of London Underground.

“We are proud to be collaborating with a London-based independent brand, highlighting again that the city houses products of great quality. The creative and original use of our branding to help portray unique elements of our city’s history shows the benefit that an innovative, long-term collaboration like this can have.”

This collection is the latest addition to a robust licensing programme, developed by TfL and its international licensing representative IMG, that brings the London Underground’s rich legacy and iconic brand identity to global audiences in unique and authentic ways.

All the expressions in The Spirit of the Underground Collection were crafted to Bimber’s exacting standards. The spirit was produced from the distillery’s single farm barley and malted on a dedicated floor at Warminster Maltings before being fermented for seven days in bespoke, on-site constructed American oak washbacks. Distillation took place in Bimber’s customised stills which possess an increased copper surface area, which results in a rich fruit-forward, layered spirit.

The Spirit of the Underground Collection – Release No.5

The Spirit of the Underground – Bond Street

Ex-bourbon cask – Ref 385 

Nose: A warm and welcoming medley of bright tropical and stone fruits join malt loaf, vanilla cream, dark sugars and nougat

Palate: An intense arrival of pineapple and nectarines is supported by burnt toffee, caramelised sugars, chocolate and black pepper

Finish: Sustained with toasted oak and peppery spice

278 bottles70cl

56.3% abv

The Spirit of the Underground – Hammersmith

Ex-rye cask – Ref 399

Nose: Deep and pronounced with notes of apricots and beeswax alongside candied orange peels, chocolate, tingling paprika spice and menthol

Palate: Opening with dark chocolate, expressive stone fruits and sweet citrus fruits – then introducing toasted barley together with an assortment of piquant cask spices

Finish: Lingering with sweet spice 

280 bottles

70cl

56.9% abv 

The Spirit of the Underground – Regent’s Park

Ex-bourbon cask – Ref 420

Nose: Creamy toffee together with walnut oil and golden malts. Vibrant stone fruits and a zing of citrus sits with desiccated coconut

Palate: Pineapple, mango and peach sits with gingerbread, vanilla crème patisserie and dusty cinnamon spices

Finish: Persistent spices fruits and integrated spice

284 bottles

70cl

56.8% abv 

The Spirit of the Underground – Tottenham Court Road

Ex-rye cask – Ref 421

Nose: Vibrant apricots, nectarines join and unmistakable orange aromas sit alongside honey, shaved chocolate, citrus peels and punchy, spiced oak

Palate: Stone fruits join pineapple, orange zest and liquorice wood before a strong development introduces chilli, cinnamon and paprika spices together with eucalyptus

Finish: Long with citrus peels and fresh oakiness

274 bottles

70cl

57.1% abv

About Bimber 

Founded in 2015, Bimber Distillery produces world-class single malt whisky, handcrafted with passion in West London. Our traditionally-focussed approach to whisky creation combines the finest ingredients with heritage production methods that are rarely seen today and an absolute commitment to quality. Our meticulous approach has seen us recognised as a leading light in whisky production and garnered multiple industry awards. Producing a wide array of fruit-forward, textural single malts we deliver the ultimate craft whisky experience to a rapidly growing global community of Bimber whisky lovers.

About Transport for London 

Transport for London (TfL) is the integrated transport authority responsible for delivering Mayor of London Sadiq Khan’s strategy and commitments on transport. It runs the day-to-day operation of the Capital’s public transport network, including London Underground, London Overground, Docklands Light Railway, London Buses and Elizabeth line services, as well as managing London’s main roads. TfL does all it can to support the millions of journeys that are made every day and keep the city moving, working and growing. TfL reinvests all income generated through fares and commercial revenue to run and improve services and is committed to reducing costs.

About IMG

IMG is a global sports, events and representation company. It is a leader in rights management, multi-channel content production and distribution, consultancy and fan engagement; owns, produces and commercially represents hundreds of live events and experiences; and manages licensing programs for the world’s best-known brands and trademarks. IMG is a subsidiary of Endeavor, a global sports and entertainment company.

Speyside Whisky Auctions October 2023 Auction ENDS TONIGHT! – Auction Whisky News

Our October 2023 Auction RNDS TONIGHT!

You can never have enough whisky – but we can help you try!  Head to our auction to browse and bid on over 1000 bottles!

Auction closes from 8pm (BST) Tuesday 31st October (TONIGHT)

www.speysidewhiskyauctions.co.uk

Macallan – 1995- Easter Elchies Cask Selection 2009

Easter Elchies Cask Selection was specially selected and released only once a year exclusively for visitors to the Macallan estate. This edition was distilled in 1995, matured in a sherry hogshead #14016 and bottled in 2009 at 13 years old.

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Laphroaig 34 Year Old, The Ian Hunter Story Batch 5 at Tyndrum Whisky – Islay Single Malt News

Laphroaig 34 Year Old, The Ian Hunter Story Batch 5

This 34-year-old ex-bourbon barrel matured single malt is the fifth and final release in their series of rare and collectable aged whiskies to celebrate the story of the legendary Ian Hunter.

Tasting notes:
Colour: Deep, rich copper.

Nose: Lightly peaty with notes of iodine and burnt wood. Floral green malt, sweet candyfloss and vanilla fudge, and subtle blueberry and raspberry accents.

Palate: Sweet and spicy, with hints of classic Laphroaig peat and cold barbecue ash. Salted caramel and butterscotch, roast chestnut, a hint of peach, dried flowers and white pepper.

Finish: Peaty and malty, with a lingering sweetness.

Maturation: Double matured in a combination of first fill ex-bourbon American Oak barrels and Pedro Ximénez European Oak Hogheads.

£1,100.00

£1,199.00

NEW! – Lochlea Fallow Edition Second Crop! – Abbey Whisky News

LOCHLEA FALLOW EDITION

SECOND CROP

The third in a new set of four limited editions drams from Lowland distillery, Lochlea, ‘Fallow Edition Second Crop’ has been crafted from combination of Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez Sherry casks. Lochlea Fallow Edition reflects the Autumn season when the ‘fields are left fallow’ and the purple label reflecting the crisp leaves covering the ground. The previous Fallow Edition was excellent and a very popular release.

Bottled at natural colour and non-chill filtered.

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Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 506: Shizuoka 2018 World Symphony Series Private Cask #324 – Japanese Whisky News

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 506: Shizuoka 2018 World Symphony Series Private Cask #324

Mark Dermul, Belgian whiskyblogger, tries something special from Japan! The Shizuoka Distillery started on February 25, 2017, after being founded by Gaia Flow, the importer of brands such as Blackadder, Mackmyra and the Belgian Asta Morris. They bought the distilling material from the legendary Karuizawa distillery, dismantled in 2011. Lovers of the golden nectar rubbed their hands, knowing that these stills would more than likely produce excellent whisky again. Well, yes, stills… in the end only one turned out to be usable, the other two were simply too old and are only set up in the new distillery as a tribute to the lost glory that is Karuizawa. In addition, they also have another still, which is fired with wood. That’s why they’re called Pot Still K and Pot Still W: Karuizawa and Wood fired still. In the meantime, Shizuoka already has a few things on the market, which is very well received, but what we open today is very special. Joseph Wang, my friend from Taiwan and president of the International Connoisseur Society, has also purchased some casks and is releasing them in a very luxurious package with accompanying story under the name World Symphony Series. Distilled on 24 October 2018 and bottled on 30 April 2022, after maturation in an ex-bourbon barrel. It’s a mix of new make from both stills.

https://youtu.be/pgVkRq__Q4U


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