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

Shop now

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

MORE FROM BENROMACH

BALLOT NOW OPEN:
CHICHIBU LONDON EDITION 2022

We’re excited to present the long-awaited Japanese single malt: Chichibu London Edition 2022. Chosen by and bottled exclusively for The Whisky Exchange, there are only 1,861 bottles of this sought-after whisky available. The 2022-release is an expert blend of nine casks including chibidaru, Cognac and oloroso sherry, and highlights the attention to detail of the master blender Ichiro Akuto.

Due to popular demand, this limited-edition whisky will be available for purchase via ballot until 23:59 BST on Wednesday 26 July.

ENTER NOW

HOW TO ENTER

Click the ‘ENTER BALLOT’ button to add the bottle to your basket. No other bottles may be added to your basket. To confirm your entry, complete the checkout process. Only one entry can be made per person, multiple will be ignored. You will not be charged unless you win the ballot.

  VIEW TERMS & CONDITIONS 

New sherried dram from Ardnamurchan

This beautifully sherried dram from Ardnamurchan has spent its life in a combo of Oloroso and PX casks. Purchase a bottle now to receive a ballot invitation to the other two Ardnamurchan limited releases below: Paul Launois 2023 and AD/08:15 Oloroso Cask.

Discover More →

Ardnamurchan AD/ Sherry Cask Release

Matured in a delicious combination of Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez casks, this heavily sherried, ruby red dram is free from chill filtration, at natural colour, and bottled at a powerful 50% abv.

£65.00

Shop Now

Lindores Abbey Peated Islay Rum Barrel Exclusive

Matured in an ex-Islay rum barrel from a secret Islay distillery famous for its handbags and heavily peated whiskies.

We simply could not pass on the opportunity to support our local distillery the historic Lindores Abbey in the Kingdom of Fife which makes this remarkable highly unusual rum barrel even more special. Filled on 25th April 2019 this cask has yielded 247 bottles at cask strength 59.1%. Expect a maritime sea breeze, big smoky earth peat and even more maritime notes from the inland distillery.

Buy – Lindores Abbey Islay Rum Barrel £69 / $72* / €66* >>

Four Roses “The Ten Recipe Tasting Experience” Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (10x50ml) $129.99 View

Anyone who has ever read about Four Roses single barrel program has had the thought “I wish I could taste all 10 recipes side by side.” Well in an incredible display of listening to what their customers want Four Roses has created this 10 recipe tasting kit. It’s 10 x 50ml bottles, one single barrel bottling of each mashbill/yeast combination made by Four Roses all proofed at a robust 104 proof. Grab one for you and each of your buddies and see who can pick out all 10 blind or join Master Distiller Brent Elliott in a guided tasting video via the QR code on the box.

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

https://youtu.be/RqcseLmvY7I

Linkwood as a product is always at the forefront of independently bottled Scottish whisky, for all the right reasons too!

But, when you want to wrap your palate around the house style, and keep it affordable, there is only one option, and it’s this.

Linkwood 12YO is, or was, part of the Flora and Fauna series of whiskies from Diageo’s lesser known distilleries, typically distilleries that were prioritised for blending across the board.

Thing bottle is surprising to me as I didn’t expect it to be as peach driven as it is. Far more exotic than I remember it being. Although that last sip was many moons ago.

Cheers!

CÀRN MÒR COLLABORATES WITH WASTED DEGREES BREWERY

Aberargie, Scotland – Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers has announced their first ever Càrn Mòr collaboration. The Single Malt Scotch Whisky brand has teamed up with fellow Perthshire business, Wasted Degrees brewing to release a one-off expression.

The original liquid was distilled in 2012 at Glen Ord Distillery and after spending 9 years maturing in bourbon barrels, it was then transferred to a Wasted Degrees Porter Cask for an additional year of maturation and finally bottled in July 2023 at Cask Strength. The end result, something quite spectacular!

Niel Hendriksz, Sales Director, Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers said: “Working with the team at Wasted Degrees on this project was an absolute pleasure, given we share an intimate passion for good quality liquid and flavour creation. Collaborating with a local, independent business that shares our values and approach to business made this partnership an exciting exploration of the interaction between the various elements to create a truly unique product.” Graeme Mackeddie, Head of Production, Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers continued: This was our first experiment of this nature, so keeping a close eye on maturation and how the spirit was developing was critical. After about 6 months we got a fairly good idea of the interaction and were very satisfied with the progress. After 12 months we felt the interaction between spirit and wood had achieved great balance and complexity at the same time. It was an absolute delight to put this liquid in a bottle for us to share. 

Limited to 428 bottles, the Càrn Mòr Porter Cask combines a burst of orange marmalade, layered with velvety smooth salted caramel and a hint of honeycomb to finish.

Jack Low, Co-Owner & Director, Wasted Degrees Brewing said: “We are flavour explorers and the prospect of working with one of the country’s leading whisky makers was one we couldn’t miss! The beauty of this project is in the unknown, the alchemy of combining different materials, vessels, ingredients, drinks, to produce something of unique character. Much like single cask or limited release whisky bottlings, we take a similar approach to our range of beers: we only re-brew two of our recipes, and everything else is a one off – we’re here to explore together, confident in the journey ahead because of the quality of the brand and how the drink is produced. 

Speaking of the porter matured in the barrels, Conall Low, Co-Owner & Director, Wasted Degrees Brewing continued: ‘ It was brewed with rich malts and then aged (post-fermentation) for 6 months in three different ex-Loch Lomond whisky barrels belonging to Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers. Owing to the beauty of the casks going on to season more whisky, the beer is now long gone, but its legacy is in the soul of this new and exciting whisky! 

Càrn Mòr have also released a bottling of Glen Ord 2012, however this has had a full-term maturation in Bourbon Barrels, making it especially interesting to try with the Wasted Degrees Càrn Mòr, to compare the impact that different casks can have on a whisky.

Càrn Mòr Porter Cask is available to purchase now for £68 from Dunkeld Whisky Box

TASTING NOTES

Càrn Mòr Porter Cask

54.8% ABV

RRP: £68

Colour: Bank vault gold

Nose: Pink peppercorns and vanilla

Tasting Notes: A burst of orange marmalade layered with velvety smooth salted caramel and a hint of honeycomb on the finish

ABOUT MORRISON SCOTCH WHISKY DISTILLERS 

Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers is solely owned and operated by one of Scotland’s oldest and most prominent whisky families, Jamie and Brian Morrison. There has been over five generations of the Morrison family involved in the whisky business including grocers, brokers, blenders, bottlers and distillers, making them one of Scotland’s oldest whisky families.

Their heritage gives them access to a wide variety of unique and exceptional casks from pedigree distilleries across Scotland. Their family’s values are run through everything they do and they proudly showcase these underneath each of their bottles reiterating their commitment to Patience, Intuition and Integrity.

In every whisky they release, they are committed to continue to impart the knowledge that has been passed down from generations of family whisky makers.

Where many distilleries strive for consistency across larger batches, Càrn Mòr is able to release unadulterated expressions from these distilleries using traditional methods meaning it is as close to drinking straight from the cask as possible.

To find out more about Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers visit www.morrisondistillers.com or for Carn Mor visit www.carnmorwhisky.co.uk

ABOUT WASTED DEGREES

Founded in 2016, Wasted Degrees is owned by Perthshire brothers, Conall and Jack Low, both former pupils of Pitlochry High School and Breadalbane Academy.

It all began in a garage, a hobby running out of control with the ink barely dry on Conall’s teaching degree. Jack joined as co-owner in 2021, following a career in Commercial & Product Development, latterly in an international role in the Scotch Whisky industry.

The brewery produces craft beer from its 100% renewables powered brewhouse in Blair Atholl. From a 20 litre plastic home brew bucket, the business has grown to producing up to 20,000 litres of beer per month.

Underpinned by a strong sense of social & environmental responsibility, the team is very driven by the impact they can have on the local area, creating job opportunities and doing what they can for the local community, such as providing free period products at the brewery in an effort to tackle rural period poverty.

And from locally grown hops or brewing with native plants, Wasted Degrees makes a concerted effort to reduce the ‘food miles’ in its supply chain. It’s clearly about more than just the beer for them.

For more information go to www.wasteddegrees.com

Hard Truth Releases High Road Sweet Mash Rye

Developed by Hard Truth Distilling Co.

 to introduce more whiskey lovers to the qualities of sweet mash rye

Nashville, Ind. (July 18, 2023) – Indiana-based Hard Truth Distilling Co. today announced the release of Hard Truth High Road Sweet Mash Rye – a new sweet mash rye whiskey expression developed for a wider range of rye whiskey fans to experience the flavor, nuances and subtleties of the sweet mash rye distilling process.

According to Hard Truth’s Master Distiller Bryan Smith, the overwhelmingly positive response to Hard Truth’s rapidly-growing line of sweet mash rye whiskies — in terms of sales and feedback from reviewers and consumers alike – led to the development of a sweet mash rye with a lower proof and price point that will help build the entire sweet mash category.

“Our internal evaluation panel results along with taste-testing in twenty-plus markets confirmed that this is one of the most delicious, sweet mash rye whiskies we’ve ever produced,” said Bryan Smith, Hard Truth Master Distiller. “Not coincidentally this will be our first year-round sweet mash rye whiskey with corn in the mash bill.” 

Hard Truth High Road Sweet Mash Rye is bottled at 46.5 percent ABV (93 proof). It is available in 750 mL bottles with a suggested retail price of $39.99. High Road features 55 percent rye, 36 percent corn, and 9 percent malted barley.

High Road features a deep copper appearance, with an aroma of apricot jam, honey, baking spice and graham cracker. Its taste offers up rich vanilla, maple, custard, and spices that coat the tongue. Its finish is bold with a lingering caramel that fades to honey, coffee and nougat.

“We’re proud that Hard Truth is at the forefront of what we believe is a sweet mash rye revolution,” said Smith. “Sweet mashing – a process in which each batch of whiskey

begins with entirely fresh ingredients – typically results in whiskeys that are softer and have a more complex palate. And even though the process is more labor intensive, meticulous and costly than sour mashing, we believe the result is a rye whiskey that is both distinctive and delicious.”

High Road was distilled with the same skill, innovation and passion of its sweet mash predecessor, Hard Truth Sweet Mash Rye introduced in 2020. “Since the day we opened the doors at Hard Truth, we have been working to develop a versatile multi-occasion sweet mash rye whiskey that is perfect on its own, on the rocks or in your favorite whiskey cocktail,” said Smith. “We’re confident that High Road is that whiskey.”

High Road will be Hard Truth’s largest scale release in the 8-year history of the distillery. The production of High Road is one of numerous reasons Hard Truth recently conducted a major distillery expansion that includes the construction of its second rackhouse. Just completed Rackhouse No. 2 is twice the size of Hard Truth’s first rackhouse, tripling storage capacity from 4,000 to 12,000 barrels.

Hard Truth sweet rye whiskeys have seen their fair share of awards and praise. Hard Truth’s first batch of Sweet Mash Rye Whiskey was named in the top 50 of Fred Minnick’s Top 100 American Whiskeys of 2021, and since then has taken home a gold medal in USA Spirits awards, double platinum medal in the Ascots and earned two 93 ratings in other tasting competitions.

Recently, Hard Truth’s Master Distiller’s Reserve Malted Rye Sweet Mash Rye Whiskey won the prestigious 2023 Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits competition.

About Hard Truth Distilling Co.

Headquartered in Nashville, Indiana, Hard Truth Distilling Co. produces more than 20 premium spirits, including critically acclaimed Hard Truth Sweet Mash Rye Whiskey and top-selling Hard Truth Cinnamon Vodka, Hard Truth Toasted Coconut Rum, and Hard Truth Toasted Coconut Rum Cream.

Hard Truth’s spirits are distributed in Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Wisconsin and Wyoming with several new states coming on board in 2023.

Founded in 2015, Hard Truth Distilling Co. quickly outgrew its original production facility, and by 2017 construction had begun on its current facility, a distillery housed in a 50,000-square foot building equipped with a state-of-the-art Vendome Copper & Brass distilling system. Hard Truth’s destination campus spans 325 wooded acres in Brown County, Indiana — an artists’ colony and tourist destination with the largest state park in Indiana.