Archive for May, 2024

Loch Lomond 14 Year Old at The Whisky Shop – Scotch Whisky News

Loch Lomond 14 Year Old

A 14-year-old single malt from Loch Lomond that has been matured in refill American oak casks and lightly toasted French Oak from the Limousin region for up to twelve months. This expression has been bottled at 46% abv without chill filtration.

The nose delivers a delightful fruity character, with green apple, coconut, cinnamon and lemon. Sweet toffee and vanilla fudge make for a sweet palate, alongside a burst of citrus, grapefruit and toasted oak. The finish is long with warming oak spice of clove and aniseed.

Note: If you add an engraving to your order, the message will be displayed on the back of this bottle.

Whisky of the Year 2023

£66.00
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Being The Blender: How Scotch Blenders Master Their Craft – Whisky Advocate News

Being The Blender: How Scotch Blenders Master Their Craft 

Unless what you’re drinking is marked “single cask,” a blender has their fingerprints on the liquid inside any given whisky bottle, whether it’s a blend or a single malt. Maintaining the heart of a whisky’s legacy and balancing that with innovation is one of the challenges facing blenders; that said, beyond a distillery’s core offerings are a range of experiments, innovations, and personal influences on blends.

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ralfy review 1025 – Glen Moray 18yo Elgin Heritage – Scotch Whisky News

BERRY BROS. & RUDD ANNOUNCES CLASSIC RANGE REFRESH – Scotch Whisky News

BERRY BROS. & RUDD ANNOUNCES CLASSIC RANGE REFRESH
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Berry Bros. & Rudd, renowned as the UK’s oldest wine and spirits merchant, has refreshed its popular range of ‘Classic Single Malt Whiskies’ in a move which cements the brand’s commitment to upholding a legacy of tradition and  innovation.

The Classic Range showcases the essence of various regions and distinct cask styles, each whisky chosen by Spirits Curator Felix Dear, for its enduring quality, then aged in their own casks to their exact specifications.

The existing range, which includes expressions hailing from Islay and Ireland, has now been enhanced with the introduction of age statements for the very first time.  The brand new complex yet approachable Speyside Traditional Cask 16 year old Single Malt Scotch Whisky joins the collection accompanied by a luxurious and indulgent flavourful Speyside Sherry Cask 12 Year Old.

Standing alongside the two Speyside Single Malts within the range is the Islay Traditional Cask that embodies the classic characteristics of its region with soft peat smoke and complex fruity palate and the Irish Reserve Single Malt Irish Whiskey with its grassy and herbaceous yet zesty notes hailing from the iconic Great Northern distillery in Dundalk.

Felix Dear, Spirits Curator for Berry Bros. & Rudd, commented:

“The refresh of our Classic Range of Single Malt Whiskies marks a new chapter for Berry Bros. & Rudd. It is the touchstone of our whisky offering for whisky explorers and connoisseurs alike, and testimony to our constant pursuit of excellence and innovation.

All four whiskies in the range have developed distinct intricate flavour profiles, perfect for everyday sipping.  Designed to be complex yet versatile and will pair perfectly with food or if you’re feeling adventurous – great also in a cocktail.”

The Classic Range, featuring Speyside Sherry Cask 12 Year Old, Speyside Traditional Cask 16 Year Old, Islay Traditional Cask and Irish Reserve will be available from Berry Bros. & Rudd (bbr.com) and other selected retailers from the 22nd of April.

TASTING NOTES

Speyside Sherry Cask 12 Year Old

This full, deep, and brooding whisky possesses a wonderfully rich texture, each sip offering a well-balanced and heartwarming experience that captivates the senses. Aromas of sun-dried fruits meld with baking spices. The palate is an exploration of richness, layers of spiced fruit cake and honey toast, hints of brown sugar, orange & dark chocolate add complexity on the finish.

ABV: 45.3%

RRP: £45

Speyside Traditional Cask 16 Year Old

This subtle yet complex whisky presents a blend of butterscotch and hazelnut, with subtle hints of dried flowers and wood bark. On the palate a honeyed sweetness creates an effortlessly enjoyable sipping experience, gradually evolving to reveal an ever-deepening character. A complex yet approachable whisky, perfect for those who appreciate depth and refinement.

ABV: 48.2%

RRP: £100

Islay Traditional Cask

Soft peat smoke characterises this Islay single malt, setting the foundation for its rich, complex profile.  Aromas of smokiness give way to reveal distinctive green orchard fruits.  The palate is an interplay of flavours; sweet honeydew melon interacting with comforting notes of Malted Barley & dry earthy undertones and finishing with sweet smokiness.

ABV: 45.3%

RRP: £45

Irish Reserve

Grassy and herbaceous notes introduce this delightful Irish whiskey, setting the stage with a fresh and invigorating profile. The nose unfolds with a blend of custard cream, lively spice, and zesty lime, deepening into the enticing aroma of succulent, ripe apples. On the palate, a harmonious mix of vanilla and soft fruits creates a creamy, well-rounded sensation.

ABV: 44.2%

RRP: £45

Berry Bros. & Rudd

Tracing its history back to 1698, when an enterprising woman called the Widow Bourne started an “Italian grocers” at No. 3 St James’s Street in London, selling tea, snuff, spices and the most fashionable drink of the day, coffee. In due course, the focus shifted to something a little bit stronger As wine became important to the business, so too did spirits and Berry Bros. & Rudd started bottling casks under its label in the early 19th century, making it Britain’s oldest independent spirits bottler.

bbrspirits.com

J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery Celebrates Derby Week with Special Whiskey Releases and On-Site Events – Bourbon Whiskey News

J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery Celebrates Derby Week with Special Whiskey Releases and On-Site Events

“The Greatest Two Ounces in Bourbon” Available in Three Varieties On-Site and Online

FRANKFORT, KY (April 30, 2024) – J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery, created by Jeff Mattingly, a descendant of distilling pioneer John Graves Mattingly, is releasing three whiskeys to celebrate the greatest two minutes in sports, called The Greatest Two Ounces in Bourbon.  The three releases will be available at a festival held at the Distillery in Frankfort on May 3rd and 4th to celebrate Kentucky’s famous horse race.

The Greatest Two Ounces in Bourbon is available as a Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey, a  Light (Corn) Whiskey, and a Small Batch Rye Whiskey.  All three bottles are available online and at the Distillery upon opening at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 3rd  at a suggested retail price of $120 for a 750 mL bottle.  Details of each release are as follows:

J. Mattingly 1845 The Greatest Two Ounces in Bourbon Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey is a six-and-a-half-year-old bourbon bottled at 117 proof.  After undergoing J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery’s proprietary double staving process, the nose on this bourbon is described as breakfast in a bottle – sweet smoke and bacon with oak and stone fruit.  The palate is said to have brown sugar and pancake, with hints of maple and savory smoke and leather.

J. Mattingly 1845 The Greatest Two Ounces in Light Whiskey is a corn whiskey aged nine years and bottled at 125 proof.  After the Distllery’s signature double staving process, smokey candy, fruit and butterscotch can be found on the nose, and the taste reveals butterscotch upfront with hints of sweet smoke and oak.  The finish is filled with creamy baking spices.

J. Mattingly 1845 The Greatest Two Ounces in Rye is a small batch rye whiskey comprised of a combination of four-and-a-half and six-and-a-half-year-old barrels.  After the double staving process, this whiskey was bottled at 116 proof.  Notes of sweet, earthy maple and bright citrus can be found on the nose.  On the palate, one will find butterscotch and herb notes balanced with sweet citrus which lingers with hints of smoke.

The bottles will make their debut at a festival to celebrate Kentucky’s highly anticipated horse racing event which will include customizable, double-staved mint juleps for purchase, a custom wax station for your mint julep cup, games, outdoor seating and snacks.  The festival will run May 3rd and 4th from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

While on-site, visitors can also enjoy J. Mattingly 1845’s three tasting options, its Heritage Tasting Experience, which is a tasting of up to six pours for $20 and lasts about 20 minutes; the Single Barrel Tasting Experience, allowing guests to taste from up to seven single barrels, each of which has undergone the proprietary double-staving process, for a cost of $55 and lasting for one half hour; and the VIP Custom Bourbon Blending Experience, which allows the visitor to custom blend their own bourbon and choose their preferred bottle shape, custom label and wax color for the top.  This experience is $175 and lasts approximately one hour.  Reservations are recommended for the custom blending experience.

“We’re looking forward to celebrating Kentucky’s famous horse races on Friday and Saturday with our three new whiskey releases and a festival at our new location in Frankfort,” said Harry Richart, president and chief operating officer, J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery.  “We’ll have custom mint juleps for sale, you can dip your mint julep cup in wax afterward as a special memento, and also snacks, games, outdoor seating and the races televised so you can hang out here and root for your favorite horse.”

There is no cost to attend the festival on either day.  J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery is located at 20 Reilly Road in Frankfort, Ky.  https://jmattingly1845.com

About J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery

The Mattingly family has been synonymous with distilling in Kentucky for more than two centuries, having a hand in the development of at least nine separate distilleries in the Commonwealth, and with connections to some of the most illustrious names in the distilling industry, including George Garvin Brown, the Willetts and the Samuels.

It all started in 1845, with John Graves Mattingly’s first distillery in Marion County, Kentucky, Registered Distillery #2.  Many historians today believe his distillery was the first registered distillery in Kentucky.

In 2010 Jeff Mattingly took up the family mantle and started his own craft bourbon business.  Today, Jeff’s son Cameron has joined the team as Vice President of Production, continuing the legacy into the latest generation for J. Mattingly Distillery 1845 in Frankfort, Kentucky. For more information about J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery visit www.JMattingly1845.com.

Buffalo Trace Distillery Takes Over London Phone Booth for Special Surprise!

Buffalo Trace Distillery Takes Over London Phone Booth for Special Surprise

“At Buffalo Trace Distillery, we celebrate those who live life perfectly untamed – those who blaze their own trace, those willing to go their own way, those unafraid of the unknown. That’s why we’re challenging visitors in Covent Garden to do the unexpected this coming weekend – answer the call! Those who do just may find themselves embarking on one of the most memorable experiences of their lives,” said Andrew Duncan, Global Brand Director at Buffalo Trace Distillery

New research commissioned by Buffalo Trace Distillery revealed that a quarter of Brits rarely do anything spontaneously. Additionally, 40% confirmed they wouldn’t pick up an unexpected call from an unknown number, and 26% prefer to communicate via social media instead of over the phone. That said, one in five revealed that answering an unplanned call had led to something surprisingly good. This call will lead to something good 😊

Just what exactly is on the other side of that call? A guaranteed tasting of some of Buffalo Trace Distillery’s *rarest and most coveted* bourbon for two people at Buffalo Trace Distillery London (before it opens to the public!). The impressive tasting lineup, available only for this special activation, will feature:

    1. OFC
    2. George T Stagg
    3. Weller 12 Year Old
    4. Pappy Van Winkle 23 
    5. Eagle Rare 25
  • Terms and Conditions:
    • Participants must be 18+ in age. Tastings must be redeemed immediately following the call. *Participants will have 30 minutes to meet at Buffalo Trace Distillery London for their tasting
  • Location
    • Covent Garden in the East Piazza, near Russell Street
  • Research
  • All research quoted taken from research commissioned by Buffalo Trace Distillery with 72Point, surveying 2,000 UK respondents in April 2024. 

Register Interest: Ardnahoe Inaugural Release; a New Islay Single Malt ~ Loch Fyne Whiskies News

Ardnahoe Islay Single Malt
Inaugural Release

Matured in a combination of bourbon and oloroso sherry casks for five years, the whisky has been bottled at 50% abv, free from artificial colouring or chill-filtration. Ardnahoe, the ninth distillery in Islay, will launch its much-anticipated Inaugural Release next week.   Available from Friday 10th May from a small number of select retailers, make sure that you are first in the queue by registering your interest on the Ardnahoe page. As you wait for this new Islay expression, you can explore our range of incredible drams from the Queen of the Hebrides

On General Sale Friday 10th May 2024.

£70.00

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12 months of unlimited next day delivery & more!Exclusive access to Ballots as you enjoy free next day delivery on all your orders for a whole year – only £14.99! Geographic restrictions apply, see full T&Cs.

Hedonism: A Work of Art – The Art Of Scotch Whisky News

‘PYXIS NAUTICA’
Stephanie Rew Limited Edition Prints

We’re delighted to share that we have produced a small run of fifty prints in collaboration with Stephanie Rew, the artist behind this year’s Hedonism. The prints are available from Stephanie’s website now.

SOLD OUT

Compass Box Whisky 3 Water Lane, Richmond, TW9 1TJ

Whiski Bar Breakfast Available from 10am Daily! – Edinburgh Whiski News

Whiski Bar

Breakfast Available from 10am Daily!


Start your day the Whiski way! Join us for a hearty Scottish breakfast available from 10am until 11:45am every day at Whiski Bar. Whether you’re craving a classic full Scottish breakfast or smashed avocado & poached eggs, we’ve got you covered.

Fancy a Browse?

Visit us in our shop beside Whiski Rooms or browse our online web shop for a fantastic range of over 500 whiskies, gift hampers and Scottish gifts, all can be delivered.

Browse our Whiski online webstore

The Whisky Barrel ‘BALLINDALLOCH DISTILLERY 8 Year Old 2015 Single Sherry Cask UK Exclusive Cask #114’ – Scotch Whisky News

 

BALLINDALLOCH DISTILLERY 8 Year Old 2015 Single Sherry Cask UK Exclusive Cask #114

Sherry Butt2015 single Oloroso sherry butt #114 bottled March 2024. 648 bottles exclusive to the United Kingdom market.Unveil the rich tapestry of flavours with the Ballindalloch 8 Year Old 2015 vintage, a splendid single malt Scotch whisky hailing from one of Scotland’s newest distilleries. This exclusive expression, available only in the UK, is matured in a single sherry butt #114, imparting an extraordinary depth and complexity to the whisky. Bottled March 2024 yielding 648 bottles.

£108.29

TWB Tasting Notes:

Nose: The aroma seduces with rich dried fruits, notably raisins and figs, layered over a backdrop of sweet toffee and spicy nutmeg. Hints of orange zest and dark chocolate weave through, offering an enticing complexity.

Palate: On the palate, this whisky is sumptuously rich and velvety, featuring a medley of dark cherries and stewed plums. The sherry cask’s signature emerges with robust notes of sweet sherry, leather, and a whisper of smoky oak.

Finish: A long, luxurious finish continues the theme of richness, leaving behind traces of spiced fruitcake and a lingering sweetness that subtly fades to a pleasing dryness.

Ballindalloch Distillery, nestled in Scotland’s Speyside region, is renowned for its commitment to traditional single malt Scotch whisky production. Offering a blend of heritage and craftsmanship, this family-owned distillery invites visitors to explore its rich history and experience the art of whisky making through guided tours and tastings. Perfect for whisky enthusiasts and travellers seeking a genuine Speyside experience.


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