Sláinte To Six! Stephanie Macleod Wins ‘Master Blender of the Year’ For Record-Breaking Sixth Time

Benrinnes 12 Year Old “Cane & Grain” (Mahler-Besse) Single Cask Plantation Rum Barrel Aged Cask Strength Non Chillfiltred Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) $79.99 View

Benrinnes is a historical and unique distillery in the Speyside region. Founded in 1826 and completely destroyed by a flood in 1829, the distillery was rebuilt in 1835 a few kilometers from the original site. Once again devastated by flames in 1896, it was entirely reconstructed in 1956. Benrinnes gained international recognition for the finesse of its whiskies produced through unique 2.5-ish distillations and traditional worm tub cooling. This incredible barrel of Benrinnes was purchased exclusively by the renowned Bordeaux Negociant Mähler-Besse. Aged for its entire 12 years in barrels that had previously held rum from the famous Plantation Rum producer based in Cognac. Distilled on June 10th, 2010, it was bottled in 2022 without coloring or chill-filtration at a natural cask strength of 56.2% abv.

2009 Linkwood 13 Year Old “Cane & Grain” Single Cask Ruby Port Cask Aged Cask Strength Non Chillfiltered Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) $79.99 View

Renowned for the quality and aging potential of its whiskies, the Linkwood distillery was founded in 1821 outside of Elgin. Just 2% of its production is designed for single malt production, while the remaining portion in the various Diageo blends like Johnnie Walker. Disilled in November of 2009 its spent 13 years maturing in high quality Ruby Port casks, and was bottled in January 2023 at cask strength of 58.2%. Bottled straight from the cask, this single malt is non-chill-filtered, and no colorants have been added. It was bottled exclusively for famed Bordeaux negociant Mähler-Besse. This single cask yields 277 bottles. K&L is the exclusive US source.

2008 Mannochmore 14 Year Old “Cane & Grain” Single Cask Marsala Barrique Aged Cask Strength Non Chillfiltered Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) $89.99 View

The relatively young Mannochmore distillery was built in 1971 by Haig & Co. A stone’s throw from Glenlossie and a skip, hop, jump to Longmorn, its part of a group of core workhorse malts in northern Speyside that don’t get much fanfare outside of concoisseur and collectors circles. Only a tiny fraction of its production is destined for single malt production and even fewer sold as single casks. Their 3 sets of paired stills produce a fruit forward malty style of whisky that works wonders in high quality oak like this one. Distilled on February 5th of 2008 and aged for 14 years in freshly dumped Marsala barrique it was bottled in January 2023 at 51.6%. This single cask produced just 299 bottles bottled exclusively for famed Bordeaux negociante Mähler-Besse. Bottled straight from the cask, this single malt is non-chill-filtered, and no colorants have been added.

SPRINGBANK 21 YEAR OLD 46%

UK RRP £260 – £270

NOSE
Dunnage warehouse, old library books, leather, treacle and cinnamon notes kick off this rich dram.

PALATE
Viscous and thick on the palate, there are notes of dark fruits, bung cloth and dates, with touches of spice and peat smoke.

FINISH
A long-lasting finish, there are notes of salted caramel, toffee and the continuation of the peat smoke note.

This photo is credited to the teams of @frombarreltobottle

We’re hosting a special Gathering Dram-Along livestream, and we’d love for you to be part of the fun!

Join us at 8pm on Wednesday, 4 September on our Facebook page or YouTube channel for a special evening where we’ll unveil our exclusive Gathering bottlings live! Be among the first to discover these drams, hear the fascinating stories behind them, and share in the excitement as they’re revealed.

But that’s not all – we’ll have some quizzing, Gathering stories and plenty of chances to raise a glass with fellow members from around the world. It’s shaping up to be an unforgettable night!

So, mark your calendar, grab your favourite dram and get ready for a fantastic evening!

MEET YOUR DRAM-CIERGE

To help make the most of your SMWS membership, we’ve introduced a whole new level of tailor-made member services and personal guidance. With our members at the heart of everything we do, our DRAM-cierge is here for friendly advice, whether it’s a question about us, your membership or if you’d like us to share some whisky wisdom and recommendations. And if we don’t know the answer – we’ll track it down like a whisky ninja!

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

Penderyn Icons Of Wales 11: Patagonia – The Unbottling

Adam tries Penderyn’s recent collaboration with La Alazana, as featured in the July 2024 Whisky Showcase. Our members scored it 88.92 and put it in the “Fruity & Spicy” flavour profile.

Kentucky Distillers’ Association Welcomes 

Extended Stave as Newest Member

FRANKFORT, Ky.– The Kentucky Distillers’ Association today announced Extended Stave Warehousing in Lawrenceburg is the newest member of the non-profit trade group that unites and leads Kentucky’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry.

Located at 2160 Harrodsburg Road in Anderson County, Extended Stave features a 50-gallon copper pot still, 15 palletized warehouses with capacity to store up to 16,400 barrels each, once fully constructed, and an event space for clients and brands.

The company focuses on third party client barrel storage along with brokerage and sourcing of barrels for investors, brands, and specialty end users. It was founded in 2022 by Lev Orlov, Jason Taylor, Carrie Trapp and Raj Patel.

KDA President Eric Gregory said, “With storage and procurement services continuing to rise in demand, we are honored to welcome Extended Stave to our Bourbon community. Extended Stave will grow to be a great resource for brands of all sizes.”

Taylor said, “Extended Stave has taken a new approach to Bourbon warehousing and brokerage services. Our services are unique in that we offer top tier client services with modern systems and the ability to service clients of all sizes from one-barrel investors up to full warehouse users.

“We have flexibility to serve the needs of all users within the industry and offer a personalized approach to each transaction as no client is the same. We are excited to build out our campus and grow with Kentucky’s booming Bourbon industry.”

Learn more at extendedstave.com and extendedstaveevents.com.

The KDA now has four Anderson County distilleries creating more than 700 Bourbon careers with $50 million in payroll for the county. The others are Four Roses, Wild Turkey and the Lawrenceburg Bourbon Company.

From a regional standpoint, Anderson and its surrounding counties have more than 25 distilleries responsible for over 5,000 jobs and a $404 million payroll. Annual regional impact is $2.3 billion and over $50 million in local and state tax revenue.

The Bluegrass region also welcomes more than 600,000 visitors to the KDA’s famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail® tour each year, pouring even more money into local hotels, restaurants, shops and government coffers.

KDA President Gregory said, “On behalf of the KDA and our members, we are pleased to welcome the team at Extended Stave to our growing family of Kentucky’s finest distillers and adding more jobs and investment to Anderson County.

“We look forward to working with Extended Stave as the industry creates innovative distilling processes, bringing new flavors to Bourbon enthusiasts and building Kentucky communities across the state.”

As a Class B licensee, Extended Stave joins the KDA as a “Craft” level member, aging between 1 and 10,000 barrels per year. Visit the KDA and its Kentucky Bourbon Trail® adventure at www.kybourbon.com and www.kybourbontrail.com.

Founded in 1880, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA) is the worldwide voice of Bourbon.

About the Kentucky Distillers’ Association:

Founded in 1880, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association is the legendary voice for Kentucky’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry. Its diverse and growing membership produces the overwhelming majority of the world’s Bourbon, from historic, global brands to emerging micro distilleries that are fostering the next generation of the Commonwealth’s landmark economic engine and its thriving, timeless craft. Member benefits include media relations, international trade development, private sampling events, technical assistance, economic development support, networking, legal defense, marketing strategies, governmental and regulatory advocacy and innovative tourism experiences through the KDA’s world-famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour® adventures. A 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization, the KDA maintains an open membership policy, champions a strong commitment to the responsible and moderate consumption of spirits, and fights to curb underage drinking and drunk driving. 

ralfy review 1040 Extras – My history with whisky auctions.

ralfy review 1040 – Black Friday 22yo single malt @49.2%vol: (Auction)

ralfy review 1039 Extras – My view of Feis Ile Whisky Festival.

J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery Celebrates Its Heritage with Launch of Classic Bourbon

Small Batch Bourbon Available Nationwide Starting Aug. 21st

FRANKFORT, KY (Aug. 20, 2024) – J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery, created by Jeff Mattingly, a descendant of distilling pioneer John Graves Mattingly, is honoring its family legacy with the release of its Small Batch Classic Bourbon on August 21st, on what would have been John Graves Mattingly’s 201st birthday.

The Classic Bourbon is the first flagship bourbon released under the J. Mattingly 1845 line of whiskies, and will offer fans a consistent taste profile they will be able to find year-round at retailers and online. “Previously, all of the J. Mattingly 1845 double-staved whiskey releases have been custom blends, created for specific retailers, our guests at the distillery, or by our blending team to honor a specific cause or event,” said Harry Richart, president of J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery.  “This classic double-staved release is now our anchor “house style” from which all of our custom blends, including your own, emanate.”

If early reviews are any indication, J. Mattingly 1845 is right on track – famed Whiskey Bible author Jim Murray scored the Classic Bourbon a 96, saying, “This is extraordinary bourbon for a 6-year-old, having been taken as far as it can go – a bit like an apple plucked from the tree when at its most carmine but juiciest… Every year you will find a very small handful of bottlings which is a real bourbon-lovers’ bourbon. Well, this is one of them.”

The J. Mattingly 1845 Classic Bourbon is a six-and-a-half-year blend bottled at 119 proof.  Like all J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery releases, this bourbon has undergone the Distillery’s signature double- staving™ process, allowing the whiskey inside the barrels additional surface exposure to charred barrel staves to impart more flavor and color.

“This bourbon is the very definition of complex, as well as one which appears to like to stretch a point as far as it can without being guilty of over-indulgence. Unquestionably this is due to the Double-Staving™ method deployed which, with its extra charring, has turned a 6-year-old into something showing the honeyed and toasted intensity of a bourbon a little over three times that age: remarkable. More remarkable is the feeling that just another summer month of maturation and this would have clicked from brilliance to failure: such is the fine line of success in the rarefied atmosphere of whiskeys at this stellar level,” continued Murray.

The Classic Bourbon is available at the Distillery in Frankfort, in select retailers, and online, with shipping to 46 U.S. states.  Suggested retail pricing is $110 for 750 mL.

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. Together father and son offer their proprietary double staving process as well as a custom bourbon blending experience unparalleled in the spirits industry, available on-site in Frankfort or online at https://jmattingly1845.com/build-a-bottle/

For more information about J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery visit www.JMattingly1845.com.