BENROMACH DISTILLERY LAUNCHES LIMITED-EDITION 50 YEARS OLD SINGLE MALT WHISKY

Benromach Distillery in Forres, Scotland, has launched a rare 50 Years Old single malt nurtured by master craftsmen over the past five decades.

With an ABV of 54.6%, the whisky presents notes of lemon and subtle smoke on the nose. Stewed fruit aromas are complemented by orange zest and a hint of aged leather on the palate, before the liquid’s long, full finish ends with cracked pepper and that wisp of smoke.

The whisky is presented in unique handcrafted glass decanters created by Ross-shire-based Glasstorm, one of the UK’s most established hot glass studios.

Benromach’s handmade ethos and dedication to traditional methods has been echoed by Glasstorm who used a highly skilled ‘battuto’ technique to finish the decanters. This technique is only practiced by master glassmakers and sees the glass sculpted by hand, making each bottle a unique work of art.

Only 248 decanters of this single cask release are available worldwide, retailing at £20,000.

Keith Cruickshank, Distillery Manager at Benromach, said: “I’m proud to be distillery manager at a time when we release this exquisite single malt, the epitome of our dedication to create exceptional whiskies by hand.

“Each element of Benromach 50 Years Old has been crafted by hand using traditional techniques. This includes the decanter, which not only mirrors the spirit in terms of quality but also embodies the passion and meticulous attention to detail that has gone into crafting it.

 “It is truly a memorable experience for the team to be able to release this very special whisky; a single malt that has been made by hand and shaped by time.”

Brodie Nairn, Glasstorm owner, comments: “There is great synergy between the craftsmanship of glass blowing and whisky making.  It takes years to harness the skills, passing down from master to apprentice.   I first learned the battuto technique from a master glassblower over in Italy 25 years ago and in turn I’ve trained my team.  It has taken me a long time to find a project special enough to use it on but, at last, I found the perfect one.”

For more information on Benromach Distillery or Benromach 50 Years Old, please visit: www.benromach.com

Tasting Notes: 

Benromach 50 Years Old

• RRP: £20,000

• ABV: 54.6%

• Nose: Smooth citrus peel with hints of strawberry and a touch of smoke. Pineapple notes come to the fore, alongside fruitcake and a dash of lemon sherbet.

• Taste: Stewed fruit aromas are complemented by orange zest and a hint of aged leather. Medjool dates and flambeed banana give way to toasted almonds.

• Finish: Full and long finish with cracked black pepper and a wisp of smoke.

About Benromach Distillery

Originally built in 1898, Benromach Distillery was brought back to life by owners Gordon & MacPhail in 1993.

At Benromach, the team keep things simple: a handful of distillers relying entirely on their expertise and senses to make the finest handmade whisky.

Their processes honour the knowledge and experience used to make Speyside whiskies decades ago, because at Benromach they believe making whisky by hand delivers genuine character.

For more information, visit: www.benromach.com

About Gordon & MacPhail

Gordon & MacPhail is a family-owned premium spirits company based in Elgin, Scotland. Owner of Scotch whisky distilleries, Benromach and The Cairn, Gordon & MacPhail is also a Scotch whisky maturation expert, and the owner of Scottish Gin brand, Red Door.

Laphroaig 2024 Release – Islay Single Malt Whisky 30 Year Old 70cl · 45.8% ABV

Crafted with passion using the time-honoured production techniques that make Laphroaig unique, this expression takes on a new layer of complexity from its extended time maturing in American oak barrels, and European oak ex-sherry hogsheads and butts.

Floral and tropical fruits gifted by 30 years of aging balances the distinctive smoky notes for a truly unforgettable tasting experience. Bottled at a fixed strength of 45.8% to be enjoyed and savoured with friends.

Aroma: Fruity and sweet initially with very distinctive top notes of zesty orange and lemon peel, vanilla custard and treacle toffee.

Taste: More delicate background notes are revealed such as bergamot, sweet pastries and fresh thyme along with white pepper on the palette.

Finish: This is finally followed by a smouldering peat smoke and sooty campfire notes.

£774.95

Port Askaig 17 Year Old 2023 Limited Edition

A 17 year old matured in traditional American oak casks, chosen for its quality and age, blended and bottled at 51.8% to capture the best taste experience. In 2023 Port Askaig releases a 17 year old matured in traditional American oak casks, chosen for its quality and age, blended and bottled at 51.8% to capture the best taste experience. Approximately 9000 bottles will be available each year. Aged Islay whiskies are sought after for their taste, maturity, and limited nature.

The nose offers a charcuterie board with melon, ham, and grapes, intertwined with bonfire smoke and citrus zest. On the palate, dense smoke and minerality unite raspberry leaf and chocolate, culminating in red fruits and a hint of medicinal smoke with a herbaceous finish.

£124.90

TyndrumWhisky.com
The Green Welly Stop
Tyndrumwhisky, Tyndrum
Crianlarich, Perthshire FK20 8RY
United Kingdom

ralfy review 1045 – Thompson Bros: SRV5 8yo

Douglas Laing introduces Second Bottling within its Exclusive Old Particular Red Wine Cask Collection

Douglas Laing & Co. today announces the release of a Blair Athol 13-Year-Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky. This special edition, finished in a single Sangiovese Red Wine cask, is the second bottling in their exclusive Old Particular Red Wine Cask collection.

Each pairing in this collection is said to have been “meticulously selected to enhance the inherent qualities of the chosen Malt Scotch Whisky, elevating the complexity and depth to introduce new and exciting taste experiences.”

The journey continues into Italy with this second release, using a Sangiovese Red Wine Cask sourced from sunnier climates. The well-rounded and intricate characteristics of Sangiovese seamlessly intertwine with the rich depth of Blair Athol, bringing tasting notes of “dark cherries, dried fruits, spiced oak and sweet vanilla”.

Bottled at 48.4% alcohol strength and proudly without artificial colouring or chill filtration, this limited edition is expected to retail at £96.00 / €111.00.

Key Bottle Details:

• Finished in a Sangiovese Red Wine Cask.
• Premium red wax dip finish.
• Bespoke design and showcased in a black bottle.
• Neck tag included with QR code to bottle tasting.
• 48.4% ABV.

ABOUT DOUGLAS LAING & CO.

www.douglaslaing.com

Douglas Laing & Co. is a leading independent Scotch Whisky distillery, blender and bottler specialising in the selection and release of Single Cask Single and Small Batch Malt Scotch Whiskies.

The company was founded by Fred Douglas Laing in 1948 and is still owned and run by the Laing family – Fred Laing Jr and his daughter Cara Laing.

The company philosophy is to bottle the way the distiller intended – at a high strength and without chill filtration to preserve the robust and unique character of the Whisky. Douglas Laing’s industry reputation and many awards are a testament to this ethos.

Douglas Laing’s Exceptional Single Casks are an award-winning family of four distinct brands that carry Single Cask Single Malt and Single Grain Scotch Whiskies from a vast range of Scotland’s Distilleries. Each offered proudly without colouring or chill-filtration and at high alcohol strength, for ultimate and natural liquid quality.

Whisky is better when shared, so gather your friends together and dive into our latest releases!

LAWN MOWERS RUN AMOK IN AN ORCHARD 

CASK NO. 39.288

CASK:  1st fill ex-bourbon barrel

AGE:  11 years

NEVER JUDGE A DRAM BY ITS COLOUR

CASK NO. 60.36

CASK:  2nd fill ex-bourbon barrel

AGE:  9 years

FURTIVE GHERKIN

DISTILLERY 149 RARE RELEASE

CASKS:  1st fill ex-bourbon barrels

AGE:  8 years

THE DRUM MAJOR’S DRAM

CASK NO. 36.206

CASK:  1st fill PX ex-bodega barrique

AGE:  16 years

TORONTO PRONTO

CASK NO. 41.160

CASK:  1st fill muscat rivesaltes barrique

AGE:  12 years

UNDERWATER BARBECUE

SMALL BATCH BLENDED MALT

CASKS: 1st fill & refill bourbon and Spanish & American oak barrels and hogsheads  

AGE:  12 years

SMOKE DEVIL MARRIES A DELICATE SWEET THING

CASK NO. 122.64

CASK: 2nd fill oloroso hogshead  

AGE:  17 years

BROWSE SEPTEMBER OUTTURN

VIEW ALL BOTTLINGS

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada
Suite 160
104 – 1240 Kensington Road NW
Calgary, AB  T2N 3P7
403-969-8225
curious@smws.ca
www.smws.ca

Whisky making is like time travel: what we bottle today was created many years in the past, and the spirit we lay down in casks now is destined for many years in the future. Through time travelling, we learn from the past and look to the future.

To commemorate The Macallan turning 200 Years Young, we embark on a journey where time ebbs and flows and nature protects what is fragile and precious. Introducing two limited expressions that bring this to life through a new spiky red world, where time travel and nature connect and protecting spikes are the heroes.

DISCOVER THE COLLECTION

The Macallan TIME : SPACE is available to purchase through invitation from The Macallan, with price available upon application.  The Macallan TIME : SPACE Mastery will be available to purchase from The Macallan,  subject to availability and location, as well as via The Macallan Society Ballot in the UK and Europe. 

WhiskyFest Room Blocks – The Easy Choice

Our fall WhiskyFest™ events in Hollywood, FL, Chicago, and New York are shaping up to be spectacular evenings with world-class whiskies and non-whisky spirits, too! We want you to have the time of your life, and your safety is our top priority. Planning ahead will really pay off. Be safe and take advantage of the special room block that we offer for WhiskyFest attendees at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hyatt Regency, and Marriott Marquis. Room block availability is limited, so make your reservations today. Visit our website for more information.

Glencadam White Port Cask, 46%

THE REVIEW

Glencadam has been a distillery that exemplified ‘summer whisky’, for me.

Their 10 year old release is one of the best, most affordable whiskies around that sings the joys of fruity, light, highland whisky.

This white port cask release has been on my radar for a while. I purchased it a month ago and was waiting for a warm spell to open it; there is no better time than now!

Matured in ex-American oak before being vatted together and finished in ex-white port casks, this is another warm weather gem that branches across sweet and light, through to earthy and a little herbal.

Glencadam should certainly be on all of your radars regarding a ‘must try’ distillery style. But if you’re in the market for a very well priced, fresh, boozy style of summer single malt, this certainly should be it.