MOSSBURN CASK COLLABORATION SERIES CONTINUES 

WITH MOSSBURN 12 YO DOMAINE DUPONT CALVADOS CASK FINISH

The latest expression in the series celebrates the decades-long friendship 

between the two producers with a whisky of elegance and intrigue.

Mossburn Distillers & Blenders Ltd today announces the release of a limited edition bottling of 12 year old Mossburn Speyside blended malt finished in Calvados casks from the renowned Domaine Dupont, a family producer with a history dating back to 1887. This expression builds on the success of the first Cask Collaboration Series that launched in 2023 with Mossburn Foursquare.

Mossburn and Domaine Dupont have worked together in many guises for several decades but this is the first time a collaborative bottle has been produced. The exclusive expression celebrates that longstanding friendship whilst embracing the modern world of whisky with this rare finish in Calvados, the French apple cider brandy.

The spirit started life as a classic expression of Speyside Malt Whisky, first aged for more than 12 years in ex- bourbon casks before re-aging in French oak barrels that previously held Calvados and Pommeau. It is released at batch strength, 57.2% abv.

Domaine Dupont is in Normandy, France, and is famous for making Calvados, a type of apple brandy, for which it is world-famous and highly decorated. The distillery can be traced back as far as 1887 as a farm and cider house before a focus on Calvados began in the 1980s. Etienne Dupont learned his craft in the cognac region before combining his new ideas with old expertise and even older orchards to produce a range of brandies that are truly refined and highly regarded across the world. 

Whiskymaker, Neil Macleod Mathieson, comments: “When looking at collaborative efforts, one likes to turn to one’s oldest friends. Daving worked with the Dupont family for 30 years and admired the deft touch with which they introduce oak to their Calvados, I was sure this would allow us to use their locally coopered casks to great effect on a Speyside malt finish, emphasising its typical heathery and floral notes. Even before casking, we were imagining Autumn days and spiced baked apples – what a treat.”

This release is the second in the annual Cask Collaboration Series for Mossburn Distillers & Blenders, that will see Mossburn blend and finish a different Scotch each year in a special cask finish using barrels sourced from a distinctive world-renowned distillery across different spirit categories.

12 Year old Mossburn Speyside blended malt in Domaine Dupont Calvados casks

Tasting note:                               

Nose: The nose carries an immediate honied florality with baked red apples coming through. A touch of vanilla cream, pink peppercorn and some oaky spice sitting in the background.

Palate: Light, well rounded and initially delicate on the palate, more weight, length, and a touch of fire kicking in later. The casks have added a subtle undertone of apple sweetness which marries well with the heathery cereal notes of the whisky and matches the light ginger and spice coming from the oak.

Finish: Finishes with complexity and some apple crumble notes of toasted hazelnuts, sultanas and toffee brittle.

RRP:                                          £65/ 80 EUR/ $90 USD

Stockist details:                         Master of Malt, Whisky Exchange

ABV:                                                 57.2% abv batch strength

Treatment:                                  No chill filtration. No colour added

No of bottles:                         

UK 1,400
US 2,580
Rest of Europe 3,540

Mossburn Distillers & Blenders is an independent bottler and blender and the whiskymakers behind Torabhaig Single Malt, set on one of Scotland’s most dramatic locations, the spectacular rugged coastline of the Isle of Skye. They also produce Caisteal Chamius blended peated scotch.

Mossburn Speyside Gold Medal 2023 IWSC.

WHISKYLAND CHAPTER FOUR BENRIACH 33 YEAR OLD

This is a single, refill sherry hogshead of Benriach 1991, aged for 33 years and bottled at natural cask strength of 55.9%.

One of Whiskyland’s most sparse and haunting landscapes is the Plainoak Desert. Many wanderers have lost their minds staring into the vast, fathomless bungholes that dot this stark tundra.

If you venture into the Plainoak Desert, be sure to bring the following kit:

4 pipettes, a broad variety of tasting glasses lashed about your neck with lanyards, dram tokens from Whisky Festivals gone by that you can cast into the depths of the bung holes in a vague hope of shattering their psychic grasp upon your feeble mind, a teaspoon, unread of copies of Whisky Magazine from the early 2000s, a pair of rugged canvas sandals and two bottles of this Benriach 1991 for company – ideally three!

A 33 year old Benriach fully matured in a refill sherry hogshead and bottled at a very healthy cask strength of 55.9%. This is also a relatively low outturn cask with a yeild of just 118 bottles, which has resulted in a beautifully concentrated and syrupy whisky with a layered, complex fruity profile. One for hardcore Benriach fans that lust for this distillery’s notorious fruitiness.

WHISKYLAND CHAPTER FOUR BENRIACH 33 YEAR OLD

This Halloween, we’re leaning into the treats. Which is good news if you’re looking for an excuse to cozy up with your favourite dram and start learning.

Whether you’re new to whisky or consider yourself a seasoned enthusiast, there’s something transformational about knowing more and more about the thing you love. For us, the winning formula of whisky education is how every lesson has the potential to open up a whole new world of enjoyment and appreciation.

So why not treat yourself to one of our online courses and take your knowledge to the next level? Use the code TREAT24 before midnight on Thursday 31 October 2024 to save 20% off any Certificate, Module or Diploma course.

👀 Browse Courses 

Cathead Old Soul 6 Year Old K&L Exclusive Cask Strength Single Barrel Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $74.99 View

 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

The Good Dram Show – Episode 571 ”Claxton’s Whisky’

Welcome to this week’s episode of the show in which I’ll be taking a look at some new releases from Independent bottler Claxton’s. The Good Dram Show with Chris Goodrum Episode 571 – Rummaging In Warehouse Number 1..! Filmed in The Revamped Study Nottingham

Featuring

Claxton’s Warehouse Number 1 (Series 8) Tobermory 2010 (13 year old) 50.5%

Claxton’s Warehouse Number 1 (Series 8) Mannochmore 1990 (34 year old) 44.7%

Claxton’s Warehouse Number 1 (Series 7) Speyside 1998 (25 year old) 53.8%

Claxton’s Warehouse Number 1 (Series 7) Tobermory (Ledaig) 2011 (12 year old) 53.2%

Claxton’s Warehouse Number 1 (Series 8) Caol Ila 2013 (10 year old) 58.3%

Claxton’s Warehouse Number 1 (Series 8) Campbeltown Blend 2016 (8 year old) 51.8%

www.claxtonsspirits.com

THE BUFFALO TRACE ANTIQUE COLLECTION RETURNS FOR THE FALL 2024 SEASON 

Celebrating 25 years of Weller at Buffalo Trace Distillery, William Larue Weller is the clear standout of this year’s exceptional lineup

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (OCT. 28, 2024) – The Buffalo Trace Antique Collection has returned for the fall 2024 season, representing some of the finest whiskeys produced by America’s Oldest Continuously Operating Distillery. This year’s portfolio includes all five Buffalo Trace Antique Collection (BTAC) staples: Eagle Rare17-Year-Old Bourbon, George T. Stagg Bourbon, Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey, Sazerac 18-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, and William Larue Weller Bourbon.

“William Larue Weller Bourbon shines among the Collection this year with its caramel notes and long, creamy finish. It’s fitting that this year also marks the 25th anniversary of Sazerac Company’s acquisition of the Weller brand,” stated Buffalo Trace Distillery Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley. “For more than two decades, we’ve worked hard to craft the signature flavors that whiskey enthusiasts love, both within the Weller brand and the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection. Our commitment to this tradition is stronger than ever, and we look forward to carrying it well into the future.”

Each expression in the Antique Collection is housed in a clear glass bottle, displaying its rich color. The back label on each bottle offers a detailed history and description of the whiskey. The limited-edition Buffalo Trace Antique Collection bottles are sold individually and available nationwide at a suggested retail price of $149.99 (local taxes and fees will vary).

William Larue Weller Bourbon

The 2024 William Larue Weller barrels aged over twelve years on the lower floor of a rick warehouse at Buffalo Trace Distillery at a barrel entry proof of 114. The Antique Collection’s uncut, unfiltered wheated recipe bourbon is hand-bottled at 125.8 proof and honors W.L. Weller, who pioneered the wheated bourbon recipe, substituting wheat for the traditional rye grain. On the nose of the 2024 William Larue Weller, a blend of new leather, light pipe tobacco, and caramel, enveloped by the warm sweetness of marshmallow and hints of ripe fruit. Rich caramel and toffee notes coat the palate with a long finish and oak, caramel, and fruit notes. The 2024 Global Whisky Challenge awarded last year’s William Larue Weller Bourbon “Best of Class” North America during the 2024 Global Whisky Challenge.

Eagle Rare 17-Year-Old Bourbon

Bottled at its initial strength of 101 proof in tribute to the original Eagle Rare brand launched in 1975, this year’s Eagle Rare 17-Year-Old Bourbon was distilled in the spring of 2007. On the nose, Eagle Rare 17 delivers complex notes of oak and caramel intertwined with subtle undertones of vanilla and pepper spice with a caramel sweetness evened by the spiciness of rye, toasted oak, and tobacco on the palate. A combination of caramel, pepper, leather, and oak, paired with roasted tobacco and dried fruit finishes this 17-year and 4-month-old whiskey. Last year’s Eagle Rare-17-Year-Old Bourbon marked the oldest release of the spirit since its inclusion in the Antique Collection. Several well-respected spirits competitions recognized the expression, including the 2024 Whiskies of the World Competition, where the 19-year-old whiskey won a Double Gold, Best in Class medal.

George T. Stagg Bourbon

Buffalo Trace Distillery first released George T. Stagg bourbon in 2002 in response to a consumer request for a well-aged, barrel-strength whiskey. The Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is known for its bold character reminiscent of its namesake, the original purchaser of O.F.C. Distillery, now famously recognized as Buffalo Trace Distillery. This year’s George T. Stagg sits at 136.1 proof and is comprised of barrels aged more than 15 years and two months. The whiskey presents a powerful aroma of deep aged wood, rich oak, and dark cherry. A layered profile of spice, oak, caramel, and a soft touch of cinnamon hit the palate. Its long and drying finish leaves a lasting impression of complexity and warmth. The 2024 International Whisky Competition awarded last year’s George T. Stagg First Place for the Best Bourbon, American, and Kentucky Whiskey.

Sazerac 18-Year-Old Rye Whiskey

Bottled at 18 years and five months and named after the official cocktail of New Orleans, the 2024 Sazerac 18-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey has scents of oak and leather with subtle hints of ripe plum, rye grain, and earthy undertones. Rye spice, smoke, dark cherry, and a touch of licorice jump on the palate. The finish on this year’s Sazerac 18-Year-Old Rye lingers gracefully, imparting subtle hints of tobacco and charred oak. The 2023 Sazerac 18-Year-Old Rye was honored with the Gold “Outstanding” Medal in the 2024 International Wine and Spirits Competition.

Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey

The team at Buffalo Trace Distillery filled the barrels for this year’s Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey at 125 proof over six years ago. This uncut, unfiltered whisky is now 127.2 proof, bumping up in alcohol percentage from last year’s nearly 125 offering. Inspired by the bartender who first used rye whiskey in the original Sazerac cocktail, Thomas H. Handy is bottled directly from the barrel, honoring its traditional method from over a century ago. The 2024 Thomas H. Handy is bold and invigorating with scents of freshly cracked black pepper and cinnamon. Spice and oak flavors are prominent, with a long-lasting finish of cinnamon, pepper, and clove. The 2023 Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey was awarded a Double Gold Medal at the 2024 Singapore World Spirits Competition.

About The Antique Collection

The Antique Collection was introduced more than two decades ago and is comprised of five whiskeys released each year in the fall: George T. Stagg, William Larue Weller, Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye, Eagle Rare 17-Year-Old and Sazerac Rye 18-Year-Old. Buffalo Trace Distillery has been humbled by the numerous awards bestowed on the collection from such notable publications as Whisky Advocate Magazine and Spirit Journal. For more information on the Antique Collection visit HERE

About Buffalo Trace Distillery    

Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1775 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee.  Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark as well as listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won 40 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Its George T. Stagg was named World Whiskey of the Year for 2022 and its Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye was named 2nd Finest Whiskey in the World for 2022. Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 1,000 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. Buffalo Trace Distillery also has a deep commitment to supporting charitable initiatives. Nonprofit organizations interested in learning more about the Distillery’s efforts are encouraged to register their charity here. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery, visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com

Hard Truth Distilling Co. & Mellencamp Whiskey Co.

Release French Oak Harvest Rye 

Nashville, IN – Hard Truth Distilling Co. has released French Oak Harvest Rye, the third in a four-part collectible series of sweet mash whiskeys in collaboration with Mellencamp Whiskey Company.

Each of the four collectible whiskeys from Hard Truth and Mellencamp Whiskey features a unique expression created by Hard Truth Master Distiller Bryan Smith along with Hud Mellencamp and Levi Collison, the co-founders of Mellencamp Whiskey Company. The final bottle in the series will be released in Spring of 2025.

“We were very pleased that the first two Mellencamp Whiskeys were very well received by the whiskey community and our fans,” said Smith. “Both Harvest Rye and Sweet Mash Special Reserve are sold out at the distillery, and we’re confident that French Oak Harvest Rye will be equally successful.”

Created to celebrate Indiana’s small, independent, and heritage farmers, French Oak Harvest Rye uses 100% Indiana grains, and a portion of sales goes to support sustainable farming initiatives and farming families.

“We have absolutely loved working with Hud and Levi on each of the three Mellencamp whiskeys. Both contribute significantly to each expression,” said Smith. “We came together because of our love for the state of Indiana, its natural resources, and the whiskeys it helps produce. The partnership couldn’t be better.”

Hud Mellencamp added, “Our collaboration with Hard Truth aligns perfectly with our values of supporting local farmers and sourcing high-quality local ingredients. I believe we’ve made some great whiskeys.”

“The experience working with the Hard Truth team has been extraordinary,” said Collison. “They have been incredibly generous with their time and have allowed Hud and I to be involved throughout the process for each release in the series.”

Each bottle’s label in the series features original artwork by Hud Mellencamp’s father, John Mellencamp. French Oak Harvest Rye showcases a self-portrait called “American Fool” — an oil and canvas artwork painted in 2020 by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame singer-songwriter.

French Oak Harvest Rye is currently available at Hard Truth’s distillery campus and will be arriving in stores throughout Hard Truth’s distribution network over the next several weeks. It is 104 proof (52% ABV) and has a suggested retail price of $69.99. Production was limited to 36 barrels.

The unique mash bill of 72 percent rye and 28 percent corn was first featured in the original Harvest Rye. This expression, however, has been rested in new, charred French Oak barrels, which imbued additional flavor complexity to that first release. The French Oak shifts the flavor dynamic, leaning into and highlighting fruit-forward notes within the whiskey.

Tasting Notes

APPEARANCE: Auburn
AROMA: Toasted marshmallow, vanilla, rye spice, candied apricot
TASTE: Rich brûléed sugar flows into apricot marmalade, cracked black pepper, and vanilla
FINISH: Citrus peel and clove slowly fade to deep oak, cherry, and warming black pepper

About Hard Truth Distilling Co.

Hard Truth Distilling Co. is an industry leader in the production of sweet mash whiskey, and, in 2024, was named the Indiana Distillery of the Year by the NY International Spirits Competition.

In addition to its critically-acclaimed line of sweet mash bourbons and rye whiskeys, the Nashville, Indiana-based Hard Truth also crafts a selection of premium craft spirits, including top-selling Hard Truth Toasted Coconut Rum, Hard Truth Toasted Coconut Rum Cream, Hard Truth Cinnamon Vodka, and Hard Truth Maple Bourbon Cream.

Sweet Mash Rye, Hard Truth’s first whiskey to market, earned a spot with its original release in the top 50 of Fred Minnick’s Top 100 American Whiskeys of 2021. In 2023, a barrel-finished expression of Sweet Mash Rye was named #34 in Minnick’s Top 100 from more than 900 whiskeys tasted.

Sweet Mash Rye has also taken home a gold medal in USA Spirits awards, won double platinum medal in the ASCOTS, scored a 93 in Whiskey Advocate, and was named the #3 top American Rye in the world by the International Whisky Competition, known as “the Olympics of whisky competitions.”

In February 2024, Hard Truth released its first grain-to-glass Sweet Mash Bourbons. These include the main line Hard Truth Sweet Mash Bourbon, along with bottled-in-bond Wheated and Four Grain Bourbons.

Just months into distribution, Hard Truth’s Sweet Mash Bourbons have been critically and commercially well-received. In fact, Hard Truth Sweet Mash Bourbon won Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and Wheated Bourbon won Double Platinum at the American Spirits Council of Tasters.

Hard Truth’s spirits are currently distributed in more than 20 states, and the distillery has partnered with ReserveBar for online sales in more than 40 states.

For more information on Hard Truth, visit hardtruth.com.

This is a 15 year old single malt distilled at Loch Lomond Distillery in 2009. We made it by mashing together a refill hogshead of 2009 Loch Lomond single malt, with a 1st fill hogshead of 2009 Inchmurrin single malt. Both those casks were dumped together into an IBC, left to marry and then returned to the same two casks for a couple of months to continue marrying.

We re-combined them before bottling and reducing the mix by a few degrees to 53% in order to help bring everything together and emphasise the fruitiness of the combined malts. This was designed to try and achieve a bottling that had the full-bodied oiliness of Loch Lomond and the exotic fruitiness of Inchmurrin. We are really happy with the results, it’s a total fruit bomb and, we think,

a good value one at that too!

DECADENT DRAMS – LOCH LOMOND 15 YEAR OLD

Cask No. 39.198: Understated opulence is a summer escape in a glass, a real armchair dram with floral, rich and elegant depths. This latest Vaults Collection release dances on the tongue, a delicate nod to its Speyside origins.

Bottled a few years ago, this special release was originally destined for distant shores to be enjoyed by some of our international members. Fortunately, we’ve managed to secure a limited number of these for our members here in the UK at an irresistible price.

Distilled in October of 1989, Cask No. 39.198: Understated opulence is a 30–year–old whisky that has spent three decades gently maturing, first in an ex–bourbon hogshead and then in a second fill toasted hogshead. Expect heady notes of Hawaiian lei garlands, vintage pipe pouches, tobacco, and frangipani tree to round out this rare Light & Delicate offering.

TAKE ME BACK TO SUMMER

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

2008 Port Dundas 15 Year Old “Signatory” K&L Exclusive Refill Oloroso Sherry Cask Strength Non Chillfiltered Lowland Single Grain Scotch Whisky (700ml) $54.99 View

2012 GlenAllachie 11 Year Old “Signatory” K&L Exclusive First Fill Oloroso Sherry Cask Strength Non Chillfiltered Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) $79.99 View

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