Pennsylvania Rye Distillery Stoll & Wolfe Debuts 4-Year-Old Version Of Its Heritage Rosen Rye

The launch of the four-year-old single barrel version of Stoll & Wolfe Straight Rosen Rye draws from whiskey distilled from a rare rye grain type grown on an associated family farm a few miles from this Pennsylvania distillery.

Lititz, Pennsylvania – November 2024

Stoll & Wolfe, a Pennsylvania distillery founded on the ideals of reviving the exceptional art of Pennsylvania whiskey distilling, is proud to present the latest offering in its rare Rosen Rye expression, distilled from a rare heritage grain almost lost to time.

Rosen Rye, a type of winter rye first developed in mid-1910, was known to be a favorite of American distillers at the time. Sadly, the grain was eventually “forgotten” because of cross-contamination by more common varieties.

A revival of Rosen in 2015 led to the involvement of the distillery team at Stoll & Wolfe, including Erik Wolfe and former legendary Historic Pennsylvania Michter’s Distillery master distiller Dick Stoll, to bring this grain back to whiskey making. Stoll, in particular, was directly associated with this rye, having been the last distiller to produce a run of the whiskey before the Pennsylvania-based distillery was shuttered.

Unfortunately, Stoll, who distilled the first Rosen Rye in nearly 50 years in 2019, passed away before the final whiskey was released.

“Dick’s legacy is part of the founding story of Stoll & Wolfe,” said Wolfe. “This Rosen Rye whiskey we are releasing at four years of age reflects his vision in how we produce this heritage grain expression.”

A unique thing to note with this whiskey’s release is its ties to the family story of Stoll & Wolfe. The Rosen Rye grown for it comes from the Kline Family Farm, just two miles from the Lititz, PA-based distillery. The farm has a family connection with the distillery, as their shared 7x great grandfather William Kline started the farm in 1741, with it remaining in the family.

“I’m proud of my family’s direction connection to the whiskey in these bottles,” noted Wolfe. “It makes this particular release all the more special.”

The Stoll & Wolfe 4-Year Single Barrel Rosen Rye, bottled at 106.5 proof, is non-chill filtered and limited to just 220 750 ml bottles priced at $120 each. It is available now in Pennsylvania and nationwide online. For more information on how to get a bottle, visit HERE 

ABOUT STOLL & WOLFE STRAIGHT ROSEN RYE 4-YEAR

4-Year Single Barrel Kline Farm Rosen Rye. 106.5 Proof (53.25 ABV). Non Chill Filtered. Distilled in PA. 220 bottles at $120 each.

Nose: Ginger and brown sugar open on the nose, along with spice cake, cream soda, vanilla, candied citrus, and a touch of dark cherry.

Palate: The palate bursts its way open with rye spice, nutmeg and apricot, dark chocolate, and toasted oak.

Finish: A long-lasting finish then takes a sweet and rich turn, with toffee and crème brûlée, a hint of black pepper, and lingering rye spice on the tongue.

ABOUT STOLL & WOLFE

Stoll & Wolfe, opened in 2016 in Lititz, Pennsylvania, is a testament to its unwavering dedication to the revival of Pennsylvania rye whiskey. Founded by Erik and Avianna Wolfe, the team worked tirelessly with former Michter’s (Pennsylvania) master distiller Dick Stoll to lead the charge, particularly with the rebirth of the Rosen Rye grain type. Their timeless approach to the production of spirits, employing open cypress tank fermentation and a column still with a thumper/doubler, followed by maturation in a range of unique settings, is a reflection of their commitment to developing the core flavors of Pennsylvania rye whiskey lovers have come to expect.

We’re very pleased to present the 2025 Victoria Whisky Festival. The Victoria Whisky Festival will run through Thursday the 16^th, Friday the 17^th, Saturday the 18^th and Sunday the 19^th of January 2025 at the 5-star Hotel Grand Pacific located on Victoria’s beautiful Inner Harbour. To order tickets please contact Frank Hudson at info@victoriawhiskyfestival.com

OLD PERTH SOLERA

Old Perth Solera – a whisky like no other – crafted using a solera system that harks back to an era of sherry maturation that is seldom seen today. The solera system, commonly used in sherry production, involves fractional blending – a perpetual cycle of maturation that enriches the whisky with each pass. At Old Perth, this system combines ancient ex-bodega solera butts that have matured traditional styles of sherry for nearly 70 years with quality second fill Oloroso sherry butts. The solera butts used to create Old Perth Solera are not just any casks. Originating in Jerez, these ex-bodega casks once held Oloroso sherry – a dry, nutty, and complex sherry with subtle fruity undertones. After maturing sherry for around 70 years, these precious casks have spent the last two years in our solera system, adding to their already rich history. These huge casks can hold 680 litres, and their delicate nature presents challenges. At this age, the casks require extra care, and their tendency to leak results in higher-than-expected losses. However, the unique whisky they produce is more than worth the effort.

OLD PERTH SOLERA

Cask type: Bodega sherry butts
Colour: Deep Crimson
Nose: Spent matchsticks with intense fruity notes and sticky syrup
Palate: layers of treacle, old book pages, sticky dried fruits & a lasting sweet finish
ABV: 57.6%
RRP: £65

Available from select retailers. Click here to see a list of our stockists.

Buy Now

LONGROW 18

NOSE

This year’s Longrow 18 kicks off with notes of blackberry jam, walnuts, liquorice and a subtle smokiness on the nose.

PALATE

The peat smoke continues on the palate and notes of black forest gateaux, maraschino cherries, dates and dark chocolate ganache are introduced.

FINISH

A long, gentle finish, there are notes

of coffee beans, sea salt and peat smoke.

UK RRP £110 – £120

Whatever you’re expecting, this isn’t it! Gastronomic Fusion is a peated single grain whisky. But, even if you’re a regular grain whisky drinker, this one is different. First and most importantly, it comes from 100 per cent malted barley distilled in a column still. Secondly, there’s the fact that 40 per cent of this whisky was distilled from peated malt. Last but certainly not least, this whisky was matured entirely in bourbon casks.

Age: 8 years

Cask: First Fill Bourbon Barrels & Second Fill Bourbon Hogsheads

In regards to taste, this intriguing whisky offers a decadent foodie mix of aromas and flavours that are hard to resist. But don’t just take our word for it, you know it’s good when someone on the Tasting Panel let’s the word “stonker!” slip while writing their notes.

READ THE STORY

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

The Whisky Bothy – THREE whisky Books to see in the New Year.

Diageo Creates the Diageo Luxury Group to Unite Its Global Luxury Spirits and Experiences for the First Time

The Diageo Luxury Group brings its luxury offering, from rare and exceptional spirits to brand homes, into one new division.

New division will oversee management of the Diageo Luxury portfolio, creation of the luxury innovation pipeline of products, development of the private client business and luxury spaces and experiences at Diageo’s pinnacle brand homes.

Spearheaded by Managing Director Julie Bramham, former Global Brand Director of Johnnie Walker.

12th November 2024: Announced today, the Diageo Luxury Group is a new global division which unites Diageo’s luxury assets into one portfolio including key luxury brands Brora and Port Ellen, iconic Scottish brand homes including Johnnie Walker Princes Street and luxury wine business Justerini & Brooks.

The new division will be responsible for chartering luxury strategy and accelerating the growth of brands that retail at $100 and above, in partnership with their respective brand stewards globally. This is the fastest growing price tier in international spirits since 2020¹, underpinned by long term consumer trends, like a growing interest from young and diverse consumers² and the growing desire for intangible experiences in luxury³.

Led by Julie Bramham, former Global Brand Director of Johnnie Walker, who is also responsible for shaping and delivering the marketing transformation agenda at Diageo, existing colleagues within marketing, sales and commercial teams have been aligned under new strategy and leadership, as the Diageo Luxury Group aims to become the number one luxury spirits company in the world⁴.

The Diageo Luxury Group will focus on key influential cities around the world, Global Travel and the market of Great Britain, the home of Scotch Whisky. The news comes as Diageo Great Britain simultaneously launches the Diageo Luxury Company (DLC), a division within the home market. Operating within a broader price point of £30+, the DLC will focus on locally relevant luxury brand building and memorable consumer experiences, working with brands including Don Julio, Johnnie Walker, and Cîroc.

As overseers of some of the world’s most famed distilleries, brand homes and luxury spirits experiences, a trusted private client offering, and an extensive network of luxury experts, craftspeople and drinks industry talent, the Diageo Luxury Group will encompass:

• Diageo’s 15 brand homes and distillery visitor experiences, including Johnnie Walker Princes Street – which has welcomed over 1 million visitors from 141 countries since it opened three years ago.
• In Scotch alone, Diageo’s access to over 10 million casks from over 30 distilleries, approximately half of the total number of casks currently resting in Scotland. These include ‘ghost’ stocks from Port Ellen and Brora, appointment-only, luxury distilleries, and icons of the whisky world which have been meticulously re-envisioned and restored to their former glory.
• Shaping the future of Justerini & Brooks, one of the UK’s oldest fine wine and spirits merchants, including a luxury shopping destination at 41 Burlington Arcade and its outstanding portfolio of whisky and wine. Celebrating its 275th anniversary this year, it has become a symbol of quality.
• Relationships with an exclusive community of global clients, who enjoy extraordinary access to Diageo’s exceptional product offerings and its otherwise unattainable experiences.
• One of the whisky industry’s most established and diverse cask ownership programmes, Casks of Distinction, which offers access to purchase individual casks of rare Scotch Whisky from Diageo’s stocks. Only a small number of fully mature casks are selected and sourced from a range of some of Scotland’s most historic distilleries. Diageo will soon be announcing the second iteration of ‘The Twelve’ by Casks of Distinction, single cask offerings that will never be repeated or created again.
• Further transformational and iconic collaborations to come across trade partners, brand and innovation pipelines.

Julie Bramham, Managing Director, the Diageo Luxury Group, said “We are privileged to hold Diageo’s finest assets in our possession – a collection of exceptional brands and talented individuals that allow us to combine heritage with a forward-thinking drive. Bringing the breadth of our luxury offering together, alongside a focus on expansion of our luxury-based experiences, has Diageo incredibly well-placed to deliver for our clients and customers. I look forward to an exciting future.”

Luxury International Spirits is a $12.7B category (IWSR 2023CY), growing twice as fast as IS overall and the fastest growing price tier within IS since 2020 in both volume (12% CAGR) and value terms (18% CAGR).

[1] IWSR 2023

[2] Kantar, Diageo Brand Guidance System 2024

[3] Bain Altagamma 2023

[4] Per IWSR, market share of Prestige and Prestige+ International Spirits

About Diageo:

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B and Buchanan’s whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO). For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

Johnnie Walker unveils world’s lightest whisky glass bottle

Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ultra is the result of five years of experimenting and pushes the boundaries of luxury, craft and innovation

The world’s lightest 70cl Scotch whisky glass bottle was unveiled at London Design Festival, where Johnnie Walker Blue Label is a Major Partner

Johnnie Walker, the world’s number one Scotch whisky¹ has today unveiled a limited edition first-of-its kind, boundary-breaking innovation. Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ultra is the brand’s lightest 70cl Scotch whisky glass bottle to date and to the best of the brand’s knowledge and research, the world’s lightest 70cl Scotch whisky glass bottle² . The design takes bold strides and dares to experiment with a recognised paradigm of luxury.

Five years ago, Johnnie Walker set out with a specific ambition; to move the spirits industry forward. Having noticed that many luxury categories were heading in a new direction – ‘delicate’, rather than ‘heavy’ – the brand sought to experiment with one of its most luxury whiskies. Aiming to push the boundaries of lightweighting glass, all in the name of progress.

At just 180g without the closure, the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ultra bottle has been created by adopting a test-and-learn model, designing and exploring without limitation and imagining what the future of lightweight luxury packaging could bring. Along with external glass makers, the brand rethought all aspects of how the bottle is designed, made and transported: from hand-blowing the glass, to using a teardrop shape which, for the first time ever, meant reforming the iconic Johnnie Walker square bottle.

The result is an industry-first that, as well as achieving exquisite beauty, showcases what luxury, lighter-weight, lower-carbon bottles of the future could look like. As part of the Diageo Spirit of Progress action plan, Johnnie Walker aims to reduce the weight of glass used in its packaging; an ambition that is aimed at reducing the amount of carbon emissions associated with packaging.³

Whilst the technology is not yet available to launch bottles of this weight at scale, permanently, the knowledge Johnnie Walker has garnered is already being applied to lightweighting projects across the Diageo portfolio. In the course of its five years of research, the brand has been granted a UK patent⁴ and to encourage further progress in the industry – and in a first for Diageo – a license to the patent will be offered on a royalty-free basis to anyone in the world who wishes to share in these discoveries.

A new Johnnie Walker Blue Label expression was blended for this exquisite bottle by Dr. Emma Walker, the Johnnie Walker Master Blender. For this release, Dr. Emma Walker sought out liquids from distilleries such as Oban, Brora and Royal Lochnagar, as well as a variety of ‘ghost whiskies’, first made in distilleries that have since closed.

In celebration of this technological breakthrough only 888 bottles will be ever produced. A limited number of these limited-edition bottles will be released for sale in 2025 in selected markets worldwide (RRP £1000).

The bottle will be unveiled at London Design Festival on Saturday 14^th September. Johnnie Walker is a Major Partner of the festival and has partnered with designers Marshmallow Laser Feast to create a Landmark Project installation at the Old Selfridges Hotel in Marylebone, celebrating the design elements of Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ultra.

Johnnie Walker Global Brand Director, Jennifer English said, “Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ultra is a truly progressive stride forward for Johnnie Walker, Diageo and the industry. We didn’t know what we were going to be able to achieve when we set out to push the boundaries of luxury, and the result is something that many said would not be possible.

This new, lightweight bottle is a thing of exquisite beauty; but more importantly, it demonstrates what is possible when it comes to lightweighting glass. We will continue applying these learnings across our range, taking more progressive strides as we look to the future of Scotch.”

Global Design Director at Diageo, Jeremy Lindley who led the design project, said, “Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ultra was born out of an ideation session looking at the future of luxury. With other categories moving towards lightweight – such as eyewear and high-performance cycling – we questioned whether luxury spirits could follow suit.

“We took our vision to a team of expert glassmakers and throughout a five year test-and-learn process slowly discovered how to create elegant, lightweight glass. The technical challenges that lightweighting presents led us to incorporate various design and production specifications that we could not have envisaged at the start of our journey; from the requirement of a tear drop shape which we have moulded to still mimic the iconic square form of Johnnie Walker bottles, to the addition of a protective cage to allow for a round base, and the hand-making and filling of each individual bottle to avoid damages in production.

“Rather than hold this new knowledge close to our chest, we’re excited to be offering a royalty-free licence to our granted UK patent to the world. We hope that our discoveries will have a positive impact within the wider industry and help discover new possibilities for lighter, lower carbon packaging alternatives.”

¹IWSR 2023.

²To verify and obtain more information, please contact us at press@diageo.com. The previously claimed ‘lightest weight Scotch whisky bottle’ was launched by a UK retailer and weighed around 298 grams.

³Actual savings would be project and product dependent, but in general, independent studies show that, all else equal, for every gramme of glass reduced that means over half a gramme less carbon emissions in production.
– Source: British Glass UK glass manufacturing sector decarbonisation roadmap to 2050 page 6.

⁴Diageo has submitted filings to have its granted UK Patent No. GB2616831 B endorsed as licensable of right on the UKIPO patent register, and interested parties are invited to request a standard royalty free, non-exclusive licence from Diageo.

About Johnnie Walker: 
Johnnie Walker is the world’s number 1 Scotch Whisky brand* (IWSR 2023) & the world’s number one International Spirits Brand* (IWSR 2023 Relative Market Share), enjoyed by people in over 180 countries around the world. Since the time of its founder, John Walker, those who blend its whiskies have pursued flavour and quality above all else.

Today’s range of award-winning whiskies includes Johnnie Walker Red Label, Blonde, Black Label, Double Black, Green Label, Gold Label Reserve, Aged 18 Years, and Blue Label. Together they account for over 22 million cases sold annually (IWSR, 2023). Johnnie Walker is also the number one best-selling Scotch and number one trending Scotch (Drinks International, 2024).

*By RSV 2023

About Diageo:
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB and Buchanan’s whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO). For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives and ways to share best practice.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

EDEN MILL RELEASE RARE PEDRO XIMÉNEZ SINGLE CASK BOTTLING

Independent Scottish distiller Eden Mill has released an ex-Pedro Ximénez single cask bottling, representing the first in a series of rare single cask bottlings from the St Andrews-based brand.

After almost nine years ageing inside a PX cask, the spirit has taken on a beautiful deep, dark brown sherry colour – bursting with rich flavours of fig and raisin with an underlying hint of oak and red berries. The finish is sweet and woody, with a pleasant dry note coming from the European Oak.

The new release is bottled at cask strength 58.3% ABV and is limited to just 252 bottles. Whisky fans can get their hands on this limited release from Thursday November 21st. 

Commenting on the release, Scott Ferguson, Head Distiller at Eden Mill, said: “The entire team was blown away by the quality of this single malt. It’s got a very deep, rich colour thanks to the Pedro Ximénez cask. Exclusive maturation in this cask type creates a truly special whisky. It is the dream dram for those who love heavily sherried whiskies – sticky, sweet and warming – ideally enjoyed round a fire on a cold night this festive season.”

The release is only available on Eden Mill’s website, with a small quantity in their St Andrews-based shop on 96 Market Street, priced at £110.  Visit edenmill.com/products/px-single-cask

Eden Mill’s new distillery is located just seven minutes from St Andrews and will commence distillation early 2025 before opening its doors to the public in spring.

Eden Mill Pedro Ximénez Single Cask

• Cask strength, 58.3% ABV
• Exclusively matured in an ex-Pedro Ximenez cask
• Filled 4th January 2016, bottled 23rd October 2024
• Outturn of just 252 bottles
• Exclusive to edenmill.com and Eden Mill’s St Andrews shop
• £110

Eden Mill

Eden Mill distillery, established in 2012 on the banks of the Eden Estuary in St Andrews, was the first distillery to make spirits in the region in over 150 years. Today, Eden Mill has a unique selection of limited release Single Malts, and an extensive gin portfolio crafted from the finest botanicals, many sourced from in and around Fife..

Eden Mill has an ambition to create the finest gins and Scotch Whiskies with minimal environmental impact combining traditional distilling techniques with innovation. Eden Mill is building a stunning new distillery at the mouth of the river Eden, overlooking the iconic, historic town of St Andrews. The new distillery sits at the heart of the University of St Andrews Eden Campus, a unique site dedicated to sustainable businesses and research.

EDEN MILL WHISKY SELLS-OUT IN TWENTY FOUR HOURS

Independent Scottish distiller Eden Mill yesterday sold out its Pedro Ximénez single cask release after just 24 hours.  The new release represents the first in a series of rare single cask bottlings from the St Andrews-based brand.

Bottled at cask strength 58.3% ABV, there was an outturn of just 252 bottles which sold out at record pace. After almost nine years ageing inside a PX cask, the spirit has taken on a beautiful deep, dark brown sherry colour – bursting with rich flavours of fig and raisin with an underlying hint of oak and red berries.

Commenting on the overnight success, Hannah Ingram, Head of Marketing at Eden Mill, said: “Releasing a new whisky is always exciting. But to sell through all 252 bottles in a day is really quite incredible! We’re already excited to explore what the next dram in this series will be.

“With our distillery build in its final stages and distillation due to begin early next year, this launch also stands as a reminder of just how excited our fans are to get their hands on our single malts and join us on this exciting journey.”

The release was exclusively available on Eden Mill’s website, with a small quantity at its St Andrews-based shop on 96 Market Street, priced at £110.

Eden Mill Pedro Ximénez Single Cask

• Cask strength, 58.3% ABV
• Exclusively matured in an ex-Pedro Ximenez cask
• Filled 4th January 2016, bottled 23rd October 2024
• Outturn of just 252 bottles

Eden Mill

Eden Mill distillery, established in 2012 on the banks of the Eden Estuary in St Andrews, was the first distillery to make spirits in the region in over 150 years. Today, Eden Mill has a unique selection of limited release Single Malts, and an extensive gin portfolio crafted from the finest botanicals, many sourced from in and around Fife..

Eden Mill has an ambition to create the finest gins and Scotch Whiskies with minimal environmental impact combining traditional distilling techniques with innovation. Eden Mill is building a stunning new distillery at the mouth of the river Eden, overlooking the iconic, historic town of St Andrews. The new distillery sits at the heart of the University of St Andrews Eden Campus, a unique site dedicated to sustainable businesses and research.