ImpEx Beverages Announces the Arrival of Meikle Tòir Peated Expressions from The GlenAllachie

Independent Scotch whisky distillery The GlenAllachie revealed its new peated Single Malt Scotch whisky brand: Meikle Tòir (pronounced mee-kuhl tor) in the UK late last year.  ImpEx Beverages is proud to announce that this very special line of 5 year old expressions has arrived to the US and is making its way to specialty retailers across the Nation.

Spearheaded by celebrated Master Distiller Billy Walker, the launch introduces Walker’s first core releases to have been fully overseen by him since he took ownership of the distillery in 2017.

Meikle Tòir, which means ‘big pursuit’, represents Walker and his expert team’s relentless seasonal peated campaign at The GlenAllachie, which began in 2018.

Using mainland peat from St. Fergus, the peated production runs for around six weeks per year, producing approximately 100,000 Liters of Alcohol annually.

The peated label’s core range consists of The Original (50% ABV), The Sherry One (48% ABV) and The Chinquapin One (48% ABV), as well as annual small-batch release, The Turbo 2023 Edition (50% ABV). Each whisky carries a five-year age statement.

All Meikle Tòir expressions were subjected to a lengthy fermentation time of 160 hours – nearly triple the industry average – which adds a fruity, ester-rich character to the subsequent whisky.

Commenting on the new brand, Walker remarks “This incredibly exciting launch is a key milestone for us all at The GlenAllachie. Five years in the making, it represents the culmination of our endeavors since we took over the reins at the distillery. Our intention has always been to release a peated Single Malt, and this is no surprise to those who have followed our journey from the start.

Every element of the production process was carefully considered to ensure our vision was met. It’s not about accelerating the journey; it’s about expanding the experience. One of the key decisions was to significantly extend the fermentation period to 160 hours, creating thick, ester-rich distillate. Another was to use mainland peat, which delivers a more oaky style of smoke. These choices, along with the use of quality Oak casks, are all factors steering us in our pursuit of peated perfection”.

The Original 5-year-old was aged in expertly sourced first-fill Bourbon barrels, American Virgin Oak casks and Rye barrels, imparting “waves of stem ginger, sweet spice, and Oak-smoked sugar”.

After an initial period in American Oak, The Sherry One underwent additional maturation in quality Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso Sherry puncheons. The result is a Single Malt with “impeccable balance between dark fruits, mocha, treacle, and puffs of earthy peat smoke”.

The Chinquapin One was first aged in American Oak before being transferred into superior Chinquapin Virgin Oak barrels from the Northern Ozark region of Missouri, USA. Drinkers can anticipate “smoked spices, roasted nuts, campfire smoke, and crème brûlée”.

The Original, The Sherry One and The Chinquapin One all have a spirit PPM level of 35, with the mainland peat delivering a more sweet and oaky smoke style in comparison to the flavor contribution of a coastal peat.

The Turbo, a super limited annual bottling, captures ‘the heart of the heart’ of the peated distillate: the spirit cut with the highest phenol content.  The 2023 Edition, a run of just 2,500 bottles (600 for the US), was left to slumber in three American Virgin Oak casks and five Oloroso Sherry hogsheads for five years. The resulting whisky is said to offer “a powerful punch of peat, amounting to a spirit PPM of 71, alongside notes of toasted honeycomb, burnt orange peel, and worn leather”.

All Meikle Tòir expressions are proudly bottled without added coloring and non-chill filtered for optimum drinking experience.

The eye-catching packaging features a hand-drawn illustration by prominent Scottish artist Iain McIntosh that depicts the rugged terrain surrounding the distillery, including the iconic peak of Ben Rinnes. The complementary “earthy” color palette was chosen to hint at the smoky flavor profile.

For more information on where to find these incredible Meikle Tòir offerings, please email the office at Office@ImpExBev.com

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February 2024 Auction ENDS – 04.03.23

ENDS SOON: February Auction

A warm welcome to our February auction. Featuring over 7,000 rare whiskies and fine spirits, this is a unique opportunity to bid on some of the world’s most sought-after bottles.

From a 1950s official Laphroaig bottling to 1960s Ardbeg from Signatory Vintage, Islay features in great numbers this month. Alongside this, rare independent imports from Velier, a selection of single cask Balvenie, and an array of late 20th century Glen Ord all feature in February.

Discover a selection of our auction highlights below.

Laphroaig 11 Year Old D Johnston and Co 1950s

Iconic Signatory Vintage ‘Dumpy’ Bottlings

Balvenie Single Cask Expressions

Rare 1970s-80s Glen Ord

Rare Italian Imports from Velier

Almost 100 Expressions of Glen Grant

Browse entire auction today

Redbreast 19 Year Old Oloroso Sherry Cask

A style unique to Ireland, and which Redbreast is a textbook example of, the single pot still is defined by two characteristics. Firstly, the mashbill and secondly, triple distillation. The first sees malted barley combined with plain barley and potentially other grains, which gives the distillate a fruity spicy note. The second is described as polishing the spirit and letting those flavours shine out.

£213

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This elegantly sherried Redbreast was aged entirely in second-fill oloroso casks, making for a complex dram that balances notes of dried fruit and nuts with the distinctive spiciness of Irish pot still whiskey. After almost two decades in the Midleton distillery warehouses in County Cork, it shows excellent maturity with fine tannins and hints of dark chocolate. Outside of the celebrated core range, there are precious few Redbreast whiskies in the wild, so we are particularly proud to offer this limited-edition bottling exclusively to customers of The Whisky Exchange.

ralfy review 1016 Extras – On-liner meets Indi-bottler.

Sipping Success: Talnua Distillery Celebrates 5 Years of Crafting Unforgettable Whiskey

– And 2024 Olde Saint’s Keep Bottle Release Information –

Talnua Distillery, winner of best American Pot Still Whiskey at the World Whiskies Awards for the third year in a row, will celebrate its 5th anniversary this St. Patrick’s Day. Over the last half decade Talnua has experienced significant growth and is garnering attention both nationally and abroad.

Growing from just two gins and two core whiskeys at launch, the distillery now offers four core whiskeys, rotating special release whiskeys, and the popular distillery-only products Coffee Liqueur and Eggnog. The true stars of the show, Talnua’s Pot Still style whiskeys, have earned gold medals from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, the International Wine and Spirits Competition, the American Distilling Institute, and the World Whiskies Awards.

Currently, these offerings are only available regionally in Colorado, where the distillery is based. After hiring a Sales Director in 2022, the amount of on and off premise accounts has doubled in the state, making the spirits more available to Colorado whiskey enthusiasts. Lucky for whiskey drinkers outside of Colorado, Talnua is hoping to partner with a distributor to expand to other states late this summer.

This distribution expansion is possible due to the production space growth that has occurred over the past 5 years. The most visible example of the distillery’s growth can be spotted outside the facility in the two 60,000 lb grain silos storing the barley that is the heart of the Talnua mashbill. Production over time has grown by 8x. Talnua has traded in the humble beginnings of a single hand-made pot still making two barrels per week, for three custom designed copper pot stills with a production capacity of 17 barrels per week. This upgrade has increased production from 100 barrels per year to nearly 900 barrels per year, with a 2025 expansion plan for over 2500 barrels per year. All of this growth has also enabled the distillery to start doing contract distillation while maintaining a steady amount of Talnua spirits production.

The growth occurring at the distillery is not limited to its production capacity. Talnua’s footprint has tripled from 5,000 to 15,000 sq ft with a new tasting room and patio in the plans for later this year. To support the production and hospitality needs of the distillery, the Talnua team members have doubled as well. The tasting room proudly boasts awards for Best of Denver’s “Best Distillery Taproom”, Top of the Town’s “Best Cocktail Menu”, and Best of the Best Arvada’s “Best Distillery” as well as a 4.9 star review on Google Reviews and 5 stars on Yelp and Trip Advisor.

Talnua’s events programming continues to evolve with a rise in philanthropic events featuring special releases that benefit local organizations dear to its team members. Recent beneficiaries include Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital.

The future looks bright for Talnua as they continue to build out both their production space and a new Tasting Room to expand private event space and visitor capacity.

Whiskey lovers should not miss this year’s Olde Saint’s Keep special release whiskey unveiling at Talnua’s annual St. Patrick’s Day event. This year’s celebration will be held March 15th and 16th and marks the distillery’s 5 year anniversary. The 2023 expression of Olde Saint’s Keep Whiskey won Talnua “Best American Pot Still Whiskey” at this year’s World Whiskies Awards and this year’s expression featuring sherry, port, amburana, and virgin American white oak promises not to disappoint! At the event visitors can acquire their bottle of Olde Saint’s Keep whiskey while enjoying live music, food truck fare, pipe and drum bands, and specialty cocktails. Visit talnua.com for more information.

2024 Olde Saint’s Keep Special Release Whiskey

Talnua Distillery’s 2024 Olde Saint’s Keep Special Release Whiskey is American Single Pot Still whiskey featuring sherry, port, amburana, and virgin American white oak.

100 Proof / 50% Alc/Vol

Fewer than 1000 bottles available

After last September’s historic launch of our first island dram, we’re pleased and proud to announce the date of our next release of The Hearach single malt whisky.

Batch No.s 09 / 10 / 11 / 12
TUESDAY 26TH OF MARCH 2024
10.00 GMT

All batches will be on sale through our online store and at the distillery shop here in Tarbert that morning while stocks last.

You can also buy bottles from our network of specialist retailers and independent stores across the UK from that date as well. Our global friends will be also be able find the new release of batches appearing in their countries soon after.

Lots more information to come soon, meantime here are some wonderful words from whisky writer, expert, and friend Charles Maclean MBE about The Hearach…

“I can’t tell you how impressed I am…the flavour profile is truly unique. I have never tasted a whisky like it, and have rarely been so impressed by a first release.

What’s more, it really does seem to embody the island of its birth – sea-spray, kelp and smouldering peat smoke; elemental, but also gentle, faintly floral and with a texture as soft as a Gaelic song – very more-ish!

Layers of complexity, a fine balance of flavours, and distinctive character. I raise what little remains in my glass to The Hearach’s success.”

– Charlie MacLean

We’ll drink to that…

Le gach deagh dhùrachd,

Mike Donald, Chief Storyteller

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE HEARACH

The Fosse Gallery have extended an invitation to Cotswolds Distillery friends to view Annabel Playfair Travels from Italy to Home. Annabel Playfair was the artist highlighted on the Flaxen Vale Single Malt Whisky which is part of the Harvest Series.

On: Sunday 3rd March 2024

11.00am – 4.00pm 

At: Fosse Gallery Fine Art,

The Manor House, The Square, Stow on the Wold, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL54 1AF 

01451 831319

mail@fossegallery.com

You may view the exhibition in full at www.fossegallery.com 

The Exhibition continues until: Saturday 23rd March 2024

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Harvest Series Flaxen Vale Single Malt Whisky

The limited-release single malt is the embodiment of the Cotswolds landscape, expertly crafted with a blend of select American Oak PX and Spanish Oak Oloroso and Peated casks.

Tasting Notes 

Nose: Sweet dates, sweet brioche pastry, hazelnut

Palette: Dried raisins, toffee, touch of peat and toasted hazelnuts

Finish: Balanced, dry fruit, sweet patisserie pastry with a gentle peaty finish

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Was Alfred Barnard the original whisky influencer?

While nowadays we’re spoiled with a plethora of whisky books focussing on different whiskies and distilleries, Alfred Barnard’s “Whisky Distilleries of the United Kingdom” was really the first such project. In this video, Dr Gordon Steele discusses the book and its lasting influence with historian Fionnán O’Connor.

🎬 Watch the Video | 📖 Read the Post

ralfy review 1016 – SIGNATORY Mortlach 15yo @46%vol: (OSWA winner 2023)

The Whisky List acquires leading Australian whisky festival The Whisky Show

Australia’s largest online whisky retailer, The Whisky List, is delighted to announce the acquisition of The Whisky Show, a leading whisky event company that sees over 6,000 Australians sample hundreds of whiskies across its yearly line-up of whisky festivals across Australia.

Since its creation by David Ligoff and Larry Aronson in 2012, The Whisky Show has become the premier whisky festival in Australia. It’s a favourite for local and international exhibiting distillers, brands, and attendees alike, built on a simple idea of bringing the whisky community together to try exceptional whiskies. Prior to the inception of the first The Whisky Show, Ligoff and Aronson worked together co-founding Australia’s first whisky specialist retail store, World of Whisky. The Show has travelled to all parts of Australia, serving tens of thousands of whisky samples to over 55,000 whisky drinkers in the last decade.

The acquisition is part of The Whisky List’s ongoing commitment to enhancing consumers’ experience with whisky across Australia. “The Whisky List is thrilled to welcome David and The Whisky Show to our growing family of brands and experiences,” said Oliver Maruda, Co-Founder of The Whisky List. “We’ve been working in close partnership with The Whisky Show for several years now, initially with the development of the Show App, facilitating the rollout of virtual shows and events during COVID lockdowns, and assisting the running of their pop-up bottle shop at each Show. It was a natural fit for us to unite forces in this next phase of both of our company’s growth.”

The Whisky Show Australia will continue as a standalone brand. The deal includes The Whisky Show’s co-founder David Ligoff joining The Whisky List full time in the newly formed leadership role as Director Experiences & Events. “David has over 20 years of experience working in the liquor industry, with diverse experience including launching Australia’s first dedicated whisky retailer, World of Whisky, and running dozens of festivals and thousands of whisky tastings” said Maruda.

The Whisky List’s strategic acquisition of The Whisky Show aligns with its consumer-centric approach of catering to evolving consumer expectations, as well as capitalising on the robust growth of the liquor sector in e-commerce, and increasing demand for premium in-person whisky experiences.

“Whilst the last couple of years has been a time of innovation and optimisation for The Whisky List, we’ve updated our operating model to better service our growing customer needs to be in line with what global leaders in whisky retail, such as UK-based The Whisky Exchange, have transitioned towards. The Whisky List is now one of Australia’s fastest growing whisky companies. The direct-to-consumer online store boasts a growing distribution portfolio of local and international whisky brands and is now complemented by a premium in-person festival experience with the addition of The Whisky Show” said Maruda.

Sharing the announcement Ligoff says “We’re immensely proud of what The Whisky Show brand has accomplished. For over a decade over 55,000 Australians have discovered new whiskies and made new friends at our festivals” with Ligoff declaring “the TWL team has been a valuable partner for the last few years, helping us pivot quickly and stay connected by launching the first global virtual whisky festivals during lockdowns, as well as creating the world’s first whisky festival app which captures and shares real-time data on each SKU’s performance to our exhibiting brands. Through partnering on innovations such as these, we realised our united capabilities significantly enhanced the overall Show experience for both consumers and trade. I’m personally looking forward to the next decade of Whisky Shows in Australia with our continued single-minded purpose of providing Australian whisky lovers with their favourite whisky festival.”

Larry Aronson, who joined The Whisky List in 2021 to lead its import and distribution division, is excited to once again work with Ligoff. “David & I had an absolute blast together in the past, introducing new whisky brands into the Australian market. Having The Whisky Show join with The Whisky List feels like family reuniting, whilst enhancing our ability to build brands and maximise value to our customers and exhibitors.”

The Whisky Show runs its popular whisky festivals in capital cities across Australia. In 2022 and 2023, they introduced a series of niche whisky festivals. Returning for its third year is the cult-favourite Feis Ile – The Islay Festival, to be held on June 1st 2024, which will see favourite Scottish distilleries from Islay return to Melbourne to replicate the world’s most popular whisky festival down under. Held in partnership with the Feis Ile committee, the Melbourne event is the only official sister festival held at the same time for those who cannot make the annual pilgrimage to Islay, Scotland. Another niche festival is The American Whiskey Show, which is the largest whiskey festival in Australia dedicated to Bourbon, Rye, American Single Malt and Canadian Whiskeys. The USA Show will be returning to Sydney for its third year running and will be hosted in Melbourne for the first time this year. With well over 100 different whiskeys to taste, a rare whiskey bar, live blues band, and Texan slow cooked bbq brisket food truck, the festivals have evolved into unique experiences for fans of the bourbon and rye categories.

2024 Whisky Show Season

Tickets to all 2024 Whisky Shows are now available at: wsky.me/show2024

23 March 2024 – Adelaide Whisky Show

13 April 2024 – USA Whiskey Show (Melbourne)

18 May 2024 – Sydney Whisky Show

1 June 2024 – Feis Ile Islay Whisky Show (Melbourne)

22 June 2024 – Perth Whisky Show

6 July 2024 – Melbourne Whisky Show

20 July 2024 – Canberra Whisky Show

24 August 2024 – USA Whiskey Show (Sydney)

14 September 2024 – Brisbane Whisky Show

About The Whisky List

The Whisky List is Australia’s largest online whisky retailer, made by whisky lovers for whisky lovers. Established in 2018 as an online whisky search engine, they are now an influential force in the Australian whisky industry. They’ve worked with a host of Australian and international distillers through their virtual and in-person tastings, have released over 25 exclusive bottlings, and in their on-going partnership with The Whisky Show, travel Australia year-round showcasing some of the finest local and international whiskies.