ralfy review – THREE great heavily peated whiskies in 2024

EDEN MILL ANNOUNCE LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIP WITH BIOTECH MIALGAE

Independent Scottish distillery Eden Mill has announced a partnership with leading Scottish biotech company, and Earthshot Prize finalists, MiAlgae, to repurpose whisky effluent, a by-product of distillation, to grow microalgae as a sustainable source of Omega-3s.

Global demand for Omega-3s, traditionally sourced from wild-caught fish, is driving unsustainable overfishing – with 16 million tonnes of wild-caught oceanic fish annually.

MiAlgae offers a circular solution by growing algae – the original source of Omega-3s – through an innovative process that eliminates the need for fish, ensuring a stable and sustainable supply of these essential nutrients.

In this first of-its-kind partnership with a distillery, MiAlgae will utilise whisky by-products from Eden Mill’s distillation process to nurture Omega-3-rich microalgae. MiAlgae’s process operates at scale and is cost effective, ensuring sustainability remains affordable without compromising impact.

Eden Mill has installed an effluent storage tank at its distillery as they progress toward the completion of their brand home, located just seven minutes from St Andrews. Due to re-commence distillation early in 2025, Eden Mill will open its doors to visitors from Spring onwards.

Commenting on the partnership, Rennie Donaldson, Chief Executive Officer at Eden Mill, said: “We are delighted to announce our long-term partnership with MiAlgae, making use of their advanced bio-technology to create sustainable Omega-3 from our distillery’s effluent waste. Sustainability is a hugely important part of our distillery plans, and for our business as a whole, so the team are excited to see a by-product given an environmentally friendly second-use.”

Douglas Martin, Founder and Managing Director at MiAlgae, said: “By partnering with Eden Mill, we will use nutrients from their distillery by-products to grow our eco-friendly Omega-3-rich microalgae. We’ll also upcycle the effluent to clean water. Their shared commitment to sustainability aligns perfectly with our mission to advance biotechnology for good.”

MiAlgae has recently been recognised as a finalist for the prestigious Earthshot Prize – founded by Prince William to find ‘the most innovative solutions to the world’s greatest environmental challenges’. What’s more, the firm also secured £14 million in funding to accelerate its operations and scale production to meet surging global demand.

Eden Mill will distil both gin and single malt Scotch whisky in its new distillery, which will also feature a retail space and cafe, as well as a bar on the top floor looking out over the Eden Estuary. More detail on the visitor centre and ticket bookings will be available soon.

Eden Mill

https://www.edenmill.com/

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.

MiAlgae

https://www.mialgae.com/

MiAlgae is a biotechnology company which applies leading advances in science and technology to improve food security and reduce the impact of humanity on the planet. Founded in 2016 by Douglas Martin, the company uses the by-products of whisky distillations to grow microalgae rich in marine Omega-3s.

In the past six months, MiAlgae have produced enough Omega-3 rich microalgae to save 2.4 million fish from being caught. They’ve also recycled enough wastewater in a year to fill nearly 300 Olympic-sized swimming pools and prevented the release of 150,000 kg of CO2—equivalent to taking about 500 round-trip flights between London and Edinburgh.

Day 0 – Dare To Dram Whisky Advent Calendar

Adam prepares for this year’s Dare To Dram Advent Calendar by exploring some of the samples his friends have shared with him recently.

Breaking News: Bourboneur officially Partners with BRBNFNDR

We’re thrilled to announce an exciting new partnership: Bourboneur® X BRBNFNDR. Bourboneur has always been dedicated to one simple goal: Helping the World Become Whiskey Wise”. As the premier online resource for bourbon pricing, education, and information, Bourboneur empowers enthusiasts to make informed decisions with the Bourbon Blue Book. This powerful tool provides the most accurate, updated and nearly real- time tracking of the value of your next bottle or the bottle you’ve been holding onto for years.

 BRBNFNDR shares a parallel mission: Helping You Find Your Perfect Pour. BRBNFNDR delivers bottles directly to you the moment they become available online from their vast network of vendors. Never wait in a line again. BRBNFNDR makes the process of discovering and purchasing coveted bottles of bourbon simpler, and more enjoyable. Combining Bourboneur’s accurate bourbon pricing index with BRBNFNDR’s powerful online bourbon-finding tool means one thing: We all win! Bourbon hunting just got even better!

Sign up now to stay ahead:

Bourboneur Bourboneur.com

BRBNFNDR: BRBNFNDR.com

They have a lot of exciting ideas in the works, and enthusiasts won’t want to miss out on what’s coming next. Cheers to this new adventure!

 BRBNFNDR X Bourboneur

Welcome one and all to our now live 162nd auction!  We have a plethora of fantastic bottles in this month with a particularly strong selection of older vintages to choose from, hailing from some of Scotland’s most prestigious distilleries.  With Christmas just around the corner this is definitely the time to stock up on that drinks cabinet.

Linkwood-Glenlivet 1898 Ian Grant & Co

First up is an astonishingly old vintage of Linkwood, distilled in 1898!  This was bottled by Ian Grant & Co, a small Glasgow based blending firm that were presumably Linkwood customers, and states on the label that it is “the oldest whisky obtainable”.  Given it was bottled around 100 years ago this has to be one of the oldest remaining bottles of Linkwood in existence today and is most certainly some of the oldest whisky obtainable, today as it was then.

Springbank 15 Year Old Duty Free Trade Sample Cadenhead’s 75cl

This Springbank 15 Year Old was bottled as a “duty free sample for trade purposes only”, before there was such a thing as ‘The Cage’. The original cage was located in the back of Cadenhead’s shop in Campbeltown. The whisky in this bottle was produced before the distillery was mothballed in 1979.  We know there are many of you out there who covet the Duty Paid Samples from Springbank, and this has to be the oldest one we’ve ever seen.

Mortlach 32 Year Old 26 2/3 Fl Oz

Next up is this fabulous old Mortlach 32 Year Old 26 2/3 Fl Oz.  Known as the ‘Beast of Dufftown’ for its muscular and beefy style Mortlach is one of Scotland’s most iconic and respected distilleries, and this bottle is no doubt a fine example of their longstanding commitment to quality releases.  Probably bottled some time in the early 70’s this offers a taste of a bygone era and is surely a must-have for any Mortlach aficionados out there.

Macallan-Glenlivet 1937 35 Year Old Gordon & MacPhail 75cl

And last but most certainly not least we have a Macallan-Glenlivet 1937 35 Year Old Gordon & MacPhail 75cl.  A very rare bottle this one, and to see it in such a pristine condition is really quite remarkable.  Aged for 35 years in sherry wood this pre-war vintage Macallan really ticks all the boxes.  Bottled by arguably the most famous independent of them all, Gordon & MacPhail, this bottling wouldn’t look out of place in even the most exclusive of collections.As always, we have a wide range of high-quality drams available from budget drinkers to blockbuster beauties and everything in between, so now is the time to delve into this month’s offerings and start building that watchlist.  Best of luck to everyone in the auction, and as always………..don’t lose your bottle.

SPRINGBANK SHERRY SERIES
AMONTILLADO CASK MATURED

This new Springbank 10yo bottling is the third edition in our five-part Sherry Wood Series, matured for 5 years in Bourbon casks followed by 5 years in Fresh Amontillado Sherry.

NOSE
There is an earthy, mustiness on the nose, along with notes of hazelnut, maraschino cherries and blood orange.

PALATE
Notes of cured meats, gorse and tobacco box are balanced with sweet hints of coconut and treacle.

FINISH
A dry finish with notes of wood shavings and tarragon. Age: 10 Years Old

Cask Type: Fresh Amontillado Sherry | Distilled: July 2014 | Bottled: September 2024 | 70cl Bottle | Strength: 55% ABV| Outturn: 9,900 Bottles | £90 (UK Price including VAT)

Mossburn Ben Nevis Cask Strength TPS Private Barrel 10 yr

Very occasionally an exceptional cask stands out among the many that lie slowly maturing in our aging wareshouses, specially selected by our Master Blender as worth of bottling as a single cask. In some instances the spirit is then also re-aged or ‘finished’ in a different individual cask to enhance the flavors that have evolved during the initial maturations. This selection of Ben Nevis is bottled at Cask Strength aged in a Maderia Hogshead. This is an excellent representation of Ben Nevis and worthy of a Party Source Private Barrel.

$79.98

About Mossburn Whisky

A young company with roots that run deep. The first bottling under the Mossburn name was released in 2017 as a range of classic Independent Bottler Malts. In the nearly three decades prior, the team developed and honed its skills in blending and bottling whiskies and a variety of other spirits. Their combined experience spans generations, with over a century of continuous family history in the Scotch Whisky industry.

ralfy review 1055 Extras – Price confusion with malt whisky.

ANGEL’S ENVY® RELEASES 13TH ANNUAL CASK STRENGTH BOURBON – INTRODUCING NEW TWIST WITH ADDED TAWNY PORT FINISH

ANGEL’S ENVY 2024 Cask Strength Bourbon

Beginning in December, just 23,196 bottles of ANGEL’S ENVY 2024 Cask Strength Bourbon will be available for purchase nationwide in the U.S., at the distillery in downtown Louisville, and on angelsenvy.com (for delivery in select markets).

The previous bourbon releases from the highly acclaimed and award-winning Cask Strength program have featured Angel’s Envy’s traditional Ruby Port Wine finish. This year’s annual release offers a new spin by introducing a Tawny Port Wine finish blended with the traditional Ruby Port Wine finish to create a bourbon with extraordinary depth.

HAMILTON, Bermuda, Nov. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — ANGEL’S ENVY^®, the global brand that produces finished whiskeys at their Louisville-based distillery, today announced its 13th annual Cask Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Port Wine Barrels. This year’s release offers a new spin on the traditional annual release by introducing a Tawny Port Wine finish blended with the traditional Ruby Port Wine finish.

“I’m excited to continue evolving what fans can expect from the ANGEL’S ENVY Cask Strength Program in new yet familiar ways,” said Owen Martin, Master Distiller at ANGEL’S ENVY. “This year’s Cask Strength Bourbon not only honors the familiar flavors our fans love but also adds another layer of complexity with the Tawny finish. It’s a great example of our vision for innovation, staying true to our roots while striving to provide a fresh perspective on our cherished whiskeys and American Whiskey overall.”

ANGELS’ ENVY’S highly acclaimed and award-winning Cask Strength program is a longstanding tradition for the team where, each year, exceptional barrels from its rickhouses are hand-selected for an extended finishing process. This particular aging process imparts distinct characteristics to each release, resulting in a unique nose, palate, and finish. In addition to the Cask Strength Bourbon, last year, the program debuted the first-ever multi-award-winning Cask Strength Rye, further expanding the brand’s innovative portfolio.

Master Distiller Owen Martin and the best-in-class production team blended the mellow finish from Tawny Port barrels with the base bourbon’s heat to integrate seamlessly with the trademark Ruby Port, crafting a rich and complex profile that honors the Cask Strength tradition. The robust oak and toffee from the bourbon harmonize with the hallmark Ruby Port character, while Tawny Port adds a nutty, caramelized fruit quality that bridges the two flavors. Using the Solera Method for the first time at ANGEL’S ENVY, they created a continuous aging process that ensures consistent flavor, resulting in a bourbon of extraordinary depth.

The 13th annual ANGEL’S ENVY Cask Strength Bourbon offers caramelized notes of brown sugar and butterscotch, evolving into stone fruit, pear, and spice. The palate features crisp apple crumble and buttery pie crust, balanced with darker notes of chocolate, oak, and cinnamon honey, both nutty and floral. The finish is pleasant and enduring, with oak tannins mingling with rich port and bright fruits for a sweet and spiced finale. ANGEL’S ENVY recommends enjoying ANGEL’S ENVY 2024 Cask Strength Bourbon neat.

ANGEL’S ENVY Cask Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Port Wine Barrels (118.8-proof; 59.4% ABV) will have 23,196 bottles available for purchase nationwide in the U.S. and on angelsenvy.com (for delivery in select markets) beginning in December at a suggested retail price of $229.99 (on-shelf price may vary by market). Consumers can also purchase ANGEL’S ENVY 2024 Cask Strength Bourbon at the distillery in downtown Louisville beginning November 21 at 9 am ET, where Master Distiller Owen Martin will be on-site to sign bottles. Each bottle will feature a sophisticated design with embossed wings, gold foil labels, and an engraved cork metal medallion, making it a memorable choice for both savoring and gifting.

For more information and purchasing details, visit https://angelsenvy.com or on Instagram, @angelsenvy.

ABOUT ANGEL’S ENVY

ANGEL’S ENVY is a global brand that produces finished whiskeys at their Louisville, Kentucky-based distillery. Founded in 2010, ANGEL’S ENVY was among the first American whiskey producers to employ a secondary finishing process broadly across its portfolio. Today, each of its award-winning whiskeys are finished in hand-selected barrels to add a distinct layer of flavor and complexity, and the ANGEL’S ENVY team continues to produce several highly acclaimed core offerings – a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Finished in Port Wine Barrels, a Rye Whiskey Finished in Caribbean Rum Casks, and a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Finished in a blend of Hungarian, Chinkapin, and French Oak Barrels – as well as a variety of innovative, special releases.

ANGEL’S ENVY opened the doors to its distillery at 500 East Main Street in 2016, making it the first full-production whiskey distillery in downtown Louisville. In June 2022, ANGEL’S ENVY completed an $8.2 million expansion to its distillery, doubling annual guest capacity.

ANGEL’S ENVY is available in all 50 U.S. states and several international markets, and it is produced by Louisville Distilling Company, a subsidiary of Bacardi Limited.