Archive for 2024

Lady of the Glen Presents Our Samhain Series 🧛 – Scotch Whisky News

Limited Edition Samhain Series:
Six Single-Cask Whiskies Celebrating Scotland’s Eerie and Mythical Past

The Samhain Series is a limited-edition collection of six single-cask Scotch whiskies.

The series celebrates Scotland’s rich folklore and eerie mythology, coinciding with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, the precursor to modern-day Halloween.

Each whisky in the Samhain Series tells a tale steeped in local legend, with evocative labels designed by Edinburgh-based artist and designer Steven Shand, who has over 13 years of experience in the Scottish whisky industry. Shand’s intricate artwork and storytelling complement the atmospheric whiskies, capturing a haunting essence of Scotland’s past.

The six releases include:

  • ‘Grizel & The West Bow Saint’ – North British Distillery Single Grain Scotch Whisky 30 Year Old, Refill Peated Octave, limited to 57 bottles.
  • ‘Hunting For The Gorbals Vampire’ – Glasgow Distillery Lowland Single Malt Scotch 5 Year Old, Refill Octave, limited to 62 bottles.
  • ‘The Devil Checkmates the Wolf’ – Auchroisk Distillery Speyside Single Malt Scotch 10 Year Old, 1st fill ex PX Octave, limited to 62 bottles.
  • ‘The Each Uisge of the River Spey’ – Benrinnes Distillery Speyside Single Malt Scotch 10 Year Old, 1st fill ex PX Octave, limited to 55 bottles.
  • ‘The Ritual of Oak & Mistletoe’ – Teaninich Distillery Highland Single Malt Scotch 10 Year Old, 1st fill ex PX Octave. limited to 46 bottles.
  • ‘The Witch of Beinne A’Ghlo’ – Blair Athol Distillery Highland Single Malt Scotch 10 Year Old, Refill Octave, limited to 53 bottles.

We have wanted to collaborate with Steven since seeing his contemporary illustration of Tam O’Shanter at the Fife Whisky Festival. His use of colour and detail was both a feast for the eyes and unsettling in a good way. We decided to celebrate Scotland’s Samhain festival by pairing richly illustrated Scottish stories with distilleries from the same regions. For the series, we selected some of our finest 40-litre octaves to highlight a broad range of rich flavours that would stand out like the stories themselves.”

A small amount of these bottles are available now through our website with the majority being available with our retail and export partners in the coming weeks. 

All releases were bottled at our site in Dalgety Bay by hand.

Bartels Whisky “NEW STOCK UPDATE” – Scotch Whisky News

Browse Our Bottles

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Pulteney 2010 – Aged 13 Years 

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Bablair 2009 – Aged 14 Years

Jura 2014 – Aged 9 Years

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 Bartels Whisky
The Stables
Pasture Lane
Ashby Folville, Leicestershire LE14 2TT
United Kingdom

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batches at K&L California – Bourbon Whiskey News

 

Elijah Craig 10 Year 9 Month Barrel Proof “Batch A124” Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $69.99 View

Elijah Craig 11 year Old Barrel Proof “Batch C924” Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $69.99 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

Whisky Wednesday Reviews Glenmorangie A Tale of Ice Cream – Scotch Whisky News

Glenmorangie A Tale of Ice Cream

This is unlike last week when I was able to wax-lyrical about a truly brilliant cask maturation. I’m afraid that this is the exact opposite.

From the mass PR send out for this bottle (never a good sign), through to my own naivety of thinking this could actually be a good product. A few years ago, I was able to get ahold of a sample of The Tale of Cake. That looked exciting, and it wasn’t. Another example of poor cask matured spirit in a fancy box.

Let’s start with the taste profile. Glenmorangie in ex-bourbon casks is one of the most solid foundations in Scottish whisky. So what went wrong with this? For me, this whole thing tastes so bitter. I’m so unsure how they’ve managed to concentrate such powerful bitter notes, with the smallest hint of pineapple. It’s such a two-dimensional flavour for nearly ÂŁ80 a bottle. This thing contains one of the fruity, peachy, and coconut notes that the bottle, blurb, and box won’t stop talking about.

Now for the marketing side of it. ‘High vanillin and bourbon casks.’ Vanillin naturally occurs on American oak. The char levels will dictate how powerful those notes come through. Now, these casks could have higher concentrations of vanillin, but you can’t taste it anywhere on this whisky. This entire thing is the epitome of putting rhinestones on a turd. You do get a unique ice cream swirled punt at the bottom of the bottle. At this point I’m running out of any saving grace for this thing.

I spent £80 of my own money on this, and it’s just so upsetting. Is this a showing that Glenmorangie can’t even get the basics right now.

I’ve never seen such a poorer attempt at trying to flog some below par liquid as something that should be delicious, decadent, and indulgent in a glass situation. Instead, what we have is a palid, weak liquid, wrapped in a reused champagne style of box from one of LVMH’s other brands.

Loch Lomond Whiskies Presents The Waypoint Series – Scotch Whisky News

Loch Lomond Whiskies Presents The Waypoint Series

A collection of remarkable whiskies inspired by the journey of discovery through exploration of flavour and of place.

Scotland’s most imaginative distillery, Loch Lomond Whiskies, is introducing a new collection of whiskies inspired by its iconic setting on the banks of Loch Lomond and its enduring quest for exploration.

The Waypoint Series is a celebration of the distiller’s commitment to flavour and its heritage in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs. Each expression in the collection will represent a significant ‘waypoint’ in the National Park and is crafted to capture the emotions evoked when discovering new and exciting expressions.

Comprising a collection of age-statement single malts, it launches with an exceptional 16 Year Old whisky, distilled exclusively in Loch Lomond’s Swan Neck stills and finished in the finest Cognac casks for 12 months.

The remarkable single malt tells the story of the Falls of Falloch, a hidden gem nestled within Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, where a roaring waterfall passes through the striking Glen of Falloch. Waypoint 16 year Old celebrates this iconic natural landmark, with Master Distiller Michael Henry inspired by its power and beauty, and the desire for exploration by travellers who make the journey through one of the Trossachs’ most extraordinary areas.

Loch Lomond Waypoint 16 Year Old is presented in a striking box featuring hand-drawn artwork by Welsh illustrator Brett Breckon. The illustration describes a mythical journey through dense trees, fauna and flora to the majestic Falls of Falloch. In endless detail the image has been intricately worked into a large scraperboard where the black surface is removed to reveal a crisp white below. As whisky-fans explore the artwork, new layers of intrigue will be revealed with every glance, with the whisky’s tasting notes subtly woven into the scenery.

Driven by a never-ending spirit to discover new possibilities in flavour and whisky creation, Loch Lomond is the only distillery in Scotland to house both traditional swan neck stills and its unique straight neck stills, making it one of the most innovative and inventive in world.

To create the Waypoint Series, Master Distiller Michael Henry embarked on his own journey of discovery to bring to life the stories of Loch Lomond through whisky making. The result is a collection of distinct single malts which capture the distiller’s signature style and Michael’s pursuit of imaginative thinking in whisky making.

Michael Henry, Master Distiller at Loch Lomond Whiskies, said: “The Waypoint Series captures our eternal desire to push boundaries, and will explore the remarkable places that surround our unique distillery.

“We are fortunate to live in a place world famous for its beauty and possibilities for adventure. It is a location which has drawn generations of explorers, driven to uncover new experiences.

“Loch Lomond Distillery captures this spirit in everything that we do. We respect but are not beholden to tradition as we navigate our own path to freely explore flavour in our own way. This is what it means to be Scotland’s most agile and adept Scotch distillery.”

Michael, who is the creator and guardian of Loch Lomond Whiskies, has a clear vision to bring creativity and imagination to a craft known for its traditional roots.

He continued: “We open the Waypoint Series with a remarkable 16 Year Old single malt distilled exclusively in our swan neck stills and matured in three kinds of ex-bourbon American Oak casks before finishing its flavour journey for 12 months in ex-Cognac barrels.

“There are so many layers to this whisky. There is depth in every drop, with each one bringing a different dimension to the collective character.  Beginning with aromas of soft citrus and honey blossom, it opens up with a sweetness of stewed apple, honeysuckle and honey blossom to taste before oak notes from the Cognac barrels come to the fore.  The finish is medium with notes of soft citrus.”

Loch Lomond Waypoint 16 Year Old is non-chill-filtered and natural in colour. It has a ABV of 46.2%.

Loch Lomond Waypoint 16 Year Old will be exclusively available through The Whisky Shop from 9 October, before being rolled out worldwide to specialist retailers. It is  RRP is £82.

To find out more about Loch Lomond Whiskies, visit: www.lochlomondwhiskies.com

  • Nose: Aromas of soft citrus and honey blossom
  • Palate: It opens with a sweetness of stewed apple, honeysuckle and honey blossom before oak notes from the Cognac barrel come to the fore.
  • Finish:  The finish is medium with notes of soft citrus.

About Loch Lomond Whiskies

Loch Lomond Whiskies is an award-winning, independent Scotch whisky distiller which has been producing the finest single malt whiskies since 1814.  As a Highland malt, it is part of the largest and most diverse whisky-making region in Scotland.

The original site of the Loch Lomond Distillery was established near Tarbert, towards the northwest end of Loch Lomond. In the 1960s, under the leadership of American entrepreneur and chemist, Duncan Thomas (who was instrumental in the ongoing success of Scotland’s oldest licensed distillery, Littlemill), a new site was created in Alexandria, which began a move to a more innovative philosophy and style of whisky-making that is still used today.

Located only a few miles from the famous loch, the distillery has a whisky-making capability like no other, using a combination of traditional swan-neck and its signature straight-neck-stills, which are unique to Loch Lomond Whiskies.

The straight-neck stills give Master Blender Michael Henry greater control over the distillation process, allowing him to carefully manipulate the flavour profile of each whisky, and providing a signature fruit, honey and soft smoke flavour profile.

Loch Lomond Whiskies is one of only four distillers in Scotland to have its own onsite cooperage, ensuring that barrel repairs and charring are carried out to an exacting standard, so every cask is perfect for maturing whisky.

The distillery’s multi-award-winning range includes Loch Lomond Original; Loch Lomond 12 Year Old; Loch Lomond Inchmoan 12 Year Old; Loch Lomond Inchmurrin 12 Year Old; Loch Lomond 18 Year Old; Loch Lomond 21 Year Old and Loch Lomond 30 Year Old, as well as Loch Lomond Single Grain (peated and unpeated) and the deluxe blend Loch Lomond Signature.

In 2023, it was recognised as the ‘Most Awarded Distillery’ at the globally renowned San Francisco World Spirits Competition, achieving multiple Double Gold and Gold Awards for its collection of malt whisky brands.

Last year, Loch Lomond 18 Year Old was revealed as The Whisky Exchange’s coveted ‘Whisky of the Year 2024’, achieving superior scores from the judging panel for its full-bodied and fruity character.

Killowen Distillery “Christmas in your glass” ✈ – Small Batch Irish Whiskey News

Killowen Distillery would like to announce their arrival at Dublin Airport Duty Free

As of today Killowen Rum & Raisin is now available in Dublin Airport Duty Free with ‘The Irish Whiskey Collection’. Once more the beloved Killowen BarĂĄntĂșil is available as an exclusive single cask bottling will go Live in-store (Dublin & Cork) at 4am on Wednesday.

This particular BarĂĄntĂșil is Killowen’s first ever 700ml bottling and 60 bottles will be made available tonight (Monday 4th) through the ‘Duty Free Whiskey Club’ 

The remaining BarĂĄntĂșil stock will be separated between Dublin and Cork airports. The whiskey itself is said to be Christmas in a glass as this Single Pot Still is finished in both apricot brandy & PX Sherry casks, offering Christmassy notes of dried fruits which balance perfectly among the ‘pot still spice’ and deep complex Killowen distillate.

Euro pricing as follows:

Christmas BarĂĄntĂșil Exclusive:
Duty Free – 113.50
Duty Paid – 129.00

Rum & Raisin Pricing:
Duty Free – 57.00
Duty Paid – 70.00

Happy Hallow Christmas

The Killowen Distillery Team

Glengoyne “It’s time for tea” – Scotch Whisky News

It’s time for tea!

Teapot Dram Batch No. 010 on sale now

We’re delighted to announce that Teapot Dram Batch No. 010 is now available to purchase on Glengoyne.com and at our Distillery shop.

This magnificent dram, inspired by a Glengoyne tradition, harks back to Glengoyne of old. A 59.4% ABV whisky that is rich with fruit, caramel and Christmas spice.

Historically, distillery workers throughout Scotland were given drams throughout the day. While most distilleries would give their workers new make spirit, hot off the line, the Glengoyne workers would be given aged sherry whisky straight from the cask; only the best for our drammers!

This release was crafted to replicate the whisky these drammers would have received on their shift, twice a day Monday to Thursday, and thrice on a Friday!

We hope you’ll love this release as much as we do.

SlĂ inte Mhaith,
Robbie Hughes, Distillery Manager

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The Whisky Lounge 2025 Whisky Festivals – Early Bird Ticket Offer! – Whisky Lounge News

Just a short one for you this time, more to come soon


We wanted to help put the sparkle and warmth into your bonfire weekend, with the announcement that 2025 Tickets for Newcastle, Bristol, Liverpool and Manchester are now on sale! We have evolved our sessions for 2025, plus our focus will be on all the many exciting new producers around the UK and globally, as well as some old favourites. The ticket offer below is strictly limited and once these tickets are gone, they will not be returning!

Newcastle, Bristol, Liverpool,

Manchester Whisky Festival 2025

The Early-Bird Offer!

  • 2 tickets, full price, are normally ÂŁ100, but for this week only, we are doing 50 pairs for ÂŁ40!
  • 20 Single tickets at ÂŁ20
  • Then 40 pairs for ÂŁ50 and 10 single tickets at ÂŁ25 each
  • Then there are limited tickets available at 2 for ÂŁ60, 2 for ÂŁ70 as well as single ticket deals
  • There are also some Enhanced and VIP ticket offers for each festival
  • For Newcastle, these deals have already been released (and snapped up!), but there are still some 2 for ÂŁ50 tickets available for the second session

  • Ticket sales started at 6pm this evening – you have been warned!!

This offer is limited both in time and numbers of tickets available so be fast!

Click on the festival banner of your choice below!

The new sessions are;

Newcastle and Liverpool

12-3.30pm (Early Session) and 5-8.30pm (Late Session)

Bristol

12-3.30pm

Manchester

Friday – 6-9.30pm

Saturday – 12-3.30pm & 5.30pm-9pm

Every ticket includes;

Entry into the relevant session

Glencairn Crystal Tasting Glass

All samples except Dream Drams and Cocktails

Shelter Point Distillery “Smoke Point – Whisky of the Month” – Canadian Whisky News

Smoke Point – Whisky Of The Month

The nights are drawing in and, here in Campbell River at least, it feels like we’ve had a years worth of rain in the last few weeks. The smell of woodsmoke hangs in the air, the wind has an extra edge to it and any extra warmth is to be treasured. With that in mind we thought this would be a good month to celebrate Smoke Point.  With subtle smoky, peaty notes and an underlying salinity that combines with its wonderful finish this is the perfect Fireside Dram.

For the month of November we’ve made our Smoke Point single malt an even more attractive proposition. This award winning single malt will be available at the distillery, and our online store, at $5 off. That combined with our free shipping on online sales over $140 makes this a great time to buy Smoke Point, and a great time of year to enjoy it too.

Buy Smoke Point Now

2005 Secret Speyside (M) 18 Year Old Signatory K&L Exclusive #DRU 17/A106 #37 First Fill Oloroso Sherry Butt Cask Strength ~ Scotch Whisky News

2005 Secret Speyside (M) *MACALLAN* 18 Year Old “Signatory” K&L Exclusive #DRU 17/A106 #37 First Fill Oloroso Sherry Butt Cask Strength Non Chillfiltered Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
The Secret Speyside (M) series is one of Signatory’s most prized. This lot of extremely high-quality, first-fill oloroso sherry butts was distilled at the exceptional distillery across from the town of Craigellachie on the Easter Elchies estate. While the bottler is prohibited from naming the source explicitly on their labels, they’ve been cheeky enough to add (M) and we’re certain here that this is not a bottle of MacDuff, Mortlach, Mannochmore or Miltonfuff. But, it seems that the Signatory was compelled to point out the incredible pedigree of these barrels due to their similarity to the house style of the distillers. Often, when Macallan is sold to third parties in bulk, it’s because the spirit was aged in barrels that aren’t in line with the distillery profile. Those less prized casks are generally intended for blending, and while the quality can be exceptional, it will never taste like a single barrel selection from the distillery. Those special bottlings are called the “Exceptional Single Cask,” and a similarly aged version easily commands $3-5,000 on the open market. We’re happy to settle for one letter of the eight to a few thousand per bottle. This first fill sherry butt was filled on July 11th, 2005 and dumped on July 1st 2024, just shy of its 19th birthday. Dense, dark and powerful, the prowess of this legendary house is evident here. This cask is sold exclusively at K&L, bottled without chill-filtration, coloring or water added at 57.7% abv.
(700ml) $279.99 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


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