Ever picked a whisky because you liked the look of the label? We’ve all been there. When browsing the shelves, how do you decipher the clues and decide what’s what without getting lost? There are several rules relating to the labelling of Scotch whisky and the labels themselves carry a great deal of detail, as explained in this blog post.📖 Read the Post
Mark Dermul, Belgian whiskyblogger, tries a bourbon. Legend has it that Elijah Craig, a reverend from Virginia, is the father of bourbon, as he started distilling back in 1789, which is also shown on the bottles. He is credited with being the first to put his distillate in charred oak barrels, one of the key requirements to be classified as bourbon. Today, his bourbon is produced at Heaven Hill. In the glass sits the Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel, which is basically the regular Small Batch, finished in specially toasted oak barrels, created in collaboration with the Independent Stave Company, who used 18 month air dried oak to create the barrels.
AULTMORE Launches The Cask Finish Collection – A New Travel Retail Exclusive
HAMILTON, BERMUDA July 2024, AULTMORE® Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky has launched The Cask Finish Collection – a new travel retail exclusive.
Established by Alexander Edward in 1897, AULTMORE distillery sits in the sweeping hills of Moray, on the road to Buckie. A Single Malt renowned for its ethereal character, ‘Speyside’s Best Kept Secret’ is prized for its purity and finely balanced quality of its spirit.
The AULTMORE Cask Finish Collection is a development of the existing global travel retail range, with a move to different cask finishes for each expression, as well as smaller, more giftable 50cl bottles and plastic-free packaging.
The collection presents a new flavour perspective on the nuanced spirit of AULTMORE. Intrigued by the impact of finishing such a delicate whisky, Malt Master Stephanie Macleod and the blending team have crafted a mirrored image of the distillery’s core range, choosing a different cask type and finish for each age statement to enhance and complement the much-revered light, herbal, grassy character of AULTMORE and not mask it.
The AULTMORE Cask Finish Collection is composed of a 12-, 18-, 21- and 25-year- old, the primary cask type for all four whiskies are refill hogshead and barrels. The 12-year-old is finished in second-fill Oloroso Sherry casks which impart soft, creamy toffee notes. The 18-year-old is finished in second-fill Madeira wine casks, delivering exotic fruit aromas and a hint of dry spice. The 21-year-old boasts a finish in second-fill Calvados brandy casks and is full of apple and toasted almond notes. The 25-year-old, which recently won the International Whisky Competition’s Whisky of the Year award, offers intense tropical notes, beeswax and spice, having been finished in rich first-fill Oloroso Sherry casks. As well as being interested in different finishing cask types for this collection Stephanie was also intrigued by the impact of second-fill casks versus first-fill casks, which is demonstrated in the 12- and 25-year-old expressions.
“AULTMORE is usually all about heralding its spirits and the wood, with little intervention,” says Malt Master Stephanie Macleod. “This collection takes a different approach and shows AULTMORE in a contrasting light, while still allowing the distillery’s character to shine through.”
All four whiskies in The AULTMORE Cask Finish Collection are bottled at 46% ABV, are non-chill-filtered and have natural colour. The move to a smaller 50cl bottle size makes for a more collectable, giftable set and easy-to-carry size, while allowing for wider travel retail distribution.
The new collection has fully recyclable secondary packaging and a new tin seal on the bottle, making the packaging entirely plastic free, in keeping with Bacardi’s global sustainability commitments.
Launching from June in the UK and IMEA, and then later in the year in APAC, the RRP for each respective whisky is: 12 Years Old: $58; 18 Years Old: $170; 21 Years Old: $250; 25 Years Old: $500.
TASTING NOTES:
AULTMORE® Cask Finish Collection 12 Year Old 2nd Fill Oloroso Finish:
“Elegant and floral with summer fruits and soft creamy toffee notes with hints of cinnamon.”
AULTMORE® Cask Finish Collection 18 Year Old 2nd Fill Madeira Finish:
“Freshly mown grass, accompanied by sun-ripened red cherries with a twist of orange peel and dry spice on the finish.”
AULTMORE® Cask Finish Collection 21 Year Old 2nd Fill Calvados Finish:
“Fragrant, flowering apple orchards alongside almonds and delicate oaky notes.”
AULTMORE® Cask Finish Collection 21 Year Old 1st Fill Oloroso Finish:
“Balanced and complex with fresh figs, sultanas and dried tropical fruits mingling with hints of beeswax and cinnamon spice.”
About AULTMORE Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Founded in 1896 by one of Scotland’s oldest and best-known distillers, Alexander Edward, the distillery lies in the hills of Moray, on the road to Buckie.
Aultmore draws its water from the damp atmospheric area known as the Foggie Moss, famed for its purifying qualities; it provides the gorse and heather filtered waters that give a refined character to the spirit.
The brand’s core portfolio is comprised of AULTMORE 12 Years Old, AULTMORE 18 Years and AULTMORE 21 Years Old.
The Single Malt brand of AULTMORE is part of the portfolio of Bacardi Limited, headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited.
The first single cask Red Spot ever created is available exclusively at The Whisky Exchange. Aged entirely at Midleton distillery in County Cork and finished in Sicilian Marsala casks, this is a generous dram reminiscent of tobacco leaves, raw cocoa, prunes and raisins. The vivid fresh fruit notes we love to see in old Irish whiskies are especially noticeable on the palate with apricots and peaches mingling with darker hints of plum and blackcurrant. Soft tannins and a fresh, herbal side maintain balance over a long and elegant finish.
2009 Secret Speyside (Macallan) 15 Year Old “Signatory” K&L Exclusive #DRU 17/A197 5 Refill Oloroso Sherry Puncheon Cask Strength Non Chillfiltered Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
(700ml) (Pre-Arrival)
$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
Elevate your expertise and unlock the secrets of single malt Scotch whisky with our flagship Diploma course. Tailored for those working in the industry (in customer-facing roles) and enthusiasts alike (newcomers or seasoned connoisseurs), this immersive two-day course is your gateway to a deeper understanding and appreciation of the world’s most revered spirit. Study at either Arniston House (23 & 24 September, 26 & 27 September) or at the Port of Leith Distillery (14 & 15 November).📖 Learn More
The room block for WhiskyFest™ New York is now open at the New York Marriott Marquis. For a stress-free evening, plan to stay at the Marriott with our special room block rate good through October 28th or until the block sells out. For information and to book your stay, please click here. Still need tickets for our fall WhiskyFest events? Visit our website to purchase your tickets today.
Glenmorangie reimagines its signature whisky for even more deliciousness
— The Original reaches a luscious new flavour pinnacle as a 12-year-old whisky —
Glenmorangie Highland single malt Scotch whisky has reimagined its smooth, luscious flagship Glenmorangie Original to make it more delicious than ever. The Distillery’s whisky creators are always exploring ways to bring new flavours and possibilities to their single malt. And in the course of their experiments, they concluded that their signature whisky’s tastes were even more luscious at 12 years old than at 10. Shared worldwide to delight whisky fans old and new, Glenmorangie’s silkier, creamier The Original 12 Years Old catapults this single malt’s much-loved notes of orange, honey, vanilla and peach to a new pinnacle of flavour. What is more, its wondrous tastes and aromas have already been recognised with a prized industry award.
For 180 years, Glenmorangie’s whisky makers have been endlessly imaginative on their quest for deliciousness. They craft their more delicate, fruity spirit in stills as tall as a giraffe to allow more space for taste and aroma. Then they age it in the finest casks. The epitome of Glenmorangie’s house style, The Original has long been the Distillery’s flagship expression. But some time ago, the Whisky Creation Team began to wonder whether they could make that award-winning classic even more of a joy to drink.
As part of this mission, Glenmorangie’s expert tasting panel began a series of experiments with The Original. They revealed that this smooth single malt gains extra silkiness, sweetness and complexity when aged for 12 years instead of 10. And so, Glenmorangie decided to share a reimagined Original, to bring more joy to whisky drinkers around the world. Swirling with creamy vanilla and a rush of citrus, layered with honey and peach, this single malt takes The Original’s kaleidoscope of flavours to new heights of deliciousness. The whisky has been met with delight by the critics, who gave it a coveted gold medal at the prestigious World Whiskies Awards 2024.
Dr Bill Lumsden, Glenmorangie’s Director of Whisky Creation, said: “In 1984 when I was studying in Edinburgh for my PhD, I tasted single malt scotch whisky for the very first time. That whisky was Glenmorangie. I’ll never forget my first magical sip and how I became beguiled by its complex range of flavours. During my many years at Glenmorangie, I have always aimed to keep the whisky true to my memory of that first taste. However, recently my team and I started to wonder whether we could reimagine our flagship expression, The Original, for even more deliciousness. The result is The Original 12 Years Old! Smoother, creamier and even more complex, I like to think it “turns up the volume” on our signature whisky’s classic notes of orange, vanilla, peach and honey.”
Glenmorangie Original 12 Years Old will be available from Glenmorangie.com and the Distillery Visitor Centre from 9th July, then available elsewhere in the UK from August onwards, RRP: £40.
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THE ORIGINAL
Creamy with vanilla and a rush of citrus, The Original is where all our whisky-making adventures begin. First released by our founders more than 175 years ago, the original Glenmorangie was known for its mellow tones and delicacy of flavour. All these years later, The Original remains at the heart of everything we do. Like home, we carry it with us, no matter how far we travel.
To give The Original a delicious, go-anywhere finesse, we craft its spirit in our giraffe-high stills. Then we age it 12 years in bourbon casks where it absorbs all manner of delectable flavours. The result is a whisky which welcomes you with luscious layers of orange and honey, vanilla and bursts of peach. A smooth single malt, swirling with a kaleidoscope of taste.
TASTING NOTES
Glenmorangie Original is bottled at 40% ABV
Colour: Bright gold.
Aroma: Citrus and ripening peaches are balanced by vanilla softness.
Taste: Vanilla emerges, then gives way to a burst of flowery fruitiness.
Glenmorangie The Original 12 Years Old has already been rewarded with a prestigious gold medal at the World Whiskies Awards 2024.
RRP: £40
About Glenmorangie:
Glenmorangie’s whisky makers use endless imagination and five key ingredients – wood, water, barley, yeast and time – to dream up delicious single malt whiskies. They’ve been honing their craft for more than 175 years. They create a delicate and fruity spirit in stills as tall as a giraffe to allow for more taste and aroma. Led by Director of Whisky Creation Dr Bill Lumsden, this crackerjack crew are on a mission to bring new flavours and possibilities to the world of single malt.
Glenmorangie celebrates the joy of delicious single malt in every part of its universe, from its boutique hotel Glenmorangie House to its colourful brand campaign, shot by famed photographer Miles Aldridge. With its tagline “It’s kind of delicious and wonderful”, Glenmorangie invites whisky lovers old and new to see themselves in Glenmorangie’s world.
About Glenmorangie’s Whisky Creators:
Our Whisky Creation Team’s favourite phrase is “What if?”. And they are constantly challenging themselves to take whatever captures their imaginations and turn it into whisky – be that the magic of a walk in the woods (A Tale of the Forest) the joy of a cake moment (Glenmorangie A Tale of Cake), a cup of coffee (Glenmorangie Signet), a beautiful barley field near the Distillery (Glenmorangie Allta) and more.
At the helm of the team is Dr Bill Lumsden, Director of Whisky Creation. With a PhD in biochemistry and decades of experience, Dr Bill has all the skills needed to bring these ideas to life. Already, he has earned the admiration of his peers many times over. For instance, he has taken his place in the Icons of Whisky Hall of Fame. He has won the International Whisky Competition’s award for Master Distiller of the Year more times than anyone else. And he has been named Master Blender/Distiller of the Year by the International Spirits Challenge twice.
We know the weather’s been unpredictable, but your whisky experience doesn’t have to be. Whether there’s blazing sun or pouring rain, we have the perfect dram to match any mood and moment this summer…exceptional single malt expressions from only £59!
If you’re feeling a bit of wind-chill factor, go for something fresh and invigorating from our Light & Delicate flavour profile, with lots of bourbon cask impact.
Stormy weather calls for strong, robust flavours, so try something from one of our Peated profiles. You’ll find them smokier on the nose with meatier notes on the palate.
Often with sweeter, lighter and fruity notes, our Sweet, Fruity & Mellow whiskies are ones to enjoy while the sun is shining, perfect to quench your thirst.
Today’s rain is tomorrow’s whisky! Find peaceful serenity in our Old & Dignified flavour profile for complex and delicately forged characteristics.
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
Whisky distilling is set to return to Dallas Dhu, a closed scotch distillery that last operated in Speyside in March 1983. Aceo Distillers Co. plans to restart production in the next 12–18 months on the site, located 40 minutes east of Inverness. The distillery is expected to open to visitors this fall.
It’s officially summer and that means our fall WhiskyFest™ events are right around the corner. Now is the time to secure your tickets to the most anticipated whisky tastings around. Join us in Hollywood, FL, Chicago, or New York for an unmatched celebration of whisky. Learn from the industry leaders and sip drams from around the globe. A great night will be had by all!
