The Beast Whisky Weekend

and

Gordon MacPhail Closed Distilleries Dinner

at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge

April 25-27, 2025

I (Andrew) have been working with Gordon & MacPhail, Authentic Wine & Spirits, the Maligne Range, and the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge to organize an epic weekend of whisky in one of the most beautiful places in the world. This is not a Kensington Wine Market event, but you can be sure I will be attending!

Richard Urquhart from Gordon & MacPhail will be on hand to host three tastings at the Jasper Park Lodge, including a 6 course Closed Distilleries Dinner on the Friday night, as well as Benromach and Gordon & MacPhail range tastings on the Saturday.

Saturday night, the action moves to the Maligne Range Distillery and Restaurant in the Jasper town site for the “Beauty & the Beast Experience”, a tour, tasting, and meal. There will be live music and a charity auction supporting both the Fort McMurray and Jasper wildfire recovery efforts.

The price for this incredible once in a lifetime experience starts at $3000 based on double occupancy, $3767 if you are travelling on your own. The price will vary depending on the room you select.

What’s included?

• Two nights’ accommodation at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
• Welcome Gift ($400 value)
• Friday Night Gala Gordon & MacPhail Closed Distilleries 6 Course Whisky Dinner
• Saturday Breakfast
• Two Saturday Whisky Tastings Featuring 6 Whiskies Each
• Luxury Coach Transport to “Beauty & The Beast Experience”*
• Sunday Champagne Brunch
• Surcharges & Resort Fee

*Jasper Park Lodge can assist you with booking into the “Beauty & the Beast Experience” at Maligne Range, but to comply with liquor regulations, the cost can’t be included in the package price. Details and pricing on this are below.

We are also looking at arranging transportation options from Edmonton International Airport, for those who need it.

You will find the event program and more details below. We are still working on the final pour lists for the two Saturday tastings.

This is an awesome package, please don’t hesitate to email me if you have any questions.

Registrations are through the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge.

Click on this link to go to the registrations page.

A concierge can help you with your booking and any questions.

The Gordon & MacPhail Closed Distilleries Dinner with Richard Urquhart

Friday April 25

When was the last time you tried a Port Ellen, let alone a 42 year old Port Ellen? Have you ever tried whiskies from Convalmore, Glenlochy, or North Port? Here’s your chance! Kick off the weekend with an unforgettable six-course gala dinner designed to elevate your dining experience, paired with premium whiskies. Each course is thoughtfully paired with the finest selections, allowing you to explore and compare multiple flavour profiles. The Closed Distilleries Dinner will feature the six whiskies from Gordon & MacPhail’s Recollection Series 3; collectively 232 years of whisky with a combined retail price of close to $45,000.00. The range:

1. Rosebank 1991 32 Year
2. Imperial 1990 33 Year
3. Convalmore 1984 39 Year
4. North Port (Brechin) 1981 42 Year
5. Glenlochy 1979 44 Year
6. Port Ellen 1981 42 Year

Benromach Distillery Master Class with Richard Urquhart

11 AM Saturday April 26

For those not taking to the slopes, we will kick off the day with a Benromach vertical tasting at 11 AM. Richard Urquhart will guide you through a range of six Benromach single malts, including a couple of single casks, and a Gordon & MacPhail Private Collection Benromach 1982.

Gordon & MacPhail Après Ski Master Class with Richard Urquhart – 3 PM 

Whether you carved any turns or not, you’ll be invited to join us for an Après Ski Gordon & MacPhail Master Class with Richard Urquhart. The range will include whiskies from Gordon & MacPhail’s Distillery Label and Connoisseurs Choice ranges, all of them 20-30+ years of age.

The “Beauty & the Beast” Charity Auction & Dining Experience at Maligne Distillery

Experience an enchanting evening at the heart of Jasper’s rugged beauty while indulging in the rarest whisky Canada has to offer: The Beast. This exclusive whisky and culinary event pairs Jasper’s breathtaking wilderness (Beauty) with a once-in-a-lifetime tasting of The Beast, one of Canada’s most coveted whiskies.

“The evening culminates in an Auction of Four Remaining Bottles of The Beast, with proceeds benefiting the Pursuit for Jasper Fund, and Fort McMurray Firefighters supporting community development and environmental sustainability initiatives in Jasper.”

The price for the evening is $70 plus taxes and gratuity, including an appetizer, main course, dessert, and flight of four Maligne Range whiskies. Transportation to and from the event will be provided by Jasper Park Lodge. JPL can also assist you in your booking for the event.

Andrew Ferguson

Our first outrun of 2025 is here!

Our Q1 outrun kicks off the year with an exciting array of whiskies. We have something for the purists with a Benrinnes matured in a first fill ex Bourbon barrel. We also have a very limited Caol Ila that has been softened by unusually high evaporation. Rounding out our current releases there is a Craigellachie with a heavy oloroso influence and a Teaninch from a Maderia quarter cask bursting with flavours of fruit and spice.

The popular St Bridget’s Kirk Solera series continues with batch 4, our most cask influenced batch so far!

Craigellachie 2013, 12 years old
Benrinnes 2013, 11 year old
Caol ila 2013, 11 year old
Teaninich, 2014, 10 years old
St Bridget’s Kirk – Solera Batch #4

Please note that in order to better support our retail partners this outrun and future outruns is not being sold through our website. Links to stockists can be found via the tab on our homepage.

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

UNDAUNTED SPIRIT

Created in 1968 by whisky visionary, Mr. George Urquhart, the Connoisseurs Choice range has featured more than 2,000 bottlings from almost 100 Scottish distilleries.

George Urquhart is widely acknowledged to be one of the industry’s true pioneers. In 1968, when the vast majority of spirit went to make blended whisky, George created the Connoisseurs Choice to provide little-known distilleries a platform to have their whisky enjoyed in its simpliest form, as a single malt.

A master of maturation, Mr George was instrumental to the growth and international success of Scottish whisky, particularly single malts.

The Unique story of each Connoisseurs Choice whisky is told through its label: cask type, bottling date, strength, vintage and tasting note.

The March Outturn! As we explore the hidden depths of whisky, we go into the wood as Julien Willems, Whisky Quality Manager, explores different forms of cask maturation. The Society’s Whisky Team are sparing no efforts to uncover new and interesting casks for members to discover and enjoy, and this month is no exception. Here are a few cask adventure picks to get you started…

EXPLORE THE OUTTURN

READ JULIEN’S FEATURE

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

Japanese Whisky

Sakura season is upon us and so is the time to celebrate Japanese whisky!

This incredible region perfectly blends respect for preserving tradition with a modernistic approach to the whisky-making craft, preserving the harmony between past and future in their style. Discover the latest and best bottlings from Japan this month.

SHOP JAPANESE WHISKY

ralfy review 1070 – Lochlea Sowing ( 3rd Crop )

Johnnie Walker renews Lunar New Year partnership with James Jean

New Johnnie Walker Blue Label Limited Edition design for Year of the Snake is second created by influential visual artist

Significant investment to bring approximately 100 jobs to the City of Montgomery when facility is operational, and an additional 750 jobs during construction

Montgomery, AL – [January, 2025] – As part of its efforts to build an increasingly resilient and efficient supply network, premium drinks company Diageo North America announced plans to open a new manufacturing and warehousing facility in Montgomery, Alabama. The 360,000 square foot facility will have a multi-million case annual production capacity for Diageo’s leading beverage alcohol brands. This site will enhance the company’s North America supply chain operations and support future growth for the company’s export business.

The new facility, which will be referred to as ‘Diageo Montgomery,’ will provide a new point of operations closer to the company’s beverage distributors in the southern region. The site’s strategic location is expected to reduce required road travel, significantly helping to further mitigate carbon emissions associated with logistics operations. The new facility will also employ state-of-the-art technology for more efficient water and energy usage across the site.

“We are proud to contribute to the economic development of Montgomery, and deeply grateful to the city, state, and community leaders for their continued support,” said Marsha McIntosh, President of North America Supply at Diageo. “The new facility will not only bring our business closer to our customers and distributors in the south, but also enable our broader supply network to operate more efficiently and sustainably. This investment underscores our commitment to building greater resiliency into our supply chain across North America.”

“Diageo’s decision to open a state-of-the-art facility in Montgomery is a testament to Alabama’s ability to attract world-class companies and foster meaningful economic growth,” said Alabama Governor Kay Ivey. “This production and distribution hub not only brings high-quality jobs to our state but also reinforces Alabama’s reputation as a premier location for global investment. We are proud to welcome Diageo to Alabama and look forward to the positive impact this project will have on Montgomery and beyond.”

This project is part of a broader multi-year program across multiple geographies to strengthen the company’s global supply chain by improving its resilience and agility, delivering additional productivity savings and making its operations more sustainable.

Investing in Alabama

With an investment of approximately $415 million, development of Diageo Montgomery is currently underway, and the site is expected to be fully operational in the second half of calendar year 2025. Approximately 750 jobs will be created during the construction phase and, once operational, the facility will employ approximately 100 full-time personnel.

“Diageo’s investment in a new production facility is a significant step forward for Montgomery, Montgomery County, and the state, reinforcing our position as a leader in industrial and logistics growth. This new facility will create valuable jobs and further enhance economic opportunities throughout our region,” said Mayor Steven L. Reed of the City of Montgomery. “We are proud to work alongside Diageo, the Montgomery Chamber, Montgomery County, and our other partners to ensure the success of this facility and the lasting positive impact it will have on our citizens. This collaboration underscores our shared commitment to building a stronger future for our community.”

“We are honored to have Diageo choose Montgomery County for their new production facility,” said Doug Singleton, Chairman of the Montgomery County Commission. “This is a significant investment in our community, further strengthening the growing concentration of food and beverage businesses in the region. Montgomery County’s position as a logistics hub makes it an ideal location for companies like Diageo, whose presence here will create valuable synergies with other businesses. We are excited for the future and the lasting economic impact this investment will bring to our region.”

As part of a broader initiative to support Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs), Diageo has invested $750,000 across three Alabama institutions: Alabama A&M, Alabama State University, and Tuskegee University. The company has provided scholarships and financial support to future leaders at the institutions.

About Diageo North America

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan’s whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Casamigos, DeLeon and Don Julio tequilas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Tanqueray and Guinness. Diageo is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (LSE: DGE) and their products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, their people, brands, and performance, visit www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice. Follow on Instagram for news and information about Diageo North America: @Diageo_NA.

GreatDrams Officially… WORLD’S BEST !

GreatDrams’ Campbeltown Blended Malt Scotch Whisky Crowned World’s Best Blended Malt at 2025 World Whiskies Awards

In a triumph that has the whisky world raising its glasses, GreatDrams’ Campbeltown Blended Malt Scotch Whisky has been named the World’s Best Blended Malt at the prestigious 2025 World Whiskies Awards. This accolade cements GreatDrams’ reputation for crafting exceptional, sought-after whiskies.

The award-winning expression is a harmonious blend of single malts from distilleries within Scotland’s renowned Campbeltown region. Limited to just 157 bottles in batch one, this rare release has captivated whisky enthusiasts with its subtle smoke, vanilla, and toffee notes. The whisky’s profile has been described as having “marshmallow, cream soda, and sugar syrup aromas,” leading to “a lovely mouthfeel, with flavours of vanilla, soft fudge, and a hint of lemon zest alongside malty cereals,” culminating in “a big, peppery finish.”

Greg Dillon, co-founder of GreatDrams, expressed his delight: “Winning this award is like finding the perfect harmony in a dram—it’s music to our palates and a testament to our dedication to quality and innovation.”

Kirsty Dillon, co-founder, added: “We’re over the moon! This recognition not only honours our passion but also shines a spotlight on the rich heritage of Campbeltown whisky. Time to crack open a bottle and celebrate!”

Whisky aficionados eager to experience this award-winning dram can find more details and secure their bottle at the links below.

We have been asked to release a Campbeltown for YEARS so to be finally able to and to have already won two of the biggest awards at the World Whiskies Awards with it… well… that’s a solid result eh?!

We have to call this a blended malt as it has been Teaspooned with another malt whisky so it cannot be called a Single Malt but it is in fact 99.9999999% from one distillery… which asked not to be named… Think Campbeltown… think iconic… think cult status… think anagrams of (a) legion (of) cats. Did we say too much? Uh oh.

Thanks as always for your support, kind messages and all the time you take to talk whisky with us online and at events, it means a lot and we will never take it for granted,

Slàinte, cheers!

Greg and Kirsty Dillon, Founders of GreatDrams.com

Top tasters 🥃

Nose, palate, finish… what? If tasting whisky feels more confusing than amusing, this is how to taste like a pro

Did you know that there’s a difference between drinking and tasting? We’re strong advocates for both here at Milroy’s. The difference: how much you’re analysing your whisky. Drinking is just kicking back and enjoying. Tasting is delving into a whisky’s appearance, nose palate, finish to assess and describe what’s going on in the glass.

While you don’t need to write tasting notes or examine your dram to savour it, it can be useful to know how. Here are our team’s top tips if you want to really taste your whisky:

🥃 Take it slowly. Don’t overwhelm your nose or palate by sticking your nose right in the glass or taking a huge sip straight away!

🥃 A whisky’s appearance doesn’t actually mean all that much. Don’t get caught up in it.

🥃 Finding it hard? Like almost everything in life, tasting gets easier with practice. And if you really aren’t vibing with it, it doesn’t matter. Just enjoy your whisky!

Looking for a dram to practice with? This red wine cask-finished Tomatin 8 Year Old from independent bottler Finn Thomson is a vibrant delight.

Scroll on for more top tasting tips – and check out more of our flavoursome favourites for tasting practice below!

Explore all how to taste tips