ralfy review 1109 – Glasgow 1770 Triple : @46%vol:

NEW CLYDEBUILT WHISKIES UNVEILED

AS £5 MILLION IS INVESTED IN BRAND

Distinguished Scotch whisky brand Clydebuilt today issues four new releases, including three Single Cask bottlings.

The boutique label, owned by independent whisky producer Ardgowan Distillery Company, has been laying down stocks since the company was formed in 2016.

Based in Inverclyde, Ardgowan Distillery began distilling its own malt whisky in June. While the spirit matures over the coming years, Clydebuilt “offers the opportunity for us to showcase our expertise in wood management and the art of blending”.

The award winning range is named to honour the River Clyde’s world renowned shipbuilding heritage, with the word ‘Clydebuilt’ ultimately becoming a byword for quality craftsmanship.

The firm demonstrated its continued commitment to the brand by way of a significant investment in mature malt whisky stocks to the tune of £5 million in 2025, with a further £4m planned in 2026.

CEO Roland Grain explained the rationale behind the investment: “Our bespoke Infinity Casks for Ardgowan spirit are designed for long maturation by their very nature. The stock we’ve already acquired, and this further investment, ensure Clydebuilt will have solid foundations for the decades ahead until Ardgowan Single Malt is truly ready. This is a key step in achieving our goal to double turnover annually until 2030.”

Experienced Whisky Maker and Ardgowan’s Distillery Manager Laura Davies oversaw and selected the casks, which were aged on site in the distillery’s traditional dunnage warehouses.

Comprising one Blended Malt and three Single Cask Single Malts, the latest tranche of releases from the independent bottling house includes:

• 27 year old 100% Sherry Matured Blended Malt – Speyside, Highland & Island (RRSP £95): a multifaceted expression bringing together Highland and Island whiskies matured in a Pedro Ximénez Sherry hogshead and 33 year old malt distilled at Benrinnes Distillery. A limited edition of 408 bottles.
• 2009 Bourbon Hogshead, Fettercairn Distillery (RRSP £85): distilled in the Highlands, cask number 800292 was matured on site at Ardgowan Distillery. The cask’s Bourbon history has imparted notes of toffee apples and citrus zest on the 272 bottles of Single Malt available.
• 2012 Bourbon Hogshead, Royal Brackla Distillery (RRSP £75): previously hosting Bourbon, cask number 306449 subsequently aged Highland Single Malt from Royal Brackla Distillery. The resulting 290 bottles boast vibrant flavours of lemongrass, green apple and vanilla.
• 2014 Sherry Butt, Ben Nevis Distillery (RRSP £85): an amber Highland Single Malt matured in a single Spanish Sherry cask (#800040). Limited to 327 bottles, the nose brings cinnamon stewed pears while the palate offers butterscotch, nutmeg and brown sugar.

All four of the new Clydebuilt expressions are proudly bottled at their natural cask strength and without added colouring or undergoing chill filtration, preserving their full character and integrity.

Commenting on the news, Davies remarks:

“The Clydebuilt brand stands on craftsmanship and pride in quality, just like the Clyde’s former shipbuilders. With these new releases, we’ve drawn on exceptional whiskies and incredible, rich casks to create expressions full of character and individuality. These malts show just some of the scope we’re working with in our aged stocks. Having invested £5 million this year in securing stock to lay down for Clydebuilt, there’s a very bright future ahead for the brand.”

In September, Ardgowan announced a series of new distribution partnerships for Clydebuilt across key markets in Europe, North America and Asia, significantly expanding its global accessibility.

The new Clydebuilt bottlings will become increasingly available from specialist retailers from today – find a list of UK stockists and international distributors here.

ABOUT CLYDEBUILT SCOTCH WHISKY:

Some of the greatest ships in the world were built on the River Clyde and so, over time, the word ‘Clydebuilt’ came to stand for craftsmanship, integrity and pride. The Clydebuilt brand was inspired by that exceptional legacy: a fitting tribute as Ardgowan Distillery, the home of the brand, is situated on the Firth of Clyde near Inverkip.

While Ardgowan Single Malt continues to slumber for many years, Whisky Maker Laura Davies applies the same meticulous approach to Clydebuilt. This is a boutique range of thoughtfully selected and masterfully matured Scotch whiskies that honour the spirit of the Clyde, emulating and upholding the attention to detail and the pride in quality of those that came before. Discover more.

Further information on Ardgowan Distillery Company can be found at ardgowandistillery.com

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TASTING NOTES: 

Clydebuilt 27 year old Blended Malt – Speyside, Highland & Island, 41.8% ABV

• Colour: Dark auburn.
• Nose: Citrus zest, white pepper and marzipan.
• Taste: Dark cherries, toasted marshmallow, sticky raisins and ‘pear drop’ sweets.

Clydebuilt 2009 Bourbon Hogshead Single Cask – Fettercairn Distillery, 56.3% ABV

• Colour: Bright golden.
• Nose: Lemon sorbet and vanilla fudge.
• Taste: Silky toffee apples and more citrus zest.

Clydebuilt 2012 Bourbon Hogshead Single Cask – Royal Brackla Distillery, 52.9% ABV

• Colour: Bronze.
• Nose: Ripe peaches, nutmeg and subtle heather.
• Taste: Vibrant flavours of lemongrass, green apple and vanilla pods.

Clydebuilt 2014 Sherry Butt Single Cask – Ben Nevis Distillery, 60.0% ABV

• Colour: Rich amber.
• Nose: Cinnamon stewed pears and brown sugar.
• Taste: Butterscotch sauce and freshly grated nutmeg.

We were transported to a Spanish bakery to celebrate the fruity decadence of Spanish Splendour with the scent of chocolate truffles, rum-soaked raisins, butterscotch sauce and prunes stewed in port wine. Somewhere between Spain and Scotland came a blended malt with notes of chewy highland toffee, oatmeal porridge with dried fruit compote and apple crumble met by churros and a glass of oak-aged rioja. This was Scarlett Marzipan.

SPANISH SPLENDOUR

Age: 10 years

Cask: First Fill American & Spanish Oak Oloroso and Refill Bourbon Hogsheads

Spanish Splendour is the latest addition to the Society’s non-standard ‘Heresy’ series of small-batch bottlings, and even for this collection, it is a bit of an unusual expression as it is a single malt rather than a blended malt. Hailing from the Scottish Highlands, Spanish Splendour will provide you with just the right amount of fruity decadence to celebrate the arrival of autumn.

This small batch single malt displays a wonderfully fruity highland distillate through the lens of oloroso sherry casks, in both Spanish & American oak. The Tasting Panel were taken to a Spanish bakery, where they enjoyed a wealth of luxurious sweet treats. An abundantly, almost extravagantly, rich aroma filled the room with the scent of chocolate truffles, rum-soaked raisins, butterscotch sauce and prunes stewed in port wine. The taste was just as luxuriant, with flavours of a Seville orange cake prepared with raw forest honey, which is a little less sweet and has a slightly salty note. With a drop of water we cracked the crunchy, caramelised crust of an authentic crema catalana to release the characteristic citrus and cinnamon aromas. On the palate, we cut slices of a cake from Brittany, a Far Breton – a flan-style egg and milk custard with prunes which reminded one of us of a similar dessert served in the Spanish Cantabria region, quesada pasiega.

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SCARLETT MARZIPAN

Age: 10 years

Cask: First & Refill American Oak
& Spanish Oloroso
Butts

The blended malt is the rather tasty result of a combination of Speyside and Highland whiskies. Fully matured in sherry seasoned butts, a balance is struck between the use of refill and first-fill wood, and a fusion of Spanish and American oak influence.

On the neat nose we described it as a Scottish-Spanish alliance. Chewy highland toffee, oatmeal porridge with dried fruit compote and apple crumble were met by churros and a glass of oak-aged rioja. The initial taste certainly had those expected tannins but was almost immediately brimming with flavours of red fruits and toasted vanilla. Following reduction, the aroma of terracotta pots, sautéed wild mushrooms and salted almonds, plus farmhouse cider and red-wine pear frangipane tart, made this an utterly entertaining experience. The taste was like traditional Welsh cakes, a cross between a cookie, a scone and a pancake.

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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

THIS WINTER’S RELEASES

It’s official: the latest releases are here! Delicious new bottlings in our Soho Selection and Vintage Reserve collections are available now, just in time for the festive season.

Brand new for your delectation:

🥃 Avon 9 Year Old Soho Selection, £39.95
🥃 Ben Nevis 15 Year Old Soho Selection, £72.95
🥃 Linkwood 11 Year Old Soho Selection, £44.95
🥃 Speyside 14 Year Old Soho Selection, £72.50
🥃 Teaninich 13 Year Old Soho Selection, £49.95
🥃 Vat #3 Blended 30 Year Old Soho Selection, £94.95
🥃 Kildalton 22 Year Old Vintage Reserve, £284.99

Each bottling is highly limited, so secure yours now!

OUR NEW BOTTLES

Whisky Of The Year: White Peak Wire Works Bourbon Barrel

This English whisky was matured in bourbon barrels, delivering notes of peaches, candied ginger, and vanilla. Its refined depth and creamy finish make it a fitting champion.

DISCOVER

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 585: Fuji Gotemba Single Blended Japanese Whisky

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, tastes a Japanese single blended whisky. Fuji-Gotemba is a mastodon of a distillery – about 520,000m² – with a capacity of about 12 million LPA. In the glass is their so-called Single Blended, which means we find both single malt and grain whisky from the same distillery combined here. Mark’s American friend John brought this bottle from his most recent trip to the land of the rising sun. https://youtu.be/JU0chVVzEiQ

SAZERAC RYE WHISKEY FULL PROOF JOINS THE BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY PORTFOLIO

Born from the Distillery’s newly completed $1.2 billion expansion, this release elevates Sazerac Rye’s signature spice and pepper profile to deliver a sipping whiskey of remarkable intensity

FRANKFORT, KY – Buffalo Trace Distillery is proud to introduce Sazerac Rye Whiskey Full Proof as a permanent addition to its growing Sazerac Rye portfolio. Bottled at 125 proof, this bold new release emerges from the Distillery’s recent expansion and amplifies the brand’s signature spicy, peppery, and dry profile to create a sipping whiskey with remarkable intensity.

Born out of the spirit of New Orleans, Sazerac Rye Whiskey captures the character of the city: bold, timeless, and unapologetically original. The brand has evolved from a bartender’s best-kept secret into a connoisseur’s staple, with the original 90 proof and the recently launched 100 proof expressions celebrated for their distinctive spice and dry complexity. The addition of Full Proof offers a full-bodied expression crafted for sipping and savoring, highlighting the versatility of Sazerac Rye while reflecting Buffalo Trace Distillery’s commitment to delivering exceptional whiskey experiences for enthusiasts at every stage of their rye journey.

“Rye whiskey is the perfect next step for whiskey drinkers looking for more flavor. Sazerac Rye’s unique, balanced, Kentucky-style recipe makes it the brand whiskey drinkers have trusted for years,” says Andrew Duncan, Global Brand Director at Buffalo Trace Distillery. “Sazerac Rye Full Proof amplifies the brand’s floral notes of vanilla and clove, along with fruity hints of orange, with just a touch of pepper, proving that rye whiskeys aren’t just great in cocktails—they shine on their own.”

A result of Buffalo Trace Distillery’s $1.2 billion expansion, Sazerac Rye Whiskey Full Proof continues the Distillery’s legacy of innovation and craftsmanship. The addition of new still houses and enhanced distilling capacity enables great production of its core bourbon and rye whiskeys, while also exploring bolder proofs and distinctive flavor profiles that push tradition forward.

“We’re excited to bring another full proof option to fans after they’ve expressed their love for our W.L. Weller and Benchmark full proof offerings,” remarks Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley. “Our expansion is ten years in the making, and it’s rewarding to see how it’s already allowing us to create more of these whiskeys while maintaining the quality our fans expect.”

Sazerac Rye Whiskey Full Proof opens with bold aromas of rye spice, fresh dill, and smoky oak, immediately signaling its intensity and depth. On the palate, it delivers a surprisingly smooth sweetness up front, followed by floral and herbal notes, supported by rich oak and classic rye grain character throughout. The finish is lightly peppery with a late rye spice that gently lingers, presenting warmth and complexity without being overwhelming.

Sazerac Whiskey Rye Full Proof will be available in select markets beginning November 2025 at select retailers, bars, and restaurants for a suggested retail price of $39.99 per 750ML bottle (taxes and fees vary by market) via Sazerac’s United States distributor networks.

Additionally, Buffalo Trace Distillery will celebrate the new release with a limited-time premium tasting experience from Friday, November 14, through Sunday, November 16, featuring the complete Sazerac Rye Whiskey portfolio: Sazerac Rye 90, 100, and Full Proof, as well as Sazerac Rye 18-Year-Old from the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection. A $10 ticket to the “Sazerac Rye Vertical Tasting” includes samples of all four expressions, a commemorative Sazerac Rye glass, and a small bite pairing. Tickets are available for purchase at buffalotracedistillery.com/visit-us.html on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information, visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery  

Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American, family-owned company based in Frankfort, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1775 and it is a National Historic Landmark, as well as listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its history includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee. Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site. The Distillery has won more than 40 distillery titles since 2000 and garnered more than 1,000 awards for its wide range of premium whiskeys. Its William Larue Weller and Stagg were named Best of Show at the 2024 Denver International Spirits Competition and its Traveller Whiskey is the Most Awarded Super Premium Whiskey Release of 2024. Buffalo Trace Distillery has a deep commitment to supporting charitable initiatives. Nonprofit organizations interested in learning more about the Distillery’s efforts are encouraged to register their charity here. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery, visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com. To download images from Buffalo Trace Distillery, visit http://www.buffalotracedistillery.com/media.

Scallywag

Speyside Blended Malt Scotch

Matured Predominantly in Spanish Sherry Casks

£33.33

ABV: 46% | Vol: 70cl

Scallywag is a Small Batch bottling created using only the finest Speyside Malts including – amongst others – Mortlach, Macallan and Glenrothes. Bottled at 46% alcohol strength and non-chill-filtered, this Small Batch bottling has a distinct rich, dark colour – extracted purely from the fine Spanish Sherry Butts used during maturation. Detect layer on layer of sweet stewed fruits and dark chocolate fused with nutmeg and cinnamon.

Inspired by a long line of Douglas Laing family Fox Terriers, Scallywag Malt Scotch Whisky is a marriage of aged Speyside Single Malts matured predominantly in Spanish Sherry casks. Anticipate an explosion of rich, dark fruits, chocolate and spice interwoven with late vanilla. Award-winning Scallywag is bottled and released in genuinely small, precious batches.

Christmas Gifts for Under £100!

Get planning for Christmas with some amazing early gifts for under £100 from The Whisky Shop!

Our experts have selected some of the finest drams that you can enjoy for Under £100 covering all tastes this Christmas!

Be sure to Share the Spirit this Christmas!

CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR UNDER £100❯

Free Next Day Delivery for 12 Months For just £14.95 you can enjoy free next day delivery on all your orders for a whole year! Geographic restrictions apply, see full T&Cs. Find out more ❯

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