Embark on a timeless sensorial journey with The Macallan Sherry Oak Collection. The character of the Sherry Oak Collection is led by our sherry seasoned European oak casks, imbuing a rich and complex flavour profile.
The Good Dram Show – Episode 601 ‘Brave New Spirits Whisky Hereos’
Welcome to this week’s episode of the show in which I’ll be taking a look at the latest releases in Brave New Spirits Whisky Heroes range. The Good Dram Show with Chris Goodrum: Episode 601 – But It’s the Juice In The Bottle That Counts…! Filmed in The Study Nottingham
Featuring
Brave New Spirits ‘Whisky Heroes Back to the Roots’ Linkwood 2012 (12 year old) 56.7%
Brave New Spirits ‘Whisky Heroes Highland Huntress: A Silent Pursuit’ Royal Brackla 2015 (9 year old) 53.5%
Brave New Spirits ‘Whisky Heroes The Watch’ Mannochmore 2012 (13 year old) 55.3%
Brave New Spirits ‘Whisky Heroes The Might of the Moor’ Auchroisk 2013 (12 year old) 57.2%
Brave New Spirits ‘Whisky Heroes Silent Night’ Benrinnes 2011 (13 year old) 59.1%
Brave New Spirits ‘Whisky Heroes The Mask of El Peaton’ Undisclosed Peated Highland 2010 (15 year old) 50.4%
Lancaster Spirits Company announces partnership with leading whisky maker
Lancaster Spirits Co., an independent craft distillery located on the edge of the ancient Forest of Bowland, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and only a stone’s throw from the 2,000-year-old port city of Lancaster, has embarked on a defining partnership with one of the world’s leading single malt whisky experts.
Max McFarlane is one of Scotland’s most respected whisky makers, with a career spanning over 45 years in the Scotch whisky industry, much of it with the Edrington Group, where he became lead whisky maker for iconic brands including Glengoyne, Famous Grouse, Cutty Sark, Bunnahabhain and Tamdhu.
Throughout his career, Max has earned numerous accolades, including the prestigious Icons of Whisky Scotland Master Blender of the Year award. His whiskies have consistently won top honours at the World Whiskies Awards and the International Spirits Challenge, where his expertise in wood selection, maturation and flavour profiling has set a benchmark for excellence. In 2017, he was honoured as a Keeper of the Quaich, a mark of exceptional status among whisky peers.
Following his retirement from Edrington in 2018, Max returned home to Inverkip on the River Clyde and joined the founding team at Ardgowan Distillery, bringing his expertise to their Lowland coastal project. He was tasked with shaping the distillery’s wood policy, production schedule and early blending initiatives, including the acclaimed limited edition Clydebuilt and Inverdarach whiskies.
In his new position at Lancaster Spirits Co., Max will play a central role in shaping the flavour, character, and identity of the distillery’s future whiskies. He will lead the development and execution of the distillery’s short and long-term lay-down strategy, assess and monitor the quality of maturing stocks, and craft new whisky expressions that reflect the ambitions of the brand.
Max will oversee the implementation of a detailed cask management policy, ensuring that the company’s range of existing casks are utilised to their full potential and that future acquisitions meet the highest standards.
His appointment is especially fitting given Lancaster Spirits’ commitment to traditional whisky-making practices and processes. Utilising the infrastructure, expertise and traditional brewing equipment of its sister brewery, the distillery produces a complex, flavoursome wash that results in a spirit with its own unique tasting profile.
There is no automation in either the brewery or the stillroom. Barley is freshly milled each day, the mash is turned by hand, water is drawn from the company’s own well, and the brewery’s own live brewer’s yeast is used, giving a distinctive character to the spirit. These time-honoured practices are increasingly rare in modern commercial whisky production and are central to the character and quality of Lancaster’s output.
Max McFarlane said: “The moment I met the team at Lancaster Spirits Company and tried their new-make spirit, I knew I wanted to be involved in this exciting new distillery. A distillery built upon refined brewing and distilling principles, all underpinned by flavour enhancement. Focusing on creating an exceptional spirit built upon these principles is the priority; my job is to find casks that can harness this unique distillery character. Lancaster Spirits Co. will one day be renowned for its ester-rich, complex, and fruity spirit, matured in hand-selected first-fill bourbon, sherry, and wine casks. Look out for our first Founders Reserve release in the coming months.”
Phil Simpson, MD of Lancaster Spirits Co., said: “Lancaster Spirits Co. is built on a deep sense of provenance. Every step we take is guided by a genuine determination to craft the finest spirits possible. From the water we draw to the carefully selected English-grown barley, every ingredient is chosen with precision. Our mashing and fermentation processes, using Lancaster Brewery’s 200-year-old live yeast, allow us to extract rich, complex ester profiles unique to our spirits.
The arrival of Max McFarlane marks a pivotal moment in our journey. His unparalleled experience and deep understanding of wood maturation and flavour development bring a new dimension to our work. With Max’s input, we are confident that our single malt will not only reflect the unique character of Lancaster but also stand shoulder to shoulder with the world’s best.
As we look ahead to the release of our inaugural English single malt whisky in 2027, we are proud to say that every element – from grain to glass – has been shaped by passion, expertise, and a relentless pursuit of quality.”
Christopher Pateman, Commercial Manager at Lancaster Spirits Co., said: “Our Distillery Manager, Joan Casals, has taken exceptional care in shaping the flavour profile of our distilled spirit, laying the foundations for a single malt that promises both complexity and character as it matures. Max has been tasked with analysing and evaluating all of the casks we’ve filled to date and helping us to make informed decisions about each cask’s destiny, as well as ensuring we consistently fill high-quality casks that meet our long-term objectives.
Max’s experience is unquestionable. His deep knowledge of wood management and flavour development will be invaluable in refining our maturation strategy and ensuring our future whiskies achieve the highest possible standard of quality and distinction. As we approach the launch of our inaugural single malt whisky in 2027, we are assembling a team with the vision and skill to produce outstanding whisky. Every part of the process has been engineered with care and attention to detail. We have stayed true to traditional production methods that are increasingly rare in the industry. We are not cutting any corners. We are building something with real integrity.
The appointment of Max McFarlane rounds off a remarkable twelve months for Lancaster Spirits Company. In that time, as a team, we have laid down over 200 casks and secured additional warehousing for future stock. Full details of this development will be announced later in the year, underscoring the company’s long-term ambitions.”
To find out more about LSCO’s range of spirits or to join a distillery tour, please visit: https://lancasterspirits.co.uk
This single malt from Lagg Distillery was initially aged in Bourbon Barrels and finished for 6 months in Palo Cortado Sherry casks – a rare and highly prized style of sherry, which casks impart a complex balance of nutty dryness, caramelised sweetness and oxidative depth.
NOSE: Peach and white grapes. Hints of vanilla, almonds and a touch of smoke.
PALATE: Rich mouth feel, very oily with a lingering orange essential oil. Citrus, with baking spices like ginger and cinnamon.
FINISH: Medium length finish. Lots and lots of orange and ginger. Subtle smoke takes over with a dry ashy finish.
£79.99
Rare Stash Batch #3 Blend of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys (750ml) (Previously $85) $39.99 View
Notes from Rare Stash: Rare Stash Bourbon #3 is 100% Kentucky Straight Bourbon, artfully crafted from a 9 year old and 5 year old 25 barrel lot.Both have been aged in Char #3 oak barrels with a barrel proof of 125. Both bourbons have a 78/13/9 mash bill. This incredibly bold and rich 96 proof blend of Straight Kentucky Bourbons, has an inviting nose with notes of vanilla, rich oak character, honey and maple.The taste exudes notes of bold caramel and oak along with harmonious accents of butterscotch, citrus, maple and cinnamon.The finish leaves lingering flavors of honey and coriander that pleasantly penetrate the senses with lingering hints of brown sugar and spice.
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
Introducing the Old Particular Red Wine Cask Collection, a hand-picked selection finished in exceptional Merlot, Sangiovese, and Rioja wine casks from France, Italy, and Spain. Expect elegance, intrigue, and flavour layering unlike anything you’ve tasted before.
Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 571: Scotland 2025 – 2 of 6 – Talisker Wilder Seas
Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, travels to Scotland. This is part 2 of a 6-part series about his trip to Scotland this year. In this video, he visit the Bridal Veil Falls, climbs The Old Man of Storr, where he enjoys the Talisker Wilder Seas. On the way back, he passes Lealt Falls, Kilt Rock Waterfall, and makes a brief stop at The Fairy Glen with its Castle Ewen. Enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Glen Scotia gifts bespoke 25 Year Old whisky to King Charles during royal visit to Campbeltown
In celebration of King Charles’ III visit to Campbeltown today (3 July 2025), multi award-winning distillery Glen Scotia presented The King with a bespoke bottling of its prized 25 Year Old single malt whisky.
Featuring a unique engraving which reads ‘To celebrate the royal visit of King Charles to Campbeltown 3rd July 2025’, the coveted expression, has received Platinum recognition six times in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition since 2018 and was specially created by Glen Scotia to mark the occasion of the royal visit to Scotland’s smallest whisky-producing region.
Once known as the whisky capital of the world, Campbeltown has seen a resurgence in recent years, with Glen Scotia at the heart of its whisky revival.
Iain McAlister, Glen Scotia distillery manager, said: “It’s a tremendous honour to welcome His Majesty to Campbeltown. His visit not only recognises the town’s historical significance, but also its vibrant whisky-making community.
“We are proud to gift The King a bespoke bottling of our 25 Year Old to celebrate this special moment, a whisky that reflects the depth of character and craftsmanship which define Glen Scotia and Campbeltown.”
The 25-year-old whisky presented to The King showcases Glen Scotia’s distinct coastal flavours. Gently matured in the finest American oak casks and finished in first-fill bourbon barrels, the exceptional single malt is a true reflection of the distillery’s traditional character and signature Campbeltown style.
For more information on Glen Scotia, visit: www.glenscotia.com
About Glen Scotia
Distiller Glen Scotia has been producing single malt whisky in Campbeltown since 1832 and is one of three surviving distilleries in Campbeltown.
Producing peated and non-peated whiskies, the distillery still maintains much of its original design, including the stillroom and the dunnage warehouse dating from the 1830s. To this day, the distillery team follow in the footsteps of their founders, using traditional methods, carefully creating the subtly maritime Campbeltown style the brand has become world-famous for.
Recognition of Glen Scotia’s style and craftsmanship continues to be acknowledged globally.
JUNE 2025 AUCTION HALFWAY THROUGH!
Our July auction has already reached the halfway marker, so let’s take a look at some of the limited bottles on offer, including this bottle of Macallan Archival Series Folio 2. The artwork for the label and presentation tin are the work of the artist Sara Midda, who produced artwork for many Macallan advertising promotions in the 1990’s to 2000’s. Released in 2017, Folio 2 was the second instalment of the Archival Series, with only 2,000 bottles ever released.
One of the rarest expressions of the hugely popular Flora & Fauna series is Royal Brackla. This bottling was discontinued in 1995 due to low stock levels at the distillery, a direct result of the mothballing of the distillery some years earlier. One of several Flora & Fauna bottles in this month’s auction.
Released in 2014, Vintage 1990 was one of two small batch limited editions from Old Pulteney. The year of distillation and bottling year indicates that the age of the of the whisky is a minimum of 23 years old
Released in 2022 to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, this official bottling was distilled in 2000 by Royal Lochnagar Distillery, aged for a minimum of 21 years, then bottled for Balmoral to mark the momentous occasion. Bottle number 207 of only 222 bottles produced!
These are only a few of the old, limited and collectable bottles featured in our June auction, to view more wee gems visit clickwhiskyauctions.com. Register to bid. Remember, you’ve got to be in it to win it! Auction ends Sunday 20th July from 8pm BST.
This single malt is the 3rd instalment in a Signature Series from Arran Distillery. The series features casks specially selected by the Distillery Manager Stewart Bowman. The 3rd edition is a 12 years old unpeated expression, which was initially matured for 6 years in a first and second-fill bourbon barrels and then re-racked into a first-sill Spanish red wine cask for the last 6 years.
NOSE Bright with caramelised fruit and hazelnuts. Slight note of salted caramel and zesty grapefruit rind.
PALATE Full bodied and plenty of complex mouthfeel. Oak forward with dark red berries and creamy vanilla. A little ginger, sweet spice and aniseed.
FINISHLong, complex and mouthwatering. Vanilla and toasted oak lingers with a real sweet candy side.
£79.99
