MILROY’S OF SOHO OCTOBER NEWSLETTER

With the days starting to close in and the end of daylight saving not far away, we are well and truly entering whisky drinking season.  It is also an incredibly busy time of year for new whisky releases to hit the shelves.  This month’s newsletter brings news from Bruichladdich, Arran and Bowmore distilleries, as well as a couple of rare limited release bottlings from two of Suntory’s distilleries in Japan. 

NEW FROM BRUICHLADDICH

The 2nd batch single cask releases featured in July’s newsletter have landed at Milroy’s of Soho.  Please be aware that quantities are limited and whiskies are selling quickly.  Do act now if you are interested.

BRUICHLADDICH ORGANIC Multi-Vintage, 46% ABV

Bruichladdich Organic joins Benromach as the only two certified organic single malt whiskies produced in Scotland.  Stylistically, it is a “classic” lightly peated, Bourbon wood-matured Bruichladdich, gently fruity and low in phenolics.

£35 per bottle

BRUICHLADDICH PORT CHARLOTTE Multi-Vintage, 46% ABV

After 4 annual releases under the Port Charlotte moniker (all based on spirit distilled in 2001), Bruichladdich distillery has introduced the first multi-vintage Port Charlotte.  Peated at 40ppm (not dissimilar to Ardbeg) and bottled at a lower strength than previous PC expressions (46% ABV rather than cask strength) it makes an interesting to the standard distillery releases from the “big 3” Islay south coast distilleries (Ardbeg, Laphroaig and Lagavulin).

£35 per bottle

OCTOMORE 3 – 152, 59% ABV

The third annual release of Octomore has taken things a step further when it comes to peat smoke.  Weighing in a 152ppm, it seizes the mantle of “the heaviest peated whisky ever released” from its immediate predecessor.  Matured exclusively in ex-Bourbon American oak barrels and bottled at 5 years of age, this is a hedonistic monster of a whisky for those that like the malts to bite back!

£85 per bottle

ARRAN TURNS 14 – ARRAN 14 YEAR OLD, 46% ABV

In our view, Arran distillery is much under-rated and does not receive the exposure that its fine spirit merits.  Recent limited edition releases including the Peacock and 15th Anniversary have been outstanding, both displaying the ripe stonefruit (apricot, peach) and sweet maltiness we have grown the associate with Arran.  The new Arran 14 year old marks the blossoming of Arran from precocious youngster to adult in the whisky world.  Though far from an elder statesman, this is a malt whisky to keep your eye on.    It delivers an enticing combination of sweet vanilla, toffee apples, dried apricots, caramelised orange zest and cinnamon spice.  A noticeable touch of island brine lends bite to the finish.

£39 per bottle

BALVENIE MEETS ISLAY – BALVENIE 17 YEAR OLD Peated Cask, 43% ABV

Balvenie is without a doubt one of the great Speyside distilleries.  We know Balvenie spirit for its textbook vanilla and honey qualities.  This new limited release expression adds a subtle and smoky twist to this much loved whisky.  The whisky itself is a marriage of 17 year old Balvenie that has been matured in casks that previously held heavily peated spirit, together with Balvenie finished in new American oak casks.  The resulting whisky is rich, creamy and spicy, with a gentle underlying smokiness that adds complexity.  There is very little of this release available for the UK market, so do act quickly if interested.

£71.99 per bottle RRP

Exclusive Newsletter Offer Price – £67 per bottle

HIGHLAND PARK SAINT MAGNUS Edition 2

The much loved Highland Park distillery has followed up last year’s highly successful Earl Magnus Edition 1 with Saint Magnus Edition 2.  This limited release bottling (circa 12,000 bottles) is bottled at cask strength, 12 years of age.  This is a great and indeed rare opportunity to enjoy Highland Park at cask strength.   Last year’s release sold out within a month, so we don’t expect its successor to hang around for long.

£85 per bottle RRP

Exclusive Newsletter Offer Price – £80 per bottle

DIAGEO 2010 SPECIAL RELEASES – Heads Up

The much anticipated annual Diageo Special Releases are due to be launched at the end of October.  While we won’t get to taste the whiskies for a few weeks, we do have details of this year’s line-up:

–          Brora 30 year old

–          Caol Ila 12 year old Unpeated

–          Lagavulin 12 year old

–          Port Ellen 31 year old

–          Talisker 30 year old

–          Auchroisk 30 year old

–          Cragganmore 21 year old

–          Glen Spey 21 year old

–          Glenkinchie 20 year old

Our verdict and full tasting notes will be provided in the November newsletter.

Keep your eyes on your inbox in the next couple of weeks as we’ll have news of a couple of rare limited release Japanese whiskies; Yamazaki Sherry Puncheon and Hakushu Heavily Peated.

Until next month, slàinte!
 
Best regards

Philip Shorten
Milroy’s of Soho
3 Greek Street
London, W1D 4NX

T: 020 7437 2385
F: 020 7437 1345
W: www.milroys.co.uk