Distell reveals six limited-edition malts at inaugural annual showcase

This week Distell hosted its first annual showcase event ‘The Malt Gallery’, as six new limited edition single malts were unveiled for 2018. The new releases represent the four distilleries in the Distell portfolio, from Deanston in the Highlands to its West coast island presence with Bunnahabhain, Tobermory and Ledaig:

• Tobermory 2005 (12 YO) Fino Cask Finish, RRP £110
• Ledaig 1998 (19 YO) Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish, RRP £130
• Ledaig 1998 (19 YO) PX Cask Finish, RRP £150
• Deanston 2008 Brandy Cask Finish, RRP £60
• Bunnahabhain 2008 Mòine Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured, RRP £75
• Bunnahabhain Palo Cortado Cask Finish, RRP £275

The capital showcase was held at TT Liquor in Shoreditch, which was transformed into an art gallery for the evening, treating each of the special new malts as exhibits within a very special collection. Guests were taken on a cultural experience through the three distilleries, as they tasted each of the new expressions.

One-to-one tastings were led across the malts by Distell’s own team of experts, including Distilleries Manager, Stephen Woodcock, and Bunnahabhain Distillery Manager, Andrew Brown.

Commenting on the new limited edition releases, Stephen Woodcock said: “The Malt Gallery concept provided the perfect platform to bring the malts to life through our tastings, as well as offering an insight into each distillery through some of the sounds, sights and smells. It was an innovative way to engage small groups and bring a taste of our Highland and Island brand stories to London for one night.”

Encapsulating Distell’s dedicated approach to high-quality whisky making, the new releases cover a spectrum of taste profiles. From the sweet, smoky character of Ledaig 1998 (19 YO) PX Cask Finish; to the spicy, chocolatey Tobermory 2005 (12 YO) Fino Cask Finish; the rich, smoky Ledaig 1998 (19 YO) Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish full of dried fruit and sweet oak notes; and the Deanston 2008 Brandy Cask Finish, brimming with spiced fruit and honey flavours.

A distillery first, Bunnahabhain 2008 Mòine Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured has been fully matured in Bordeaux red wine casks, creating a deep red, golden whisky, which balances the sweetness of toffee with pepper and smoke to provide a truly unique dram.

Rounding off the new releases, Bunnahabhain Palo Cortado Cask Finish spent almost two years in rare Palo Cortado sherry casks to complete the malt. Deep amber gold in colour, the whisky offers flavours of sweet dried fruit, rich oak and subtle hints of cocoa on the palate, with a slightly dry finish with hints of nutmeg.

Derek Scott, Brand Director for Distell’s Malt Whisky said: “Each of these new releases is unique. They tell their own story of where they came from, by maintaining the flavour profiles known to each of the brands, while having individual enhancements from being finished in carefully selected casks for their final maturation.”

Notes 

Limited Release Tasting Notes

Bunnahabhain 2008 Mòine Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured

ABV 58.1%

RRP £75

Palate: Almost layered with rich grape and red wine influence, hints of toffee, chocolate and tobacco, developing into a warming peppery smoke

Bunnahabhain Palo Cortado Cask Finish

ABV 54.9%

RRP £275
Palate: Mouth coating, sweet dried fruit, rich oak, roasted nuts, subtle hints of cocoa 

Deanston 2008 Brandy Cask Finish

ABV 56.4%

RRP £60

Palate: Rich oak with a distinctive dried fruit and brandy influence, creamy toffee, deep honeyed vanilla and sweet malt

Ledaig 1998 (19 YO) Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish

ABV 46.3%

RRP £130

Palate: sweet dried fruit, rich oak, subtle spice and a black pepper, peated character

Ledaig 1998 (19 YO) PX Cask Finish

ABV 55.7%

RRP £150

Palate: Sweet syrupy mouth feel, hints of creamy toffee, dark chocolate orange, berries, vanilla and rich oak, developing into a sweet velvety smokiness

Tobermory 2005 (12 YO) Fino Cask Finish

ABV 55.1%

RRP £110

Palate: Toffee, espresso and dark chocolate, rich fruit and citrus, balanced with the dry influence of the Fino sherry 

About Distell

• Distell is Africa’s leading producer of wines, spirits, ciders, scotch whisky and ready-to-drinks (RTDs) with a portfolio of close on 100 brands.
• Within the portfolio, Distell owns four single malts and a number of scotch brands produced across three distillery sites.
• The three distilleries include: Bunnahabhain on the Isle of Islay; Deanston in Doune, Perthshire and Tobermory based on the Isle of Mull.
• With a global network of offices and distribution partners, the company employs nearly 5000 people worldwide and has an annual turnover of R14.2 billion. (£1.09 billion)
• In Scotland, the company’s operations are based in East Kilbride where it has a bottling hall, with blending and warehousing facilities at Airdrie, both near Glasgow.
• Distell is the 2015 “Distiller of the Year” award winner at the International Wine and Spirit Competition.

For more visit: www.distell.co.za