After many long months, we are thrilled to be preparing to welcome visitors back to Glenfarclas.

The doors to our Visitor Centre and shop will open at 10am on Monday the 5^th of July and we can’t wait to show people around our beautiful distillery once again.

We have done a lot of work to ensure the safety of visitors and of our distillery team which remains our number one priority.

The Centre will be open from Monday to Saturday. Tours will be running four times a day – 10:30, 12:00, 14:00 and 15:30 (10:30, 12:00, 13:15 and 14:30 on Saturdays).

We have had to make some changes to the tour route to ensure that social distancing can be maintained, but you will still get to see the stillhouse, the warehouse and enjoy a dram or two in the famous Ships Room. While these changes are in place, the tour and tasting will be free of charge.

At present, only the Classic Tour is available, but we hope to start offering more in-depth tour and tasting experiences as Covid restrictions ease later in the year.

Spaces on tours are limited, so pre-booking is essential to avoid missing out. Email our Visitor Centre to secure your place.

The Visitor Centre shop is open from 10am – 5pm Monday to Friday and 10am – 4pm on Saturday.  No booking is needed if you wish to drop in.

Our Visitor Centre Manager, Matthew, getting ready to fly the Glenfarclas flag once again.

We have made some changes to the layout of the Visitor Centre and Shop, please follow all signs.

All social distancing rules will be observed.  If you (or anyone you have been in contact with) have reason to believe you have Covid 19, please postpone your visit for the time being.  We ask that visitors wear face coverings while inside buildings, unless exempt.  A member of staff will advise where this is not required.

Win!

GLENFIDDICH GRAND SERIES PRIZE DRAW

Glenfiddich’s Grand Series is a range of well-aged single malts that have each been finished in an unusual cask – everything from rum to Champagne. To celebrate the series we’re bringing you the chance to win a VIP experience at Tom Sellers’ Restaurant Story, including all travel and a stay in a 5* hotel. To enter, just buy any whisky from the series before the end of June.

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Glen Scotia Dunnage Tasting Kits are here!

The Glen Scotia Malts Festival is a celebration of all things whisky, Glen Scotia and the distillery’s hometown of Campbeltown – ‘the whiskiest place in the world’. While we can’t travel to meet face-to-face in Campbeltown this year, Glen Scotia are bringing their much-anticipated private dunnage tasting to your homes, along with a variety of other ways to get involved and celebrate from afar.

What’s in the Dunnage Tasting Pack?

Inside the lid of your Dunnage Tasting Pack is a password you’ll need to join the pre-recorded tasting. Glen Scotia Distillery Manager & Master Distiller, Iain McAlister, has personally selected 5 drams from the dunnage warehouse, and each one offers a window into Glen Scotia’s whisky making history and Campbeltown’s Victorian whisky heyday.

• Glen Scotia Double Cask – 46% ABV

Glen Scotia 1st Fill Bourbon 2015 – 60.5% ABV

Glen Scotia Refill/1st Fill Bourbon 1999 – 59% ABV

Glen Scotia Refill Bourbon/1st Fill Oloroso 2002- 58.7% ABV

• Glen Scotia Refill Bourbon/1st Fill Ruby Port 2002- 53.8% ABV

Each pack will contain a link and password to an exclusive tasting with Iain (pre-recorded). Grab a glass, enjoy, and don’t forget to visit the rest of the festival!

Glen Scotia
Dunnage Tasting Kit

£50.00

Buy Now

CURIOSITY…
THE INVITATION TO ADVENTURE 

This year we’re marking Father’s Day by raising a toast to kinship. Celebrating fathers and families, sisters and brothers, friends and colleagues. And another love of ours, beer and Scotch whisky.

Join Compass Box founder John Glaser on June 27th as we delve into the roots of this age-old partnership, and discover a whole new world of flavour in the process.

A GIFT FOR THE OCCASION

As part of our event, we will be exploring beer pairings for three award-winning Compass Box whiskies: The Peat Monster, The Spice Tree, and The Story of the Spaniard.

Available in a black gift pack accented with gold trim (or for our friends in the US, a new design inspired by our much-beloved label art), The Malt Whisky Collection is a perfect present for a loved one with an inquisitive spirit.

In preparation, we’ve been sampling a range of different styles of beer to accompany our whisky, from toasty stouts, to nutty brown ales and puckering sours. So, if you know someone who isn’t afraid to experiment, and would be curious to see how these three distinct whiskies taste alongside different beers, be sure to pick up a Malt Whisky Collection gift pack and sign them up for
the event.

WHAT TO DO NEXT

Put the date in your diary: Sunday June 27th at 8pm BST (3pm EDT / 12pm PDT) and reserve your seat below. Join us with your whisky samples and stay tuned over the coming weeks as we share the beer pairings we’ll be tasting on the day to help you get prepared. You can follow our lead, or experiment with your own pairings. The choice is yours! If you have a favourite, please send it our way. We’d love to hear how you drink creatively.

We look forward to seeing you there…
The Compass Box Team

DISCOVER LAIR UPON LAIR OF FLAVOUR IN ARDBEG SCORCH – THE DISTILLERY’S LATEST LIMITED EDITION 

The Ardbeg Distillery invites its noble fandom to join them for an online extravaganza and uncover the ‘lairs’ of flavour in their latest limited edition.

Held annually on the final Saturday of Islay’s Festival of Music and Malt (Fèis Ìle), Ardbeg Day is a global celebration of all things Ardbeg, which this year will take place entirely online. The Distillery invites smoky malt whisky lovers and fantasy buffs everywhere to join them on Ardbeg.com and social media, as fans come together to uncover the myth and the malt behind their new limited edition, Ardbeg Scorch.

Islay folk have long told tales of the island’s dragon, bravely slain by a heroic warrior many moons ago. And on 5 June 2021, Ardbeggians around the world will celebrate Ardbeg Day with a new whisky created in homage to this ‘true myth’. It is said this fiercely delicious dram is the mouthwatering product of Ardbeg’s own flavour-breathing beast, who dwells in Dunnage Warehouse No. 3, scorching staves and burning barrels…

Ardbeg Scorch has been matured in ex-bourbon American oak casks – heavily charred by the fiery exhale of Warehouse 3’s definitely-real-and-totally-not-made-up dragon*. Intense aromas of soot and smoke lie in wait, while grilled fare and black liquorice mingle with bold notes of medicinal lozenge. This truly is a dram of fantastical proportions.

Colin Gordon, Ardbeg’s Distillery Manager, said: “This year will be my first Ardbeg Day ever: a baptism of fire! It’s a shame we Ardbeggians can’t enjoy it together in person, but the online event is shaping up to be tremendous fun. With a whole virtual world to explore, including fantasy inns, campfire tales, medieval feasts and live tastings, there’s plenty for people to be excited about this year.”

Ardbeg’s Director of Distilling and Whisky Creation, Dr Bill Lumsden, said: “Ardbeg Scorch is our tribute to the legendary dragon of Islay. By using our most heavily charred casks, we’ve created a fire-breathing beast of a dram!”  

Ardbeg Scorch will be available to buy from Ardbeg Embassies, whisky specialists, online retailers and from the Distillery Visitor Centre from 25^th May. For more news on this event and all things Ardbeg, smoky malt whisky fans can join the Ardbeg Committee at Ardbeg.com.

www.ardbeg.com

Follow us on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ardbeg

Twitter: @Ardbeg

Instagram: @ardbeg

ARDBEG DAY LINE UP:

All events will be virtual and hosted on Ardbeg.com and social media – Twitter: @Ardbeg and Instagram: @ardbeg

 ARDBEG SCORCH TASTING NOTES:

 Colour Bright brushed gold

Nose On the nose, frighteningly intense aromas of soot and smoke lie in wait. Hints of aniseed and fragrant patchouli interlace with bold notes of quenched steel and saddle soap. With a drop of water, herbal top notes of briar wood, sage and pine wisp their way to the fore.

Taste Take a sip and experience lair upon lair of flavour. An oily mouthfeel grips the senses. Billowy clouds of sweet smoke and dragon charred oak permeate the palate, while grilled fare and black liquorice weave between notes of medicinal lozenge.

Finish A long and heroic finale, with a subtle tarry aftertaste. A finish that will drag on, well into its happily ever after.

ABV: 46%

NOTES: 

Ardbeg:

Ardbeg prides itself on being The Ultimate Islay Malt Whisky. Established in 1815, Ardbeg is revered by connoisseurs around the world as the peatiest, smokiest and most complex of all the Islay malts. Despite its smokiness, Ardbeg is renowned for its delicious sweetness, a phenomenon that has affectionately become known as ‘the peaty paradox’. During the 1980s and 1990s, Ardbeg suffered from an uncertain future and it was not until the brand was purchased by The Glenmorangie Company in 1997 that the Distillery was saved from extinction. Since then, the Distillery has risen like a phoenix and today Ardbeg is well established as a niche, cult malt, with a passionate following.   

Ardbeg Committee:

The legacy of the whisky was safeguarded in 2000 by the formation of the Ardbeg Committee. The Committee is made up of thousands of Ardbeg followers worldwide who are keen to ensure that “the doors of Ardbeg never close again”. Today there are more than 100,000 members of the Ardbeg Committee in over 130 countries. Committee members are regularly consulted on new bottlings and expressions and are offered exclusive Committee bottlings. Members also receive invitations to special gatherings, tastings and events. The Committee, chaired by Mickey Heads, is free to join at Ardbeg.com. 

Awards:

Ardbeg is the world’s most highly awarded smoky single malt whisky. Since 2008, Ardbeg has won more than 50 gold and double gold medals in key whisky competitions. Ardbeg has twice been awarded ‘World’s Best Single Malt’ at the World Whiskies Awards in 2010, and 2013. At the 2014 Global Icons of Whisky Awards, Mickey Heads was voted ‘Distillery Manager of the Year’. The following year, Ardbeg’s expressions took the top three spots in Whisky Advocate magazine’s review of the best single malt Scotch whiskies under US$100.  Meanwhile, both Ardbeg Corryvreckan and Ardbeg Uigeadail have been awarded gold medals at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. In 2019, Dr Bill Lumsden was awarded Master Distiller of the Year for the third time in four years. Ardbeg 10 Years Old also won the Best Single Malt Scotch 10 Year Old at the International Whisky Competition 2019, while the Ardbeg Distillery won the Distillery of the Year 2019.

The Glenmorangie Company:

The Company is one of the most renowned and innovative distillers and marketers of Scotch whisky brands worldwide and is part of Moët Hennessy, the wine and spirits division of Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton. Headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland, the Company produces Glenmorangie Single Highland Malt whisky and Ardbeg Single Islay Malt.

Responsible Drinking:

Ardbeg and The Glenmorangie Company advocate responsible drinking and suggest that drinkers savour Ardbeg whiskies in moderation and in line with recommended daily guidelines for alcohol consumption.

Our latest Golden Dram giveaway:
Win a bottle of Aberlour 21 Year Old Single Cask!

In the latest edition of our Golden Dram giveaway we are highlighting expressions from within the Aberlour range: the 14 Year Old Double Cask, A’Bunadh and Casg Annamh. If you purchase one of these wonderful whiskies between now and the 15th of June you will be in with a chance to win the Aberlour 21 Year Old Single Cask from The Distillery Reserve Collection!

Limited to only 768 bottles from a single second-fill sherry butt, this 21-year-old Aberlour offers up aromas of juicy raisins and ripe plums which balance perfectly with sweet notes of liquorice and soft treacle toffee on the palate. Left at a cask strength of 58.9% ABV and free from chill filtration, this is a beautiful example of a rich and fruity exclusive Speyside single malt.

A winner will be chosen at random from any orders placed between now and the 15th of June… So good luck!

Aberlour 14 Year Old Double Cask+ Golden Dram giveaway entry

£53.99

Aberlour A’Bunadh

+ Golden Dram giveaway entry

£79.00

Aberlour Casg Annamh

+ Golden Dram giveaway entry

£54.99

Have a look at the range below and see what you fancy👇

In-person teaching returns

We’re looking forward to getting back to Arniston House next month as our in-person whisky diploma courses resume for the first time since September. There are a few spaces available on the Diploma in Single Malt Whisky (Thursday 17 & Friday 18 June) and Diploma in the Art of Tasting Whisky (9 July), with further availability from September onwards.

We do hope to make more places available on all courses as the requirements for physical distancing are relaxed, so do keep an eye out for updates on our website and social media channels. We also have a full diary of dates for 2022, so, if you’re planning to join us in the future, let’s make it a date!

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Live Virtual Tasting

The GlenAllachie

Tasting Packs to be enjoyed live with Billy Walker, Master Distiller

Join industry legend and proprietor of GlenAllachie distillery Mr Billy Walker on Facebook live for a virtual/live tasting event of the new Wine Cask Finish series plus a MacNair’s Lum Reek 12 Year Old on Thursday 24th June 2021 at 7pm GMT with this tasting kit.

A limited number of packs containing:

1x 25ml GlenAllachie 11 Year Old Grattamacco Wine Cask

1x 25ml GlenAllachie 12 Year Old Sauternes Wine Cask

1x 25ml GlenAllachie 13 Year Old Rioja Wine Cask

1x 25ml MacNair’s Lum Reek 12 Year Old

BUY NOW – GlenAllachie Tasting Kit

Scottish Whisky Awards Announces
St Andrews Day Event

The national independent awards programme for the Scottish Whisky industry has opened for entry with a promise to recognise, reward and promote the many achievements in Scotch, despite the challenges of the last year.

The 3^rd annual Scottish Whisky Awards line-up features new categories and plans to celebrate success at a black-tie St Andrews Day dinner in Glasgow which will also be broadcast live on 30 November 2021.

Chair of the Judging Panel, Professor Alan Wolstenholme, commented;

“These awards are eagerly anticipated as they give us all an opportunity to promote and celebrate the diversity and quality of Scotch Whisky.  The industry continues to be faced with several challenges, but fortunately these awards give everyone working in the industry some much needed fuel to fire up the engines of success.

“The plans for an industry dinner on St Andrews Day is something which we can all look forward to as the return of live events looks ever more promising over the coming months.”

The awards are sponsored once again by Bruce Stevenson Insurance Brokers and feature 9 business categories including Product Launch of the Year, Sustainable Scotch Distillery of the Year and Tourism Destination of the Year.

The creative response of marketing teams to the global pandemic has presented a range of new digital experiences for the whisky consumer worldwide. Digital Marketing Campaign of the Year is a new award introduced to the line up to recognise the achievements of marketing teams in creating an innovative digital campaign.

This year will also see the return of the presentation of the Dr Jim Swan Memorial Award for Services to Scotch Whisky to an individual chosen by the judging panel.

The panel, which consists of over 40 whisky experts, will be meeting in a few months’ time to assess the talent and skill crafted in the Scotch whisky industry through a carefully staged blind tasting competition moderated by sensory management experts, Cara Technology.

The Scottish Whisky Awards is open for entry until Wednesday 4 August 2021.  For full details on the categories, how to enter the competition and product delivery details please visit www.scottishwhiskyawards.org.uk   For details on available sponsorship opportunities, please contact maxine@kdmedia.co.uk.

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Greetings Shelter Point Community

The first of this year’s crop of barley has started to sprout here at the Farm, a sign of more great things to come in 2021.

While it still remains unclear when we’ll be able to open our doors to the public for tastings and retail sales, our webshop absolutely remains open for business. All of our classic Shelter Point Spirits are available, along with our core lineup of Whiskies, and if you stay tuned in the coming weeks, some tantalizing upcoming Distillery Exclusive whisky releases…

With freight and packaging costs increasing, we will be making an upcoming change to our order minimums to qualify for Free Shipping for online orders. Starting June 1^st, all orders $125 and over (before tax) will be eligible for Free Shipping. If you want to take advantage of our old minimum of $89 (pre-tax), you only have a handful of days left to do so. Savvy buyers should take advantage now while they still can!

We’re so pleased with how many of you out there have continued to support us while our doors remain closed, and we can’t thank you enough for your continued patronage. As soon as we’re allowed to open again we can’t wait to welcome you all back to Shelter Point Distillery for tours, tastings, and fun.

Until then we are still hosting virtual tasting every 2 weeks and there are currently 2 different options for Virtual Tastings. The first being a whisky exclusive option which will include five 50ml samples of our award winning whiskies and the second being a spirit tasting which will include five 50ml samples of our other spirits, Whisky and Liqueur. Both tastings kits will be delivered to your door and ready to sample along with a group of friends & new acquaintances, and are hosted by members of the Shelter Point team, including Distiller Leon Webb, Distillery Manager Jacob Wiebe, Distillery Spirit Guide Brian Ingle and Distillery Spirit Scribe Pat Dunlop. For more information and for booking, please visit https://shelterpoint.ca/distillery-tour-booking/

Cheers and stay tuned to our newsletter for further updates and announcements regarding events, new releases and more fun goings on here at Shelter Point!

Shelter Point Website