MALT MESSENGER NO. 121

THE THERE IS LOTS OF COOL STUFF ARRIVING SOON EDITION

As some of you well know, we celebrate our Birthday Sale every year, in mid-May. We’re turning 29 years old this year, which means our 30th Anniversary is not far off!

We are of course excited, but, as with last year, we are faced with a tough decision. Last year we put off the Birthday Sale until June as we were all still feeling our way through the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, and adjusting precautions almost daily.

Covid-19 numbers are now at record levels in Alberta and especially Calgary. Even in the best-case scenario (which I believe to be unlikely), the number of active cases will still be uncomfortably high in two weeks. We want to push ahead with the sale, but I don’t think it is responsible for us to encourage in-store shopping and lineups at this time.

In the last couple of weeks, my staff has been yelled at twice by members of the public not wanting to wear masks. These were not people with bonified exemptions, just folk who don’t like the restrictions. I understand as much as anyone, how long the last year has been, and the disruption restrictions have had on people’s lives. Patrons of our store need only wear a mask while they are in the shop. My staff and I have to wear masks for our entire workday. We don’t set the rules, but we are expected to encourage customers to respect them. I know people are frustrated and tired, but it is neither fair nor appropriate to take out that frustration on the front line, retail, and service sector employees who are just trying to do their jobs.

For the month of May, I encourage everyone to strongly consider shopping online and to take advantage of curbside pick-up and our offer of Free Delivery in Calgary for orders over $100. You are still welcome to shop in-store, with one exception I’ll address in a moment, but you may be asked to wait in line, and you must wear a mask.

Circling back to our Annual Birthday Sale, it will still go ahead from Thursday, May 13 through Sunday the 16th. But, we will not be allowing any in-store shopping. The sale will be exclusively online, and for those not web-savvy, by phone!

So save the date, for our Online Only 29th Birthday Sale, which is May 13-16!

There is a lot to fill you in on in this Malt Messenger. We have some exciting new tastings, new arrivals, and a boatload of other whiskies arriving soon. There is a lot here, so let’s start with the tastings.

We have added five new Virtual Whisky Tastings to the Events Calendar. Evan is doing a Brown Forman Bourbon Tasting on May 14 with Brand Ambassador Calin Manuel, and I’ve added an Independent’s Day tasting for the newly arrived Cooper’s Choice bottlings. Other upcoming and soon to be available tastings include:

·     KWM Casks

·     Elixir Distiller’s Old & Rare

·     Introducing: The Whisky Trail

We have just received an amazing new Two Brewers KWM Cask, which we split with the Alberta Scotch Society. This is the first-ever private bottling done by Yukon Brewing & Distilling, which is cool in itself. We’ve been really impressed with their whiskies over the last few years, and while we don’t want to gloat, we think our cask is the finest whisky we have yet to try from the Whitehorse distillery!

Two Brewers Yukon Single Malt Release 25 has also just arrived, and it is no slouch either. A peated-wheated single malt, which nicely balances the sweet fruity spirit with peat, oak, and the touch of wheat. We have also just received our 2nd KWM exclusive Tomatin Cask.

We also have some cool new releases from Cooper’s Choice, including a supposedly teaspooned Macallan which dare not speak its name! There are some new American whiskies, including a couple of Bourbons and a single malt from Vapor Distilling of Boulder Colorado. They are bottled under the Boulder Spirits label.

Most of this newsletter is dedicated to a raft of exciting things we are expecting in the weeks and months ahead. For most of the last year, due to unprecedented demand, I’ve only been able to deal with new products as they arrive, rather than getting out in front of them, which is my preference.

They say the best defence is a good offence. Well, I’m trying to apply that principle to a swack of new whiskies we are expecting in the next month or so. Usually, people start requesting sought-after items as soon as they see the products popping up on our site. We end up inundated with requests before we can even get the word out about what’s coming and how limited some of it is, and I lose more hair… but not this time!

Before you start placing requests online or by email, please take the time to carefully browse through the whole newsletter, and try to limit the number of individual requests or orders placed. send me just one email with your requests. Basically, try to keep the FOMO we all experience with new whisky releases in check…

Then we get into the meat of really cool things expected to arrive over the next 2-8 weeks. There are a lot of issues with shipping right now, so it is hard to be more specific than that. But, rather than try to deal with all of them when they arrive, we are going to try and get out ahead of them. Some of them are limited, and if demand is greater than supply, we will draw names.

So what’s coming?!

We have a pile of stuff from our friends at Elixir Distillers. Think Single Malts of Scotland, Elements of Islay, Port Askaig, and a new one I am especially excited about… Islay Violets! Some of these whiskies are tighter than others, and we will draw names for them if needed.

We also have a selection of Glenfarclas Family Casks we bought based on vintage and the reviews. There are just 1-3 bottles each available of most of them, but we did go a little heavier on a few. In all, we have 11 vintages from 2003 stretching back to 1978.

Also in the Coming Soon category, a pair of new Single Farm Origin bottlings from Waterford. Arriving in June/July, they are the first-ever releases of Hook Head and Lakefield, both 1.1s. We also have a small allocation of the Compass Box Magic Cask arriving in the weeks ahead. As with many other whiskies. it will be limited to 1 per customer.

Please don’t hesitate to email me with any requests, questions, or comments. Some of these products are listed online, many are not. While I am trying to encourage more online ordering, rather than email requests, some of these products are not yet showing online.

As always, in the event of a price discrepancy, the point of sale at KWM will be taken as correct.

Sincerely,

Andrew Ferguson

Kensington Wine Market

IN THIS EDITION

1. New KWM Exclusive Two Brewers Cask

2. New KWM Exclusive Tomatin 2006 Cask

3. New & Up-Coming Virtual Whisky Tastings

4. Two Brewers Yukon Single Malt Release 25 Is Also Here!

5. New Whiskies From Cooper’s Choice

6. Finlaggan Cask Strength is Back!

7. Introducing: Boulder Spirits from Vapor Distillery

8. Bunnahabhain 12 Year is Back!

9. Coming Soon: New Whiskies from Elixir Distillers Pt.1a – Old & Rare

10.                Coming Soon: New Whiskies from Elixir Distillers Pt.1b – Islay Violets 33 Year

11.                Coming Soon: New Whiskies from Elixir Distillers Pt.1c – The Single Malts of Scotland

12.                Coming Soon: New Whiskies from Elixir Distillers Pt.1d – Islay Whiskies

13.                Coming Soon: New Whiskies from Peat’s Beast

14.                Coming Soon: Two New Waterford Single Farm Origins

15.                Coming Soon: Glenfarclas Family Casks

16.                Coming Soon: Compass Box Magic Cask

NEW KWM EXCLUSIVE TWO BREWERS CASK

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Store Hours

Sunday: 11am – 6pm

Mon – Wed: 10am – 8pm

Thu – Fri: 10am – 9pm

Sat: 10am – 8pm

*All Prices Quoted here are subject to change and do not include GST. In the case of pricing discrepancies, the price at our point of sale will be taken as correct.*

Celebrate World Whisky Day with a Transatlantic Whisky and Cheese Pairing

The perfect way to celebrate World Whisky Day this May?  Join an exquisite whisky and cheese pairing, which combines New York excellence with Scottish romanticism and storytelling.

Away from the Ordinary, a company which provides luxury whisky tastings, and New York based Bedford Cheese Shop are – for the first time – collaborating on a bespoke and artisanal whisky and cheese pairing event. Attendees will be guided through the narrative and tasting notes of five hand-selected Scottish whiskies along with five carefully paired exquisite cheeses.

On Thursday 20th of May at 7pm EST, US attendees will join this unique event via Zoom, sampling some of the most delicious and delectable cheeses and whiskies in the world. Tickets are now available for purchase at www.watchwithwhisky.com and start at $220 per person, plus shipping costs.

World Whisky Day invites everyone to try a dram and celebrate the water of life. Taking place annually on the third Saturday in May, this special occasion is celebrated by whisky lovers worldwide with tastings, events and gatherings.  This year, World Whisky Day will take place on Saturday the 15th of May.

CEO and Owner of Away from the Ordinary, Aeneas O’Hara commented:

“We are delighted to be working with such innovative and passionate partners as Bedford Cheese Shop to create something truly special. Cheese and whisky make for a powerful pairing; each bringing out a plethora of exciting and dynamic flavours and aromas which might have gone previously undetected.

“There is an explosion of taste and texture offered when enjoying a smoky single malt paired with a powerful blue cheese. From sweet floral notes to peppery oak cask flavours, this experience is bound to elate the taste buds and engage everyone from the most knowledgeable foodie to the absolute beginner.

Both the chosen cheeses and drams have a story to tell.  With this tasting, we will be unlocking those historical narratives, giving attendees not just a thrill for the tastebuds, but also for the soul and heart.”

Away from the Ordinary offers a range of virtual whisky and gin tastings – including chocolate and cheese pairings.  These tastings can be fully hosted, or enjoyed at leisure, in your own home.  The company also provides bespoke travel to Scotland; organising incredible, authentic Scottish vacation experiences.  More details can be found here. www.awayfromtheordinary.com

In 2012, Bedford Cheese Shop opened in the Gramercy Park neighbourhood in Manhattan. They continue to aspire to be the proverbial bridge between makers of cheese, charcuterie and specialty foods and their customers and community, near and far. They value the old-world traditions of mongering. Every day, our cheesemongers impart not only their knowledge of cheese making, care and ripening, but also the unique stories behind the history, origins and nuances of the cheeses. The delicate balance of art and science.

Where to drink whisky outside in London

In a month where we’re all rediscovering our love of lolling about with friends in beer gardens, we wanted to highlight some of the places where you can also sip a dram or two in the sunshine. With terraces that range from super swanky to the cosy and curbside, these bars all have something great to offer whisky lovers – just make sure you get your booking in quick.

Solas at The Savoy Court

If you’re a fan of Bowmore, the new pop-up bar at the Savoy Hotel might be the perfect place to treat yourself to a decadent dram. Named Solas after the Gaelic for ‘light, joy and comfort’ – and who doesn’t need some of that right now? – the bar is designed to be a feast for the senses: illuminated by a huge chandelier from which decanters, stoppers and crystal shards are suspended, it offers a mixture of specially-designed whisky cocktails, a range of Bowmore single malts that includes the 27-year-old Timeless series, and a mouthwatering selection of fresh seafood. The three words you never knew you needed in your life? Bowmore oyster luge.

Solas is open Monday-Thursday, 4pm-10pm & Friday-Sunday, 12pm-10pm at the Savoy, WC2R 0EZ.

BOISDALE BELGRAVIA

A firm favourite with those of us who enjoy the ‘occasional’ whisky and cigar, Boisdale’s generously-sized terrace is equipped with heaters and snuggly blankets, making it a comfortable option whatever the weather. It’s currently serving both drinks and food, with some seriously tempting happy hour offers available too. If you’re a City type, their splendid Canary Wharf venue also has a large terrace with the same offering.

Boisdale Belgravia is open every day, 5pm-11pm Monday, 12pm-11pm Tuesday-Friday, 5pm-11pm Saturday and 12pm-4pm Sunday. SW1W 9LX

BAR SWIFT

Not only are Bar Swift still delivering chilled, freshly-made cocktails to nearby local parks on the weekends, but their outdoor seating area is now open in Soho for both bookings and walk-ins. Sip one of their fabulous cocktails while you browse their 300-strong whisky list and wonder how you’re ever going to be able to make a decision.

Bar Swift is open from 5pm Monday – Friday and from 12pm on Saturday and Sunday. W1D 4TQ.

THe Macallan manor house

The Macallan Manor House at Rosewood London. Copyright John Carey

The yin to Solas’ peaty yang is perhaps the Macallan Manor House at the Rosewood London hotel. This pretty, floral terrace is decorated with heather, tartan rugs and fishing-themed accessories to fool you into thinking you’re lounging by the river Spey rather than somewhat near the river Fleet. The boathouse-themed terrace serves the full Macallan core range plus some rarer drams (London Edition, anyone?), alongside food and a wide range of other drinks. Close your eyes and you’ll almost hear the salmon leaping…

The Macallan Manor House is open Monday – Saturday 12pm-10pm, and Sunday, 12pm-9.30pm. WC1V 7EN

MILROY’S, SOHO & SPITALFIELDS

As anyone who’s been there knows, both branches of Milroy’s serve an unbeatable range of whiskies, including a vast range of indie bottlings, and both only have a tiny amount of outdoor space. The Soho branch, for example, only has four seats available, and neither venue accepts advance bookings. Go early, and use your elbows if necessary.

The Milroy’s Soho terrace is open Tuesday-Saturday, 3pm-11pm. W1D 4NX

The Milroy’s Spitalfields terrace is open Wednesday-Saturday, 12pm-8pm. E1 6LY

SALT

Based near Marble Arch, Salt offers an appealing combination of really tasty Indian food and a menu that boasts several hundred whiskies. Their roadside outdoor space was popular long before Covid and booking is essential.

Salt is open from 12pm Monday – Sunday. W2 2JB

Have we missed your favourite? Let us know 

A Last Chat with Jim McEwan – to support Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance

 Sunday, May 23^rd @ 9PM BST/ 1PM EDT/ 4PM PDT

 Come and help us raise a toast to Jim McEwan before he takes a step back from public life. An evening of Film, stories and conversation which will take you on a journey through the life and whiskies of Jim McEwan for one final event to support Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance

 LOS ANGELES – APRIL 30, 2021 – Following his final tasting Masterclass on May 22nd join Jim McEwan on Sunday, May 23rd, for a farewell chat in aid of one of Islay’s most valuable services: Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance.

After a lifetime spent creating some of the world’s finest whiskies, Jim has decided it’s now time to take a step back and be a full-time husband and grandfather.  Jim has inspired a generation of distillers, blenders, and fans. He feels that it’s now time for them to carry the message forward.

So, join us for one more chat with the man himself. One more night with Jim, his stories, insights… and a raise a toast to the man who has touched so many lives.

Over the past four months Jim McEwan’s story has been told through film in Blacksmith & Jones’ The Water of Life – a whisky film; through drams with Dramfool’s Jim McEwan Signature Collection; and in print with Jim’s biography, A Journeyman’s Journey, co-authored by Udo Sonntag and published by Plassen Verlag.

Today the companies who have helped share Jim’s story with the world have come together with Jim to help support Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance.

The event has two ticket options. Both tickets include access to The Water of Life Film for 48 hours (May 22^nd & 23^rd), a link to join a virtual online chat with Jim on Sunday, May 23^rd, and tasting kits you can enjoy while watching the film (But make sure you save one dram so that we can send Jim off with a hearty and heartfelt “sláinte mhath!”).  The Gold Collection ticket also includes a copy of The Journeyman’s Journey along with a personalised printed letter by Jim.

This is not a tasting or a masterclass. These drams are meant to be enjoyed while viewing the film or reading the book. Or kept as souvenirs. This event is a celebration of Jim, including a wee surprise or two.

Gold Collection Ticket – Available to purchase through Dramfool

Limited to 50 tickets – £185 (£25 from each ticket will be donated to Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance)

 With this collection you’ll receive access to The Water of life Film, a copy of The Journeyman’s Journey (German or English edition) along with a personalised printed letter from Jim, a Gold Collection tasting kit and access to a zoom link to join the chat with Jim McEwan on Sunday, May 23^rd.

The tasting kit has 6 drams which are a liquid timeline of Jim’s career – from his era at Bowmore, through some of his unique Bruichladdich drams (including Jim McEwan Signature Collection Journey’s End dram and a rare Lochindaal), and ending with Jim’s newest and yet to be bottled single malt from The Cape Byron Distillery in Australia. This will be a unique opportunity to taste the dram that Jim says will be his final whisky. It’s not going to be bottled for at least another year, but he’s eager to share an advanced taste with you all.

• Bowmore 20 – 50.7% ABV – 20 year old David Simpson, Double Matured in Oloroso and PX Sherry Casks
• Bruichladdich – 46% ABV – Resurrection 2001/2008
• Bruichladdich – 40% ABV – 10 year old, 1990’s bottling pre reopening
• Jim McEwan Signature Collection – Journey’s End – Islay Barley 2010 – 55.9 ABV – 16/09/2010 1^st fill Banyul Cask
• Dramfool – Lochindaa l 2009 – 62.1% ABV – 01/09/2009 1^st fill Bourbon
• Cape Byron – 48% ABV – Cask #17, Ex Bourbon Cask

Please note: The German version of the book will be dispatched straight after purchase. The English version of The Journeyman’s Journey will not be dispatched until late June as it has not been released yet.  Once printed, you will be sent one of the first 50 English versions of the first release – a real collector’s item!

Silver Collection Ticket – Available to purchase through Dramfool

Limited to 300 tickets- £50 (£10 from each ticket will be donated to Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance)

This collection includes access to The Water of Life film, a Silver Collection tasting kit and access to  a zoom link to join the chat with Jim McEwan on Sunday, May 23^rd.

The tasting kit has 4 drams which takes you through Bowmore and some of Bruichladdich’s finest drams:

• Bowmore 15 year old – 43% ABV
• Bruichladdich Islay Barley 2012 – 50% ABV
• Port Charlotte Islay Barley 2012 – 50% ABV
• Octomore 11.1 – 59.4% ABV – 5 year old 136.9PPM

Click here for information about of The Journeyman’s Journey

Click on link to find out more about Dramfool

Click on link for information on the film https://www.wateroflifefilm.com/

Click on Link to see the trailer

About The Water of Life – a whisky film

The Water of Life is a feature documentary that focuses on the craftsmen, chemists, and renegades at the heart of the whisky revolution that turned the stagnant scotch whisky industry of the 1980s into the titan it is today.

Starting behind the locked gates of an abandoned distillery, Jim McEwan and Mark Reynier share their personal experiences of the risk-taking and wild experimentation they used to turn Bruichladdich into a creative and financial powerhouse.

The film also takes you on the journeys of visionaries like Gordon & MacPhail, Billy Walker, Rachel Barrie and David Stewart, whose mixture of talent, chemistry, hard work, grit, and a little sprinkle of magic paved the way for the next generation of innovators like Adam Hannett, Kelsey McKechnie, Liam Hughes, Iain Croucher, and Eddie Brook.

The Water of Life is a uniquely personal perspective on the evolution of whisky by those who lived it – the story of those who played a key part in rediscovering the crafting of the ancient spirit.

About Blacksmith + Jones

Blacksmith + Jones is a media production company that puts story first. Their primary focus has been in documentary style television and short form projects.  Principals Trevor Jones and Greg Swartz have decades of experience and have produced shows for NatGeo, Discovery Channel and Animal Planet. They have been partners for more than 10 years. The Water of Life is their first feature documentary.

About The Dramfool

Dramfool have been delighted to be chosen by Jim McEwan, an industry legend in and personal whisky hero, to bottle his personal collection of casks. Distilled at hi time at the helm of Bruichladdich Distillery the spirit an casks all chosen to represent the best of what he and his team achieved.

To raise a toast with not just with him but his personally selected ‘Journey’s End’ dram to mark this occasion adds even more excitement to this event.

Dramfool have been independently bottling cask strength, un-chill filtered whisky since 2015. The reputation that we have gained around the world for our bottlings gives us great and continued pleasure. With this in mind the founder, Bruce Farquhar’s, mantra from day one to ‘only bottle whiskies that I like’ is key. More so now than ever.

About Plassen Verlag, a brand of Boersenmedien AG

Since 2012, popular non-fiction books on exciting, current topics by well-known authors and proven experts have been published under the “Plassen” label. The label’s authors speak volumes: from George Soros to Michael Bloomberg to Nobel Laureates in Economic Sciences Robert J. Shiller and Paul Krugman, from bestselling authors Andrew McAfee to Scott Galloway. The topics: Business, politics, current affairs and much more. But personalities from the show business have also published their books with Plassen Verlag. Besides singer Roberto Blanco, Michelin-decorated TV star chef Alexander Herrmann is also one of the prominent authors.

About the Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance.

SCAA currently operates two helicopters, both EC135-T2is, and two rapid response vehicles – taking expert paramedic care to the scene of time-critical emergencies.  SCAA then transports patients to hospitals all over Scotland to receive the most appropriate medical care.

Working in partnership with the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS), SCAA is an integral part of Scotland’s frontline emergency response network, responding to trauma incidents and medical emergencies across the country, covering an area of more than 30,000 square miles.

As Scotland’s only charity air ambulance, SCAA is funded by the people of Scotland, primarily through donations, fundraising, events and our life-saving lottery.

World Whisky Day 2021

Celebrate with a few drams now and invest in a few casks for future days to come

Every year we mark World Whisky Day on the 3rd Saturday of May in order celebrate the embodiment of celebration itself; whisky. Scotch whisky is a symbol of British craftsmanship and tradition, of durability and reliability. The origin of whisky began over 1000 year ago when distillation made the migration from mainland Europe into Scotland and Ireland via traveling monks. The Scottish and Irish monasteries, lacking the vineyards and grapes of the continent, turned to fermenting grain mash, resulting in the first distillations of modern whisky.

Since this momentous time, the industry has progressed and grown in order to become Scotland’s largest export, with global exports of Scotch Whisky in 2020 totaling £3.8 billion. Whisky is now drunk throughout the world and is continually seeing enhanced consumption year on year, with growth observed in over 100 international markets in 2019. As demand increases, it gradually begins to outweigh supply. Whisky that is collectible is also in demand for consumers, so a substantial proportion of any limited edition bottling will swiftly become much more limited as much of it is consumed by dedicated whisky lovers. Whisky is bottled after a period of maturation in oak barrels. Legally, this is a minimum of 3 years, but in practice, most whiskies are matured for a minimum of 8 years in order for them to develop their character.

Distilleries will usually have a ‘house style’ represented by a mass-produced bottling of a relatively young malt (such as Glenmorangie’s popular 10 year old). But they will also have older whiskies maturing at the distillery, and they can also bottle older whiskies such as a 15 or 21 year old. They might also bottle the product of a particular cask of vintage whisky, or they might offer different expressions of the whisky such as a ‘port wood finish’ or ‘sherry wood finish’ which means that in addition to being aged in traditional Bourbon barrels, the whisky has been ‘finished’ with a period of additional ageing in a port or sherry barrel which can impart different flavours.

All of these different expressions have enabled whisky to develop in to an appreciating asset which is of interest to investors – production is limited, and hence they are highly prized by collectors and consumers alike. Whiskies from some distilleries are much more collectible than others, so it is important to do due diligence on what will be desirable in the marketplace in a few years’ time when you seek to sell your whiskies on.

It therefore comes as no surprise that in the past few years, whisky sales have been hitting the ultimate highs which had previously only been achieved by other luxury commodities. In 2019 a single bottle of Macallan 1926 fetched £1.5 million; that same year, a cask of Macallan distilled in 1989 sold for £161,500 – a high price for a still maturing cask of Scotch. Although discovering such rare whisky is few and far between, it is imperative that investors have access to the world’s most renowned distilleries; something which Elite Wine & Whisky prides itself in.

Whether you decide to merely enjoy a tipple on World Whisky Day, or choose to educate yourself more about the prospects of investing in a cask of whisky, one thing is for certain, there is never a dull moment when it comes to whisky!

https://elitewineandwhisky.com/

26 May 2021, 7pm (BST)

Watt Whisky Virtual Tasting

Watt Whisky is a relatively new indie bottler, but is already making waves, as you’d expect from whisky industry veterans Mark and Kate Watt. They will both be heading up this tasting, joined by our very own Billy Abbott, taking you through a fantastic mix of whiskies and rum from Tomintoul, Caol Ila, Arran, Foursquare and an anonymous highlander, as well as their own blended whisky.

BOOK NOW

We hope you are well and looking forward to the bank holiday weekend!

As promised we finally have details of our follow-up to our successful ‘Festival in a Box’ last October. Many of you have been clamouring for this and we have been just as keen to get the ball rolling with it.

There is not a great deal of news yet regarding ‘live’ events. We are remaining in touch with all of our venues and are hopeful we will be able to recommence after the 21st June, but we will update you as soon as we can. Please believe me when I say we are desperate to get out and see you all again!

What’s happening over the Father’s Day weekend?

With this event we will turn the fun and interactivity factor up to eleven! And we hope you’ll involve your Dads too!

The weekend will kick-off on Friday 18th June with the ultimate BBQ and cocktails.

Chris Perry-Jones of award-winning Hawkhead fame will take participants through the art of preparing meats and proper BBQ’ing, whilst we also have what we like to call a Manhattan and Old-Fashioned-Off cocktail-making session.

Saturday will see Eddie, in honour of the impending Father’s Day, take his own Dad, in France, through a whisky blending session. He is determined that if he (a true whisky sceptic and novice) can do it, anyone can!

On Sunday, Eddie will be hosting a special Desert Island Karaoke session, in which he and 5 of his whisky friends will choose a dram and a track each before giving us a stunning rendition of the track!

Plus more to come!

There will also be on-demand, mini-masterclass sessions with each of the exhibitors and the bottling they have included in our Festival in a Box pack.

Talking of which!

So what is included and what does it cost?

Festival in a Box – Standard Edition £45 (inc. delivery)

– ALL samples of ALL of the exhibitors mini-masterclass whiskies. This will be between 20-30 samples.

– Glencairn tasting glass

– Can of Larkfire Wild Water for Whisky

– Hawkhead whisky-smoked nuts

– Access to ALL festival sessions, whether live or on-demand

Plus, for those of you prepared to be quick, the Fast Fingers Edition will also include a extra-special dram chosen by Eddie himself! There are only 50 of these available…

BUY NOW – Festival in a Box 2021

Please bear in mind that there is currently one person working one day a week in the business, so it may take a little while to get back to you. We have wonderful volunteers who help us with things like packing, etc., but your patience is much appreciated!

That’s it for now!

Thanks for listening and please take care. We look forward to hearing from you and fingers crossed for ‘real life’ events later in the year!

Have a great weekend!

Best Wishes,
Eddie
The Whisky Lounge

KENTUCKY DISTILLERS’ ASSOCIATION CANCELS KENTUCKY BOURBON HALL OF FAME® CEREMONY

FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky Distillers’ Association today announced that this year’s Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame® induction and ceremony has been canceled.

Created by the KDA in 2001, the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame® recognizes individuals and organizations that have made a significant and transformational impact on Bourbon’s stature, growth and awareness.

It is the highest honor given by the signature industry and is presented annually during the Kentucky Bourbon Festival in Bardstown in September.

KDA President Eric Gregory said the prestigious event is known for its intimate celebration of the industry’s most revered champions and attracts dignitaries from around the country.

“While we are encouraged with vaccination rates and declining cases in Kentucky, the KDA Board of Directors does not want to diminish this elite event or take a chance and possibly endanger any of our industry’s legends, their families and friends,” Gregory said.

“The Hall of Fame is one of our industry’s most cherished events when we all come together and commend the storied legacies and achievements of these iconic individuals. We look forward to holding a proper, in-person ceremony next year.”

Founded in 1880, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association is the legendary voice for Kentucky’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry. Its diverse and growing membership produces the overwhelming majority of the world’s Bourbon, from historic, global brands to emerging micro distilleries that are building the next generation of the Commonwealth’s timeless craft. A 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization, the KDA maintains an open membership policy, champions a strong commitment to the responsible and moderate consumption of spirits, and fights to curb underage drinking and drunk driving.

Learn more at www.kybourbon.com and www.kybourbontrail.com.

KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL®, KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL CRAFT TOUR®, KENTUCKY BOURBON AFFAIR™, KBT®, BOURBON TRAIL™ and KENTUCKY BOURBON HALL OF FAME® are trademarks/servicemarks of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association.Enjoy Bourbon like a true Kentuckian — Responsibly.

Glen Scotia 25-Year-Old Malt Whisky Named “Best Whisky In The World”   

Glen Scotia 25-Year-Old Single Malt Whisky has been recognised as the ‘Best in Show’ at this year’s San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC), with judges awarding the Scotch single malt whisky from Campbeltown, one of Scotland’s smallest Scotch Whisky regions, as the overall winner of the competition, and therefore The Best Whisky in The World in 2021.

This year the SFWSC judged 3,800 entrants across 31 separate categories, with Glen Scotia 25-Year-Old ultimately being named as Best in Show Whisky.

The SFWSC is one of the world’s most prestigious spirits competitions. Its judges are renowned experts in their fields with decades of industry experience.  The competition started in 2000, making it the second oldest spirits competition in the world, and the oldest and largest spirits competition in the US.

Iain McAlister, Master Distiller, Glen Scotia Distillery said: “To receive such outstanding recognition and be awarded as ‘Best in Show’ at this prestigious competition is an honour, and a tremendous boost to the entire team here at Glen Scotia distillery.

“The Glen Scotia 25-Year-Old (70cl, 48.8% ABV) is a really outstanding whisky and has collected a number of prestigious awards over the years, but this has to be the absolute proudest moment for the distillery to date.”

Glen Scotia 25-Year-Old wasn’t the only whisky from the distillery to receive an award at this year’s competition with the Glen Scotia 15-Year-Old a Gold Medal, and Glen Scotia Harbour Single Malt picking up a Silver Medal.

Campbeltown, although Scotland’s smallest whisky producing region today, was in its heyday during the Victorian era known as “The Whisky Capital of the World” and home to more than 30 distilleries. Although now only three remain, Glen Scotia Distillery, captures the knowledge, experience, craft and passion learnt over the centuries of distilling in Campbeltown to produce an exceptional range of Scotch whiskies, all perfect examples of the classic, maritime Campbeltown style.

The Glen Scotia 25-Year-Old is available to buy at www.glenscotia.com priced at £400. It is accompanied by an exceptional range of other whiskies from the distillery which are all award winners in their own right, including the Glen Scotia Double Cask (46% ABV, £40), Glen Scotia 15-Year-Old (46% ABV, £55) and Glen Scotia Victoriana (54.2% ABV, £65).

For more information, please visit www.glenscotia.com  

Tasting notes: 

Nose: Bracing Atlantic breeze gives a strong maritime influence.

Taste: Red apple and tangy orange peel with vanilla syrup and caramel sweetness.

Finish: Long lingering sea salt with a spicy note of ground ginger.

About Glen Scotia: 

• Independent distiller Glen Scotia has been producing single malt whisky in Campbeltown since 1832.
• Glen Scotia is one of three surviving distilleries in Campbeltown.
• Glen Scotia 25 Year Old Single Malt Scotch whisky was named ‘Best In Class’ at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2021, with Glen Scotia 10 Year old collecting a Double Gold Medal, Glen Scotia 15 Year Old a Gold Medal and Glen Scotia Harbour Single Malt a Silver Medal.
• Glen Scotia Double Cask was awarded a Gold Medal at the Scottish Whisky Awards 2019.
• Glen Scotia 18 Year Old won Best Campbeltown Malt at the World Whisky Awards 2018.
• Images and interviews with key staff from Glen Scotia are available upon request.
• www.glenscotia.com /Twitter: @GlenScotiaMalts

Isle of Arran Distillers Ltd – Lochranza and Lagg Distilleries unveil new programme of daily tastings to come following Visitor Centres re-opening

The Isle of Arran’s two Scotch Whisky distilleries have re-opened their visitor centres in line with Scottish Government guidance, as Scotland’s islands begin to welcome back visitors from the mainland.

The whisky production sites at Lochranza in the north of the island and Lagg in the south will open their doors to the public with initial access to their Visitor Centre shops and takeaway cafes followed by a number of new bookable tastings from 17^th May onwards.

As with many other businesses across the country, both distilleries have been shut since Christmas last year but will be open daily from 10am from Mon 26^th April for shop and takeaway facilities. From Mon 17^th May, both sites will begin to run a brand-new calendar of daily tastings while no tours are available.

From 17^th May, there will be a range of tastings held at the Lochranza Distillery Visitor Centre, giving visitors the opportunity to try the award-winning Arran Single Malt whiskies, including a Core Range Tasting at 11am daily (£20 per adult), a Limited Editions Tasting at 2pm daily (£25 per adult) and a Whisky & Arran Chocolate Pairing Tasting at 11am and 3pm daily (£15 per adult).

Also from 17^th May, the Distillery’s CASKS Café will also be open from 10am-4.30pm for a delicious selection of hot and cold beverages and home baking, with a lunch menu served from 12noon-3pm.

All tables must be booked in advance, bookings for tastings and the CASKS Café can be made by contacting bookings@arranwhisky.com or by calling 01770 830 264.

As well as tastings at Lochranza, from 17^th May tastings will also take place at the island’s newer Lagg Distillery, which opened in 2019, and will run daily at 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3pm costing £15.00 per adult.

Bookings can be made in advance by contacting Lagg Distillery on bookings@laggwhisky.com or by calling 01770 870565.

Director of Operations & Production for Lagg and Lochranza Distilleries, James MacTaggart said: “We’re thoroughly looking forward to welcoming visitors back to our distilleries at Lagg and Lochranza, while we’ve been able to stay in touch with them digitally in recent months, there’s nothing quite like welcoming people to the home of our Single Malts and tasting our precious liquid on the site it was crafted.”

Notes:

Accolades for Isle of Arran Distillery include Winner for:

Drinks Business Best Contribution to Wine and Spirits Tourism (2017)

Best Brewery/Distillery Tour – Scottish Outdoor Leisure Awards (2017)

Best Visitor Experience – Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions (2018)

Product Awards include:

Arran 10 year-old: Gold Medal ‘Best Single Malt 12 Years & Under, World Whiskies Awards (2019) San Francisco World Spirits Competition Double Gold Medal (2018). International Wine & Spirits Competition Gold Medal (2018). Category Winner and Gold Medal ‘Best Scotch Under 12 Years’ Islands Non-Islay at the World Whiskies Awards (2018). International Spirits Challenge Silver Medal (2018). Ultimate Spirits Challenge 91 points (2018). Ultimate Spirits Challenge Cocktail Commendation for the Rob Roy (2018). Double Gold Medal China Wine & Spirits Best Value Awards (2014)

Arran 18 year-old: Gold Medal & Category Winner ‘Best Single Malt 13 – 20 Years, World Whiskies Awards (2020)  Gold Medal ‘Best Single Malt 13 – 20 Years, World Whiskies Awards (2019) International Wine & Spirits Competition Gold Medal (2018) Category Winner & Gold Medal ‘Best Scotch 13-20 Years – Islands (Non- Islay) World Whiskies Awards (2018). International Spirits Challenge Silver Medal (2018) Scottish Field Whisky Challenge – Gold Award for Best Whisky £50-100 (2018)

Quarter Cask ‘The Bothy’: Best Scotch Island Single Malt, World Whiskies Awards (2020 & 2019) Category Winner & Gold Medal ‘No Age Statement Single Malt’ for The Bothy Batch 3 World Whiskies Awards (2018). International Wine & Spirits Competition Silver Outstanding Medal (2018). International Spirits Challenge Silver Medal (2018)

Arran Barrel Reserve:  Silver Medal ‘No Age Statement Single Malt’ World Whiskies Awards (2020)