Céad Míle Fáilte!

St. Patrick’s Day is coming up on Sunday, and we have two ways for you to celebrate with us. Firstly, there is our Shamrocks & Shenanigans tasting, which is a celebration of Irish, and for the first time Irish-style whiskies… we have snuck Bridgeland’s brand-new (released today if you are reading this on March 14th) Innisfail Pot Still whisky into the range, just for fun. We have an awesome range planned, so buy a ticket, don some green, and join us in-store on Saturday!

We are also having an Irish Whiskey Culling Sale (Evan’s name is probably a joke in there that’s over my head)… on now through Sunday, end of day. Save 15-35% on all in-stock Irish Whiskey. If you are looking for caffeinated whiskey, or whiskey for improper conduct such as punching old men in the back of the head… we’re probably not your destination. But if you are looking for premium Irish Malts, Grain, Pot Still, and Blended Whiskies at a great price, then we’ve most definitely got you covered!

We have nearly a dozen new whiskies in-store this week, including the first-ever releases of Meikle Toir, GlenAllachie’s new heavily peated range. Wednesday we are expecting a couple of new Cu Bocans (peated Tomatin) bottlings, including the first age statement in a wee while. There are also some new whiskies from closer to home, including a pair from Calgary’s Bridgeland Distillery, and another from Turner Diamond Valley’s Eau Claire Distillery.

Thank you to everyone who supported our Lassies Only Whisky Festival last Friday, in support of the Brenda Strafford Foundation’s Heart Home Network, which runs Alberta’s largest second-stage women’s shelter. I was especially touched by one customer who offered to buy any remaining tickets, to ensure the event was a sellout!

As always, in the event of a price discrepancy, the point of sale at KWM will be taken as correct. Online ordering and in-store purchasing are always our preferences. You can email your requests in, but they may not be dealt with as quickly as the web orders… especially if I am busy!

Sincerely,

 

Andrew Ferguson

Kensington Wine Market

In This Edition

1. Introducing: Meikle Toir from GlenAllachie

2. Two New CuBocan Whiskies from Tomatin

3. Other New Whiskies

4. Two New Whisky Books

5. The Irish Whiskey Culling Sale!

6. Back In-Stock

7. Upcoming Tastings

Introducing: Meikle Toir from GlenAllachie

Is Meikle Toir GlenAllachie’s answer to Octomore?

Meikle Toir translates to “big pursuit”, and this new range has some pretty big ambitions. This is a bit of a departure for Billy Walker, diving deep into peat, but it has his DNA all over it with long fermentations, different cut points, and premium oak.

1. Meikle Toir The Original – 50% – 5 Year – 35ppm – ex-Bourbon, ex-Rye, and Virgin American oak casks – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Baking spices, burnt honey and espresso, with hazelnuts, smoked almonds and butterscotch. Palate: Sweet peat, rich chocolate and heather honey, with cinnamon, ginger and oak-smoked sugar.” – $92 – Limit 1 Per Customer!

2. Meilke Toir The Sherry One – 48% – 5 Year – 160 Hour Fermentation – Finished in PX & Oloroso Sherry Puncheons – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Cedarwood, cigar box, butterscotch and mocha, with orange peel, honey and plum jam. Taste: Dark chocolate, smoked honey and mocha, with figs, treacle, burnt sugar and puffs of peat smoke.” – $92 – Limit 1 Per Customer!

3. Meilke Toir The Chinquapin One – 48% – 35ppm – 160 Hour Fermentation – Finished in Virgin Chinquapin oak barrels – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Smoldering oak embers, burnt liquorice and honey, with ginger, butterscotch and orange peel. Palate: Cocoa, crème brûlée and toasted almonds, with cinnamon, aniseed and campfire smoke.” – $92 – Limit 1 Per Customer!

There is a 4th release too, but it is extremely limited, and we are only offering it this time around to participants in a tasting. Though we might see more of the Meikle Toir The Turbo in the future. For “The Turbo” only the ‘heart of the heart’ of the distillate was selected to maximize the phenol content in the spirit, which is 71 ppm. Only three virgin American oak and five Oloroso sherry hogsheads were used to create the whisky… hence how limited it is!

Two New Cu Bocans from Tomatin

Cu Bocan is Tomatin’s peated alter ego. We are excited to finally have an age statement release from the range, as well as the 5th installment of their Cu Bocan Creations range, this one from Columbian Andean oak casks.

1. Tomatin Cu Bocan 12 Year – 46% – Producer Description: “Cù Bòcan 12 Year Old transports us to long Scottish summer nights, spent with friends by a campfire on the beach. Finished in Caribbean rum casks, Cù Bòcan 12 Year Old is fresh with grilled pineapple, ginger, and white chocolate.” – $132

2. Tomatin Cu Bocan Creation #5 – 46% – Producer Description: “Our fifth Creation has been finished in an incredibly rare cask type, Andean Oak. The mix of Andean Oak’s unique properties and our subtle smoke has resulted in notes of lightly charred oak with deep hints of exotic floral herbs and campfire banana splits.” – $105

Other New Whiskies

We have six other new whiskies either in stock, or expected next week, and three of them are from local distilleries!

Let’s start with the three local whiskies:

1. Bridgeland Innisfail Single Pot Still Whisky – 40.6% – Bridgeland Distillery continues to experiment and expand its whisky portfolio – this time with a nod to the Irish. This Single Pot Still Whiskey is made with a combination of malted and unmalted barley that has been tripled-distilled. Producer Tasting Note: “Orchard fruits on the nose, particularly apple and pear. Subtle sweetness lingering. The palate is floral, sweet and delicate with a great thick mouthfeel. Hints of baked spices. The finish linger and reveal a hint of sherry.” – $65

2. Bridgeland Single Blend Whisky 2024 Release – 44.1% – The 2024 Edition of Bridgeland Distillery’s Single Blend Whisky is a marriage of Rye Whisky, Taber Corn Whisky, and Single Malt whisky. All whisky was distilled, aged, and blended by Bridgeland at their Distillery in Calgary, Alberta. – Producer Tasting Note: “A vanilla bean, candied cherries and wine gum combination for the nose; The palate is complex with a great silky texture of rich toffee. The finish is anchored in Swiss chocolate, long and lasting!” – $67

3. Eau Claire Your’s Truly Single Malt – 46% – Marriage of ex-Bourbon, virgin European oak, ex-Oloroso, and ex-red wine casks selected by the women of Eau Claire Distillery, and blended by Caitlin Quinn. – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Toffee, Caramel, Green Apple. Taste: Red fruit, vanilla, oak. Finish: Lingering heat, hint of sweetness, more-ish.” – $85

And three new Scottish whiskies:

1. G&M Connoisseurs Choice Dailuaine 2009 TWE Cask – 57.7% – 13 Year – First Fill Sherry Hogshead – Producer Tasting Note: “Stewed fruit aromas intertwine with roasted hazelbuts and dark chocolate. Forrest berries combine with flavours of bitter orange and brown sugar. A full and long finish with citrus and oak.” – $150

2. James Eadie Mannochmore 10 Year – 57.1% – First Fill ex-Bourbon – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Delicate, pears and peaches with a grassy note of fresh meadow and grapefruit, alongside some rye bread and marmalade. Taste: Surprisingly rich, floral and fragrant. A nice buttery pastry with toffee alongside pears, zesty notes of grapefruit and lemon sherbet. Delicate, pears and peaches with a grassy note of fresh meadow and grapefruit, alongside some rye bread and marmalade.” – $115

3.   Nc’Nean Quiet Rebels Gordon – 48.5% – STR red wine, ex-Sherry, and ex-Rivesaltes casks – Producer Tasting Note: “Crème brûlée / Spiced plum jam / Candied orange peel” – $145

Two Great New Whisky Books

No one knows Canadian whisky like Davin de Kergommeaux, so we are thrilled to finally have the third edition of Canadian Whisky: The Essential Portable Expert in stock. We also have an in-store tasting planned with Davin on April 18, which includes a copy of his book (see below). $35 (the tasting is only $45 and includes a copy of his book!)

“Dive into Canada’s rich history of whisky making, legacy distilleries, and contemporary artisans with this fully updated and expanded guide—including over 100 new tasting notes for Canada’s top whiskies, from bestsellers to rare microdistillery bottlings. In this fully updated edition of Canadian Whisky, the nation’s authority himself, Davin de Kergommeaux celebrates the country’s often underplayed—yet integral—role in this storied spirit. A trusted independent whisky expert, de Kergommeaux has travelled the country in search of all things whisky to share the very latest findings, photographs, and tasting notes.”

For the Single Malt whisky geeks out there, there is Independent Scotch: The History of Independent Bottlers by David Stirk. As independent bottlings are a huge part of our business, we were keen to get this into the shop. $48

“Independent Scotch – The History of Independent Bottlers” by David Stirk charts the demise of the small blending and brokering firms from the 1940s through to the 80s and then the rise of the Independent Bottler from the late 1980s onwards. Intertwined is the story of his own career in the whisky industry and the beginnings through to the sale of The Creative Whisky Co Ltd. The book discusses the impact of Independent Bottlers and their place within the modern industry. Also, and in collaboration with Thijs Klaverstijn, the book outlines the history of all of the major Indy bottlers; including interviews and contributions from some of the best known names. The book will be a unique insight into a much-loved part of the Scotch whisky industry.”

The Irish Whiskey Culling Sale!

Saint Patrick’s Day is imminent, and that can only mean one thing: It is time for the annual dispensing of Irish Whiskey!

Irish Whiskey has been undergoing a boom over the past decade and a half, with quite a few new distilleries and labels coming out of the woodwork.

ALL of our Irish Whiskey stock is marked down by at least 10%, with some bottles up to 35% off. Check out the deals below!

·     Jack Ryan Raglan Road 5 Year – 54.9% – $82.99 30% OFF = $58.09!

·     Powers Gold Label Irish Whiskey – 40% – $47.99 15% OFF = $40.79!

·     Waterford Peated Fenniscourt 1.1 – 50% – $114.99 25% OFF = $86.24!

·     Bushmills 21 Year – 40% – $209.99 20% OFF for $178.49

·     Jack Ryan 12-Year-Old – 46% – $124.99 25% OFF = $93.74!

·     Waterford Biodynamic Luna 1.1 – 50% – $114.99 35% OFF = $74.74

·     Killowen Rum & Raisin Single Malt – 55% – $89.99 15% OFF = $80.99!

·     Boutique-y Irish Single Malt Whiskey #2 – Batch 6 – 15 Year – 50.2% – $184.99 – 20% OFF = $147.99

VIEW ALL OF OUR IRISH WHISKEY HERE

Back In-Stock

A few whiskies we haven’t seen for a while have trickled back into stock:

1. Benromach 15 Year – 43% – First Fill ex-Bourbon & Sherry Casks – Producer Tasting Note: “Aroma: Aromas of sweet toffee leading to notes of cracked black pepper and peat smoke. Rich forest fruits develop with dark chocolate and dried banana. Palate: Creamy and sweet with ripe apples and an undertone of charred oak. Dark chocolate develops and leads to toasted malt and orange peel with a subtle hint of smoke. Finish: Medium creamy finish with soft smoke and dried fruit.” – $132

2. Benromach Organic 2014 – 46% – Virgin America Oak – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Sweet vanilla and ripe fruits accompany citrus zest. Toasted malt leads to green apples. Palate: Creamy with soft pepper and butterscotch. Freshly ground coffee develops alongside dried banana and a subtle herbal edge. Finish: Medium bodied and long with aniseed and cocoa powder.” – $87

3.   Killowen Rum & Raisin Single Malt – 55% – Producer Description: “After aging for 5 years in Bourbon casks, this Single Malt has been divided and finished in Killowen’s own dark rum casks & PX sherry butts. The County Louth malt is the perfect compliment to the marriage of PX sherry flavours of prunes, figs & raisins combined with rum’s tropical Caribbean notes of coconut & vanilla.” – $90

4. Old Pulteney 15 Year – 46% – ex-Sherry & ex-Bourbon Casks – Producer Tasting Note: “Aroma: Intense yet balanced. Bursting with rich dried fruit, ripe apples and citrus, with honey sweetness and a generous chord of creamy vanilla. Slightly chocolaty and floral in the background. Taste: Fragrant spices and Christmas cake, with layers of chocolate and a distinct dark toffee sweetness. There is a hint of salty sea air on the finish, a clear connection to the influence of the sea on this single malt.” – $112

5. Old Pulteney 18 Year – 46% – ex-Sherry & ex-Bourbon Casks – MyTasting Note: “Nose: when we first cracked the bottle the neck misted up, and it smelled like a freshly poured pint of NEIPA; fresh, maritime, coastal and savoury with freshly sliced ginger and loads of citrus; salted caramel, honey and fruit leather. Palate: creamy, floral, fruity and very maritime; lush smoked-vanilla icing, salted caramel and creamed honey; juicy citrus, freshly sliced ginger and soft leather with dried and candied fruit; fresh and vibrant. Finish: medium-long in length with a nice coating body; stays juicy, fruity and maritime; loads of salted caramel, honey, vanilla and layers on candied citrus and dried fruit. Comment: very reminiscent of our KWM exclusive Old Pulteney from a couple of years back; a fantastic addition to the range!” – $160

Upcoming Tastings

Shamrocks & Shenanigans – Irish Whiskey 5 PM

·     Date: Saturday, March 16

·     Time: 5 PM

·     Cost: $40

·     In-Store Tasting

The approach of St. Paddy’s Day means everyone’s feeling a little more Irish, and it is high time for a focused Irish Whiskey tasting. We’ll take you on a wander across the Emerald Isle, tasting our way through some of the finest whiskey the island has to offer. We’ll sample single malts and single pot still whiskies from a range of brands and distilleries to give you the best lay of the land. Because it is the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day, we do feel the need to point out that we are not able to serve anyone showing signs of intoxication. If anyone shows up intoxicated, they will not be permitted to participate, and there will be no refund. What you do after the tasting, however, is between you and St. Patrick!

Saturday, March 16th @ 5 PM

Staff Picks – Curt v Harmony v Sammy v Shawn

·     Date: Tuesday, March 26

·     Time: 7 PM

·     Cost: $60

·     Virtual Tasting

·     SAMPLES READY FOR PICK-UP

We gave four of our whisky staff the ability to pick two whiskies for a head to head to head to head tasting. It could be something they love, which didn’t get the attention they felt it deserved, or something that they were dying to try! In the end, they selected 6 six malts, a blend, and an old rum. Who’s picks will reign supreme? You’ll have to log in to find out!

Tuesday, March 26, 7 PM

Berry Bros. & Rudd KWM Cask Launch

·     Date: Thursday, March 28

·     Time: 7 PM

·     Cost: $75

·     Virtual Tasting

·     SAMPLES READY FOR PICK-UP

THIS TASTING SOLD OUT SO WE HAVE ADDED SPOTS! Andrew was so excited about our 26 year old Bowmore single cask from Berry Bros. & Rudd, that he kind of forgot about the other five whiskies we ordered with it. We also received a pair of Blended Malts from 1979 and 1999, a reasonably priced single grain and a couple of thirty-something Speysiders matured in refill casks. Almost a complete lineup all on its own, we have added a 7th bottling, a blast from the past… our Berry’s Tormore 25 Year from a couple of years back, just for fun. Join us as we taste our way through 207+ years of malt whisky for Berry Bros!

Thursday, March 28, 7 PM

Single Malts of Scotland Marriage of Casks & More

·     Date: Tuesday, April 9

·     Time: 7 PM

·     Cost: $90

·     Virtual Tasting

·     SAMPLES READY FOR PICK-UP

A 30 year old Islay mystery malt (presumed to be Laphroaig), 31 year old mystery Speyside single malt, 26 year old Imperial, and 25 year old Ardmore are a good starting point for a tasting. They are all from the Marriage of Casks range by Elixir Distillers, as is the Glenrothes 31 Year, which while not new, we really wanted to work into a tasting, because it is sublime. We’re rounding out the range with a Ben Nevis, and a couple more mystery malts: Lowland 13 Year and a very sherried 11 year old Orcadian. We’ll sample 8 malts in all, a cumulative 177 years of liquid history.

Tuesday, April 9, 7 PM

Canadian Whisky Updated with Davin de Kergommeaux

·     Date: Thursday, April 18

·     Time: 7 PM

·     Cost: $45

·     In-Store Tasting

Davin de Kergommeaux, the world’s foremost expert on Canadian whisky has updated his seminal work, “Canadian Whisky: The Essential Portable Expert.” So we’re putting on a launch tasting for him at the shop, featuring a range of award-winning and groundbreaking Canadian whiskies. Participants will sample 7 unique Canadian whiskies, and also get a signed copy of Davin’s new book!

Thursday, April 18, 7 PM

Compass Box Curiosities & a New KWM Cask with Scott Ellis

·     Date: Tuesday, April 23

·     Time: 7 PM

·     Cost: $40

·     Virtual Tasting

·     SAMPLES READY FOR PICK-UP

KWM’s 5th Compass Box Marrying Cask is landing soon, so we have convinced Scott Eliis to join us remotely for another virtual session. The range will include three versions of the Glasgow Blend, two of which were bottle for KWM. We will also be featuring a couple of very limited new releases, Metropolis from the Extinct Blends Quarter, as well as Art & Decadence. How limited are these two, well they are so limited that we have decided to hold 4 bottles of each back, to offer them for sale to tasting participants! Because we always do at least 7 whiskies, we are rounding out the lineup with the superb new Flaming Heart, and a blast from the past, Juveniles!

Tuesday, April 23, 7 PM

Crazy About Craigellachie

·     Date: Thursday, April 25

·     Time: 7 PM

·     Cost: $45

·     Virtual Tasting

·     SAMPLES READY FOR PICK-UP

We love ourselves some Craigellachie at KWM, and there is a decent selection of it in the market right now. So it seemed like an appropriate time to sample a wee selection of them… the only thing is, it isn’t so wee a selection… sometimes less is not always more… but we had to draw a line somewhere, so we capped the range at 8! We’ll sample the distillery-bottled 13 and 17 year olds, a trio of Craigellachie independent bottlings from the early 2000s, and three others aged 10-15 years. We think you’ll leave this tasting feeling crazy for Craigellachie too!

Thursday, April 25, 7 PM

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Regular Store Hours

Mon-Wed 10 AM – 8 PM

Thurs & Fri 10 AM – 9 PM

Sat 10 AM – 8 PM

Sun 11 AM to 6 PM

 

 

We hope you are enjoying the the first days of Spring! With that in mind, we have sprung into action with announcing Liverpool Whisky Festival, in September, and a reminder for Bristol and Manchester festivals. Liverpool tickets go on sale right now, so don’t hang around here too long! Bristol and Manchester still have early-bird tickets available, but they won’t last forever!

We also have a new exciting element to our festivals this year, called ‘The Nose‘. Basically if you can tell us what a mystery whisky is, just by smelling it, you win the remainder of that bottle to take home! Easy-peasy…or is it…?!

Look out for this at all 2024 TWL festivals, but for now here are the essentials…

Saturday 21st September 2024
The Crypts

Early Bird tickets from 1pm today!

Buy Tickets Now!

Friday & Saturday 18th/19th October 2024
Manchester Cathedral

Some Early Birds still available

Buy Tickets Now!

Saturday 6th July 2024
Bristol Beacon

Early Birds available 

Buy Tickets Now!

We will have more for you in the coming weeks and months, but for now, happy ticket hunting and have a great weekend ahead!

Slàinte!

Eddie & Amanda
The Whisky Lounge Team

The Speyside Region Tasting
13th April 2024
7pm

Learn about the history of our famous Whisky Regions at the Inverurie Whisky’s Tasting Series. First up is the Speyside region, home to over 50 distilleries, Speyside was born from within the Highland region and has grown into one of the most famous in Scotland. Your line up for the event includes some great drams, with some classic Speyside flavours entwined with some historical references, fun facts and new style whisky.

View Product

Meet like minded friends at the Shop’s Snug Bar, and take advantage of the after tasting where the bar will be open for you to enjoy some of our range of over 300 whiskies by the dram.

Alternatively, join us online via zoom from the comfort of your own home. Your Online Tasting Pack will be sent to you around a week before the event along with joining instructions. The session will also be recorded.

7pm for 7.30pm Start

Over 18’s Only

Limited Numbers

The Fosse Gallery have extended an invitation to Cotswolds Distillery friends to view Annabel Playfair Travels from Italy to Home. Annabel Playfair was the artist highlighted on the Flaxen Vale Single Malt Whisky which is part of the Harvest Series.

On: Sunday 3rd March 2024

11.00am – 4.00pm 

At: Fosse Gallery Fine Art,

The Manor House, The Square, Stow on the Wold, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL54 1AF 

01451 831319

mail@fossegallery.com

You may view the exhibition in full at www.fossegallery.com 

The Exhibition continues until: Saturday 23rd March 2024

FIND OUT MORE

Harvest Series Flaxen Vale Single Malt Whisky

The limited-release single malt is the embodiment of the Cotswolds landscape, expertly crafted with a blend of select American Oak PX and Spanish Oak Oloroso and Peated casks.

Tasting Notes 

Nose: Sweet dates, sweet brioche pastry, hazelnut

Palette: Dried raisins, toffee, touch of peat and toasted hazelnuts

Finish: Balanced, dry fruit, sweet patisserie pastry with a gentle peaty finish

SHOP NOW

Was Alfred Barnard the original whisky influencer?

While nowadays we’re spoiled with a plethora of whisky books focussing on different whiskies and distilleries, Alfred Barnard’s “Whisky Distilleries of the United Kingdom” was really the first such project. In this video, Dr Gordon Steele discusses the book and its lasting influence with historian Fionnán O’Connor.

🎬 Watch the Video | 📖 Read the Post

The Whisky List acquires leading Australian whisky festival The Whisky Show

Australia’s largest online whisky retailer, The Whisky List, is delighted to announce the acquisition of The Whisky Show, a leading whisky event company that sees over 6,000 Australians sample hundreds of whiskies across its yearly line-up of whisky festivals across Australia.

Since its creation by David Ligoff and Larry Aronson in 2012, The Whisky Show has become the premier whisky festival in Australia. It’s a favourite for local and international exhibiting distillers, brands, and attendees alike, built on a simple idea of bringing the whisky community together to try exceptional whiskies. Prior to the inception of the first The Whisky Show, Ligoff and Aronson worked together co-founding Australia’s first whisky specialist retail store, World of Whisky. The Show has travelled to all parts of Australia, serving tens of thousands of whisky samples to over 55,000 whisky drinkers in the last decade.

The acquisition is part of The Whisky List’s ongoing commitment to enhancing consumers’ experience with whisky across Australia. “The Whisky List is thrilled to welcome David and The Whisky Show to our growing family of brands and experiences,” said Oliver Maruda, Co-Founder of The Whisky List. “We’ve been working in close partnership with The Whisky Show for several years now, initially with the development of the Show App, facilitating the rollout of virtual shows and events during COVID lockdowns, and assisting the running of their pop-up bottle shop at each Show. It was a natural fit for us to unite forces in this next phase of both of our company’s growth.”

The Whisky Show Australia will continue as a standalone brand. The deal includes The Whisky Show’s co-founder David Ligoff joining The Whisky List full time in the newly formed leadership role as Director Experiences & Events. “David has over 20 years of experience working in the liquor industry, with diverse experience including launching Australia’s first dedicated whisky retailer, World of Whisky, and running dozens of festivals and thousands of whisky tastings” said Maruda.

The Whisky List’s strategic acquisition of The Whisky Show aligns with its consumer-centric approach of catering to evolving consumer expectations, as well as capitalising on the robust growth of the liquor sector in e-commerce, and increasing demand for premium in-person whisky experiences.

“Whilst the last couple of years has been a time of innovation and optimisation for The Whisky List, we’ve updated our operating model to better service our growing customer needs to be in line with what global leaders in whisky retail, such as UK-based The Whisky Exchange, have transitioned towards. The Whisky List is now one of Australia’s fastest growing whisky companies. The direct-to-consumer online store boasts a growing distribution portfolio of local and international whisky brands and is now complemented by a premium in-person festival experience with the addition of The Whisky Show” said Maruda.

Sharing the announcement Ligoff says “We’re immensely proud of what The Whisky Show brand has accomplished. For over a decade over 55,000 Australians have discovered new whiskies and made new friends at our festivals” with Ligoff declaring “the TWL team has been a valuable partner for the last few years, helping us pivot quickly and stay connected by launching the first global virtual whisky festivals during lockdowns, as well as creating the world’s first whisky festival app which captures and shares real-time data on each SKU’s performance to our exhibiting brands. Through partnering on innovations such as these, we realised our united capabilities significantly enhanced the overall Show experience for both consumers and trade. I’m personally looking forward to the next decade of Whisky Shows in Australia with our continued single-minded purpose of providing Australian whisky lovers with their favourite whisky festival.”

Larry Aronson, who joined The Whisky List in 2021 to lead its import and distribution division, is excited to once again work with Ligoff. “David & I had an absolute blast together in the past, introducing new whisky brands into the Australian market. Having The Whisky Show join with The Whisky List feels like family reuniting, whilst enhancing our ability to build brands and maximise value to our customers and exhibitors.”

The Whisky Show runs its popular whisky festivals in capital cities across Australia. In 2022 and 2023, they introduced a series of niche whisky festivals. Returning for its third year is the cult-favourite Feis Ile – The Islay Festival, to be held on June 1st 2024, which will see favourite Scottish distilleries from Islay return to Melbourne to replicate the world’s most popular whisky festival down under. Held in partnership with the Feis Ile committee, the Melbourne event is the only official sister festival held at the same time for those who cannot make the annual pilgrimage to Islay, Scotland. Another niche festival is The American Whiskey Show, which is the largest whiskey festival in Australia dedicated to Bourbon, Rye, American Single Malt and Canadian Whiskeys. The USA Show will be returning to Sydney for its third year running and will be hosted in Melbourne for the first time this year. With well over 100 different whiskeys to taste, a rare whiskey bar, live blues band, and Texan slow cooked bbq brisket food truck, the festivals have evolved into unique experiences for fans of the bourbon and rye categories.

2024 Whisky Show Season

Tickets to all 2024 Whisky Shows are now available at: wsky.me/show2024

23 March 2024 – Adelaide Whisky Show

13 April 2024 – USA Whiskey Show (Melbourne)

18 May 2024 – Sydney Whisky Show

1 June 2024 – Feis Ile Islay Whisky Show (Melbourne)

22 June 2024 – Perth Whisky Show

6 July 2024 – Melbourne Whisky Show

20 July 2024 – Canberra Whisky Show

24 August 2024 – USA Whiskey Show (Sydney)

14 September 2024 – Brisbane Whisky Show

About The Whisky List

The Whisky List is Australia’s largest online whisky retailer, made by whisky lovers for whisky lovers. Established in 2018 as an online whisky search engine, they are now an influential force in the Australian whisky industry. They’ve worked with a host of Australian and international distillers through their virtual and in-person tastings, have released over 25 exclusive bottlings, and in their on-going partnership with The Whisky Show, travel Australia year-round showcasing some of the finest local and international whiskies.

A TOUR OF THE ISLES

Home to some of the most remote distilleries and the communities that run them, the Scottish islands produce some of the most highly rated and passionately adored whiskies in the world.

It is easy, and frankly a pleasure, to imagine these distilleries clinging to the seashore as gales roll in from the Atlantic while the islanders toil away in a stage set of gleaming copper and hissing steam.

Certainly, these are Romantic settings, but the business of making whisky relies less on flights of fancy and instead on the gentle evolution of tradition and innovation.

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ISLAY

Unlike the other islands that crowd the Scottish coast, Islay is a Scotch whisky region all of its own. Historically, the island’s whiskies were heavily peated having to rely on peat as a local fuel source and drams like Kilchoman and Lagavulin continue in this vein.

However. peat isn’t the only string to Islay’s bow and you can find bright, briney whiskies from Bruichladdich and Bunnahabhain that have nay a whisper of smoke.

SKYE

For decades Skye had only one distillery, the inimitable Talisker. This has now been joined by Torabhaig. Surrounded by the staggeringly beautiful landscape of Skye it is easy to see why they have both plummed for similar marketing lines, respectively; ‘Made by the Sea’ and ‘Shaped by Skye’.

Indeed both these drams have an elemental quality, whether that’s the brine and pepper of Talisker or Torabhaig’s more obvious peat smoke.

ORKNEY

It is easy to forget that Orkney has two distilleries but Highland Park shares their island home with the smaller Scapa.

Two more different styles of whisky it is hard to imagine. Highland Park makes use of the island’s heathery peat alongside sherry casks for a rich and weighty dram. Scapa instead is full of bright orchard fruit with a lick of sea spray and is prized by blenders for its elegant top notes.

HARRIS

The surging Atlantic, the towering mountains, the purple heather and the white beaches mark Harris out and have made this such a special place for Hearachs to call home. ⁠
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The Isle of Harris distillery was opened in 2015 to give work to the local community whether that’s in the business of making spirits or in running and supplying the busy onsite cafe, breathing new life into the island.

MULL

The only distillery on the Isle of Mull, Tobermory produces two distinct styles of whisky, the more delicate Tobermory and full on peat of Ledaig.

The distillery is hitting its stride with more whisky fans discovering and falling for the Ledaig’s winning combination of smoke, peat and sea spray particularly in more mature expressions. ⁠

ARRAN

In its whisky-making heyday in the 1800s Arran, a convenient stop on the shipping lanes in and out of Glasgow, was home to no less than 50 illicit stills. Today there is only the one whisky company, with two distilleries, and that was founded in the mid-1990s.⁠

Producing whisky at Lochranza and Lagg, in a similar vein to the other islands, the island has both peated and unpeated drams full of light and shade.

RAASAY

The isle of Raasay only recently joined the whisky-making world. The distillery was inspired by traditional whisky making, notably making both peated and unpeated whisky and then blending them together.

The team have also embraced more contemporary styles of cask. The makeup of their flagship malt sees them age their peated and unpeated whiskies separately in ex-rye, chinkapin oak, and ex-Bordeaux wine casks for a full, rich profile.

THE MACALLAN COLLABORATES WITH CIRQUE DU SOLEIL TO LAUNCH AN EXCLUSIVE SENSORY EXPERIENCE TO MARK 200 YEARS YOUNG 

In celebration of the single malt’s “200 years young” milestone, The Macallan invites Cirque du Soleil to create a unique experience at The Macallan Estate

The exclusive sensory experience marries the unparalleled expertise and craftsmanship of The Macallan with Cirque du Soleil’s mastery in the performing arts

Guests to The Macallan Estate in Speyside will be transported into the extraordinary and unexpected world of Cirque du Soleil SPIRIT, a tale inspired by the Scottish Highlands

The experience will run daily – except Sundays – from 9 May to 31 May 2024

 To commemorate The Macallan’s 200th anniversary, the renowned single malt Scotch whisky brand has come together with Cirque du Soleil to create a bespoke, theatrical and unforgettable experience. Drawing synergies from The Macallan’s unparalleled expertise in whisky craftsmanship with Cirque du Soleil’s indefinable mastery in the performing arts, the result is an unparalleled experience that marries the artistry of both worlds.

The Macallan Estate in Speyside, Scotland – the 485 acres stretch of land in the Scottish Highlands that is home to the brand’s Distillery – will play host to this breathtaking experience. This scenic landscape offers a unique setting to enhance the engaging nature of the event, whilst providing a picturesque backdrop that complements the overarching narrative. With a highly limited run, the experience will run at 8:30pm daily – excluding Sundays – from 9-31 May 2024.

Cirque du Soleil SPIRIT is an exclusive sensory experience which transports guests into the theatrical universe of the Scottish Highlands for an engaging journey. Taking individuals on a journey through taste, smell, sounds and feelings, this is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to witness an awe-inspiring performance, whilst feeling immersed in nature.

Jaume Ferràs, Creative Director at The Macallan, said: “2024 marks a momentous year for The Macallan as it celebrates its bicentennial. Celebrating two centuries of unparalleled craftsmanship and tradition, this collaboration brings two iconic brands together, both dedicated to constant innovation; resulting in a one-of-a-kind experience which is uniquely inspired by the Highlands and the story of our brand so far.” 

“Bridging the gap between the art of whisky making and the spectacle of performing arts, creating an unforgettable experience that is deeply rooted in the nature that surrounds us at The Macallan, our rich history, and our bold vision for the future. We look forward to welcoming guests from all over the world to our Estate, offering them the opportunity to take in an exclusive experience and a bespoke whisky tasting surrounded by nature, all unique to The Macallan.”

Cirque du Soleil SPIRIT moves guests through different environments of the narrative experience, immersing them in the feelings, scents, tastes and sounds of the bespoke journey. The experience tells the tale of how reconnecting with nature gives life a force to protect our natural world, offering breathtaking performances, intriguing stagecraft and signature tasting experiences at the Estate.

The story focuses on Davonna, a fierce spiritual guardian of the Scottish Highlands, and a young colourist named Ayla. The daughter of a beloved Master Whisky Maker, Ayla has striven for years to recreate an elusive shade of red that reminds her of her father and the red chalk he would use in his work. Davonna leads their venture deep into the majestic natural landscapes of the realm and through a series of encounters with fantastical folkloric figures along the way, which culminates in a reconnection with nature.

Marie-Hélène Delage, Creative Director at Cirque Du Soleil, said: “Cirque du Soleil SPIRIT is a spectacular collaboration based on mutual respect. Through harmony paralleled with nature and storytelling, we’ve forged a unique partnership that highlights the strengths of both of our brands. With this invitation, we’re welcoming guests to a transformative experience in the timeless beauty of The Macallan Estate. Together, we’ve written a tale that celebrates the beauty, wonder and deep connection we all share with the natural world.”

Information on the experience, along with timings and pricing, can be found below:

Location: The Macallan Estate in Speyside

Dates: 9 – 31 May 2024 with one experience per day, excluding Sundays

Ticket price: £200 per person

Timings: 8:30pm – 10:30pm

Link to purchase HERE

Further information

ABOUT THE MACALLAN

The Macallan is renowned worldwide for its extraordinary single-malt whiskies. Two centuries have passed since Alexander Reid, founder of The Macallan, distilled the first batch of whisky in his curiously small stills in Speyside, Scotland, in 1824, beginning the extraordinary legacy of the single malt Scotch whisky.

An obsession with quality and craftsmanship is the hallmark of The Macallan. The outstanding quality and distinctive character of each whisky is influenced by exceptional oak casks seasoned with sherry wine – a commitment to natural colour underpinned by mastery. Designed by internationally acclaimed architects, The Macallan Distillery is located on a beautiful 485-acre Estate and takes inspiration from the surrounding ancient Scottish hills.

The past 200 years have been a prologue for everything that is still to come. This is a journey through time. This is The Macallan, 200 Years Young.

Crafted without compromise. Please savour The Macallan responsibly. Crafted without compromise. Please savour The Macallan responsibly.

For further information visit themacallan.com and become a member of The Macallan Society to explore the stories behind the whiskies.

ABOUT CIRQUE DU SOLEIL ENTERTAINMENT GROUP

Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group is a world leader in live entertainment. Building on four decades of pushing the boundaries of the imagination, the Company brings its creative approach to a large variety of entertainment forms, such as multimedia productions, immersive experiences, and special events. Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group celebrates 40 years of defying reality, defining entertainment, and illuminating the world through art and creativity.

Since its creation in 1984, more than 400 million people have been inspired on 6 continents and 86 countries. The Canadian company now employs more than 4000 employees, including 1200 artists from 80 different nationalities. For more information about Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, please visit cirquedusoleil.com