Ayrshire-based Lochlea Distillery crowned

International Trade Business of the Year in regional awards

Darren McCormick from Lochlea Distillery

and Samantha McKechnie from Neogen (award category sponsor)

 The independently owned and family-run Lochlea Distillery in South Ayrshire – one of the very few farm-to-cask whisky distilleries in Scotland – has scooped the ‘Going Global – International Trade Business of the Year’ award at the Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce Business Awards.

The annual Ayrshire Business Awards attract high profile industry support and are established as the leading awards ceremony for Ayrshire businesses, providing the opportunity to showcase major achievements and to celebrate outstanding success.

The winners were announced at the 2023 Awards Dinner on Friday (6th October) at Ayr Racecourse where the Lochlea Distillery team were delighted to win the Going Global – International Trade Business of the Year category, celebrating companies that have demonstrated significant international growth and proving that borders are not a barrier to trade.

Lochlea Distillery has a rich Scottish heritage and was once home to Robert Burns himself who worked and lived on the farm during his formative years, from 1777 to 1784. Having only launched their first whisky in January 2022, Lochlea’s whiskies are already stocked in over 150 retailers in the UK and in 20 export markets worldwide.

David Ferguson, Commercial Director at Lochlea Distillery commented: “We are over the moon to have won this prestigious award celebrating growing businesses in our region, especially given the calibre of our fellow Ayrshire finalists. We have a strong and expanding local customer base whose support has been key since we launched last year. On the export side, it means a lot to our team that Lochlea has been recognised for our achievements to date, and we have exciting plans to continue moving into more international markets in future”.

About Lochlea Distillery:

Lochlea was originally a 222 acre livestock farm before being purchased by Neil and Jen McGeoch in 2006. After much consideration of the future of the farm and a successful trial to grow its own barley in 2015, the couple transformed the land and existing farm buildings into a fully-operational distillery in 2017 and started distilling the following year. The farming side has remained a unique part of Lochlea, with the move into barley production – paving the way for Lochlea to be one of the very few fully grain-to-cask distilleries in Scotland.

Hope you’re as excited as we are about the upcoming St Andrew’s Day celebrations! It’s that time of year when Scotland comes alive with the vibrant spirit of celebration, bagpipes filling the air, and good company all around.

But what’s a gathering without the true stars of the show? That’s right, we’re talking about our beloved whiskies – the liquid gold that captures the soul of Scotland in every drop. Imagine this: you, embraced by kindred spirits, toasting the eternal traditions and vibrant wonders of Scotland. The air resonates with joyous laughter and an undeniable sense of kinship.

Someone pours you a wee dram of Cask No. 36.210: Saint of sore throats. 

As the exquisite liquid dances upon your lips, an orchestration of flavours unfolds. Indulge in the decadence of orange-infused chocolate coffee cake, the velvety elegance of crème brûlée, the delicate allure of profiteroles, and the whimsical delight of churros. And oh, the symphony of flavours continues! On the palate, be ready to experience the captivating embrace of oaky spiciness, intermingled with the tantalising essence of a Portuguese bifana sandwich.

DON’T MISS out on commemorating St Andrew’s Day the right way with this EXQUISITE bottling!

SLAINTE

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ

Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

Making gift giving simple

It’s a busy time of year and thoughts are turning to gift ideas and ways of keeping warm as the weather turns colder. Here at Shelter Point we think you can keep things simple as our whisky is a wonderful gift and also gives whoever drinks it a wonderful warm glow. Two birds with one stone!

To make the decision making a bit easier we’re delighted to offer a limited time discount for Black Friday 10% off anything in store or online! November 24^th to December 5^th. Use the code BLACKFRIDAY in our online store or just come to visit us at the distillery store and we’d be delighted to see you.

The online offer will apply to our US online store as well.

Shop Now! use offer code BLACKFRIDAY

SPRINGBANK 10 YEARS
PALO CORTADO 55%
6 Years in Bourbon/4 Years in Palo Cortado

UK RRP £90 – £95

Nose
There are notes of parma violets, buttercream icing and peaches on the nose, along with hints of cola and grated ginger.

Palate
Soft peat smoke comes through on the palate, complemented by notes of red velvet cake, strawberry laces and icing sugar.

Finish
There is a waxiness in the finish with notes of orange rind and the continuation of the peat smoke.

Available via ballot from various retailers

THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS GIFTING 

Are you searching for the ultimate Christmas gift this year? Well, your search ends here! Our very own Santa’s little helper, Mads Schmoll, has the ideal presents in store. Discover a selection of hand-picked introductory sets and educational resources that will not only kindle their passion but also serve as a guide through the enchanting world of whisky.

GIFT GUIDE

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ

Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

A Week Of Limited Releases

To accommodate gift giving for the upcoming festive season, this week we will be releasing very limited amounts of whisky via our website, rather than ballot. Due to the small quantities, it’s likely that each product will sell out quickly.

At 12pm (AEDT) each day this week, beginning Tuesday, we will release the following products via our webstore:

Tuesday – Double Cask
Wednesday – American Oak ex-Bourbon & American Oak Second-Fill
Thursday – French Oak Second-Fill
Friday – American Oak Old & Rare

Cask information and tasting notes will be available via our website when each release opens. Sales are on a first come, first served basis.

Follow us on Facebook or Instagram for release updates.

Double Cask

Winner of Best Australian Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards 2018. This single malt whisky is aged in a combination of French and American oak casks. With incredible complexity and length, Double Cask is fruit forward, creamy and decadent.

*WEB RELEASE OPENS 12PM TUESDAY*

LEARN MORE

American Oak ex-Bourbon

Sullivans Cove American Oak ex-Bourbon Single Cask is our most awarded expression. Aged in 200L American oak casks previously used to mature bourbon in the USA, this whisky represents the defining style of Sullivans Cove, with a strong malt backbone and flavours of vanilla, caramel, stone fruit, white flowers and powerful oak.

*WEB RELEASE OPENS 12PM WEDNESDAY*

LEARN MORE

American Oak Second-Fill

Unlike our standard American Oak single casks, which are aged in ex-Bourbon barrels, these single cask whiskies are matured in casks previously used to mature a batch of Sullivans Cove single malt. The result is a softer oak profile that really allows Sullivans Cove’s unique spirit character to shine through.

*WEB RELEASE OPENS 12PM WEDNESDAY*

LEARN MORE

French Oak Second-Fill

Unlike our standard French Oak Single Casks, aged in ex-tawny barrels, these single cask whiskies mature in French oak casks from a previous batch of Sullivans Cove French Oak. Second Fill whiskies require exceptional casks, bringing out rich spice from the French oak timber and allowing Sullivans Cove’s unique spirit character to shine.

*WEB RELEASE OPENS 12PM THURSDAY*

LEARN MORE

Old & Rare American Oak

Old & Rare American Oak is matured for a minimum of sixteen years in American oak casks previously used to age bourbon. These whiskies reveal remarkable complexity and palate length—rich, oaky, and textured while retaining the brightness and character of Sullivans Cove’s unique spirit. A rare milestone for both Sullivans Cove and the Australian Whisky Industry, these whiskies are a true piece of Australian whisky history.

*WEB RELEASE OPENS 12PM FRIDAY*

LEARN MORE

KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL® WELCOMES KENTUCKY BOURBON BOYS TOUR COMPANY AS OFFICIAL SPONSOR 

Homegrown Business Finds Success as Kentucky Bourbon Booms

FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky Distillers’ Association today announced that the Kentucky Bourbon Boys tour company is the newest official transportation sponsor of the world-famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail® experience.

Like the other official transportation sponsors, (Mint Julep Experiences, Pegasus Distillery Experiences and Central Kentucky Tours) demand for KDA’s Kentucky Bourbon Trail® tourism program has helped build and grow small businesses like the Kentucky Bourbon Boys.

Based in Louisville, Kentucky Bourbon Boys provides transportation services to KDA-member distilleries in Bardstown, Lexington, Louisville, Northern Kentucky, Lawrenceburg, Danville and Frankfort, as well as cooperage tours at Kentucky Cooperage in Lebanon.

“With more distillery experiences than ever all across the state of Kentucky, reliable transportation options are an absolute necessity,” said Mandy Ryan, director of Kentucky Bourbon Trail® experiences for the non-profit KDA trade group.

“Kentucky Bourbon Boys has proven themselves to be a top-notch company that provides much-needed services to our visitors and distilleries,” she said. “We’re proud to welcome and recommend them as a transportation sponsor of our amber adventure.”

Tim Hagan, Chief Operating Officer of Kentucky Bourbon Boys, said the 12-year company strives to be an innovative leader in Bourbon tourism by providing memorable, unique experiences and first-class ​customer service.

“Since we began our business, we have worked hard to be great ambassadors for Kentucky and great partners to the distilleries along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. We are proud of our old Kentucky home and enjoy creating and facilitating customized experiences for our guests.

“We look forward to continuing to show everyone who visits the Kentucky Bourbon Trail the best Kentucky has to offer.”

For more information, go to kentuckybourbonboys.com.

As an official sponsor, Kentucky Bourbon Boys will receive prominent placement on the KBT® website and in marketing materials, including recommended itineraries, on the site’s transportation page and more.

More than 70% of KBT® visitors come from outside Kentucky, and KDA has started initiatives, like recognizing official transportation sponsors, to ensure that responsibility is part of every experience.

“Responsibility is at the cornerstone of everything we do,” Gregory said. “We strongly encourage our visitors to plan their trips with the help of our transportation partners and let someone else do the driving.”

He added, “We have the honor of working in the Bourbon industry every day, but when we get to share it with visitors from across Kentucky and the globe, it’s special.”

“As people explore the KBT®, they get a first-hand look at all that Bourbon has built and helped grow, like Kentucky Bourbon Boys and our official sponsors. We’re telling the story of what makes Kentucky so uniquely great – partnership, collaboration and a signature spirit to be enjoyed together.”

Learn more at www.kybourbontrail.com.

Get ready to turn up the volume on your celebrations, because our Big Outturn is nearly here to ignite the party vibes and make this festive season truly unforgettable! We’re pulling out all the stops with a selection of whiskies that will have you dancing, laughing and toasting until the early hours.

So, dust off your dancing shoes, gather your loved ones, and let’s make this festive season one for the books. Our Big Outturn is your ticket to an unforgettable party experience – a celebration of life, love and the joyous moments that bring us all together!

Click on to preview all DAZZLING drams in our Big Outturn or simply continue scrolling to soak up the party vibes.

CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES

READ NEW OUTTURN

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ

Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video