Exploring English Whisky Launches Inaugural “Explorer Series”

Exploring English Whisky are delighted to announce the launch of their inaugural “Explorer Series” release. This is the first release by Exploring English Whisky and has been created in partnership with Whiskyside.com, an online retailer of English Spirits, who hold the largest known collection of English Whisky at their bar in Yorkshire. Deviating from their traditional cask shares model on stillincask.com, Exploring English Whisky have joined forces with Adnams, a renowned brewery & distillery, for this limited-edition release.

Exploring English Whisky’s journey, catalysed by an online St. George’s Day tasting during the first Covid lockdown, has evolved into a membership club and an annual festival held in Birmingham. Founder Richard Foster remarks, “There’s not much to thank Covid for, but we’re one of the feel-good stories from that period of time. I love English Whisky and the people behind every bottle, it’s a fascinating category so I wanted to shine a light on it and help spread the word so more people could enjoy it across the UK and dispel a few myths about non-Scotch along the way!”

Adnams make multiple styles of whisky with different mash bills, but this is their single malt recipe and it’s been maturing for 7 years in Adnams’ signature second-fill French Oak casks. The liquid is then finished for approximately 2 years in French sweet Sauternes wine casks – an increasingly popular choice in whisky maturation. The French Oak casks impart a Bourbon-like character with a twist, delivering delightful notes of melted butter, fennel, stone fruits, and grappa – before washing over the tongue with more smooth buttery deliciousness, a layer of apricot jam and a sprinkling of baking spices. The finish is a warm, rich, and spicy symphony, maintaining a bright and lively quality from the influence of the exquisite Sauternes wine casks.

Foster expressed his excitement about the release, stating, “There are very few age statemented English Whiskies on the market, so we are excited to be able to stamp nine years onto this bottle – in part to showcase the lengths that Adnams have gone to in maturing this whisky in such a great combination of casks – but also due to the surprise most people have when they find out how long Adnams has been making whisky for. Not only is English Whisky ‘a thing’ – but it’s also now able to compete alongside Scotch in the traditional age brackets of 8, 12 and 15 years, albeit in far smaller quantities.”

He emphasises the craft and sustainability of Adnams, using locally sourced barley, long fermentations, and slow, careful distillation, resulting in a distinct distillery flavour profile that relies less on wood for flavouring. He notes, “Craft whisky distilleries like Adnams do more than just make whisky, and when this opportunity arose – I knew I had to jump on it.”

“This whisky has a clear salinity that – I believe – comes from Adnams’ proximity to the North Sea – probably more so through the maturation, but every process takes place in Southwold so the coast always within view of this whisky until it’s bottled. That’s why we put the coast on the label – a nod to mother nature’s power and impact on whisky through ageing in unique micro-climates like the one Adnams finds itself in Southwold, on the Suffolk coast.” Regarding the bottle’s design, Foster states, “Creating our first label was a big moment for us,” describing it as a fusion of brand identity and a unique representation of the distillery, featuring an ‘Explorer Series’ black ‘X’—the symbol of the range. The remaining elements, such as the textured paper and gold foiling add layers of opulence to the design – reflecting the rarity and quality of Sauternes wines and Suffolk whiskies.

The Explorer Series launch marks the beginning of an exciting journey for Exploring English Whisky, with promises of more unique bottlings to come in the years ahead.

The release is limited to 700 bottles and is available for £70 from Whiskyside.com, members of Exploring English Whisky can also enjoy £10 off per bottle.

For more information, visit EXPLORING ENGLISH WHISKY 

TASTING NOTES

Nose: Melted butter, fennel seeds and stone fruits washed down with grappa

Palate: Buttery smooth with apricot jam and baking spices

Finish: Warm, spicy, and rich

 RECOMMENDED SERVE

“Southwold Lighthouse”

This twist on a “Mott & Mulberry” (named after an intersection in NYC) features our Adnams 9yo ex Sauternes Cask in place of spicy American Rye Whiskey. We think it’s delicious and a perfect Autumn / Winter cocktail. Give it a go:

30ml Adnams 9yo

30ml Benedictine (or Amaro / Chartreuse / Cynar)

30ml English Cider (ideally from Suffolk)

10ml Lemon Juice

10ml Maple Syrup (or Demerara sugar syrup)

Shake all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker over ice. Strain and pour into a tumbler. Garnish with thinly sliced apple on a skewer over the glass.

Redacted (Thompson) Bros 6 Year Old “TB/BSW” Blended Scotch Whisky (700ml) $54.99 View

The beauty of the Thompson Brothers is that they’re willing to take risks. This offering is indeed a risky proposition for a bottler, the very reason the big guys were willing to let it go. On paper it reads like a very expensive blended scotch. But why add an age statement, when a 12-year-old Johnnie Walker is a fraction of the price? The age statement tells the entire story here and our friends at Dornoch care little for artificial labels and quality statements, all they care about is getting damn good whisky into your glass for an incredible price. So, when one of the largest players in the single malt game came to them with a large vatting of 99% sherried 12-year-old of the highest caliber that had accidentally been mingled with a tiny bit of 6-year-old grain, the boys didn’t hesitate and neither did we. This is a throwback to a bygone era where 50 or so dollars was all you needed to get top quality well aged malt. We can split hairs about the nomenclature, but what we care about most at K&L is flavor and the TB/BSW over-delivers in an incredible way. Easily bests 12-year-old single malts that trade for $30-40 premium over this splendid find. No other Scotch on the market today offers so much value, so if you’re willing to not judge a book by its cover, we’re willing to keep selling this excellent bottle at an extremely affordable price!

Email: wine@klwines.com
Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

Sheringham Distillery

WHISKY PRESALE!

RESERVE WHISKY

As the holiday season approaches, we find ourselves reflecting on the incredible moments and shared experiences that have defined this year. From the clinking of glasses to the laughter and dedication that echoes through our distillery, we’re honored to be part of your celebrations and memorable occasions.

WHISKY PRESALE

Story: Jason’s whisky-making dream took its inaugural steps in our original distillery, perched overlooking the picturesque Juan de Fuca Strait in Shirley, B.C. This vision expanded to our Sooke distillery, where Jason continued to craft exceptional whisky, using exclusively local B.C. grains. Our commitment to sustainability extends to our spent grain, which was repurposed as feed for local farm animals. Jason’s meticulous approach to aging whisky ensures that each bottle becomes a coveted collector’s item.

The excellence of Jason’s craft was acknowledged, with the debut batch of whisky claiming the “Best In Class” title at the 2019 at the Canadian Artisan Spirit Competition (CASC) and a Gold award in the “Merrit in Terroir” category in 2021.

Anticipation is growing as we prepare to unveil our latest whisky offering. It brings us great joy and honor to share this batch of rye whisky with you.

Process: This whisky was crafted in Sooke, British Columbia, using exclusively B.C. grain and traditional distillation techniques. The mash bill, consisting of rye, wheat, and malted barley, has been distilled in small batches and aged for a minimum of three years in premium American new white oak barrels. The robust and full-bodied flavour of this whisky comes from a combination of the mash bill, traditional distillation methods, the use of new American oak to age the spirit and the pure love of making whisky.

Tasting Notes: Experience a deep and complex rye spice, complemented by notes of pepper, vanilla, cooked fruit, brown sugar, and a subtle hint of leather.

Whisky is available for pre-sale only at this time. Pre-sale is limited to British Columbia residents, with shipping exclusively within the province. Orders expected to ship February/March 2024.

Join the presale for a special limited time offer of $79.99 CAD for the month of December.

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

SPIRIT OF THE SEASON

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

TOAST YEAR OF THE DRAGON WITH BERRY BROS. & RUDD’S WINTER RELEASE

Britain’s oldest curator of spirits and wine, Berry Bros. & Rudd, is set to conclude its 325th anniversary year with a final seasonal release of whiskies including a special Lunar New Year bottling.

The 2023 Winter Release comprises bottlings from handpicked casks that can be paired perfectly with the colder months, including robust and smoky malts from Islay distilleries Caol Ila and Williamson, boasting rich flavours of chocolate orange.

Richly sherried spirits including a Dailuaine single malt have been bottled to especially celebrate the Lunar New Year and the Year of the Dragon. For something unique, a single-grain whisky from Strathclyde Distillery is bursting with fresh fruit and vanilla cream.

Joe Whittaker, Global Brand Ambassador for Berry Bros. & Rudd, said:

“For me, the ideal spirit in winter months is all about rich and luscious flavours that tantalise the taste buds and warm the senses, and I believe our selection of casks in the Winter Release encapsulates this.

Our passion at Berry Bros. & Rudd lies in championing quality and celebrating diversity, and we hope you’ll find as much delight in discovering these treasures as we did in curating them.

We’ve lovingly assembled a range that explores spirits from the iconic ports of Islay to the Highlands of Scotland and the final bottling of our English Whisky Collection from the idyllic Cotswolds Distillery.”

The last of four 2023 bottlings celebrating English distilleries, an offering from the Cotswolds Distillery provides notes of prunes and dates, an excellent finale to the English Collection.

Rounding out the Winter Release are a 33-year-old Exceptional Cask Miltonduff, one of the unsung heroes of Speyside and a magnificent representation of the Elgin-based distillery.

The 2023 Winter Release, featuring Caol Ila 2011, Williamson 2015, Dailuaine 2012, Strathclyde 2005, Cotswolds 2018 and Exceptional Miltonduff 1990, will be available from 7th December 2023 at bbrspirits.com.

 TASTING NOTES 

Caol Ila 2011

Fresh aromas of warm orange, chocolate, peat smoke and unlit cigars rise slowly from the glass before a lighter note of sugared almonds appears. The palate is luscious and heavily peated whilst fruity orange, savoury peat, cocoa powder and grilled lime all balance perfectly. Clove and yet more orange linger long on the palate. This is something akin to a peated chocolate orange.

ABV: 46.0%

RRP: £75.00

Williamson 2015 Cask #181

This feisty Islay whisky surges from the glass on a gale of sooty peat, turf, iodine and lanolin oils. Herein lies great complexity, unlocked by a teaspoon or so of water and a little time. Those with patience are rewarded with rich farmyard aromas, smoked hay, damp earth and kippers. The palate follows this theme, flowing from pure turf smoke to dark orange chocolate and composting fruit. Smoke and spice flow in waves on the long finish.

ABV: 60.8%

RRP £80.00

Dailuaine 2012 Cask #5052 / Oloroso Finish Lunar New Year Special Edition
Aromas of grassy, light green fruits fly out of the glass followed closely by tell-tale signs of thick, Sherry wood. Prunes, dates and spiced oak scale the olfactory senses. The palate is rich and full, holding one’s attention but balancing between distillate-driven orchard fruits and heavier Sherry notes. Spice roars across the finish building in intensity with a puff of wood smoke at the tip. Dailuaine’s heavy spirit is made for Sherry cask maturation and this meaty Oloroso butt has embraced the challenge beautifully.

ABV: 55.3%

RRP: £90.00

Strathclyde 2005 Cask #106490
The nose is initially reticent but some time in the glass brings out subtle banana bread, coconut milk and peach. The palate, conversely, is a crescendo of rich vanilla, cream soda, desiccated coconut and dark chocolate. It is incredibly powerful and integrates well with the high alcohol. The finish brings tingling spice and more subtle vanilla. Grain whisky really hits its stride at around 18 years and this is a prime example.

ABV: 56.5%

RRP: £102.00

Cotswolds 2018 Cask #2194
Aromas of dry, nutty Oloroso Sherry initially rise from the glass, building into dates, prunes and figs, before a little time to breathe reveals orchard fruits and a fresh floral side. The palate is pleasingly chewy, moving in waves from Sherry wood to green apples, honeycomb, and Victoria sponge. A long, lingering finish shows baking spice, prunes and a little citrus.

ABV: 53.5%

RRP: £125.00

Exceptional Miltonduff 1990 Cask #3809
This elegant Speyside dram gently rises from the glass with soft notes of coconut, warm malt loaf and stewed, spiced apples. A little time in the glass brings out candied pecans and peach skin. The palate is wonderfully fresh and vibrant with spice, soft fruit, citrus and honey. There is a perfect balance of subtle oak and fresh, peach driven distillate. Once again, we are reminded there is no substitute for long maturation in a delicate refill cask.

ABV: 54.1%

RRP: £680.00

Berry Bros. & Rudd

Berry Bros. & Rudd has been a trusted merchant since 1698 and this year it celebrates 325 years in business. It’s survived over the centuries because, as a family business, it has always operated with family values in mind. Recognised as the global destination for fine wine and spirits, Berry Bros. & Rudd still operates from its historic home at No. 3 St James’s Street and are committed to helping customers drink better now, and in the future. As it marks its 325th year, it continues to collaborate with our community of customers, producers, and colleagues to help create a sustainable future so it can confidently raise a toast to the next 325 years.

Laphroaig 36YO Wall Collection: Peat Edition

‘Peat’ was finished in a heavily peated cask which has reintroduced prominent smoky notes that often take a back seat as the spirit ages. A limited release of only 200, each bottle has been hand painted by London illustrator Laura Carlin with the exact paint from Warehouse No.1, and raised on a display plinth.

£4500.00

REGISTER INTEREST NOW ❯

Free Next Day Delivery for 12 Months For just £14.95 you can enjoy free next day delivery on all your orders for a whole year! Geographic restrictions apply, see full T&Cs. Find out more ❯

EXTRACTING THE EXTRAORDINARY

ABERDEEN MALT WHISKY

Glen Garioch 10 Years Old

Aberdeen Whisky Single Malt was distilled at Glen Garioch Distillery on the 30th of April 2013 and aged for ten years in a single-refill Bourbon Barrel. It was bottled exclusively for our shop without chill-filtration or artificial colouring.   We chose this cask for its incredible flavours and a great representation of our local style of whisky.

TASTING NOTES

NOSE: Delicate wafts of light oak, Madagascan vanilla, Caramac, berry spice and banana peel.

PALATE All-bran with pops of mouthwatering stewed redcurrants and cranberry jelly sprinkled with nutmeg.

FINISH  Smooth nutty butter, flecks of maple syrup with pink peppercorn and fading cinnamon

£49.50

SHOP NOW

Heaven Hill Distillery Announces Fall 2023 Edition of the Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Series

BARDSTOWN, Ky.(November 27, 2023) – Today Heaven Hill Distillery announced the release of the Fall 2023 edition of Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey at 8 years old. Comprised of barrels produced in Fall 2015, the twelfth national release ushers in the latest edition to the decanter series which adds to the bottled-in-bond legacy.

Bottled in an ornate decanter, the Fall edition is denoted by a black label. As was the case for the past editions, this edition’s tax strip, which has always been a signature of transparency on bottled-in-bond products, will disclose when the liquid was produced and bottled. The Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Fall edition will be available in the 750ml size on an allocated basis. It meets the strict requirements of a bottled-in-bond: the product of a single distillery from a single distilling season, aged a minimum of four years, and bottled at 100 proof or 50% alcohol by volume. This edition is available at the suggested retail price of $109.99.

The Fall 2023 edition of Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey bares a bright burnished copper color, with a nose of brown sugar and toasted bread in addition to cinnamon and nutmeg. The taste is smooth on the palate beginning with notes of peaches and cream, followed by peppery spice and caramel sweetness. Spice notes linger in the finish along with peach and pear notes and a caramelized brown sugar finale.

“As a leader of the Bottled-in-Bond category, Heaven Hill is proud to offer a premium product within this special class which showcases the authenticity and quality of the American Whiskey portfolio,” said Conor O’ Driscoll, Master Distiller at Heaven Hill Distillery. “The Fall 2023 8-year-old Old Fitzgerald Bottled-In-Bond has the best qualities of a classic Kentucky Bourbon with the unique sweetness and spice this beloved brand is known for.”

Acquired in 1999 by Heaven Hill, the legendary Old Fitzgerald line is well-known for its distilling pedigree and intriguing story behind its namesake, John E. Fitzgerald, whose legacy is also heralded by the Larceny Bourbon brand.

ABOUT HEAVEN HILL DISTILLERY: Founded in Kentucky by the Shapira family in 1935, Heaven Hill Distillery continues its legacy as one of the foremost American Whiskey producers. Heaven Hill has cultivated the traditions and history of America’s Native Spirit with its fierce independence, passionate family ownership, dedication to quality, and thoughtful innovation. Today, Heaven Hill Distillery maintains over 2 million barrels aging in more than 70 warehouses throughout Nelson and Jefferson Counties. It is home to an award-winning collection of American Whiskeys including Elijah Craig Bourbon, Larceny Bourbon, Evan Williams Bourbon, Pikesville Rye Whiskey, Rittenhouse Rye Whisky, Parker’s Heritage Collection, and Old Fitzgerald along with its extensive Bottled-in-Bond label collection. Heaven Hill Distillery currently holds the title of 2023 Whisky Magazine Distillery of the Year and 2023 World’s Best Small Batch Bourbon from the Icons of Whisky, as well as the 2022 Large Spirits Producer of the Year from the Ascot Awards. Heaven Hill Distillery held the title of 2020 Whisky Advocate Whisky of the Year, the second Whisky of the Year for Heaven Hill Distillery in the past four years. In 2019 Heaven Hill Distillery was named San Francisco World Spirits Competition Distillery of the Year, Best in Show Whisky, and previously held the titles of 2018 San Francisco Spirits Word Spirits Competition Best Bourbon, 2016 Whisky Magazine Distillery of the Year. For more information, please visit www.heavenhilldistillery.com.

Heaven Hill reminds you to “Think Wisely.  Drink Wisely.”

KILLOWEN AWARDS, NEW PRODUCTS ADDED TO THE WEBSITE & INDIE BOTTLING WITH REDACTED

It’s been such a busy month for Killowen that we wanted to update you.

1. More Killowen awards
2. Killowen Christmas clothing packs on the web shop
3. Killowen Gloria on the web shop
4. Killowen Indie Bottling with redacted

More Killowen Awards

In a tight competition last week at the Icons of Whiskey Awards – Killowen Distillery won ‘Production Team of the year’. We already know our team are the best but now the world does also, which is fantastic. Another award we received was ‘Whiskey Brand Ambassador of the year’. These awards are hosted by The Whiskey Magazine, as such Killowen will be attending the world finals in March 2024  – Go Team!

Killowen Christmas clothing packs on web shop

We have a limited number of clothing gift packs on our web shop of varying sizes including hats, T-shirts, hoodies and coats. These are perfect gift packs but please note purchases cannot be substituted for different sizes. https://www.killowendistillery.com/shop/

Killowen Gloria on web shop

It is Christmas soon, so for the first time we have decided to make Gloria Cask aged Coffee Liqueur available via our webshop. This is perfect for Christmas deserts and Irish coffees or if you are more adventurous, try mixing it with Two Stacks Irish cream. https://www.killowendistillery.com/shop/

Killowen Indie Bottling with Redacted

Killowen are delighted to work with the new exciting Independent bottlers Redacted for their first release. Cofounded by Ronan Collins (Whiskey for Breakfast) and Michael Cowman (bearded wonderwall) these guys will be the ones to watch out for in future. This bottling celebrates the rich and vibrant history of Irish whiskey while acknowledging the locality of the Mourne mountain legends. Check them out:  https://www.redactedbottlers.com/

Always drink responsibly