A Long-Awaited Bourbon Release Unlike Any Other
Fortuna Sour Mash Small Batch #1 (Bottled 9/22) Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) ($84.99)
“…this has all the presence and character of the great small batches from the big dogs but adds a level of nuance and complexity that’s rarely seen in modern bourbon.”
— David Othenin-Girard, K&L Spirits Buyer

This might be the most anticipated craft bourbon brand release of the year, and for so many good reasons. The team at the trailblazing bottler Rare Character is responsible for some of the most compelling new bourbons hitting the market, and Fortuna might just be the pinnacle effort of the whole project. Painstakingly recreated by master blender Pablo Moix from a legendary 19th-century whiskey of the same name, it isn’t merely a new run of juice made according to an original recipe. Instead, Pablo composes each six-barrel batch guided only by his own palate’s impression of the original Fortuna spirit itself, drawn from his own personal collection. It’s artisanal blending in the most authentic fashion. Distilled by one of the legacy Kentucky distillers (we can’t say by whom), the result is a sour mash spirit unlike any other. As David Othenin-Girard declares, “I’d be genuinely shocked if anyone else is taking so much time and energy to put together such a delicious product.” Supremely balanced yet decadent and packed with old-school bourbon character, Fortuna is everything we thought it would be when we first heard of its impending release. New brand releases with this kind of pedigree are unicorns, and this first batch of Fortuna is very likely set for legendary status down the road, so savvy collectors will want to take full advantage of the very first offering in California, before it inevitably sells out.

Fortuna Sour Mash Small Batch #1 (Bottled 9/22) Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) ($84.99)

K&L Notes: The Fortuna Brand was once one of the most sought-after and well regarded names in Kentucky. Founded by Phil Hollenbach in the 1870s and distilled at the once famous Glencoe Distillery, the Fortuna brand is finally back. Reimagined by the Rare Character team, Pablo Moix, Andy Shapira and Pete Nevenglosky, the goal of the brand has remained the same for more than a century—to share “the taste of good fortune.” Hollenbach was a legendary gentleman. Having emigrated from Germany in 1869, he was running a successful blender and bottler by the late 1870s. His partners, the Stitzle Bros., distilled Fortuna and Glencoe at the facility in Louisville until at least the early 1900s. The modern story is much the same. The greatest bourbon brands are great because of the exacting commitment to quality of their owners. There’s no question that Rare Character has been able to source top-tier juice for this special product. Beyond the quality of the spirit, each batch is carefully blended by Pablo Moix, one of the world’s most experienced palates, to mimic the character of an original bottling of the Fortuna brand. That’s right—Pablo meticulously puts each six-barrel batch head to head with the original Glencoe juice to get as close as humanly possible to that legendary pour. This is the first batch to be released and was bottled in September of 2022. We’re proud to be selling Fortuna in California, and we’re extremely excited to share this special product with our customers.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: September 21, 2022

The story behind the Fortuna brand is only eclipsed by the incredible quality of the spirit in the bottle. Re-established by Pablo Moix of the prominent Rare Character bottler, the original brand was once one of Kentucky’s most sought-after. Phil Hollenbach created the brand to share his “good fortune” with the world, and now we’re extremely grateful and lucky to do the same. Each tiny, six-barrel batch is hand-blended by Pablo. While he can’t tell us who is distilling for him, he can tell us who is not. The product is produced “on the shelf,” referring to the famous limestone shelf that makes bourbon country, and its water, so special. It’s not a sweet mash or a pot still, so not being sourced from any number of new distillers. So that leaves one of the legacy distillers, which to be honest is absolutely incredible on its own. There are no new brands that get access to stocks from legacy distillers—even ones that seem to have access from certain places are working through limited brokered stocks. But beyond the access that Fortuna has garnered, Pablo’s incredible breadth of tasting knowledge and experience is unprecedented. Here, Mr. Moix tries his hand at blending, and I have to say he’s hit an absolute home run. Guided by samples of the original stocks, which come out of his personal collection, Pablo carefully mingles these stocks with the goal of capturing the original character of this historic whiskey brand. I’d be genuinely shocked if anyone else is taking so much time and energy to put together such a delicious product. Let’s taste it! Right out of the bottle the nose is absolutely singing. Big, sweet aromas of marzipan, vibrant red cherry, caramel candies, Seville orange oil, roasted clove, and fresh-ground cinnamon. The nose is absolutely enchanting and exemplifies the goal of recreating the flavor profile you might expect from a pre-pro bottling. It even seems to have that little twinge of dustiness that I always associate with whiskies that have been in the bottle for many decades, albeit not to an overwhelming degree. On the palate, an extremely velvety texture and rounded mouthfeel, with even more cherries, candied now, plus gingerbread, sweet vanilla bean, brown sugar syrup, and baking spices of all kinds. The finish is long and very easy. No tannin or burn coming through whatsoever, but the ultra-sweet caramel character is tempered by a slight spicy bite. The key takeaway here is balance! So many whiskeys we drink these days are just absolute bombs, and this has all the presence and character of the great small batches from the big dogs but adds a level of nuance and complexity that’s rarely seen in modern bourbon. I guess that’s why they call it Rare Character. We’re all so FORTUNATE to have Pablo bringing these incredible barrels to our shelves and proud to be Fortuna’s first customer in California.

Michael Pires | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 23, 2022

This is one of the best sour mash bourbons I have ever tasted! The higher proof and oily texture give this bourbon more body, making it pleasant, balanced, and complex. Aromas of caramel, stone fruit, curaçao, and oak spice shine, and a little water opens this bourbon up nicely. A great sipper that would pair fantastically with a cigar.

Austin Jenkins | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 23, 2022

Wow, it’s not very often we get to encounter something so “new” and so refined. New is in quotation marks because Fortuna has a history. With that being said, however, this bottle is nothing to scoff at. The aromas just off the initial pour alone are enough to get the mouth watering; brown sugar and maple, with the most subtle char. The flavors are heavy on the warmed spice side but not so intense to the point of unbalance. It’s chased by caramel for a long-lasting finish. The texture is extremely silky. Even now as I’m writing this, I’m considering going back for a second dram. This is a legendary bottle produced by a soon-to-be (if not already) legendary team. I foresee this bottle sweeping out in the coming days. And considering at the time of posting this the juice was bottled only one day ago, so get it while it’s hot—or rather, get it while you can.

Illya Haase | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 22, 2022

I love Bourbon! I also lean towards high proof and a high-rye mash bill. But, sometimes one comes across my desk and shakes me out of my preference. The Fortuna shattered that preference! One word: balance. Water need not apply. From start to finish, it’s near perfection. It opens up with white honeysuckle just like the kind that we used to pick off the bushes in Kentucky. Fresh-cut wood and roasted peanuts. Candy caramel and butterscotch. That is just the nose. First sip is lively and bright with flavors of spearmint and baking spice. Mid-palate is heavy with wonderful array of creamy caramel and bright cherries. Balanced flavors, where nothing over takes the other. The finish is long with that Kentucky hug right down in the chest. Even though it is not a crazy high proof, it has an amazingly lengthy finish. I can hear it now. Well, “it is only a six year.” Like I say all the time, “I don’t really care how old it is, it has to be good!” And damn, this is good!

ARDNAMURCHAN AD/09.22

The latest cask strength offering from Ardnamurchan distillery has arrived, crafted from Highland single malt distilled in 2016 and matured in ex-bourbon barrels. This latest expression has a higher proportion of heavily peated spirit, perfect for the colder months ahead!

We’ve just sampled some of this latest batch and can confirm it’s another stellar release from Ardnamurchan distillery.

Available now and as ever, if you have any questions, please just get in touch.

Slàinte Mhath

SHOP ARDNAMURCHAN

LAPHROAIG

CASK STRENGTH – BATCH 015

ISLAY SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

70cl | 56.5% ABV

Original Cask Strength is an uncompromising and genuine taste. It’s a powerful, pungent and rich character where the peat smoke, heather and sea salt notes of Laphroaig run wild. Laphroaig don’t chill-filter their Original Cask Strength, and don’t reduce its natural strength. So what you pour is what they draw from the barrel — the heart of charred seasoned oak barrels, blue peat smoke and nutty barley, in a truly natural experience.

£73.95

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NOSE

Sweet cereals with biscuit notes, fresh oak, smoked cedar and Manuka honey. Amsterdam pipe tobacco, shoe polish and old leather combined with a touch of waxy church candle, vanilla cream, nutmeg and oak extracts.

TASTE

Sweet and spicy, with burnt oak staves, barbecued marshmallows, toffee and sea salt, vanilla and Belgium caramel waffles. Roasted coffee fudge cream on sticky toffee pudding, with a hint of white pepper and crushed cinnamon.

FINISH

Floral with spicy oak tannins, iodine and sea salt.

THE MACALLAN RELEASES NEW COLLECTION TO CELEBRATE

THE 60^TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE JAMES BOND FILM FRANCHISE 

The Macallan James Bond 60^th Anniversary Release has been unveiled to mark The Six Decades of James Bond films.

The remarkable collection comprises six limited edition bottles encasing a single malt whisky in unique packs, each featuring an original illustrative design and colour to denote the decade it represents. The distinctive packaging brings to life the creative development process of the films in a behind the scenes exploration of the James Bond archives.

A celebration of 007 and The Macallan as modern innovators linked by their Scottish heritage, the release showcases a timeless and graceful spirit balanced by incredible strength and depth of character.

The exceptional single malt whisky has been created by The Macallan Master Whisky Maker, Kirsteen Campbell to reflect the enduring character of James Bond, a force of nature defined by his Scottish heritage, who carries himself with modesty and humility. Like James Bond, the expression exudes a sense of style and maturity which has evolved over the years. It has a natural colour of Suisse gold and an ABV of 43.7% as an homage to James Bond’s agent number, 007 and is consistent across all six packs in the collection.

The distinct set tells the story of innovation over 60 years and the pioneering character attributes of James Bond and The Macallan.

Scotland is renowned for its inventors and 007’s gadgets are a hallmark of the films’ popularity, while The Macallan has unwavering character, deep roots, and a continuous pursuit to innovate.

James Bond’s roots are unmistakeably British – his heritage Scottish – yet he is the very definition of a man of the world. Born to a Scottish father, Andrew Bond from Glencoe and a Swiss mother, Monique Delacroix from the Canton de Vaud, he spent much of his childhood at Skyfall Lodge – his family’s Scottish Estate in Glencoe.

In recent years, The Macallan has become James Bond’s whisky of choice, reflecting his appreciation for the finer things in life. They have shared many moments together on screen, including in Skyfall when James Bond drinks The Macallan Fine & Rare 1962 as an ode to the 50^th anniversary.

Jaume Ferras, Global Creative Director for The Macallan, said: “This October, James Bond will celebrate its 60^th anniversary, making it the longest running and one of the most loved franchises in the world of entertainment, comprising 25 films over six decades and six lead actors over time. The Macallan is James Bond’s whisky of choice and as two renowned global brands, we share many synergies, most notably as modern innovators linked by our Scottish heritage.”

The Macallan has also created a series of immersive experiences to celebrate the 60^th anniversary of James Bond including a unique exhibition – The Macallan in Cinema – at The Macallan Estate, which will take viewers through The Macallan’s history on film and transport them through the six decades of James Bond. A selection of films from across the years will also be shown at The Macallan Estate during a series of exclusive screenings.

The Macallan James Bond 60^th Anniversary Release will have an RRSP of US$800 / £600 and will be available from The Macallan Online Boutique, The Macallan Estate Boutique, the global network of domestic and travel retail Boutiques, and in premium and specialist retailers and bars in countries around the world from September 2022. There will be limited availability worldwide. For further information, visit www.themacallan.com

Whisky Maker’s Notes:

The Macallan James Bond 60^th Anniversary Release

ABV: 43.7%

Nose: Fresh and vibrant notes of lemon and lime, a sprinkle of sherbet, leading into a sweet vanilla and coconut, with a hint of dried fig and raisin.

Palate: Orange zest and fizzy sherbet with a lemon freshness, gentle oak and subtle ginger spice, leading into a deep dark chocolate, figs and baked apple tart with a honey drizzle.

Finish: Sweet and long with complex layers.  

About The Macallan

Founded in 1824 on a plateau above the River Spey in north-east Scotland, The Macallan is renowned globally for its incomparable craftsmanship, creativity and innovation with each bottle of single malt whisky revealing its unique mastery of wood and spirit.

Social and environmental sustainability is at the heart of The Macallan, and as part of its commitment to establishing a positive legacy it revealed its award-winning new Distillery in 2018. Designed by internationally acclaimed architects, the building takes inspiration from the surrounding ancient Scottish hills and is located on The Macallan’s beautiful 485-acre Estate. To this day, the single greatest influence on The Macallan’s sought after portfolio of single malts is its sherry seasoned oak casks from which its whiskies derive their distinctive flavours, aromas and natural colour. Crafted without compromise. Please savour The Macallan responsibly.

About EON Productions

EON Productions Limited and Danjaq LLC are wholly owned and controlled by the Broccoli/ Wilson family. Danjaq is the US based company that co-owns, with Metro Goldwyn Mayer Studios, the copyright in the existing James Bond films and controls the right to produce future James Bond films. EON Productions, an affiliate of Danjaq, is the UK based production company that has made the James Bond films since 1962 and together with Danjaq controls all worldwide merchandising. For more information, visit 007.com & 007Store.com

SHIRAKAWA (SILENT)

1958 VINTAGE

JAPANESE SINGLE MALT WHISKY

70cl | 49% ABV

Discover the remarkable story of Japan’s rarest Single Malt Whisky, from the long lost Shirakawa distillery.

Shirakawa Distillery was one of the pioneers of Japanese malt Whisky production, but the Whisky was never bottled as a Single Malt. The majority was used as a blending component for Takaro Shuzo’s King Whisky. The distillery produced malt Whisky until 1969, and was demolished in 2003.

In 2019, a vat of unblended Single Malt Whisky was discovered at one of Takara Shuzo’s production facilities in Japan. The Whisky was distilled in 1958, and was matured in oak (probably Mizunara) before being transferred into ceramic jars, and eventually stainless steel.

The discovery was the result of an extensive search through Takara Shuzo’s records and facilities. It is unlikely that any more exists, making this the first, last, and only Single Malt Whisky from Shirakawa Distillery.

THE TASTE OF LIQUID HISTORY

Award winning and internationally acclaimed Whisky writer Dave Broom presents his tasting notes for Shirakawa 1958 Japanese Single Malt:

Nose: Resinous, slight dry earth, dried citrus peels, a hint of wax. Aromatic. A drop of water makes it more vibrant and also shows clear maturity as well as a hint of incense. Exotic.

Palate: The palate is expansive with a succulent texture and hints of fragrant grass. Fruits emerge in the middle. Layered, spiced, and dry. Water brings out ash from an incense burner, a satisfying mouthfeel and surprisingly perky acidity.

Finish: Nicely balanced and persistent on the finish which picks up mint flavouring and makes it more camphor-like.

£25,000

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THE CHESHIRE FIRST RELEASE

THE CHESHIRE FIRST RELEASE DESCRIPTION

We are excited to share the first relapse in our new collection: Harvest Series Golden Wold. Limited to 5,000 bottles and featuring a painting by Cotswolds artist Josephine Trotter, this is a celebration of autumn in the Cotswolds.

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Glenmorangie’s botanical notes bring the wonder of the forest to life with the launch of A Tale of the Forest

Experimental single malt’s botanical notes bring

the wonder of the forest to life 

— Deliciously herbaceous whisky inspires technicolour work by illustrator Pomme Chan —

Lush and deliciously herbaceous, Glenmorangie A Tale of the Forest is Glenmorangie’s first whisky ever crafted from barley kilned with woodland botanicals. Inspired by the natural, everchanging wonder Glenmorangie’s Director of Whisky Creation encounters as he wanders the woods near his home, this experimental limited edition evokes the scents, sounds and sights of the forest itself. Dr Bill Lumsden created its notes of pine, juniper and wood smoke by bringing back an ancient method of kilning barley with botanicals. So delightful are these flavours they have led illustrator Pomme Chan to dream up her own fantastical forest, showcased on the whisky’s pack.

For over 175 years, Glenmorangie’s whisky creators have been endlessly imaginative in their quest to create delicious single malts – none more so than Dr Bill, known for his ‘What if…?’ approach to whisky. Some years ago, dreaming of a whisky which captured the wonder of a walk in the forest, Dr Bill recalled how ancient Highland whisky makers dried their barley with all kinds of forest fuel. He began experimenting by kilning his barley with many different botanicals. And he discovered the wondrously different flavours which juniper berries, birch bark and heather flowers could bring, when married with a little peat. In this way, he created a batch of spirit with rare aromas of pine needles and juniper, laced with wisps of smoke. Then he aged it in bourbon casks including many refill casks, chosen to allow the spirit’s flavours to shine.

Pairing up with Glenmorangie to bring the whisky’s flavours to life on its pack, Thai illustrator Pomme Chan walked deep into her favourite forest in northern Thailand and began to draw, taking inspiration from her surroundings and her conversations with Dr Bill about Scotland. Soon she created her own fantastical forest, which inspires the packaging’s design. A feast of sumptuous technicolour, her illustration echoes the flavours and botanicals of the whisky – with blossoming heather, fragrant juniper and oranges and pine cones dancing on the breeze.

Dr Bill said: “Every time I go into the woods where I live, I notice something new, be it the fragrance of last night’s rainfall or the sound of leaves rustling a particular way. I began to imagine how we could bring the forest to life in a whisky, by kilning barley with materials from woodland, the way our ancestors did. After many experiments, we fell in love with the flavours brought by juniper, birch bark and heather, to create a Glenmorangie as lush and leafy as the forest itself. With aromas of pine needles, woodland moss, juniper’s sharpness, and tastes of eucalyptus, mint, bitter orange and distant smoke, A Tale of the Forest is a whisky to surround, delight and surprise you, whether you enjoy it deep in a forest or in cocktails at home.”

Pomme said: “I’m so excited to be collaborating with Glenmorangie for this delicious limited edition. To me, a forest is all about the senses – the fragrance, as well as what you see and hear. Through my illustration, I wanted to convey the mysterious depth of the forest as well as the botanicals and flavours you can find in the whisky: heather, juniper, orange mint… I hope the pack draws people in and invites them to imagine themselves enjoying Glenmorangie A Tale of Forest on a hike or a picnic… in a forest, of course!”

Glenmorangie A Tale of the Forest is available to purchase from 3^rd October 2022 (via Selfridges exclusively until 17^th October). Visit glenmorangie.com to see Pomme Chan’s artwork and discover a selection of botanical Glenmorangie cocktails created by renowned Swedish forager and mixologist Emil Åreng. Guests can also enjoy A Tale of the Forest at a takeover of the Green Bar at London’s Café Royal. A special cocktail menu and venue takeover will be running from the 12^th October until the end of December 2022.

https://www.glenmorangie.com/

Follow Glenmorangie on:

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheGlenmorangie 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glenmorangie

Tasting Notes:

Glenmorangie A Tale of the Forest is bottled at 46% ABV

Colour: Deep amber

Nose: Sweet malt, biscuit, creamy with a distinctively sharp botanical edge, like juniper or coriander. A splash of water releases myriad herbal and perfumed top notes, such as juniper, coriander, damp woodland, pine needles, nettle and mint. There are glacé cherries, with aromas reminiscent of sweet baking chestnuts and gentle wood smoke.

Taste: A zesty, peppery, effervescent mouthfeel leads into an explosion of flavours: peppermint, menthol, eucalyptus, pine, wood sap, angelica, bitter orange and a hint of aromatic wood smoke. The taste sensation continues, with a bitter-sweet oak tannin flavour, along with some oily vanilla and hints of aniseed.

Finish: Long and lingering, with tangy citrus notes such as orange and lemon, and oak.

RRP: £75 

About Glenmorangie:

Glenmorangie’s whisky makers use endless imagination and five key ingredients – wood, water, barley, yeast and time – to dream up delicious single malt whiskies. They’ve been honing their craft for more than 175 years. They create a delicate and fruity spirit in stills as tall as a giraffe to allow for more taste and aroma. Led by Director of Whisky Creation Dr Bill Lumsden, this crackerjack crew are on a mission to bring new flavours and possibilities to the world of single malt.

Glenmorangie celebrates the joy of delicious single malt in every part of its universe, from its boutique hotel Glenmorangie House to its colourful brand campaign, shot by famed photographer Miles Aldridge. With its tagline “It’s kind of delicious and wonderful”, Glenmorangie invites whisky lovers old and new to see themselves in Glenmorangie’s world.

About Dr Bill Lumsden:

Dr Bill Lumsden’s favourite phrase is “What if?”. And throughout more than 25 years with Glenmorangie, the Distillery’s Creative Director has challenged himself and his team to take whatever captures their imaginations and turn it into whisky – be that the magic of a snowy day (A Tale of Winter) the joy of a cake moment (Glenmorangie A Tale of Cake), a cup of coffee (Glenmorangie Signet), a beautiful barley field near the Distillery (Glenmorangie Allta) and more. With a PhD in biochemistry and decades of experience, Dr Bill has all the skills needed to bring these ideas to life. Already, he has earned the admiration of his peers many times over. For instance, he has taken his place in the Icons of Whisky Hall of Fame. He has won the International Whisky Competition’s award for Master Distiller of the Year more times than anyone else. And he has been named Master Blender/Distiller of the Year by the International Spirits Challenge twice.

About the creation of Glenmorangie A Tale of the Forest:

Endlessly enchanted by the sights, sounds and scents of the woodland near his home, Dr Bill has always imagined bringing them to life in a whisky. And many years ago, recalling how the ancient whisky makers would have used moss, fallen trees, heather and many other kinds of fuel found in the forest to dry their barley, he began to experiment by using different botanicals to kiln his grain. After a series of trials, he found that heather, juniper and birch bark gave the most deliciously aromatic and forest-like flavours. And with barley dried in this way, he distilled a precious batch of spirit. Dr Bill aged this rare spirit for years in a range of bourbon casks, including many refill casks, which he chose to showcase the spirit’s rare aromatic notes. As lush and leafy as the forest, his creation brims with notes of juniper and coriander from the juniper, sappy, green notes of damp woodland and pine needles from the birch wood and soft, herbal scents from the heather flowers. All these flavours are entwined with Glenmorangie’s signature citrus notes.

About Pomme Chan:

Pomme, who lives and works in Bangkok, Thailand, was identified as a young talent when studying in London. Known and respected in Asia for her unique skill in hand-drawing, she has previously collaborated with many global brands. Her eclectic style takes its inspiration from everyday life, nature, abstract shapes, architecture and free form. To find inspiration for her immersive technicolour artwork, she spent time drawing in Wat Chan Pine Forest, the country’s largest pine forest, located in Chiang Mai, in the north of Thailand. Through hand-drawing and digital techniques, Pomme’s illustration brings to life her own interpretation of the forest, featuring key botanicals and flavour notes (mint, eucalyptus, heather, orange, juniper, angelica and pine) from the whisky.

FIRST PEATED WHISKY CONCLUDES

50^TH ANNIVERSARY TRILOGY

 GlenAllachie’s accredited whisky master Billy Walker concludes anniversary celebrations by

releasing maiden peated distillate as final expression in commemorative series

The GlenAllachie Distillers Company today reveals the last bottling in The Past, Present & Future Series as the first ever distillate produced under their ownership: The GlenAllachie Billy Walker 50^th Anniversary Future Edition 4-year-old Peated Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

The celebratory series, which launched in May, pays tribute to foremost whisky maker Billy Walker’s extraordinary 50-year-long stint in the Scotch whisky industry. Each instalment in the trilogy has been carefully selected to reflect a key milestone in the expert blender’s career.

The Future Edition (UK RRSP £80), a young and punchy 4-year-old peated single malt, offers whisky enthusiasts the chance to sip and speculate on possible subsequent bottlings from The GlenAllachie Distillery following Walker’s takeover in 2017.

The historic release represents the first whisky bottled by the distillery to have been created under Walker and impacted by his production modifications. These include an 80% production drop, which allows for greater supervision throughout the maturation journey, and facilitates an increase in fermentation duration to 160 hours creating an ester-rich spirit with thicker mouthfeel.

Since spearheading The GlenAllachie, Walker began producing peated spirit for around six weeks annually to diversify the distillery’s offering and unleash new opportunities for innovation and experimentation.

Matured in former Rye and Bourbon barrels, as well as virgin oak casks, the feisty 4-year-old Scotch whisky selected for The Future Edition remained under careful supervision within one of the distillery’s 16 on-site warehouses in Speyside.

Made with mainland peat from St Fergus, the flavour contribution is sweeter with distinguishing oaky tones in contrast to the more medicinal or maritime notes anticipated of a coastal peat.

The barley was kilned to 80ppm (parts per million) offering up distinctive smoky yet sweet flavour characteristics: smouldering oak, cinnamon apples and chocolate-covered hazelnuts, alongside puffs of earthy peat smoke.

The momentous release is limited to 10,000 bottles worldwide; each proudly presented at cask strength of 60.2% ABV, natural colour and non chill filtered.

Reflecting on this pivotal bottling, Walker said:

“It’s beyond exciting to release our very own whisky distilled since we took over this hidden gem of a distillery in 2017. I eagerly await the reaction amongst whisky fans to this first glimpse at both our own distillate, and our peated work. The response will unquestionably influence where we take things next.

“The timing of the launch is apt as we celebrate our fifth anniversary of ownership next month. We are so very fortunate to be steering this great distillery into the future. I think the best is yet to come.”

The Future Edition joins the two other expressions in the range; The Past Edition, a 16-year-old 100% Sherry Matured single malt released in May, and The Present Edition, a 16-year-old Mizunara Virgin Oak Finish, announced in July.

The GlenAllachie Billy Walker 50^th Anniversary Future Edition is available via global specialist retailers, with a UK RRSP of £80.

ABOUT BILLY WALKER’S CAREER:

Graduating from the University of Glasgow in 1967 with a BSc Honours Degree in Chemistry, a youthful Billy Walker had the perfect foundations to enable him to build an intimate knowledge of the science behind whisky making and flavour development.

Billy’s whisky journey began in 1972 at Hiram Walker & Sons – the company behind Ballantine’s at the time – where his role covered almost all aspects of production. After four years, he moved on to Inver House Distillers, taking up the position of Master Blender in 1976.

Fast-forward to 1982, Billy joined Burn Stewart Distillers where he went on to spend two decades, most notably playing a key part in the resurrection of Deanston and Tobermory Distilleries. When the company was sold, an entrepreneurial Billy was left to decipher his next move.

The next twelve years saw him acquire BenRiach, GlenDronach and Glenglassaugh Distilleries, each of which were either mothballed, closed or under exposed to the market. It was at this point in his career where Billy truly made a name for himself within the industry, leading the brands’ rejuvenation and subsequent phenomenal success.

Billy’s next move was to his current position as owner and Master Distiller at The GlenAllachie Distillers Company, encompassing The GlenAllachie single malt, White Heather blended Scotch and MacNair’s Boutique House of Spirits. 2021 saw Billy delve into a new spirits category for the first time, releasing a new experimental rum line under the MacNair’s label; Exploration Rum.

It’s from this incredible record of success that Billy has earnt widespread acclaim and recognition for being one of the most prominent whisky figures of his generation.

ABOUT GLENALLACHIE:

One of Scotland’s few independently owned and managed distilleries, The GlenAllachie is led by industry veteran, Billy Walker, who boasts a 50-year tenure in whisky. With an emphasis on wood policy, The GlenAllachie’s cask budget for 2022 stands at an eye-watering £2m/$2.6m. With 16 on-site warehouses holding over 50,000 casks, we have complete control of the end-to-end maturation process.

The GlenAllachie focusses on quality over quantity, which is why we chose to reduce our production capacity from 4m to 500,000 Litres of Alcohol and increase our fermentation period to 160 hours for an ester rich, fruity spirit.

We believe age and integrity matter, which is why all our whiskies carry an age statement, and are bottled at a minimum of 46% ABV, natural colour and non-chill filtered for maximum flavour experience.

Our other brands are MacNair’s Boutique House of Spirits – encompassing Lum Reek Blended Malt Scotch Whisky and Exploration Rum – and White Heather Blended Scotch Whisky.

Further information on the distillery and company can be found at www.theglenallachie.com

Facebook – @TheGlenAllachie    |    Twitter – @TheGlenAllachie    |    Instagram – @theglenallachie_

 TASTING NOTES:

The GlenAllachie 50^th Anniversary Future Edition – Peated 4-year-old – 60.2% ABV

• Colour: Auburn.
• Nose: Bursting with honeycomb, dried fruits and hazelnut, with hints of smouldering oak, dark chocolate and warm cinnamon apples.
• Taste: Lashings of cinnamon stewed pears, toasted almonds, heather honey and pipe tobacco, followed by smoked barley, vanilla toffee and orchard fruits.

LAPHROAIG 10 YEAR OLD
CASK STRENGTH BATCH 15

Just arrived from Laphroaig, the 15th edition of the Islay distillery’s cask strength 10 Year Old, a pure and powerful expression of its trademark coastal peaty character.

Matured in ex-bourbon casks, this full-bodied single malt reveals flavours of sticky toffee pudding, white pepper and Laphroaig’s signature iodine and sea salt, wrapped in waves of peat smoke. A classic choice for fans of big, smoky drams.

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