Loch Lomond 22 Years Old Course Collection

1999 vintage limited release of 4,000 bottles to commemorate the 150th Open Golf Championship at St. Andrews. Double matured in Haut-Medoc Claret Barriques.

Maximum 1-bottle per each.

Buy – Loch Lomond 22 Years 1999 Open 150th

NOSE: Oak spice, clove and star anise, berry fruit of redcurrant, raspberry and honey.

TASTE: Apple, pear and black cherry with vanilla and dark chocolate.

FINISH: Warming ginger spice and wood smoke finish.

Loch Lomond Distillery is equipped with three different types of sills and was established just to the south of the Loch Lomond in 1964. There are two pot stills, six pot stills with rectifying columns in place of swan necks, a Coffey continuous still and additional continuous stills that produce grain whisky. Thus Loch Lomond Distillery produces malt and grain whisky. Inchmurrin malt whisky is produced using malt spirit distilled in the two pot stills fitted with rectifying columns in place of swan necks. The Loch Lomond single malts include a 12 Year Old and an 18 Year Old.

All aboard – Bimber Distillery announces The Spirit of the Underground Release No.3

Following being chosen as a finalist at the 2022 Brand and Lifestyle Awards (B&LLA), London’s Bimber Distillery today announced the launch of the third release of The Spirit of the Underground Collection, produced in conjunction with Transport for London (TfL).

Release No.3 showcases four new stations: Camden Town, Canary Wharf, Notting Hill Gate and Tower Hill – each featuring stunning iconography presenting unique pieces of London’s history, and adorned with striking labels and packaging design that observes the significance of each station’s location.

Each of the four releases in Release No.3 has undergone a secondary maturation in a different fortified wine cask – with three of the stations showcasing cask types that have not previously been released by the distillery. Each is bottled at natural cask strength and without chill filtration.

The Collection, which will total 44 individual releases, features a selection of iconic single malt whiskies that celebrate the heritage and diversity of the distillery’s home city. With stunning individual designs, each bottle presents a different Tube station on the London Underground network – the oldest underground passenger railway service in the world.

Release No.3 of The Spirit of the Underground Collection will be available directly from Bimber’s Spirit of the Underground website from Monday 16^th till Thursday 19^th May via a weighted ballot, and with an RRP of £125 per bottle.

Speaking of the launch of  the third release in the collection, Matt McKay Bimber’s Director of Marketing and Communications said: “We’re delighted to reveal the next four stations that will be joining The Spirit of the Underground Collection. For this release we’ve selected four outstanding casks which showcase our ever-broadening selection of flavour profiles. Each of these fortified wine casks has brought both a unique influence and a different perspective to our distinctive London spirit. And we’re particularly excited to be using Release 3 to unveil three entirely new casks styles that we have added into our growing cask inventory.

Ellen Sankey, Brand Licensing Manager at TfL added: “We are delighted to see Bimber Distillery further capture our unique brand with this latest release, which nods to both TfL’s and the capital’s rich heritage. Innovative collaborations such as this are a great example of how brands can work with us and let their customers have a little bit of London in their home.”

All the expressions in The Spirit of the Underground Collection were crafted to Bimber’s exacting standards. The spirit was produced from the distillery’s single farm barley and malted on a dedicated floor at Warminster Maltings before being fermented for seven days in bespoke, on-site constructed American oak washbacks. Distillation took place in Bimber’s customised stills which possess an increased copper surface area, which results in a rich fruit-forward, layered spirit.

The Spirit of the Underground Collection – Release No.3

The Spirit of the Underground – Notting Hill Gate

Moscatel Sherry Cask Finish – Ref 285/21

Nose: Tinned pineapple and peach juices are sweetened further by brown sugars whilst macerated orange peels join homemade lemonade

Palate: Richly composed with clementine and nectarine strudel served with a side plate of cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg dusted baked apple

Finish: Toasted oak and shaved chocolate join spent coffee grounds

342 bottles

70cl

59% ABV

The Spirit of the Underground – Camden Town

Amontillado Sherry Cask Finish – Ref 288.23 

Nose: Chopped hazelnuts, rye bread and manuka honey join orange zest, lemon oils and nutmeg

Palate: Almond paste and hazelnuts sit with pepper and chilli-spiced waffles, whilst bright orchard and citrus fruits mingle with honey and chocolate syrup

Finish: Nutty with lingering piquant spice

351 bottles

70cl

58.5% ABV

The Spirit of the Underground – Canary Wharf

Marsala Cask Finish – Ref 298/9

Nose: Mandarin peels, cooking apples and toasted almonds sit atop of warmed honey and delicately spiced oak

Palate: Orange zest and candied lemon peels give way to effervescent spicing from ginger, nutmeg and clove whilst mentholated oak joins chocolate covered almond brittle

Finish: Lasting spice and char sit with enduring fruit sugars 

320 bottles

70cl

58.1% ABV

The Spirit of the Underground – Tower Hill

Palo Cortado Sherry Cask Finish – Ref 302/13

Nose: Delicate dried slices of apricot and orange join richer sherry-led spices whilst white chocolate and caramel are livened by vanilla and white pepper

Palate: Bright apple and citrus fruits are further enriched by toffee, caramel, ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg whilst gently charred oak sits with espresso beans

Finish: Coffee and walnut cake invigorated by tangy cask spices

348 bottles

70cl

58.7% ABV

About Bimber 

Bimber Distillery produces world-class single malt whisky, handcrafted with passion in West London. As a leading distiller of English whisky, we combine generations of rich distilling heritage with the finest quality ingredients to create the ultimate craft whisky experience.

About Transport for London 

Transport for London (TfL) is the integrated transport authority responsible for delivering Mayor of London Sadiq Khan’s strategy and commitments on transport. It runs the day-to-day operation of the Capital’s public transport network, including London Underground, London Overground, Docklands Light Railway, London Buses and TfL Rail services, as well as managing London’s main roads. TfL does all it can to support the millions of journeys that are made every day and keep the city moving, working and growing. TfL reinvests all income generated through fares and commercial revenue to run and improve services and is committed to reducing costs. The licensing deal for this product was delivered through TSBA Group, TfL’s brand licensing partner.

BIG PEAT PRODUCES ONE OF ONE BOTTLE FOR UKRAINE 2022

Douglas Laing’s flagship Islay Malt Scotch Whisky brand, Big Peat, has produced an “extremely rare” one of one bottle for Ukraine 2022.

Containing a “unique” marriage of Islay Single Malts – 99% of the content being from the now-closed Port Ellen Distillery – those interested in winning this rare bottle are invited to donate £5 to Big Peat’s free raffle via Douglas Laing’s website (https://www.douglaslaing.com/products/donate-5-to-support-ukraine-enter-raffle-to-win-rare-big-peat-bottle). Donations opened on 26^th April 2022 and to date, have surpassed £3,000.00. Big Peat will continue to collect donations until 31^st May 2022, at which point Douglas Laing & Co will take the names of all donors and enter them into a free raffle – selecting a winner at random. All proceeds will be donated to the Disaster Emergency Committee’s Ukrainian Humanitarian Appeal, who provide essential food, water, shelter and medical assistance to support families fleeing conflict.

The bottle is presented in Ukrainian blue and yellow colourways, with premium print finishes and a yellow wax dip seal. Big Peat’s iconic, earthy-coloured artwork has been muted to grey in the background as a symbol of “respect” and “solidarity”. Beneath the cork capsule, the spirit inside is said to reveal notes of “warm sand, phenols and peated barley balanced by a caramel sweetness” and is offered at 48.1% alcohol strength, without colouring or chill-filtration – adhering the Douglas Laing family’s “as natural as it gets” ethos.

Commenting on Big Peat’s free raffle, Cara Laing, Marketing Director said:

“The Douglas Laing team have been watching the humanitarian disaster in Ukraine and wanted to do something to help. We tasked Fred Laing with creating a very special bottling (just one bottle) of Big Peat containing particularly rare and old Single Malts – 99% of which are from the legendary Port Ellen Distillery. We now hope Whisky enthusiasts are excited by both the exceptional spirit and the chance to help our friends in Ukraine.”

ABOUT BIG PEAT

Instagram: @bigpeatwhisky

Facebook: /bigpeat

Established in 2009 by Douglas Laing & Co, Big Peat has amassed a somewhat cult following throughout his tenure in the world of Whisky. The multi award-winning small batch Scotch is a marriage of Single Cask Single Malts distilled only on Islay, including those distilled at Ardbeg, Bowmore, Caol Ila and Port Ellen Distilleries, amongst others. Celebrated for “his” trademark smoky, sooty, ashy and sweet flavour profile, Big Peat is offered at high alcohol strength and always without colouring or chill-filtration. Since 2019, “his” core range encompasses a 12 Years Old offering for specialist retailer, and “he” proudly unveils a limited edition bottling for Christmas each year, too. 

ABOUT DOUGLAS LAING & CO.

www.douglaslaing.com

Douglas Laing & Co. is a leading independent Scotch Whisky distillery, blender and bottler specialising in the selection and release of Single Cask Single and Small Batch Malt Scotch Whiskies.

The company was founded by Fred Douglas Laing in 1948 and is still owned and run by the Laing family – Fred Laing Jr and his daughter Cara Laing.

The company philosophy is to bottle the way the distiller intended – at a high strength and without chill filtration to preserve the robust and unique character of the Whisky. Douglas Laing’s industry reputation and many awards is testament to this ethos.

Douglas Laing’s Remarkable Regional Malts, the Ultimate Distillation of Scotland’s Malt Whisky Regions, encompasses The Epicurean Lowland Malt Scotch Whisky, Timorous Beastie (Highlands), Scallywag (Speyside), The Gauldrons (Campbeltown), Rock Island (Islands) and Big Peat (Islay).

Beyond its Blended Malts expertise, the award-winning Douglas Laing portfolio also includes Provenance, Premier Barrel, Old Particular, Xtra Old Particular and XOP Black, collectively known as the firm’s “Exceptional Single Casks”.

Before single malt develops, a clear, flavourful liquid called new make is produced. More and more distilleries are choosing to share their aromatic and complex new make spirits with an intrigued public. Holyrood are proud to be creating a historically inspired, yet innovative range of liquids, that reflect their working style and ethos, an exciting prelude to the brand’s inaugural single malt whisky which will be released later this year.

Holyrood Distillery is proud to be bringing new make and sake together to create this special edition bottle. The new Japanese yeast concept has been developed by Distiller, Conor O’Keeffe who commented: “While reading ‘On the production Methods of Pot Still Whisky’ by Masataka Taketsuru, I was inspired by his comparisons between Sake and Whisky production and it led us to look into some of the yeasts used in sake making. We quickly settled on Sake #7 for its distinct strawberry notes and the wonderful full texture. It’s combining two very ancient traditions to create something totally new.” 

The celebratory new make sits alongside Holyrood’s innovative, Brewer’s Series, which is inspired by Edinburgh’s illustrious brewing history and plays with different elements of the brewing process, from yeast selections to specialty malt ratios. Whether you drink it neat, on the rocks or in a cocktail, new make is proving increasingly popular both with whisky afficandoes and newcomers to the scene.

Established in 2019, Holyrood is Edinburgh’s first single malt distillery since 1925. Built with a vision to create a new kind of whisky distillery, one that would reflect the diverse and modern city of Edinburgh. With each new release the distillery is keen to set the standard as new wave Scotch makers who aren’t afraid to experiment outside of the traditional whisky making sphere

In-Stock Rarity for Collectors: A Monumental, Sherry-Aged Stunner
1997 Mortlach 24 Year Old “Hart Brothers Finest Collection” K&L Exclusive Cask Strength Single Sherry Butt Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) ($279.99)
“This exquisite single sherry butt is honestly the quintessential Mortlach in so many ways … [it] might be this year’s very best cask in terms of objective quality.”
— David Othenin-Girard, K&L Spirits Buyer

The hits keep coming from our Exclusive Cask program, and today’s offer might be the biggest of them all. One of our most consistently reliable independent bottlers, Hart Brothers has brought us yet another unbelievably rare and astounding single cask from the inimitable Mortlach. We’ve managed to get our hands on nothing less than a 24-year-old, sherry-aged cask that perfectly demonstrates the heart and soul of this singular distillery with a finely integrated sherry influence that only serves to enhance the already dizzying array of complexities in this one-of-a-kind dram. Even at this price point, this stupendous cask remains a relative steal—spirits buyer David Othenin-Girard calls it “An absolutely stunning whisky that I’d honestly feel comfortable selling for many hundreds of dollars more than we have priced it.” Mortlach at this age doesn’t come around very often, so collectors everywhere should take serious interest in one of the most compelling casks we’ve offered in a long time. As David perfectly sums it up, “there’s simply nothing comparable on the market at anywhere close to this price … I doubt we’ll ever see another one quite like this.”

1997 Mortlach 24 Year Old “Hart Brothers Finest Collection” K&L Exclusive Cask Strength Single Sherry Butt Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) ($279.99)

K&L Notes: There isn’t much that needs to be said about this. Mortlach, meet sherry. Sherry, Mortlach. Two and a half decades later the marriage is still a perfect one. What’s the secret? Listening and mutual respect or raw unbridled attraction? Probably both. There may be no right answer, but no one questions that these two belong together. The Mortlach distillery, known locally as the “Beast of Dufftown,” is one of those great distilleries that has never been given proper attention by its owners. The distillery has quietly been a key component in the great Scotch blends since 1823, yet few outside the single malt aficionados appreciate its prowess. Yes, the new owners have recently re-released a line of well-regarded distillery bottlings, but their availability is intermittent, and the exceptional pricing the original offered seems to have evaporated. It’s been a much more successful effort to transition the brand into a proper single malt property, yet this excellent property remains in the shadows of its “classic malt” brethren. The beast, brooding down in the gully, was waiting to be unleashed. Now it finally has been! This is a big-boy butt from the biggest of Speyside’s blue chips. Robust, full of character, and bottled no-holds-barred at full cask strength, it’s incredible we’re still able to get things like this out of Scotland, and while it will be hard to argue with anyone that this one is “affordable,” for what it is the price is really quite shocking.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: May 18, 2022

Mortlach deserves to be thought of as one of Scotland’s very finest blue chip distilleries that command extreme respect for their quality and reputation. But thanks to the indifference of the owners to its prowess, Mortlach has remained altogether in the shadows. While connoisseurs and the cognoscenti often refer to it in reverent language, the everyday drinker does not necessarily distinguish a Mortlach from a Loch Lomond or Mannochmore—just another goofy Scottish name. And while the other great Dufftown distillers have become global sensations, Mortlach’s recent attempt to bottle their own whisky has been met with a collective yawn. Not because they’re lacking in quality, but because the owners’ pricing and branding strategy has left little room to wonder. But the relative obscurity affords the likes of yours truly some serious opportunity, and while there is no doubt that this whisky commands a premium for blenders and bottlers, it still punches way above its weight. This exquisite single sherry butt is honestly the quintessential Mortlach in so many ways. It captures the power and grace of the Beast of Dufftown without relying exclusively on the sherry card. Instead, it’s a more nuanced and subtle offering, one that might be this year’s very best cask in terms of objective quality.

Subjectively, it’s exactly what I love to drink and something that feels very rarefied indeed, a sort of antique style that is very hard to ferret out. Shall we? The color is an attractive, deep copper. Immediately enveloping and offering a deep array of savory and fruit aromas—sandalwood, incense, dried apricot, Seville orange peel, bone broth, canned peach, sorrel leaf, mint, antique wood, and varnish. This one needs no water to open, only several minutes in the glass to come alive. On the palate, big and juicy stone fruit, more orange, a creamy texture, and building oak spice followed by toasted vanilla, dark chocolate, roasted malt, hints of peppermint, and clove oil. The spice and savory side tends to win in the end, but the fruit stands strong. With a few tiny drops of water, this becomes way too easy to drink, adding tons of chocolate and rich, raisiny fruit. If you like it big and spicy, don’t touch it. If you want your glass to disappear almost immediately, three or four drops max. An absolutely stunning whisky that I’d honestly feel comfortable selling for many hundreds of dollars more than we have priced it. Of course, people will look at it compared to some other DI whiskies and think Wow, fancy price, but there’s simply nothing comparable on the market at anywhere close to this price. The last independently bottled, older Mortlach we saw was 18 years old, not sherried, and nearly the same price, so I guarantee we’ll be looking back at this one and saying, “Wow, we had it so good once upon a time.” While this might not be as intense or tannic as the Clynelish Signatory black label we did a couple of years ago, I’d put this right up there with that whisky in terms of how special it is. I doubt we’ll ever seen another one quite like this.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: May 19, 2022

It’s a funny thing that the owners of Mortlach don’t include this, the most classic of whiskies, in the “classic malts” range they bottle. This cask is old school and glorious, balanced and robust, graceful and strong. Not a bomb, but a first-fill sherry butt in perfect harmony with the spirit nonetheless. It’s a very comfortable 49.7% ABV and a beautiful rose gold mixed with honey in the glass. The nose is exquisite. Dripping with ripe stone fruit, apples, and orange peel, it feels like it’s flowing out of the glass before it even hits your lips. A complex mix of heavier scents are present, but in a lighter quantity than you’d expect, making the whisky feel young and vibrant despite nearly 25 years in cask. Hints of leather, varnish, cigar paper, and wood. Spices abound—cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, vanilla, all beautifully present and playing their parts in a well-conducted orchestra. When you do finally get around to tasting it, your palate will experience ecstasy. It will crescendo into a full and round, rolling blast of flavor. The sweet spice melds with the savory wood and ripe fruit into a gooey mix of raw cocoa powder, sweet milk chocolate, candied almonds, toasted walnuts, fresh muddled mint, and fruit preserves. Its body is full, but never heavy—the Beast mellowed over the years into something sophisticated, dignified, proud, large yet precise, and exacting, like a lifelong mechanic’s hands in old age, worn of hard edges, but possessing strength and years of knowledge to be used in effortless control to great effect. The finish is sweet and easy. Inviting, comforting. It’s like an old friend, you could easily find yourself looking up late in the night and realizing you’ve been talking for hours. If you’re a lover of Scotch and balance, this cask is for you. It is well worth the price of admission. One of those whiskies that I would argue is a tremendous value despite not being cheap. It delivers so much more than what it costs when compared to its price-point peers.

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The second outrun of 2022 is here!

Our second outrun for 2022 contains 10 single casks from Lady of the Glen and the second bottling of our small batch Blended Malt, St Bridget’s Kirk.

For Lady of the Glen we are presenting a selection of different styles of Whisky ranging from an ex Tawny Port finished Linkwood and older single grain from North British through to a peated Bunnahabhain and an unusual Dufftown from an ex PX ex Islay octave. This outrun also features our first experiment with virgin oak finishing, a 10 year old Knockdhu.
All releases were bottled at our site in Dalgety Bay by hand.

If the bottle you want is sold out don’t worry as we have sent orders to various independent shops and traders across the UK!

Outrun 2 2022

Below are some selected highlights from our new release.
There are 11 casks in this outrun so be sure to check them all out on our shop.

Gordon & MacPhail releases 70-Year-Old whisky to commemorate HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee 

Whisky creators Gordon & MacPhail have revealed a very special single malt whisky to honour the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.

The Gordon & MacPhail Private Collection 1952 from Glen Grant Distillery has spent the past 70 years maturing in a first fill Sherry butt, the same amount of time that Her Majesty has been on the throne. It was bottled on 6^th February, the date of the Queen’s accession, and serves as a fitting tribute, exemplifying how character, patience and wisdom can mature over decades to deliver an exceptional legacy.

In support of the Queen’s ‘green canopy’ initiative and build on the successful 2021 partnership with Scottish charity Trees for Life, Gordon & MacPhail is donating a further £20,000 from the proceeds of the release.

Ewen Mackintosh, Gordon & MacPhail Managing Director, said: “It’s an honour to release this exceptional single malt whisky to commemorate Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Matured over seven decades in our own casks this single malt provides an opportunity to enjoy a style of Speyside whisky which is distinctly different to those created today. 

“Our approach to ensuring our casks, made from the highest quality wood to our exact specifications, is a one which sits right at the heart of our business. We want to do our bit to support The Queen’s ‘Green Canopy’ initiative by continuing our successful partnership with Tress for Life. The monies donated from this release will provide funding for their nursery which grows 100,000 rare and native trees, including oaks, from seed each year. It’s fitting that this whisky will provide a legacy that will last for generations.” 

Just 256 bottles of the ultra-rare commemorative whisky are available worldwide from the single cask laid down in 1952, some of the oldest Glen Grant whisky ever released from Gordon & MacPhail’s revered warehouse in Elgin. Distilled on 26^th January 1952 and spending its entire maturation in cask no. 381, a first-fill Sherry butt, the Gordon & MacPhail Private Collection 1952 from Glen Grant Distillery was bottled on 6^th February 2022 at a cask strength of 52.3% ABV.

Gordon & MacPhail Private Collection 1952 from Glen Grant Distillery has an RSP of £20,000. Prices may vary in international markets as a result of duty and taxes. 

For more information, visit www.gordonandmacphail.com

#GordonandMacPhail

Tasting notes – Gordon & MacPhail Private Collection 1952 from Glen Grant distillery
Matured in cask 381, a first-fill Sherry butt, and bottled at 52.3% ABV. Outturn of 256 bottles. 

COLOUR

Dark Gold.

AROMA

Notes of BEESWAX POLISH give way to HONEYED ripe FIG aromas, TOFFEE and ORANGE ZEST. Aged leather complements RUM and RAISIN.

TASTE

STEWED BLACKBERRY compote, SWEET CLEMENTINE and MILK CHOCOLATE flavours are followed by DRIED TOBACCO LEAF and a MENTHOL undertone. 

FINISH

A long finish with a touch of SMOKE and a hint of PEPPER.

About Gordon & MacPhail Whiskies

For over 125 years, Gordon & MacPhail has been driven by a simple mission: to create single malt Scotch whisky of exceptional quality.

Through four generations of family ownership, the company has matched spirit from over 100 Scottish distilleries to its own bespoke casks.

It is this unique depth and breadth of experience that enables Gordon & MacPhail to combine oak, spirit and time to create a portfolio of iconic whiskies found nowhere else in the world.

• ‘Discovery’–This flavour-led range is the perfect introduction to our portfolio of quality single malt Scotch whiskies
• ‘Distillery Labels’–A range celebrating our long-standing relationships with Scotland’s distilleries
• ‘Connoisseurs Choice’ –The heart of our portfolio. Always unique, these non-chill-filtered, natural coloured, small batch expressions are genuine one-offs.
• ‘Private Collection’–Greatly-aged single malts from celebrated, little-known, or closed distilleries specially selected by members of the Urquhart family
• ‘Generations’–A prestigious collection of old, rare, and exclusive masterpieces 

About Trees for Life

Founded in 1993, Trees for Life is an award-winning charity with a vision of a revitalised wild forest in the Scottish Highlands, providing space for wildlife to flourish and communities to thrive. “It is our passionate belief that rewilding can help us achieve this vision,” says chief executive, Steve Micklewright. “It enriches the landscapes, wildlife and people who call these places home. Rewilding is about working with nature, natural processes and seeing human activity as part of an intricate system in which everything is connected.” www.treesforlife.org.uk

COMPASS BOX RELEASES THE CIRCLE, NO. 2

A Limited Edition whisky that taps into the phenomenon of synaesthesia, transforming colour into flavour 

May 2022 – Compass Box Scotch whiskymakers announce an exciting new Limited Edition. The Circle, No. 2 is the latest to emerge from their global bartender competition, The Circle, and is inspired by a rare sensation known as synaesthesia, (RRP £130, ABV 46%). The whisky will be available in the UK from 1^st June, with only 3,113 bottles available worldwide.

The Circle programme serves to connect the creative processes of the blending room with those of the bar trade, exploring imaginative and unusual ideas and bringing like-minded individuals together to learn, share and create.

Mannie Monaghan won the competition in 2019, the last time The Circle was able to run. Mannie, owner of the bar, Below Stairs, in Leeds, UK, tapped into the phenomenon of synaesthesia, asking the Compass Box whiskymakers “Is it possible to make a whisky that evokes the colour coral?”.

Synaesthesia refers to a blending of the senses. It can involve hearing shapes, tasting days of the week, or smelling colours and is as varied in its forms and intensities as the people who experience it. As a synaesthete himself, Mannie, was able to bring the full force of his taste buds and personal colour palette to the Compass Box blending rooms, fostering a unique creative process for the whiskymaking team.

Mannie Monaghan says, “What does the colour coral taste like? It’s unmistakably warm, familiar, and powerful. Translating that sensation into whisky has led us to create wonderful warm whisky that expresses the positivity and vibrancy of Living Coral, Pantone’s colour of the year in 2019.”

Over two lengthy sessions, Mannie joined whiskymaker James Saxon in the Blending Rooms. Not synaesthetic himself, James relied on Mannie to first identify parcels of whisky with coral-like qualities. This was an exciting challenge and great fun, scouring the shelves for samples of whiskies with the intensity and beauty that matched the colour in Mannie’s mind.

Gradually a lovely, soft, and sweet whisky took shape. More than half of the recipe is tropical, pineapple-accented whisky from the Glen Elgin Distillery, while whiskies aged in Sherry casks lend warmth, energy, and a clinging texture. Dashes of a peated whisky, and a little malt whisky further matured in STR wine casks, bring contrast and depth. The Circle, No. 2 was created as an outdoor whisky to be enjoyed with friends, lounging on a lazy afternoon as the sun sets.

Key flavours expressed by the whisky are pineapple and stewed peach alongside vanilla, honey and sultanas soaked in Cognac. Compass Box wanted the label design to reflect the collaborative whiskymaking process and the fusing of the senses, as well as bring to life the luminous beauty of coral.

James Saxon, lead whiskymaker says, “Creating The Circle, No. 2 with Mannie has shown us that the senses can be blended together, and that they can inform one another. This is the beauty of collaboration – we have only had the opportunity to run two editions of The Circle programme, but hopefully we can have many more surprising meetings of minds in the years to come. Not being synaesthetic, working with Mannie in the Blending Rooms was a bit like trying to learn a new language. Gradually, I was able to suggest parcels of whisky that met Mannie’s vision more precisely. By the end, I did feel as though I was seeing colours too! We are so pleased to finally be able to release this whisky, and that we can start to look forward to bringing bartenders together again.”

Compass Box Limited Editions afford them complete creative freedom. Each release is one-off in nature and the collaboration with Mannie was no different – a true experiment in one bartender’s fascinating sensory world.

For more information about Compass Box, visit www.compassboxwhisky.com or check them out on Instagram or Facebook.

ABOUT COMPASS BOX

Compass Box are Scotch whiskymakers. The word ‘whiskymaker’ is their word – it does not appear in a dictionary. For 20 years they have been relentlessly focused on reinventing Scotch whisky, with every new blend designed to help make the world of whisky a more interesting place. They have not done it on their own and have collaborated with some of the world’s most visionary bartenders and designers to really push the boundaries of what is possible. Compass Box have won more awards for innovation than any other producer in Scotland because they are always experimenting. Always looking for sparks of creativity that will deliver something totally compelling, yet completely surprising. This vision motivates them as whiskymakers. Their blends are consistently rated equal to or better than the great single malts of Scotland by the most respected voices in the industry.

American ex-pat John Glaser is the founder and head whiskymaker of Compass Box and six-time Whisky Magazine Innovator of the Year and 2020 Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame Inductee.  He began his career on a path to become

a winemaker, before re-routing himself through the corporate world and ending up as a Marketing Director for Johnnie Walker in London. With a desire to do things differently, John started Compass Box from the kitchen of his west London home in 2000 in order to bring the joys of Scotch whisky to more people. From the beginning, his vision has been to create one of Scotland’s finest and most compelling whisky companies, re-imagining the standards for quality and style in the industry. In 2020, John was inducted into the Whisky Magazine’s Hall of Fame. Two decades later, Compass Box now has two Blending Rooms in London, a team of 20 working internationally and stocks of maturing whiskies in Scotland. In 2020, Compass Box celebrated its 20th anniversary. With a forward-looking approach and unrelenting focus on creativity and integrity, John and his team continue his mission to make the world of Scotch whisky a more interesting place.

ABOUT THE CIRCLE PROGRAMME

Compass Box launched The Circle programme in 2018 to connect the creative processes of their Blending Room with those of the bar trade. The programme involves inviting a select group of bartenders from around the globe to join the Compass Box whiskymakers on an adventure of flavours by undertaking a series of creative challenges. A number of heats take place globally before a three-day global final in London. A winner is then selected who is rewarded with the opportunity to create their own limited edition Compass Box whisky for everyone to enjoy. 2018’s winner was London’s Rosey Mitchell from the bar Three Sheets. After an unavoidable pause on the programme over the past two years, Compass Box are looking to the future and ways to expand and develop The Circle.

Synaesthesia is as far outside most people’s perception as a fourth dimension. Yet to some, the concept of the senses entangling so they can taste music or see flavour is entirely natural. The Circle, No. 2 is an experiment in one bartender’s fascinating sensory world. Like all their whiskies though, the ultimate experience is shaped by the individual. To other synaesthetes, a sip may evoke the colour purple, or taste like D minor, while those with conventionally connected senses will still interpret the deliciousness in their own idiosyncratic way.

INTRODUCING REDBREAST DREAM CASK DOUBLE CASK EDITION

A magnificent limited-edition release to celebrate World Whisky Day

Redbreast Irish Whiskey, produced by Irish Distillers at its world-renowned Midleton Distillery in Co. Cork, is launching the fifth edition in its celebrated Dream Cask series to mark World Whisky Day 2022.

Redbreast Dream Cask Double Cask Edition is a 30 year old single pot still Irish whiskey which captures the quintessential Redbreast style while celebrating innovation and craftmanship. The fifth edition represents a truly unique addition to the series, marrying two dream casks, hand selected by Master Blender, Billy Leighton and Blender, Dave McCabe, to create one exceptional whiskey.

To create this extraordinary whiskey, Leighton and McCabe each hand selected their favourite cask from Midleton’s inventory before combining them to create one heavenly whiskey. The first cask, chosen by Leighton, was originally laid down in a first fill oloroso sherry butt in May 1990, while the second – chosen by McCabe – was laid down in a first fill bourbon barrel in November 1991. Each cask, reflective of the two distinct components of the Redbreast DNA, was chosen at its optimum maturity, then combined to showcase the unique traits imparted by each of the following three decades of ageing.

“Bottling these outstanding casks together at precisely the right moment has resulted in an incredibly complex Irish whiskey that harmoniously balances the vanilla sweetness and caramel creaminess from the bourbon barrel and the deep, dark fruitiness from the sherry butt,” explains Leighton.

“With an ABV of 56.9%, the resulting liquid is rich in robust spice with wood-driven characteristics and notes of dark-roasted coffee, sweet liquorice, orange peel and smoked almonds amplified by the wine cask’s influence.”

Launching for World Whisky Day, 714 bottles of Redbreast Dream Cask Double Cask Edition will be available exclusively through an online ballot hosted on Redbreast’s online members’ club  The Birdhouse at an RRP of €550. Each of the 500ml bottles will be presented in a keepsake book, made from recyclable cardboard*, detailing the latest instalment in the Dream Cask journey. 

“The Dream Cask collection has always been about sharing our most rare and special casks with Redbreast fans around the world and we are thrilled to showcase two distinct casks within this release,” explains Leighton.

“For this 2022 expression, we set out to create a perfectly aged single pot still whiskey that captured the qualities and virtues of its Dream Cask predecessors, but with a new and distinctive twist of marrying these two casks just at the point of bottling. We are delighted with the results and are excited to share this next chapter in the unfolding story of Redbreast.”

McCabe adds: “The traditional Redbreast style is so often associated with the influence of sherry casks that we sometimes overlook the role bourbon casks play in its composition. I am honoured to have been able to select my perfectly aged dream bourbon cask for this year’s Dream Cask and to pay homage to that unbeatable harmony that makes Redbreast so special.

“We are incredibly fortunate that we have the variety of aged stock at Midleton Distillery to explore and make our dreams a reality. Sharing our discovery with whiskey drinkers across the world is one of the most exciting and joyful aspects of my role to date.”

The ballot will be open for entries from Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, England, Scotland and Wales from 23^rd May. When the ballot closes on 30^th May, successful participants will be given an opportunity to purchase a limited-edition bottle of Dream Cask Double Cask Edition.

Tasting Notes

Nose: A rich and complex balance of aromas. A suggestion of dried herbs and earthy tones combine with hints of antique furniture, anise, hazelnut and tobacco. Autumnal fruits, black cherry and cassis build in perfect harmony with oak and sherry wine influences.

Taste: Lucious and full with warming spices and soft tannins at first. Notes of dark roasted coffee, honey-menthol and sweet liquorice follow, complementing the pot still spices. Orange peel and smoked almonds add their own unique and subtle touch.

Finish: Long and satisfyingly rich with the precise balance of fruits, spices and oak lingering until the very end.

* After removing the ribbon and magnets, the cardboard book is recyclable in Ireland and most major markets. 

About Irish Distillers

Irish Distillers is Ireland’s leading supplier of spirits and wines, and producer of some of the world’s most well-known and successful Irish whiskeys. Led by Jameson, our brands are driving the global renaissance of Irish whiskey. Jameson is the world’s bestselling Irish whiskey, experiencing 30 years of consecutive growth up to 2019 and hitting sales of 8.6m cases in 2021. Our brands are exported to 130+ markets.

Irish Distillers was formed in 1966, when a merger took place between John Power & Son, John Jameson & Son and Cork Distilleries Company. In 1988 Irish Distillers joined Pernod Ricard, gaining access to unprecedented levels of investment and an extensive global distribution network. Since 2012, we have invested over €400 million to double our production and bottling capacity to meet global demand for our products.

We employ over 600 people across our operations in Cork and Dublin.

About Pernod Ricard 

Pernod Ricard is the No.2 worldwide producer of wines and spirits with consolidated sales of €8,824 million in FY21. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has developed through organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard, which owns 16 of the Top 100 Spirits Brands, holds one of the most prestigious and comprehensive brand portfolios in the industry, including: Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute, and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Malibu liqueur, Mumm and Perrier-Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo, and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard’s brands are distributed across 160+ markets and by its own salesforce in 73 markets. The Group’s decentralised organisation empowers its 19,000 employees to be true on-the-ground ambassadors of its vision of “Créateurs de Convivialité.” As reaffirmed by the Group’s three-year strategic plan, “Transform and Accelerate,” deployed in 2018, Pernod Ricard’s strategy focuses on investing in long-term, profitable growth for all stakeholders. The Group remains true to its three founding values: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust, and a strong sense of ethics. As illustrated by the 2030 roadmap supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), “We bring good times from a good place.” In recognition of Pernod Ricard’s strong commitment to sustainable development and responsible consumption, it has received a Gold rating from Ecovadis and is ranked No. 1 in the beverage sector in Vigeo Eiris. Pernod Ricard is also a United Nation’s Global Compact LEAD company.

Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN code: FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40

A Trio of Collectible Irish Whiskeys from the Iconic Redbreast
15-Year, 21-Year, and 27-Year treasures for the serious enthusiast…

For decades, Irish whiskey was something of an afterthought for spirits aficionados, but lately the category has enjoyed a significant renaissance, and it’s largely thanks to the iconic offerings from Redbreast. Produced at the famed Midleton Distillery, this brand is widely considered the definitive expression of fine, single-pot still Irish whiskey. The flagship 12-year-old is without doubt the standard-bearer, but in recent years the distillery has released several new age-stated stunners that take the signature Redbreast profile to new heights. The 15-Year is an amped up version of the 12-Year, with a brash and bold spicy component that sets it apart from other offerings in its price tier. The 21-Year is “something special” according to Whisky Advocate, flaunting its ex-bourbon barrel character in an opulent, rich fashion. Finally, the 27-Year is simply a monumentally complex specimen unlike any other from the Emerald Isle. Aged partially in ruby port cask, it takes its pot-still essence into the stratosphere of intensity in a rendition that will certainly come to define collectible Irish whiskey in the years to come. If you’re already a fan, these treasures belong in your stash, and if you’re just starting your love affair with the category, this is your perfect starting point.

Redbreast 15 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey (750ml) ($119.99)

92 points Whisky Advocate: “Redbreast 12 year old is a classic pure pot still Irish whiskey; where can you go from there? This new 15 year old expression is more muscular (bottling at 46% and not chill filtering certainly helps), but there are trade-offs. Its a bit closed on the nose (like a great Bordeaux wine thats too young). I do enjoy the silky/oily texture, the bold resinous oak spice grip on the finish, and the rich nutty toffee, fig, black raspberry, chocolaty, chewy nougat throughout the palate. (JH, Winter 2010)”

91 points Wine Enthusiast: “Made with a combination of malted and unmalted barley, this 15-year-old builds on the beautiful flavors of the 12-year-old version, adding big, mouth-filling caramel tones, a spicy finish and a velvety feel. It’s also higher proof than the 12-year-old and needs some dilution to help cool it down. (KN)” (03/2012)

Redbreast 21 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey (750ml) ($299.99)

93 points Whisky Advocate: “Honey, vanilla, peppercorn, Golden Delicious apples, macadamia nut, green banana, and clove-spiked orange. The flavors are bright with green apple, banana, vanilla, and citrus, developing a delicious creaminess to support the pot still spices. The creaminess really crowns this older whiskey as something special, with the bourbon wood playing a greater role than in younger, jammier Redbreasts. The finish is wonderfully long and warming, with spice, tangy orange, and oak. (JM, Summer 2020)” (06/2020)

93 points Wine Enthusiast: “Burnished gold in the glass, this robust sipper offers complex vanilla, caramel, almond, butterscotch and honey. A splash of water opens up fruitier notes: dried apricot, buttery baked pear and a rounded, clove-accented finish. (KN)” (03/2017)

K&L Notes: In 2018, Jim Murray awarded Redbreast the honor of Second Best Whiskey in the World and scored it a whopping 97 points. Redbreast is the quintessential example of single pot still Irish whiskey—a uniquely Irish combination of malted and unmalted barley triple distilled in pot stills—and none is better than the 21-year-old expression. While Irish whiskey languished throughout the 20th century, Redbreast held strong and true to their passion and history for making one of the world’s greatest spirits and kept Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey alive for us to enjoy today during the new golden age of Irish booze.

Redbreast 27 Year Old Cask Strength Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey (750ml) ($549.99)

93 points Whisky Advocate: “This new permanent addition to the Redbreast range is partially matured in ruby port casks, which have helped the vitality and the complexity of the finished whiskey while still delivering a remarkable intensity of red berry fruit. Orange peel, pine cone, vanilla, and walnut on the nose. Raspberry, cherry, plums, and active spices like a wildfire across the tongue, with pepper and chile heightened by the strength and menthol late on the finish. (JM)” (06/2020).