Samuel Gelston’s Launch New Cream Liqueur just in time for Easter

Irish whiskey brand, Samuel Gelston’s, has today (Tuesday 12th April) unveiled its latest expression – a decadent Irish Cream liqueur which will sit alongside its award-winning range of whiskies. An ideal Easter gift for chocolate lovers, the finest Irish whiskey, smooth rich cream and luscious chocolate have been expertly blended to create the indulgent new expression.

Bottled at 17% ABV, flavours of milk chocolate and vibrant vanilla are underpinned by smooth, rich Irish whiskey. With a delicate spiced finish, this versatile liqueur can be enjoyed chilled on its own, in coffee and hot chocolate, or as a delicious dessert ingredient.

Established in Belfast in the 1830s, and purchased by Harry Neill in 1869, the Samuel Gelston’s brand is synonymous with sourcing, bonding and blending some of the finest single malt and pot still whiskey from across Ireland. It has remained in the Neill family for five generations and is currently owned by Harry’s great, great grandson Johnny Neill who commented:

“The launch of our first liqueur is a historic moment for my family who have been making quality artisanal spirits for generations. Our latest offering is a real testament to the passion, skill and craftmanship of our team who have created what I believe is a perfect blend of Irish whiskey, chocolate and cream. We are confident that it will be a real hit with drinkers and marks what is set to be both a busy and exciting year for the business.”  

Samuel Gelston’s Irish Cream Liqueur is now available from selected Tesco stores across Northern Ireland and The Drop Store RRP £14. The wider range is also available in Booths, Waitrose and specialist whisky retailers, and also online via https://samuelgelstons.com/.

About Samuel Gelston’s

Gelston’s Irish Whiskey has won 35 prestigious industry accolades across its portfolio since 2018, including Double Golds at this year’s San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Best in Class (Ireland) at the London Spirits Competition.

Samuel Gelston’s Old Irish whiskey was founded in 1830 by Samuel Gelston. It was a time when Irish whiskey was famous around the world.

Samuel, a wine and whiskey merchant from Belfast, made it his mission to source, blend and bottle the best Irish whiskey from across Ireland. At the time there were 88 licensed distilleries on the island, and Samuel selected the very highest quality liquids for each bottle.

In 1869, upon Samuel’s death, the business was bought by Harry J. Neill. Harry had previously left Ireland’s shores with his younger brother Percival in order to make their fortunes in the Australian Gold rush of 1851. Having set up and subsequently sold his successful provisions business in Melbourne & Geelong, Harry returned to Belfast and purchased Gelston’s. His brother travelled on to New Zealand to set up Messrs Neill & Co in Dunedin in 1882.

Harry was the son of a Belfast merchant and French wine importer and was passionate about whiskey – indeed his grandfather and great grandfather had been whiskey distillers in Comber from the 1730s and 1760’s. He therefore continued their and Samuel Gelston’s legacy of sourcing, blending and bottling the very finest whiskeys, and developed the Gelston’s Irish whiskey brand around the world.

However, the Irish Whiskey landscape faced serious challenges as it entered the 20^th century, and the combined effects of World War I, the Irish War for Independence and finally Prohibition, resulted in the near collapse of the Irish Whiskey industry – which, in turn, led to the demise of Samuel Gelston’s Irish Whiskey.

The brand remained with the Neill family, and five generations on it has now been brought back to life by Harry’s great great grandson, Johnny Neill. Johnny and well-known master distiller Frank McHardy made it their mission to journey across Ireland again to source, bottle and blend the best liquids they could find and Samuel Gelston’s Old Irish Whiskey was reborn.

The current collection includes Samuel Gelston’s Single Malt, Single Pot Still, 5 Year Old Single Malt, 10 Year Old Single Malt, 15YO Single Malt, 26 Year Old Single Malt. Cousins, Johnny & Sam Neill, descendants of Harry and Percival have joined forces on the latest launch that marries Johnny’s Irish Whiskey with Sam’s Pinot Noir New Zealand Wine Casks.

This exciting brand is back doing what it did best.

Teaninich 13 Years Exclusive

Teaninich 13 Year Old 2008 vintage Highland single malt Scotch whisky. Single Pedro Ximenez sherry hogshead #1808 bottled 2021 by The Alistair Walker Whisky Co. for the Infrequent Flyers series exclusively for The Whisky Barrel. 322 bottles of the proverbial sherry bomb.

Selected exclusive for TWB a big sherry cask combining beautifully with Teaninich spirit to bring a rich, luxurious whisky:
Nose: Rum and raisin ice cream, nutmeg, butterscotch, melon, liquorice, dried tobacco, boot polish and lots of sweet sherry.
Taste: Soft and buttery, milk chocolate, honeydew melon, ground nutmeg, tobacco, chili spice and double cream.
Finish: Long lasting, warming sherry and toasted spice finish.

Shop Teaninich 13 Years »

Teaninich Distillery was built by Captain Hugh Monro on the lands of his Teaninich Castle near Alness on the northern shore of the Cromarty Firth in the Highland whisky region. It was established in 1817 with two stills in order to profit from distilling malt whisky from barley grown on the estate The stills were increased to four in the 1890s as demand for Teaninich malt whisky soared. A new Teaninich still house was constructed in 1970 to shelter an additional six stills. The new six and the old four, the A and the B, worked simultaneously until 1984 at which time the old B was closed and subsequently demolished in 1999. All that remains of the original Teaninich Distillery buildings is the receiver house which is now a listed building. Construction of a new still house complete with six additional stills began in 2014.

Tobermory 17 Year Old
2004 Oloroso Cask

Limited to 11,124 bottles with touches of tropical fruit, cherry, fudge and rose petals. As anyone that’s seen the colourful seafront can attest to, Tobermory is a bonnie wee place. So a celebration by the classy Tobermory Distillery of the unique Hebridean artistry seems more than fitting. This Tobermory 2004 Oloroso Cask Matured was distilled and filled into Oloroso sherry casks on the 8th of June 2004 and has been aged for 17 years. A limited bottling of 11,124 bottles, this is a small batch release that is free from chill filtration and colouring.

We know that the tasting experience is what counts with whiskies, but we are happy to be distracted by a bottle and case that looks as fetching as this! A vibrant whisky in a handsome presentation, what’s not to love?

£135.00
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HAMISH SAYS

the spirit of time collection

We are thrilled to introduce you to our NEW Travel Retail Exclusive Spirit of Time Collection, which launches exclusively with World Duty Free UK stores for the month of April, before roll out to other select global airport outlets. Included in this release are two new expressions: Glengoyne 10 Year Old first-fill edition and Glengoyne 15 Year Old Pedro Xíménez Cask Edition. The full collection will also include Glengoyne 26 Year Old, details for this to follow soon.

Each expression showcases the marrying of our  unique, fruity spirit with the finest oak casks.

THE COLLECTION

#Ardbeg #Islay #Shortie #Ardcore #ArdbegDay2022 #BlackMaltBarley

ARDBEG GEARS UP FOR A CELEBRATION AS THE DISTILLERY LAUNCHES ITS LATEST PUNK ROCK LIMITED EDITION: ARDCORE 

Never mind the barrels, it’s all about the black malt! Ardbeg invites its worldwide fandom to join them for their global Ardbeg Day 2022 celebrations.

Held annually on the final Saturday of Islay’s Festival of Music and Malt (Fèis Ìle), Ardbeg Day is a global celebration of all things Ardbeg. This year, the event falls on 4th June, with festivities set to take place at the Distillery, online, and at local events around the world. To celebrate the launch of their latest palate “punk-turing” Limited Edition, Ardcore, the Distillery is calling on their rabble-rousing mass of fans to rock up for the loudest event in the whisky calendar.

From Ardbeg, a Distillery with more ups and downs that a pogoing punk, comes Ardcore. Created with roasted black malt – an unconventional choice, and a first for Ardbeg – this spirit is all about what happens up front, centre-stage. Incinerated to hair-raising levels, the malt is what defines its distinctive profile. Described by Dr Bill Lumsden as tasting ‘like biting on a spiky ball’, this devilishly delicious dram is one for the ages.

Inspired by the devil-may-care attitude of Ardbeg’s fans, this dram is bottled for them. Ardcore also draws inspiration from Islay’s little-known punk past, celebrating the characters of ‘PUNK ELLEN’ – the alleged nickname for Islay’s main port, Port Ellen, in the 1970s.

Colin Gordon, Ardbeg’s Distillery Manager, said: “This year will be my first physical Ardbeg Day. We know not everybody can make it to Islay, so we’re delighted to be broadcasting all the day’s antics online too. Whether at the Distillery or at home, we hope lots of you rock up, punked out and ready to party come 4th June!”

Ardbeg’s Head of Distilling and Whisky Creation, Dr Bill Lumsden, said: “Ardcore is a dram that wears its heart on its sleeve – its black heart! Created with roasted black malt, burnt to hair-raising levels, this spirit is all about substance. Notes of charcoal and sweet smoke make for an in-your-face nose, while potent notes of aniseed and dark chocolate stamp this bottle out as one fit only for the most Ardcore of fans.” 

Ardcore will be available to buy from Ardbeg Embassies, whisky specialists, online retailers and from the Distillery Visitor Centre, RRP: £100 from 17^th May onwards. Ardbeg Day events will comply with local covid guidance, and numbers may be limited for the safety and enjoyment of all. For more news on Ardbeg Day 2022 and all things Ardbeg, smoky malt whisky fans can join the Ardbeg Committee at Ardbeg.com.

www.ardbeg.com

Follow us on:

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

Twitter: @Ardbeg

Instagram: @ardbeg

Tasting notes

LIKE BITING ON A SPIKY BALL

Colour:             Pale, translucent gold

Aroma:            Spicy and savoury, Ardcore grips the senses, with waves of marmite, burnt toast, chicory charcoal and infused coffee grounds making for a mosh pit in the glass. Like a safety pin through the septum, a classic Ardbeg herbal top note is present, while swirling, smoky bonfire and molasses loiter backstage.

Taste:              A jaw dropping spicy and fiery mouthfeel leads to an explosion of rich, smoky flavours – cocoa powder, dark chocolate, peanut brittle toffee, smoked lime and a suggestion of soot and bonfire embers all pogo in unison on the palate. Amped up aniseed and malty biscuit elbow their way to the fore, “punk-turing” taste buds.

Finish:              In an altogether sweeter finish, long, lingering notes of treacle toffee, soot and smoke make for an anarchic, but delicious, aftertaste.

ABV:                Committee Release 50.1%
Main Release 46%

RRP: £100 

NOTES: 

Ardbeg:

Ardbeg prides itself on being The Ultimate Islay Malt Whisky. Established in 1815, Ardbeg is revered by connoisseurs around the world as the peatiest, smokiest and most complex of all the Islay malts. Despite its smokiness, Ardbeg is renowned for its delicious sweetness, a phenomenon that has affectionately become known as ‘the peaty paradox’. During the 1980s and 1990s, Ardbeg suffered from an uncertain future, and it was not until the brand was purchased by The Glenmorangie Company in 1997 that the Distillery was saved from extinction. Since then, the Distillery has risen like a phoenix and today Ardbeg is well established as a niche, cult malt, with a passionate following.  

Ardbeg Committee:

The legacy of the whisky was safeguarded in 2000 by the formation of the Ardbeg Committee. The Committee is made up of thousands of Ardbeg followers worldwide who are keen to ensure that “the doors of Ardbeg never close again”. Today there are more than 100,000 members of the Ardbeg Committee in over 130 countries. Committee Members are regularly consulted on new bottlings and expressions and are offered exclusive Committee bottlings. Members also receive invitations to special gatherings, tastings and events. The Committee, chaired by Jackie Thomson, is free to join at Ardbeg.com.

Awards:

Ardbeg is the world’s most highly awarded smoky single malt whisky.  Since 2008, Ardbeg has won more than 50 gold and double gold medals in key whisky competitions.  Ardbeg was twice, been awarded ‘World’s Best Single Malt’ at the World Whiskies Awards (2010, 2013).  At the 2014 Global Icons of Whisky Awards, Mickey Heads was voted ‘Distillery Manager of the Year’.  The following year, Ardbeg’s expressions took the top three spots in Whisky Advocate magazine’s review of the best single malt Scotch whiskies under US$100.  Meanwhile, both Ardbeg Corryvreckan and Ardbeg Uigeadail have been awarded gold medals at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Ardbeg 10 Years Old also won the Best Single Malt Scotch 10 Year Old at the International Whisky Competition 2019, while the Ardbeg Distillery won the Distillery of the Year 2019. In 2020, the International Whisky Competition awarded Ardbeg Corryvreckan first place for Best Single Malt Scotch, Best Single Malt Scotch (No Age Statement), Best cask Strength (Over 57% ABV), Best Peated Scotch and Best Islay Single Malt. Ardbeg Wee Beastie also earned first place for Best Single Malt Scotch Under 10 Year Old and The Ardbeg Distillery achieved another Distillery of the Year award. In 2021, Dr Bill Lumsden was awarded Master Distiller of the Year for the fifth time, and Ardbeg Uigeadail won World Whisky of the Year in the International Whisky Competition.

The Glenmorangie Company:

The Company is one of the most renowned and innovative distillers and marketers of Scotch whisky brands worldwide and is part of Moët Hennessy, the wine and spirits division of Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton. Headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland, the Company produces Glenmorangie Single Highland Malt whisky and Ardbeg Single Islay Malt.

Responsible Drinking:

Ardbeg and The Glenmorangie Company advocate responsible drinking and suggest that drinkers savour Ardbeg whiskies in moderation and in line with recommended daily guidelines for alcohol consumption.

ABERLOUR CELEBRATES THE NATURAL ART OF WHISKY MAKING WITH THE LAUNCH OF NEW 14 YEAR OLD

Aberlour, the award-winning Speyside single malt, has launched Aberlour 14 Year Old, a new addition to the much-loved portfolio created with a focus on balancing the knowledge and understanding of the makers craft with a deep respect for the delicate flavours of the natural whisky process.    

The new release joins Aberlour 12 Year Old, Aberlour 16 Year Old and Aberlour 18 Year Old to complete the double cask matured range. In recognition of its quality, the new Aberlour 14 Year Old has picked up several awards even before its launch – winning a coveted Double Gold medal at the prestigious International Wine and Spirits Competition 2020, and a Gold medal at the International Spirits Challenge 2020.   

Aberlour drinkers know that the Aberlour range is famed for the quality of its carefully crafted double cask maturation, led by the expertise of its cask selection team. The new Aberlour 14 Year Old is no exception, but it also goes one step further to harmonise the depth of flavour from cask influence with the natural character from the local Aberlour terroir that imparts soft and gentle hints of blackcurrant and citrus to our new-make distillate.  

Produced in unique batches, Aberlour 14 Year Old captures the artistry and hands–on experience of its makers. The finest barley – now sourced sustainably from the local terroir – pure Birkenbush spring water, techniques and timings at Aberlour – guided by the vision of Master Distiller Graeme Cruikshank – are perfectly tuned to create the same blackcurrant character time and time again. The warehouse experts then hand–select the best aromatic Oloroso casks and a significant portion of first-fill American oak casks which enhance the recognisably rich flavour and provide a delicate complexity like no other single malt in the Aberlour aged range.  

The result is an incredibly balanced 14 Year Old with a sweet fruity taste, bringing together notes of ripe blackberries and aromatic spice, and a finish of creamy complexity from the higher proportion of first-fill American Oak casks.  

Graeme Cruickshank, Master Distiller at Aberlour commented:  

“We are proud of the meticulous attention to detail and teamwork that has gone into the creation of Aberlour 14 Year Old. It’s a true celebration and manifestation of the art of distilling, which we are extremely passionate about. When you visit Aberlour, there is always a lingering smell of blackcurrants in the air and that note is at the heart of every drop of whisky that runs out of our stills. The natural maturation process of our double cask maturing focuses this, adding a delicate extra level to the palate, and captures the complexity that our fans have come to know and love.”   

For more information visit www.aberlour.com 

Tobermory 24 Year Old

Matured in delicious Oloroso sherry casks before being bottled at 52.5% abv. Delectably sweet! This sherry bomb from our friends at Tobermory underwent a 24-year maturation which includes a finish in ex-Oloroso sherry casks before being bottled at 52.5% abv.

£320.00
BUY NOW

HAMISH SAYS

Our Easter Flavour Hunt continues this week with eight NEW Spicy & Sweet whiskies for the season. Our flavour of the month, this profile brings gingerbread, hot cross buns, mulled wine, cinnamon pastries along with sweet chilli flavours. A PERFECT TREAT this Easter, order now in time for the holiday weekend.

BROWSE THE NEW WHISKY

UNICON BOTTLINGS

OH-SO-ORANGE

Cask No. 12.64

We all got, in one way or another, the scent of orange; orange sherbet, orange grove, confit of orange filled with orange sorbet and boozy blood orange trifle next to maple syrup, candle wax and cinnamon coconut cookies.

DISCOVER MORE

WARMS THE COCKLES OF YOUR HEART

Cask No. 38.28

The aromas embraced chalk, minerals and limestone while white fish sizzled on a hot stove with a pot of sweet and sour sauce. The palate gave a huge burst of crunchy apple, juicy peach and soft nectarine with a fresh zing of mint and lime juice.

DISCOVER MORE

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

Caol Ila 11YO

From the fantastic Indie – Chorlton Whisky. This release is from Caol Ila Distillery. Bottled from a Hogshead. One of only 281 bottles available worldwide. Natural Colour and Unchillfiltered, Bottled at a cask strength of 60.4%. Bottled by Chorlton Whisky

Order NOW

Follow your nose towards a flavour-fuelled Easter adventure; we’re entertaining the senses with this captivating new collection of rare cask whiskies.

WHEN FRUIT AND CREAM COLLIDE

CASK NO. 88.24

CASK TYPE:  Refill ex-bourbon hogshead

AGE:  12 years

FLAVOUR PROFILE:  Sweet, fruity & mellow

BOTTLE NOTE:  “Tangerines, cherries and mango fused with buttery croissants and banana bread while thick cream drizzled over rhubarb and apple crumble.”

LIGHT-HEARTED MEMORIES

CASK NO. 135.33

CASK TYPE:  1st fill ex-bourbon barrel

AGE:  9 years

FLAVOUR PROFILE:  Juicy, oak & vanilla

BOTTLE NOTE:  “What a frightfully spiffing idea – we have tea on the lawn and play a game of croquet, ideally with Pimm’s in one hand and mallet in the other.”

PARIS IN THE SPRING

CASK NO. 5.79

CASK TYPE:  1st fill ex-bourbon barrel

AGE:  18 years

FLAVOUR PROFILE:  Juicy, oak & vanilla

BOTTLE NOTE:  “We were transported to Montmartre in springtime. We sat outside a café with peppermint tea and a Biedermeier Torte as we watched the world go by.”

TABANCO TIME

CASK NO. N/A

CASK TYPES:  Oloroso & PX butts & hogsheads

AGE:  11 years

FLAVOUR PROFILE:  Deep, rich & dried fruits

BOTTLE NOTE:  “Blended malt scotch whisky from PX and Oloroso sherry quarter casks, hogsheads and butts in Spanish & American oak.”

PUMPKIN RED APPLE SAUCE*

CASK NO. B6.2

CASK TYPE:  New oak barrel

AGE:  4 years

BOTTLE NOTE:  “A spicy pumpkin apple sauce with Red Delicious apples turned with water into cinnamon swirls and sweet dried apricots and papayas.”

*This is the Giving Spirit bottle for April; SMWS Canada will donate 100% of profits from sales to The Canadian-Ukraine Foundation.

AN ENGINE STARTER FOR COLD MORNINGS

CASK NO. 66.193

CASK TYPE:  1st fill ex-bourbon barrel

AGE:  7 years

FLAVOUR PROFILE:  Lightly peated

BOTTLE NOTE:  “The palate starts your engine – pickled ginger, jalapenos, lime and tarry smoke. The nose evokes campfires, crashing waves and the steamie.”

LET US GO DUTCH

CASK NO. 29.284

CASK TYPE:  2nd fill ex-bourbon barrel

AGE:  10 years

FLAVOUR PROFILE:  Heavily peated

BOTTLE NOTE:  “A heavily smoked Dutch spirit called Kummel as we needed ‘Dutch courage’ to take a sip but realized that this will not need a ‘Dutch auction!'”

CONTEST TIME!

Here’s your chance to win an SMWS hip flask (valued at $65CAD)! 

SMWS UK is working on a flask-related feature for an upcoming issue of Unfiltered magazine, and if you own a flask then they want to hear from you on the UK social media channels! 

Here’s how to enter:

1) Post a photo of yourself and your flask on Twitter, Instagram and/or Facebook tagging in the UK accounts (@SMWSUK on Twitter; @smws_uk on Instagram; and @thesmwsuk on Facebook); you can also use the hashtag #smwshipflask

2) In your caption tell us:

-your favourite drams and flavour profiles for hip flasks and why

-tell us about your favourite style of hip flask

That’s it! Contest closes on Friday, April 29th and membership must be in good standing to win. Full Terms and Conditions here.

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada
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104 – 1240 Kensington Road NW
Calgary, AB  T2N 3P7
403-969-8225
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