We’re very excited to introduce you to Cotswolds Reserve Single Malt Whisky, our latest whisky to join our growing collection, which is now available on our website and in-store. Smooth and elegant, our Cotswolds Reserve showcases the influence of our first-fill ex-Bourbon casks which provide classic notes of vanilla, honey, butterscotch and a hint of coconut, resulting in a truly smooth and well-balanced dram. A touch of whisky from our wonderful STR ex-red wine casks has been blended in to enhance the richness, fruitiness and sweetness of this remarkable whisky.

Lovingly crafted

We make our Cotswolds Reserve Single Malt Whisky in small batches, starting with 100% locally grown  barley which is traditionally floor-malted by hand for several days at Warminster. The malt is brought to the distillery where it is milled on-site and mixed with hot water in our mash tun. We then add two yeast varieties to the sugary liquid and run the fermentation for over 90 hours in order to generate plenty of fruity flavour compounds alongside the alcohol produced. During distillation, we only select a small section of the spirit run which is taken unusually early to capture the fruity notes and avoid the heavier, rougher elements that appear at the end of the run. Our slow distillation and high cut point results in our signature rich and fruity new make spirit, which is already smooth enough to drink.

After being diluted to 63.5% ABV, our spirit is put into a combination of premium first-fill ex-Bourbon barrels and STR ex-red wine casks for full term maturation. Once fully matured, we disgorge the casks before blending and bottling the whisky by hand here at the distillery at a ratio of 80:20 – 80% Bourbon and 20% STR. Our Cotswolds Reserve Single Malt Whisky is bottled at 50% ABV at its natural colour and is non-chill filtered for maximum flavour.

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Laphroaig Cask Strength

Limited Edition | 10 Year Old | Batch 014

70cl | 58.6% ABV

Emphatic, full bodied and utterly unforgettable, the Ten Year Old Original Cask Strength Laphroaig is the authentic way to experience the rugged character of an uncompromising Scotch Whisky. An Islay Single Malt that is matured in ex-bourbon barrels, barrier filtered and bottled at natural distillery strength. This gives a depth of genuine taste and texture normally associated with sampling a Whisky at its source.

£74.95

Shipping Week Commencing 22/11/21

Pre-Order Now

GORDON & MACPHAIL LAUNCH PRIVATE COLLECTION SHOWCASE IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS 

Whisky creator Gordon & MacPhail has unveiled a one-off collector’s item – the ultimate Christmas present for one very lucky whisky enthusiast, which is now available to buy.

Presented in a bespoke Scottish oak cabinet, the unique set includes seventeen 20cl bottles from Gordon & MacPhail’s Private Collection, each curated by Stephen Rankin, Director of Prestige.

However, interested buyers will need to move quickly. There is only one showcase available which is on display at the spiritual home of Gordon & MacPhail in Elgin, the shop where the company was founded in 1895. The Private Collection Showcase is exclusively available at www.gordonandmacphail.com/our-whiskies/ranges/private-collection-showcase/, with an RSP of £100,000.

The hand-crafted cabinet has been designed and created by family-owned Method Studio, makers of exquisite, bespoke furniture.

Inside the cabinet, each single malt in the collection is recessed into a solid oak block crafted from one of the original whisky casks that cradled the spirit. The cabinet itself is lined in soft oatmeal leather from Andrew Muirhead & Son in Dalmarnock.

The whiskies themselves are among the rarest ever released by Gordon & MacPhail, personally selected by Director of Prestige Stephen Rankin, a fourth-generation member of the company’s owning family.

The label on each bottle has been designed to replicate those found on whiskies in the company’s inner sanctum, the sample room, used by Gordon & MacPhail to hone its unique experience of combining oak, spirit and time to create single malts found nowhere else. All hand-signed by Stephen, the labels regale several single malts from ‘lost’ distilleries, including St Magdalene in Linlithgow, Dallas Dhu and Caperdonich in Speyside and Glen Albyn from the Highlands. Many of the whiskies within the cabinet are sold out and will never be available to purchase again.

Stephen Rankin said: “Guided by similar philosophies of dedication, passion and attention to detail, we found a kindred spirit in Method Studios when searching for a partner for this truly unique project.

“The cabinet is unlike anything we have done before and is a chance to own a piece of Scotland’s whisky history. It’s a labour of love, from the meticulous process of our whisky experts pairing the spirit with the cask to the precision and talent of the cabinet makers, each built up over decades of experience.

“The result is a celebration of the patience and dedication that comes with true craftsmanship.”

Marisa Giannasi, architect and designer from Method Studio said: “The doors of the cabinet alone are made up of over one hundred individual component parts machined to a tolerance of less than a quarter of a millimetre. The natural grain of these parts has been meticulously arranged and aligned so that the precision-mitred facade flows uninterrupted, like liquid around the piece.

“Being surrounded by trees, water and wildlife, as well as the changing seasons, has a strong influence on our work and on the material-driven, gleefully hands-on atmosphere we endeavour to weave into the fabric of each project.

“This care and attention to every fine detail is a hallmark of Method’s work – a value we very much share with the expert family team at Gordon & MacPhail.”

As well as the complex and dramatic ‘gullwing’ doors, the solid brass plaque on the front of the chest has been engraved, polished and expertly finished by traditional craftsmen in Birmingham’s legendary jewellery quarter – among the last artisans capable of this level of finely detailed work.

Full list of Gordon & MacPhail Private Collection whiskies available within the showcase:

Gordon & MacPhail 1953 from Strathisla Distillery

Gordon & MacPhail 1954 from Mortlach Distillery

Gordon & MacPhail 1957 from Glen Grant Distillery

Gordon & MacPhail 1961 from Mortlach Distillery

Gordon & MacPhail 1969 from Mortlach Distillery

Gordon & MacPhail 1965 from Glen Grant Distillery

Gordon & MacPhail 1966 from Longmorn Distillery

Gordon & MacPhail 1969 from Dallas Dhu Distillery

Gordon & MacPhail 1975 from Glenlossie Distillery

Gordon & MacPhail 1978 from Glen Grant Distillery

Gordon & MacPhail 1978 from Glenlivet Distillery

Gordon & MacPhail 1979 from Glenlivet Distillery

Gordon & MacPhail 1979 from Glen Albyn Distillery

Gordon & MacPhail 1979 from Glentauchers Distillery

Gordon & MacPhail 1981 from Coleburn Distillery

Gordon & MacPhail 1982 from St Magdalene Distillery

Gordon & MacPhail 1982 from Caperdonich Distillery

To register your interest, visit www.gordonandmacphail.com

#GordonAndMacPhail

Gordon & MacPhail Whiskies

For more than 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 its own bespoke casks with spirit from over 100 Scottish distilleries. Managing a portfolio of casks is a complex level of expertise which Gordon & MacPhail has honed to fully understand cask maturation matched to different styles of spirit. It is this cask curation that allows Gordon & MacPhail to consistently deliver a range of perfectly matured whiskies. Their expert maturation management creates unique, complex but perfectly balanced single malts found nowhere else. At the very heart of business lies the sample room – an exceptional liquid library spanning more than a century of Scotch whiskies featuring a wide range of age profiles and character. But these exceptional snapshots in time are not heirlooms there to impress. They exist to help inform and shape future decision-making and provide an invaluable guide for generations to come. gordonandmacphail.com  

Bevridge Introduces a New Way to Experience Spirits

One part community, one part content, one part tasting:
A recipe for a new way to discover spirits

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (Tuesday, November 9, 2021) — Bevridge, a first-of-its-kind spirits experience meets e-commerce platform and official partners of Whisky Live, launches today, offering a rare opportunity to taste curated collections of luxury spirits both at home and at live events. At the heart of Bevridge are its bespoke tasting kits ($249), assembled by industry experts and designed to grant unparalleled access to ultra-premium spirit categories. Bevridge aims to bring together a community of like-minded spirits aficionados, distillers, and industry veterans through its specialty kits, digital video series and weekly panel discussions, and the company’s flagship in-person events, Whisky Live USA & Canada.

On sale now, the inaugural kit, American Single Malts by Whisky Live, will be shipped in February 2022. The kit features samples from the most respected single malt producers in the U.S. including Westland, Balcones, Virginia Distillery Company, Boulder Spirits, Santa Fe Spirits, and Westward, distilleries that have been carefully selected to showcase this style of whiskey. As the American Single Malt designation is likely to become an officially recognized spirits category in the US this winter, now is the time to learn about and taste the rarest offerings from these producers.

Each kit, sold in partnership with ReserveBar, includes 10 masterfully curated 50ml bottles and an informational brochure where whiskey fans can learn about the featured products. All recipients will also have access to a live guided digital tasting, led by Bevridge Co-Founder and owner of @SingleMaltDaily, Nate Ganapathi, the distillers who craft the spirits, and other industry leaders. Future kits will explore whisk(e)y subcategories from all over the world.

“We wanted to create a new way to bring people together to discover ultra-premium spirits,” said Liz Brusca, President and Co-Founder of Bevridge. “Our exclusive tasting kits are just the beginning. We hope to foster a community of like-minded spirits lovers and provide them access to the world’s best spirits and the people making them, too. Through digital activations, weekly panel sessions, and – what we’re most proud of – the return of Whisky Live to the USA & Canada, we hope to offer an imbibing experience unlike any other.”

Bevridge will launch an online weekly panel discussion featuring the industry’s biggest names tackling a variety of subjects from “Tasting Skills” to “Whisky Investing” to “Spirits Terroir.” Every Wednesday at 5:45pm PST/8:45pm EST beginning on November 17th, join the conversation by creating a profile on Bevridge.co to receive incredible access to spirits makers and experts. The first discussion, with World Whiskies, will be hosted by Bevridge co-founder Nate Ganapathi with special guest panelists Lew Bryson, Senior Drinks Writer for the Daily Beast and author of Whiskey Master Class, and Camper English, spirits writer and educator who has been named one of the 100 most influential figures in the global bar industry for the last three years.

In 2022, Bevridge will bring back the world’s largest and longest-running global whisky event to the USA & Canada, Whisky Live. Kicking off in July in Nashville, followed by Toronto in September, the two-day conventions will bring the Bevridge community together for education and exclusive tastings.

Start your sensorial journey today by creating a profile on Bevridge.co giving you free access to weekly panel discussions and purchase the inaugural American Single Malt Tasting Kit at Bevridge.co or ReserveBar.com, available now in most states.

About Bevridge

Bevridge, co-founded in early 2021 by Nate Ganapathi, Chris Nelson, and Liz Brusca, is a first-of-its-kind tasting experience meets e-commerce platform, offering a rare opportunity to sample curated collections of ultra-premium spirits both at-home and at live events.

Bevridge aims to bring together a community of like-minded spirits aficionados, distillers, and industry veterans through its specialty kits, digital video series and weekly panel discussions, and the company’s flagship in-person events, Whisky Live USA & Canada, operated under license from Paragraph Publishing.

Bespoke kits, curated by industry professionals, are designed to provide unparalleled access into ultra-premium spirits categories and expert guidance on brands, expressions, and history. Each kit includes 10 masterfully selected 50ml bottles from the most sought-after distilleries and includes educational materials and access to specialty digital tastings and content.

Learn more about how Bevridge is making it easier to find spirits fit for you at Bevridge.co.

About Whisky Live & Paragraph / www.whiskylive.com

Founded in 1997, Paragraph publishes Whisky Magazine, American Whiskey, Gin Magazine, Scotch Whisky and Bourbon; organizes Whisky Live, Gin Live and the At Home series of events; hosts the World Whiskies Awards as part of the global World Drinks Awards; and publishes numerous web sites across the drinks industry. Whisky Live was first launched in Tokyo and London in 2000, in the USA in 2005 and Canada in 2006, and is now held in more than 30 cities around the world. Recent launches have been Jakarta in Indonesia and Changsha in China and in July 2018 launched its first Gin Live in Tokyo.

About ReserveBar

Founded in 2013, ReserveBar is the established e-commerce leader in rare, luxury, and ultra-premium spirits, specializing in customization, personalization, and innovative gifting. In addition to its unique and seamless consumer-facing experience, ReserveBar is a technology platform at its core, utilizing cutting-edge software, analytics, and an exceptional retail network to deploy solutions that simplify the compliant purchase of spirits, champagne on reservebar.com as well as numerous partner sites including brands, publishers, e-commerce partners, and gifting platforms. Specializing in new and limited-edition products, ReserveBar is a destination for today’s modern, convenience-driven adult shopper, delivering the most curated offerings to enthusiasts across the United States. For more information, please visit www.reservebar.com.

 London Physical Assets Broker Sources Rare Ghost Whiskies for Private Investors

London based multi-asset broker, Hackstons, acquired 9 casks of Port Dundas whisky for distribution to private investors and collectors. The rarity and value of the casks meant they sold for an extremely high but indeterminate price, this is due to their ‘ghost whisky’ status.

A ghost whisky is a whisky whose distillery is no longer operating thus it commands the highest prices. Port Dundas is the pinnacle of ghost whiskies due to its two century long history and the fact that its casks are extraordinarily rare.

Founded in 1811, the distillery was the largest in Scotland, located just outside of Glasgow. It rapidly gained a reputation for producing exceptional quality malts, both peated and unpeated, as its three column and five pot stills churned out gallons of scotch.

However, this was not to last, after 200 years of making the finest of whiskies the stills stopped. In 2011 Diageo bought the legendary distillery and turned it into a historical estate. The actual production of the grain whisky moved to Cameronbridge and thus the last casks of Port Dundas were made. Each year the casks have become rarer and rarer, so this is a unique opportunity for ghost whisky collectors and discerning investors. Owning a cask from this distillery has real collectible value.

“Casks of ghost whisky have long since been inaccessible to all but the wealthiest of investors and enterprises, however, with the rise of trusted multi-asset brokers such as Hackstons the ghost whisky market is opening to the private collectors and investors.” Alphie Valentine, Head of Operations, Hackstons.

In the past ghost whisky casks have been largely inaccessible to private investors and collectors due to storage solutions being too expensive, but with luxury asset brokers such as Hackstons who aid in coordinating with HMRC bonded warehouses the market has opened up allowing the private investors to build their wealth through whisky investing.

About Hackstons

Located in the iconic Gherkin building in the beating heart of London, Hackstons is a multi-asset brokerage specialising in physical and tangible goods such as scotch casks, luxury timepieces, gold bullion and coins along with classic cars and designer handbags.

Cambus 30 Years 1991 vintage from this lost distillery. 57.8% Cask Strength. Cambus 30 Year Old 1991 vintage Lowland single grain Scotch whisky. Refill sherry butt #34108 bottled August 2021 by Signatory Vintage for the Cask Strength Collection. 454 numbered bottles.

Buy Cambus 30yr >>>

John Moubry commissioned Cambus Distillery in 1806 at Cambus near Alloa to produce malt and grain whisky. He was amongst a group of contemporary distillers ‘paid’ to close their works for a number of years by the Stein and Haig distilling family in order to enable the later to maintain their monopoly in the exportation of Scottish spirits into the London gin market. Cambus Distillery is a lost Lowlands grain whisky distillery having closed in 1993 although its whisky remains available and the site is occupied by a Diageo cask filling works. Hunter Laing Sovereign Cambus grain whiskies are extremely popular.

A New Release Sherried Peater from a Beloved Scotch Icon
Laphroaig 10 Year Old “Sherry Oak” Islay Single Malt
Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($89.99)
“This is an absolutely perfectly executed expression that offers so much enjoyment and complexity…” — David Othenin-Girard, K&L Spirits Buyer

As one of Scotland’s most beloved whiskies, Laphroaig’s 10 Year Old Islay Single Malt is a perennial go-to for Scotch fanatics the world over. While it’s been a stunningly successful formula for decades, the distillery has finally heeded the call from the hardcore sherry crowd and released a sherried version of its iconic dram just in time for the holidays. The anticipation surrounding this new bottling cannot be overstated, and once we got it open at the tasting bar, it became plainly clear that the hype is more than justified. Spirits buyer David Othenin-Girard describes, “It’s right smokey with plenty of oily smoke and sweet peat wafting from the glass … On the palate, it’s unctuous and mouth-coating, most definitely due to the higher-than-normal proof, bold and unabashed with the sweetness of the sherry.” In a perfect display of Laphroaig’s mastery with both peat and sherry ageing, both elements meld in total harmony to produce an expression that is at once classically Laphroaig but also a thrilling new entry into the sherried malt sphere. There is quite simply nothing else like it on the market, and with the limited availability, we fully expect long-time fans of the distillery to go hard and heavy, causing it to vanish from our shelves in a flash.

Laphroaig 10 Year Old “Sherry Oak” Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($89.99)

K&L Notes: Laphroaig 10 is definitely in the running for Scotland’s most iconic bottling. After years of pining for a sherried version, it’s finally here. The 10 Year Old Sherry Oak is finished in Oloroso casks, providing a honeyed sweetness that perfectly complements the salty smoke of Scotland’s most richly flavored malt. While it’s our hope that this will eventually be a staple on the shelves, the initial release is extremely limited and will certainly sell out in minutes.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 08, 2021

The iconic Islay producer has long been a darling of the Scotch-loving world. There are fewer and fewer people out there who turn their nose up at the wildly peaty style that comes off the special stills at Laphroaig. Not only are they one of the few distillers to use their own malt, which is part of what many attribute to the unique flavors of their spirit, but they use a complex regime of seven stills to create a completely unique malt. While sherried Laphroaig is renowned historically, they rarely fill it into sherry butts. It’s a real treat if they can pull it off properly. Let’s have a taste. The color is amber/deep gold. OH THANK GOD! They haven’t totally neutered the fires of Islay with these sherry butts. It’s right smokey with plenty of oily smoke and sweet peat wafting from the glass. The sherry has drawn it slightly towards the BBQ flavors and away from the high-pitched medicinal flavors, which only the very pickiest Laphroaig lover will lament. Lots of roasted flavors—roasted wood, roasted earth, roasted meat, toasted pepper, roasted brush, ashy smoke. On the palate, it’s unctuous and mouth-coating, thanks most definitely to the higher-than-normal proof, bold and not at all unabashed with the sweetness of the sherry, it’s nutty frame just slightly taming the gamey peat character. We always worry that with these NAS bottlings they’ll try to sneak in some “under-mature” casks, but this feels extremely well composed and, dare I say, “older”? This is an absolutely perfectly executed expression, that offers so much enjoyment and complexity while slightly opening the door to those who might be otherwise afraid to dive into the South Shore smokies.

Register Your Interest: Hibiki Japanese Harmony

Due to the huge demand for this special Hibiki release we have decided to run a ballot so that customers will have a fairer chance at purchasing a bottle. Please register your interest at the ballot link below which will be live from now up until the 23rd November. We will then contact the successful entries with a link to buy.

ENTER BALLOT

Hibiki Japanese Harmony Limited Edition

This expression was released by Hibiki way back in 1989 for the first time to commemorate the 90th anniversary of Suntory. Fast forward to 2021 and this stunning limited edition bottle design of pays tribute to the Ryusui-Hyakka (One Hundred Flowers and Flowing Water). The blossoms of the 24 seasons in Japan are emblazoned across the glass, with the flow of water connecting one passing season to another, as well as the 24 facets of the bottle a nod to this.

Hibiki Harmony 2021 Limited Edition
£200.00

REGISTER FOR BALLOT HERE

A TASTE OF THE EXTRAORDINARY FROM EDINBURGH AS
J.G. THOMSON & CO UNVEILS AWARD-WINNING FIRST COLLECTION
OF SMALL BATCH SPIRITS 

Small batch spirits with simple ingredients and complex flavours
are the order of the day for new J.G. Thomson & Co brand 

A first and already award-winning collection of small batch spirits with simple ingredients and complex flavours is today being launched by J.G. Thomson & Co, a new brand from Edinburgh.

Hailing from Scotland’s capital, J.G. Thomson & Co’s first collection of small batch spirits includes, three blended malt Scotch whiskies featuring Sweet, Smoky and Rich expressions, and two exceptional limited edition aged whiskies – one a 23 year-old blended malt, the other a 1972 blended grain.

Several of J.G. Thomson & Co’s first collection of small batch spirits have already won industry awards, including a prized Masters medal for Batch 1 of its rich 23-year-old blended malt Scotch whisky, Golds for the first batches of its three blended malts and its gin at the Spirits Business Luxury Masters 2021.

All of J.G. Thomson & Co’s spirits are crafted creatively in small batches, meaning that the individual taste characteristics of each spirit will evolve with every new batch – providing adventurous drinkers with a new taste experience to discover every time a new batch is released.

J.G. Thomson & Co takes its name from an 18^th-century wine and spirits merchant once based in Leith in the 1700s, a time when trade ships were bringing new and exciting goods into Edinburgh. At the time, the savvy Thomson family became renowned for selecting some of these new spirits being brought in and introducing them to their discerning customers in Edinburgh, and to the wider world.

J.G. Thomson & Co is being launched by The Artisanal Spirits Company, which owns the Scotch Malt Whisky Society and is building a portfolio of premium brands and curating collections of craft spirits. 

Driven by a dedication to creating small batch spirits with simple ingredients and complex flavours, the J.G. Thomson & Co brand offers a core range of three small batch blended malt whiskies, featuring Sweet, Smoky and Rich expressions.

With a focus on combining characterful spirit with high-quality casks, the blending team at J.G. Thomson & Co works closely with selected partner cooperages to either procure specific casks, or to create their own customised casks, toasted and charred to defined standards.

In addition to its core range, J.G. Thomson & Co is launching with the first two batches in a series of limited edition whiskies; a rich, complex 23-year-old blended malt Scotch whisky made of 100% Speyside malts; and a sweet 1972 blended grain Scotch whisky bringing notes of honey, wax and ginger on the nose.

All of J.G. Thomson & Co’s small batch spirits are available to order from jgthomson.com/shop as well as ​​a range of leading whisky shops, bars and restaurants.

Emily Coyle from J.G. Thomson & Co, said: “Just like the Thomsons did in the 1700s, we’re constantly on the hunt for new spirits, flavours and tastes to explore from around the world, whether that’s handpicking whisky in Scotland. By focusing on creating small batches and limited editions, we want to explore different tastes and take full advantage of the opportunity to experiment, innovate, marry, blend, discover and learn.

“We believe there is a growing appetite for exceptional spirits among adventurous drinkers who are looking to taste something new and extraordinary. All our spirits are made using traditional methods such as small batch distillation, non-chill filtering and natural colour to focus entirely on taste and take people on a journey of discovery.”

Notes:

J.G. Thomson & Co

JG Thomson & Co is a new, adventurous blender, creating small batch blended malt whiskies, blended grain whiskies, rum and gin. Inspired by its namesake, which was originally a wine and spirits merchant in Leith in the 1700s, JG Thomson & Co showcases exceptional quality blended malt whisky and spirits that are a little out of the ordinary, appealing to drinkers keen to continue their journey in bold taste.

https://jgthomson.com/

The Artisanal Spirits Company

The Artisanal Spirits Company plc is the owner of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, the leading curator and provider of premium single cask Scotch malt whisky for sale primarily online to a discerning global membership. In June 2021, the company floated on the stock market with a valuation of £78 million.

https://www.artisanal-spirits.com/