John Crabbie & Co Announces Limited Release from its Chain Pier Distillery

The First Single Malt Whisky to Be Produced in Edinburgh in Almost 100 Years

Pioneering Scotch whisky brand, John Crabbie & Co, has announced the inaugural release from its Chain Pier Distillery in Edinburgh, with just 234 bottles entering the market.

The first Single Malt to be produced in Edinburgh for almost 100 years, Chain Pier Single Malt will be the first release from the Granton-based site, which was set up by Halewood Artisanal Spirits as an experimental pilot distillery whilst the larger Bonnington distillery for Crabbie Whisky was still under construction.

Matured in heavily charred virgin American oak casks and bottled at 57%, the Chain Pier Single Malt is light and fruity on the nose with hints of berries, forest fruits and green apples, boasting rich caramel and sweet malt and ginger spice on the palate, rounded off with a long, sweet and spicy finish.

James Stocker, Marketing Director at Halewood Artisanal Spirits comments; “The Chain Pier distillery was operational for just a year (between 2018 and 19), yet it gave our team a great opportunity to continue John Crabbie’s legacy of innovation – handcrafting unique distillations and trialling everything from malt types to custom casks.

“The launch of the Chain Pier Single Malt is an incredibly exciting step in the John Crabbie & Co journey, as the Malt Whisky that we have crafted from start to finish at a site of our own. The quality of the liquid is really testament our distilling team and Master Blender Dr Kirstie McCallum, and a great preview of what’s to come from the Crabbie whisky brand”.

Over the year that the Chain Pier Distillery was operational, there was a yield of just 39 casks, making this release one of the scarcest launches to date. It has all been distilled on site using a 500 litre copper pot still, and is available to order from specialist whisky shops and thedropstore.com. RRP £65.

About Halewood Artisanal Spirits (www.halewood-int.com)

For all the latest news and launches:

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Halewood Artisanal Spirits is an award-winning UK-based craft distiller. Its premium gin brands include Whitley Neill Gin, City of London Gin, Marylebone Gin and Liverpool Gin.  Halewood also has a strong portfolio of other high growth premium sprits, including Dead Man’s Fingers spiced rum, J. J. Whitley Russian Vodka, Samuel Gelston’s Irish Whiskey and Crabbie Whisky.

The business operates 10 artisanal distilleries across the UK, Russia and South Africa including:  The City of London Distillery (the home of Whitley Neill Gin), The Liverpool Gin Distillery, Crabbie Distillery in Edinburgh, Aber Falls Distillery in North Wales, Bankhall Distillery in Blackpool, The Bristol & Bath Rum Distillery, Belgravia Distillery in South Africa and JJ Whitley in Russia. The company also operates the Hawkshead Brewery in Cumbria.

At the 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition the business was awarded nine double golds and 13 golds, as well as 44 golds at the International Wines and Spirits Competition.

Outside the UK, the business exports products to over 90 countries around the world and has significant operations in a number of international markets including North America, Russia, Australia and China. The business has a £400m+ turnover, and employs over 950 employees globally.

The business was founded by the late John Halewood in 1978 and it remains owned and controlled by the Halewood family.

Drams to Fall in Love with!

The ImpEx Collection 17 yo Secret Japan Single Grain Whisky

The ImpEx Collection’s first release from Japan is one for the ages. While we are unable to disclose the distillery, we can say that this is fully distilled and matured exclusively in Japan. These casks were selected by Chris Uhde, ImpEx Beverages’ Vice President, because they represent both the classic elegance of whisky as well as the future of what whisky will become. Savory and rich, we love this expression and hope you will as well. 733 bottles were available in this release at 43.6% alc. This whisky was distilled and matured in Japan using Koji Rice, Barley, Yeast, and Water.

Penderyn Legend wWw 10th Anniversary Edition

In 2021, Women Who Whiskey (wWw) celebrates 10 years of uniting whiskey lovers around the globe. Both for amateurs and connoisseurs, wWw is dedicated to creating a space where our members can cultivate their passions for whiskey and community. With a focus on inclusion, wWw aims to create an educational and experimental environment for those who have all-too-often been left out of the traditionally male-dominated world of whiskey, and foster a world-wide network of like-minded people with a taste for curiosity and delicious drams.

Fukano Chizuru

This small batch release of Fukano Whisky has been created in collaboration with Women Who Whiskey to celebrate the career of Chizuru Fukano. The whisky was matured in refilled Oak, Manzanilla Sherry, and Red Wine casks. This collaboration with the international Women Who Whiskey club is a sessionable sipper with complexity and backbone that would also work well in a refreshing cocktail. 3,000 Bottle Limited Production.

The GlenAllachie 10 yr Cask Strength Batch 6

Specially selected by Billy Walker. Bottled at 57.8% in 700 ml bottles. Limited Release: 3,000 Bottles. PX and Oloroso Puncheons, Virgin Oak & Rioja casks. Matured in Speyside. Bottled unchilfiltered for flavor with no added coloring.

Kilchoman ImpEx Cask Evolution 8 yo Tequila Finish

This 8 year old Single Cask was matured in a Bourbon barrel before being finished in a Tequila cask for 13 months. ImpEx Cask Evolution 03/2021 – Tequila Finish 55.7% alc. 50 PPM. 236 Bottles US Exclusive Cask 636/2013

1997 Strathisla 24 Year Old “Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseur’s Choice” K&L Exclusive Cask #47793 Single Refill Hogshead Nonchillfiltered Cask Strength Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml)

$300.00 View

2006 Lagavulin “Distiller’s Edition 2021” Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml)

$129.99 View

The yearly Distiller’s Edition from this excellent Islay classic malt is one of the year’s most hotly anticipated releases. Not because it’s necessarily collectible or rare, but just simply that so many people find it so consistently delicious. It starts with well aged smokey malt from the famous south shore distillery. The oily and richly peated whisky is filled into fresh Pedro Ximinez sherry casks for an additional aging of about a year. Drawn from the cask and bottled at 86 proof, it couples the wild intensity of Islay peat with the robust sweetness of the famous Spanish wine. There are few malt drinkers, even those not specifically predisposed to smokey scotch, that can deny the obvious deliciousness of this special release.

Analysis of whisky auctions — where it is better to buy and where to sell

Whisky collectors or investors often have the question of which whisky auction is the best place to buy whisky or where to sell it for the best possible profit.

For our users, this question is no longer a difficult one. You can analyse the sales history of the auctions and determine where it was most profitable to sell and where to buy, taking into account all the commissions.

And you can see where the whisky you’re interested in was sold or bought more profitably. Read more on the blog post.

Whisky auction analysis is just one of the numerous features of our service.

We look forward to seeing you among Whisky Hunter customers!

Benromach 12 Year Old
Single Cask

Selected exclusively for the United Kingdom market a single cask 2009 vintage from Benromach Distillery. Matured in first fill bourbon barrel #723 yielding just 240 bottles at 58.5%. Distilled 7th September 2009 and bottled 24th November 2021. Sweet notes of rich apple, tropical fruit and honey, followed by light vanilla and soft smoke. Benromach 12 Year Old 2009 vintage single malt Scotch whisky. Single first fill bourbon barrel #723 bottled November 2021 exclusively for the United Kingdom market. Benromach 12 Year Old 2009 vintage single malt Scotch whisky. Single first fill bourbon barrel #723 bottled November 2021 exclusively for the United Kingdom market.

Buy – Benromach 12yr Single Cask – £78.14 | €78* | u$89 | c$112

Benromach Distillery was designed by Charles C. Diog and constructed at Forres in the Speyside whisky region for D. McCallum and F.W. Burickman in 1898. Following numerus periods of closure, it was purchased in 1993 by Gordon & MacPhail who charged up its single pair of stills in 1998 and have nurtured Benromach ever since. Striking new labelling combined with an increasing range of single malts is forging a very popular brand of single malt whiskies which includes Benromach Organic, Benromach Peatsmoke and Benromach 10 Year Old.

Kirin Fuji Japanese Single Grain Whisky (750ml) ($94.99)

K&L Notes: Produced by the Japanese brewing giant Kirin in the Fuji Gotemba distillery situated on the southeastern side of Mt. Fuji, this single-grain whisky is Kirin’s entry into the U.S. market. The distillery houses an unusual still setup. They have pot stills in addition to a column/doubler setup similar to what you’d see in Kentucky, allowing them to produce a wide range of styles in one facility. By having multiple types of distillate at their disposal, the facility can produce a complex single grain. The end result is a grain whisky that offers a wider range of flavors, weights, and textures than you’re likely to find in any Scottish single grain that has been produced to simply bulk out single malt when making blended Scotch. If you’ve loved Nikka’s Single Grain in the past, this whisky is for you.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: January 18, 2022

Japanese whisky is one of the most complicated categories in the spirits world thanks to lax regulation on how things are labeled and a plethora of less-than-scrupulous actors hoping to make a quick buck. However, the fact remains that there are a number of extraordinarily high-quality producers of spirits in Japan who are committed to delivering nothing but the best. The Kirin Fuji Gotemba distillery is one such producer. It has been in operation since 1973 and quietly produced excellent spirits in a variety of styles for many years. The distillery makes both grain and malt distillates on a number of different still setups giving them tremendous flexibility. The new release under the Kirin Fuji label is a Japanese single grain that rivals the best grain whiskies we’ve ever bottled from Scotland. Bottled at 46% ABV, it is a miraculous combination of sweet and spicy. It’s a lovely rose gold color in the glass and gives rich vanilla barrel notes on the nose. Sweet stone fruit mixes with cinnamon and fresh ginger root. The nose also presents a distinct wood profile that shows there is some significant time in barrel, although we are lacking an age statement. The palate is soft and supple. Fresh fruits dipped in whipped cream and drizzled in maple syrup come to mind. There is a whiff of cocoa. On the backend, more spice comes out. Nutmeg, cinnamon, rye grass, ginger snap cookies, and a lengthy profile of sweet wood seems to linger for minutes. It’s an impressive showing for the first U.S. import under this label and a welcome addition to the Japanese portfolio at K&L.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: January 05, 2022

Many people are rightfully skeptical of new Japanese whisky. Indeed, there are so many fake and/or low-quality products on the market, the industry has collectively agreed to stop the obfuscation that has led to multitude of sub-par “Japanese” whiskies. But ultimately the great distillers of Japan make exceptional whisky across the board, even when they might blend in a bit of Scotch. The few distillers that do release Japanese-distilled whisky are often times extremely hard to get. There are several famous names that were once very available that are now ultra-allocated. One of the saddest departures from regular appearance on our shelves is the wonderful Nikka Coffey Grain whisky. That lovely, high-quality grain whisky was many drinkers’ introduction to the category. Now, we have very little non-imported grain available, and most are usually made using sochu-style methods. That’s where this excellent whisky comes in. The Fuji Gotemba distillery has long been prized in Japan thanks to it’s high-quality techniques and pure water source. Located at the base of Mt Fuji, the label has rebranded for the release of this highly anticipated grain and is known simply as Fuji. What’s most striking about this product is simply how overtly delicious it is. Not as wood-driven or nutty as the Nikka Coffey, but with much more texture or character than any Scottish grain, it’s simply a wonderful thing to have in your glass. Let’s taste it! The color is yellow gold. Immediately, a pungent basket of fresh ripe stone and citrus fruit. Subtle, nutty character and hints of both vanilla and cinnamon. The entry is honeyed and very sweet before adding some baking spice, gingersnap cookies, fresh biscuits, and a touch of licorice bark. It’s so easy to drink, but not at all boring or monodimensional. An excellent choice for anyone looking to try something new in the category or trying to fill a Coffey Grain-shaped hole in your heart.

Johnnie Walker 18 Year Old Gift Set
18 unique whiskies aged for 18 years – celebrate the next 18 years together with this dram!

£87.00
£81.50
buy now

Johnnie Walker 18 Year Old Gift Set Description

Gordon & McPhail GlenAllachie 13 Years

Matured in single refill hogshead distilled 2008. Oranges, apples and toasted almond flavours.

£64.58

Shop GlenAllachie 13 Years »

Glenallachie 13 Year Old Old 2008 vintage Speyside single malt Scotch whisky. Single refill American hogshead #900122 bottled June 2021 by Gordon & MacPhail for the Connoisseurs Choice series. 411 bottles. Seville orange peel aromas lead to ripe green apple and Brazil nut. Citrus zest flavours combine with desiccated coconut and a soft vanilla pod. A smooth and long finish of toasted almonds.

Glenallachie Distillery is a Speyside distillery sitting on the eastern edge of Ben Rinnes mountain where it is rather exposed to the elements and is often to be see sitting within the snowline. A modern building and its architect William Delmé-Evans created a distillery which is rather pleasing on the eye. Glenallachie was commissioned in 1967 with two stills which increased to four in 1989 in order to meet blenders ever increasing demand for Glenallachie malt whisky. Whilst official releases are few independent releases are more numerous with those from Signatory Vintage and Cadenheads proving popular.

The exceptional GlenDronach 50 Year Old has arrived…

This rare expression was distilled in 1971 and filled to Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso sherry casks from the bodegas of Jerez, Andalucia. Left to mature quietly in The GlenDronach dunnage warehouses for half a century, this Speyside single malt represents a milestone achievement in the near 200-year history of the distillery.

Register Your Interest→

The Glendronach 50 Year Old

£POA

Personally selected by Master Blender Dr Rachel Barrie, this limited edition release is the first ever 50-year-old expression from the distillery. Just 198 individually numbered bottles have been produced, each one presented at a natural cask strength of 43.8% abv.

Discover more about the release at our blog → 

The GlenDronach
50 Year Old

The nose is rich and seductive with layers of dark cherry, plum and smouldering tobacco, with light notes of bramble, orange and cranberry. The palate has dense notes of dark chocolate, tobacco and cocoa, countered by elegant plum, black cherry and velvety espresso.

Register
Your Interest

Glen Grant 12 Years

Selected for the UK market. Single refill sherry hogshead yielding just 286 bottles.

£74.46

Shop Glen Grant 12 Years »

Glen Grant 12 Year Old 2009 vintage Speyside single malt Scotch whisky. Single refill sherry hogshead #900932 bottled September 2021 by Gordon & MacPhail for the Connoisseurs Choice series exclusive to the United Kingdom market. 286 bottles.

Nose: Sherry aromas interwise with Autumn spice and morello cherry. Sultanas and orange peel come to the fore alongside baked apples.

Taste: Sweet and smooth stewed fruit comes with blackcurrant and hazelnut. Cocoa powder and huiner spice give way to honeycomb.

Finish: A full finish with lingering spice and red berries.

Established in 1840 by brothers James and John Grant, the business prospered and in 1897 Glen Grant No. 2 Distillery was established across the road in order to meet the high demand for Glen Grant whiskey. During the late nineteenth century a Victorian garden was laid out in the valley behind the distillery and is now open to distillery visitors. Glen Grant is a Speyside malt whiskey distillery situated in Rothes equipped with eight stills and an on-site bottling plant. Gordon & MacPhail has released some rare vintage single malts dating back to the 1950s.