Every year – the most updated whisky book on the market!
Malt Whisky Yearbook 2021 will be published 1st October

This is the 16th edition of a book that whisky enthusiasts look forward to every autumn.

The main part of the book (200 pages) covers 665 malt whisky distilleries around the worldwith all the facts updated
New exciting articles by distinguished writers such as Charles MacLean, Gavin D Smith,
Neil Ridley, Jonny McCormick, Joel Harrison and Ian Wisniewski
More than 200 tasting notes, including independent bottlings
New feature – meet seven Whisky Legends with 358 years of experience between them
A listing of more than 150 of the world´s greatest whisky shops
The Whisky Year That Was – the most comprehensive summary you´ll find of the news and trends in the industry
An entire chapter about the world´s leading independent bottlers
All the latest info on bottlings and web sites as well as the latest statistics and figures
More than 500 colour photos

The Malt Whisky Yearbook is the brainchild of editor Ingvar Ronde and was first published in autumn 2005. Since then a new and completely revised edition has been published yearly. What started out as a go-to book for whisky enthusiasts wanting to keep abreast of the ever-changing malt whisky world, soon became a tool also for the whisky industry. Many producers now buy it for their staff (brand ambassadors, tour guides, sales people etc.) to keep them informed about the latest developments.

The Malt Whisky Yearbook 2021 is sold through www.maltwhiskyyearbook.com
for £14.95 plus shipping. Available for preorder now with shipping starting 1st October.
Ingvar Ronde – Editor Malt Whisky Yearbook and Keeper of the Quaich
ingvar.ronde@magdig.com

Introducing our new….

WAREHOUSE COLLECTION

Delicious Whiskies. Simply Bottled. Great Prices.

Our Warehouse Collection are single cask whiskies that are, in essence, “bin ends”, simply packaged and great value for money.

At times we have part casks leftover from other projects or from moving whisky from a larger cask to a different type of cask, for finishing. There is not enough left to include it in our core range, so we simply bottle it and sell it exclusively on our online shop.

SHOP THE RANGE

Please note that at present our Whisky Shop is NOT open to visitors and we are not able to offer our Tasting Experiences for the foreseeable future. This remains under review so if this changes we will make another announcement. 

1980 Vintage Single Cask

Possibly the best value age statement single cask whisky we’ve seen all year. Distilled in 1980 and bottled back in 2014. A well rounded, rich, satisfyingly sherried and sweet Speysider. Only 125 bottles from this cask. Delighted to have secured some for you…

MACDUFF SINGLE MALT WHISKY

Macduff Distillery was established in 1960, construction was completed in 1962 and distillation commenced the following year with two stills. A further still was added in 1966, another in 1968 and yet another in 1990 raised the total to the current five. It sits near the coastal town of Macduff on the banks of the River Deveron. Macduff is a Highland malt whisky distillery and contributes to Dewar’s blends of scotch. Glen Deveron is the name given to official bottling of Macduff malt whisky and Macduff to the malt whisky bottled by independent bottlers.

Shop – Macduff 33 Years 1980 – £171.84 / $184.01 / €186.06 SOLD OUT!

Just landed: Advent Calendars 🥃🎁

Get your Advent Calendar before December!

Drinks by the Dram’s spirit-filled Advent Calendars are now available for pre-order! It may only be September, but trust us: these sell fast. Chocolate advent calendars are timeless favourites, but why not elevate your Christmas Countdown this year with daily delicious drams?  Whisky? There’s a calendar for even the biggest scrooge out there.

These dramtastic calendars also make the ultimate festive gift for the curious imbiber in your life. Make their Christmas come early by sending a calendar directly to their doorstep – we’ll deliver UK orders over £50 for free!

Pre-order now ›

Cambus 27 Year Old 1988 vintage Lowland single grain Scotch whisky. Single cask #59233 bottled 2016 by Gordon & Co. for the Pearls of Scotland series. 328 numbered bottles.

CAMBUS DISTILLERY

27 Year Old 1988 Pearls Of Scotland

BOTTLER Gordon & Co. DISTILLER Cambus CASK TYPE single cask CASK # #59233

ABV 47.5% TYPE Single Grain Scotch REGION Lowland AGE 27 Year Old VINTAGE 1988 VOLUME 70cl

CAMBUS SINGLE GRAIN WHISKY

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.

2006 Glen Scotia “Malts Festival 2020 Limited Edition” Tawny Port Finish Peated Campbeltown Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml)

$84.99

Finally some good news! After the extraordinary quality and popularity of the 2019 release, we knew something good would be coming in 2020 from Glen Scotia. Well, it’s reached California, and in very small amounts. We secured most of the state’s inventory of this beauty, and when it’s gone we expect we won’t see a second shot this year. Distilled in 2006, the Glen Scotia ‘Tawny Port’ Festival Edition is a peated Campbeltown Malt that has been matured in a mix of refill American hogsheads, medium char American oak and first fill bourbon barrels before being finished in first fill Tawny Port hogsheads and then bottled at cask strength 52.8% ABV. The nose shows blackberry, floral notes of rose and ocean spray and a faint trace of smoke. The palate has a silky mouthfeel, crisp green apple, peach syrup and vanilla with a honey sweetness. The finish really shows the gentle peat smoke of Glen Scotia along with a wide array of sweet port fruits, black currant and raspberries mix with clove and cooking spice.

INTRODUCING JAMESON CRESTED X EIGHT DEGREES BREWING

Irish Distillers, makers of some of the world’s most enjoyed whiskeys, has joined forces with Eight Degrees Brewing for a unique edition of the beloved Jameson Crested.

Launching this month, Jameson Crested Finished in Black Ball Metric Stout Barrels is the next step in an exciting collaboration between Irish Distillers and its Co. Cork neighbour, Eight Degrees, who last year celebrated eight years of adventurous craft beer brewing by releasing a uniquely dark Black Ball Metric Stout finished in Jameson barrels as the last iteration of their Rack ‘em Up Series.

Always seeking an opportunity to innovate, Jameson returned the compliment by selecting a special whiskey to mature in the stout soaked barrels. The result is a stunning evolution of Jameson Crested, with a rich stout influence married with a luscious creamy texture and lingering finish of pot still spices and malt.

“We were delighted when the opportunity arose to create a truly special whiskey,” explains Irish Distillers’ Blender Dave McCabe.

“When we were selecting a whiskey to mature in these barrels, Jameson Crested became the obvious choice. It’s higher pot still component and sherry cask inclusion allowed the whiskey to meet the impact of the stout head on, creating a balanced reaction.

“We filled the casks in November last year and carefully monitored the whiskey’s progress. After about four months of ageing we felt it was just right.  The stout influence is prevalent in the taste, complementing the whiskey beautifully.

“It’s a truly unique liquid, perfect when enjoyed neat, paired with a craft stout, or as part of a spiced cocktail,” adds McCabe.

Derek Neville, Head Cellarman at Eight Degrees Brewing adds: “It was an honour to be given the opportunity to create our special 8^th anniversary stout using barrels from Jameson, the world’s most popular Irish whiskey. Today we are delighted to have made our mark on Jameson Crested, an icon of Irish whiskey, through the release of this special edition.”

A limited-edition release of fewer than 10,000 bottles globally, Jameson Crested Finished in Black Ball Metric Stout Barrels will launch in Jameson’s brand home outlets at Bow Street, Dublin, and Midleton, Cork, this month, and will be available through Jameson’s online shop at jamesonwhiskey.com, priced at €45 (70cl)[1]. It will also be available to air passengers vising the new Dublin Airport shop in Terminal 2 from mid-October.

Notes: 

Jameson Crested Finished in Black Ball Metric Stout Barrels Tasting Notes, by Dave McCabe, Blender, Midleton Distillery 

Nose: Rich stout influence; malt and vanilla chocolate. Jameson Crested pot still spices and dried fruits. 

Taste: Luscious creamy texture, mild spice, roasted coffee beans and chocolate. 

Finish: Sweet notes fade, pot still spices and malt lingers.

How to Drink:

Enjoy neat to get the best of this liquid or pair with a craft stout (Black Ball Metric Stout the best suiter). For something mixed try:

Eight Degrees Stout & Spiced 

Ingredients: 40ml Crested x Eight Degrees, 100ml Fever Tree Spiced, Orange Ginger Ale, 3 dashes chocolate bitters.

To Make: Fill a highball glass with ice. Pour in whiskey, bitters and top with spiced ginger ale. Garnish with an orange wedge. 

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 7.6m cases in 2020. 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 €9,182 million in FY19. 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 index.

[1] Jameson Crested Finished in Black Ball Metric Stout Barrels will be available for online ordering globally, except US.

Springbank Society Newsletter  September 2020

The Springbank team are back to work!

After over four months closed due to Covid-19,  the distillery has now restarted operations. We have continued to follow Scottish Government guidelines and are taking a cautious approach to reopening to ensure the safety of both our staff and community. We look forward to seeing you all in person soon and shall keep you informed of our plans to restart distillery tours.

This month we have an update on our Virtual Malts festival plans, upcoming releases, a round-up of distillery news, letting you know what has been happening in Campbeltown over the last few months.

Distillery News

Where do we start? As with most of the country we locked down on the 23rd of March, with only a skeleton staff remaining on site to run down the maltings, mashing and distilling (it’s neither safe nor practical to stop our production instantaneously.) After that almost all of our staff were furloughed on 100% wages, with the exception of the Senior Management team and Directors who continued working to ensure the business ticked over and major projects were kept on top of to ensure we would be in the best possible position when lockdown ended – like most of you we didn’t think that would be 4 months later!

From a production point of view, we kept a close eye on the site and even had the condenser on Low wines still 2 replaced (it had begun to spring a few leaks after years of loyal service) and closely monitored the guidance to see when we would return to work, and how we’d do it safely.

We put together a detailed, phased reopening plan that included changes to ways of working, new PPE, Perspex barriers, reducing team sizes where possible and utilising the opportunity for staff to work from home to ensure the safety of our staff. The safety of our staff is always our number one priority, and it isn’t something we compromise under any circumstances.

Staff began to return to work from the 6th of July, ultimately leading up to us resuming full production on the 3rd of August. This has involved the bottling hall being split into 2 shifts and our production teams being 2 person ‘bubbles’ for each shift. Tomorrow (Friday 11th September) is the last day of the year we will be producing whisky at Springbank! We begin the transition up to Glengyle next week where will be working until the end of the year.

It has been great to welcome staff back on site and everyone has done a fantastic job of following the new protocols and procedures. We will continue to monitor and review our safety protocols and look forward to welcoming you all back to the distillery when it is safe and practical to do so.

Sales Team Events

Due to the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak, all future sales team events have been suspended.  We will follow government guidelines and hope to be back on the road visiting as many of you as possible soon.

Please remember, the Events Section of the Springbank Website is updated whenever we have new information to share with you all.

Springbank Website – Events Page

Although the sales team have been grounded in Campbeltown for the time being we plan to make good use of the internet to spread the good Springbank word. If there is anything you would like to see from us in the meantime please get in touch.

Springbank sales team coming to your screens soon…

Campbeltown Virtual Malts Festival: 26th – 30th October 

Save the date!

You may have seen from social media that to try and make up for not being able to host our annual Campbeltown Malts Festival we have decided to host a virtual one instead in October.

This will be a 5 day online event with tastings exploring all of our brands: Springbank, Longrow, Hazelburn, Kilkerran and Cadenheads.

Tasting packs will be pre-sold so we can all enjoy a dram together on the day. In addition our annual festival bottlings for sale online. The sales team are putting the festival bottlings through quality control as we speak to ensure the highest standards.

Those who had tickets to the cancelled event in May will be offered the first opportunity to purchase tasting packs and bottles, thereafter Society and Cadenhead Club members and finally the public.

More details for this event will be announced closer to the date.

New Releases – Available from Friday 11th September.

Now that our bottling and despatch operations have resumed, we have a number of releases ready to hit the shelves of your favourite bottle shops.

Springbank 21yo 46%

This year we have selected an exciting mix of bourbon, sherry, port and rum casks to make up our legendary Springbank 21yo.

Nose

There’s a rich, sweetness to this edition, a combination of demerara sugar, treacle, orange rind and smooth milk chocolate.

Palate

Mouth coating and oily in texture with immediate dunnage warehouse and coastal influences coming through. It is lightly peated and less sweet in taste than on the nose, nicely balanced with oaky tannins.

Finish

The finish is long and rich with dried fruit flavours coming to the fore from the port and sherry casks. Raisins followed by roasted coffee beans and a lasting note of bung cloth. A true old-style Springbank dram.

Longrow 18yo 46%

The rich, smokey and complex Longrow 18yo is now ready after enjoying a maturation in bourbon, sherry and rum casks.

Nose

Initially rum soaked strawberries with a delicate aroma of peat smoke. Vibrant scents of pineapple, mango and lemon sherbet follow.

Palate

A lovely burst of sweetness and smoke like marshmallows toasting on peat embers. Rich flavours of sea salt, dark chocolate, raisins, prunes and molasses.

Finish

A pronounced peated malt note, like being inside the kiln after it’s just finished burning. Liquorice and the classic Springbank coastal influence.

And from our friends at Kilkerran Single Malt… 

Kilkerran Heavily Peated Batch 3  59.7%

The next addition of Kilkerran’s peat in progress is a 80% Bourbon to 20% Sherry maturation and still packs a punch of peat and tropical fruits.

Nose

The nose is bright with notes of citrus and smoked applewood. A true maritime coastal influence and hints of blackened, toasted marshmallow and tropical fruit sweetness. As ever, that familiar dunnage warehouse funk hangs in the background.

Palate

Initially biscuity and buttery, flavours of liquorice and fennel developing later. Sweet, fruity peat smoke gives way to a drier smoky peat, evoking that real, full smoky atmosphere of the working kiln room. An apple strudel note makes its way through and lemon sherbet flavours develop with every sip.

Finish

Long, well integrated peat smoke carries through. It’s remarkably complex throughout with the heavy peat smoke not overpowering. A malty, cereal character and more of a coastal influence coming through in this batch in comparison to previous editions.

All of the above mentioned whiskies will be available from UK and European retailers from Friday 11th September, although it will take longer to reach some destinations due to transit times.

Friday 11th September is also the launch of a Single Cask bottled for the UK market – Longrow 12Y/O Sauternes 56.9%.  Fully matured in a fresh Sauternes cask with 264 bottles available. This will be available from a selection of retailers throughout the UK.

Longrow Sauternes 12Y/O 56.9%

Nose

Cream soda, barley sugar, cinamon, brown bread and chocolate spread.

Palate

Sweet with tropical fruits, apricots, peaches and toasted almonds.

Finish

Finally the Longrow peat smoke comes through in a long and elegant finish with notes of cherry and blackberry.

October Releases 

Springbank 12 cask strength. 

The next edition of our biannual Springbank 12yo cask strength will be available soon. This edition features an array of cask types; Bourbon, sherry, burgundy and port and is already a favorite amongst the sales team

Hazelburn Sherrywood 13yo

Our annual release of sherry matured Hazelburn showcases the very best of Hazelburn in oloroso sherry casks and this year is no exception, available as a 13 year old.

We also have some exciting Kilkerran news; our much anticipated 16yo will be bottled shortly for worldwide distribution.  Please keep an eye on social media for further updates.

You can follow Kilkerran Single Malt on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Slainte,

Springbank Society
The Springbank Team

Please contact Springbank Society society@springbank.scot to join the Society

One of America’s Finest Ryes for a Devilishly Good Price
Angel’s Envy 100 Proof Rye Whiskey (750ml) ($79.99)
“…the flavors marry nicely and the sweetness tames this high-testosterone rye whiskey. Bonus points for uniqueness.” — Whiskey Advocate

NOTE: Our walk-in retail locations are currently closed. We have curbside pickup and low cost (often free) delivery options available in ZIP codes where we can ship lawfully, including anywhere in California. We can also include any new or existing will call orders in your delivery batch. Choose local delivery at checkout to learn if you qualify.

Rye doesn’t get much better than this. The Angel’s Envy 100-Proof Rye is another breathtaking bottling from the supremely talented Master Distiller Lincoln Henderson. Crafting the perfect dram is only one part of Henderson’s approach, as each whiskey he makes needs to carry its own distinctive imprint. For this expression, he chose to finish the whiskey in Caribbean rum casks—an unconventional approach that has worked out fabulously. The result is a compelling and powerful rye that stands shoulder to shoulder with whiskeys that cost three to four times the price. Ordinarily, our allocation is very limited, but we were able to secure a bit more this time around, enabling us to offer it to a broader audience. This is excellent news, as a whiskey this irresistible needs to be experienced by every rye enthusiast out there at least once—and hopefully many more times! Our price of $79.99 is an incredible price for this spirit, and one that is likely to only climb in future releases. The attention to detail is remarkable, but then we expect nothing less from the team at Angel’s Envy. Bravo!

Angel’s Envy 100 Proof Rye Whiskey (750ml) ($79.99)

94 points Wine Enthusiast: “This honey-hued rye has a remarkable aroma, melding cookie dough, hazelnut and marzipan. The same luscious flavors show up on the palate, rich and sweet, leading into a confected finish of Nutella sprinkled with nutmeg and cinnamon. The sugar-and-spice effect is due to 18 months finishing time in casks that first held Cognac, then Caribbean rum. *Top 50 Spirits 2013* (KN)” (07/2013)

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 10, 2020

This rye has been highly allocated for a very long time and the small quantities that we do get typically disappear in a day or two. We were finally able to secure a large enough parcel to shout out its availability. If you love the Angel’s Envy bourbon, do not miss this opportunity to stock up on the rye at a sharp price. It’s a perfect cocktailing rye with its elevated proof (100 proof) and sweeter profile thanks to the Caribbean rum cask finishing. This added step transforms the classic 95% rye mashbill into something altogether different. While the underlying backbone of spice from the grain is there and carries through the palate and into the finish, the nose is all sweet caramel and confection with tropical fruits. Black strap molasses and fine Cognac eau de vie notes dominate. The brown sugar flavors mix into perfect balance with the pepper spice of the rye. It’s a great whiskey for a Manhattan with just a dash of vermouth. If you seek a rich round style of whiskey for an after dinner drink neat or on the rocks, this is also a perfect candidate.

Neal Fischer | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 10, 2020

Less cloying than the Angel’s Envy bourbon finished in port barrels, this Angel’s Envy rye is definitely still a big sweetie! Butterscotch is the first characteristic that I notice coming from the rum barrel finish and it does NOT let up throughout the dram. There are layers of gentle spice of cardamom, cinnamon bark, and red pepper. I pick up on a red fruit medley that eventually comes to rest as red licorice mixing with spice and pecan pralines. The core rye elements poke through intermittently, but everything keeps coming back home to butterscotch. If you have a sweet tooth or are looking for a new after-dinner whiskey then check this out.

First fill sherry bomb exclusive to TWB

Our latest exclusive is a sherry butt from the Highland distillery, Edradour. Bottled 2020 by Signatory Vintage, this is a full bodied sherry monster full of summer fruits, chocolate raisins and leather notes. A bestselling whisky, this one won’t hang around long… Edradour 10 Year Old 2010 vintage Highland single malt Scotch whisky. Single cask first fill sherry butt #160 bottled 2020 by Signatory Vintage for the Un-Chillfiltered series. This is a specially selected release exclusive to The Whisky Barrel. 333 bottles.

Shop – Edradour 10 Years UCF – £65 / €71.62 / $70.45

EDRADOUR SINGLE MALT WHISKY

Edradour Distillery was formed in 1825 by a group of eight local farmers. Situated at Milton of Edradour near Pitlochry and still just a farm sized distillery equipped with a Morton refrigerator to cool the worts and two wee stills with their spirit cooled in a single worm tub. Whilst ranked amongst the small working distilleries in Scotland its owners Signatory Vintage have plans to increase its size and output. Official distillery releases include the Edradour 10 Year Old, Barolo Cask and Sherry Cask Ibisco decanters.