BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY RELEASES NEXT INSTALLMENT IN OLD CHARTER OAK SERIES, FRENCH OAK 

New Addition will Continue the Exploration of the Role Oak Plays

in Making Great Whiskey

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (May 30, 2019) – Old Charter Oak French Oak is the latest release from Buffalo Trace Distillery as it continues to explore oak tree varietals. Late last year Buffalo Trace announced its Old Charter Oak series, a collection exploring the different taste profiles of barrels obtained from trees grown in different countries, climates and soil.  The Old Charter Oak collection is designed to explore, honor, and celebrate the role of oak in making great whiskey. The oak trees used for this brand vary by country of origin, or species, or U.S. state. Some barrels are even made from century oaks, 100, 200, or 300 year old oak trees.

For the newest release, Buffalo Trace obtained a small number of barrels from France in 2007, and filled them with its Mash #1, the same mashbill used to make Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare, and several other award-winning bourbons at the Distillery.  The Old Charter Oak French Oak has now been bottled and will be available at retail in late June.

Tasting notes for the French Oak describe it as having a nose of vanilla with hints of apricot, cherry, and rose petal.  The palate is a thick and creamy maple syrup, with the oak flavor coming through. A long finish of chocolate and toasted oak round it out.

This is the second release in the Old Charter Oak Collection. The first release, Mongolian Oak, was released late last year.  All the Old Charter Oak Bourbon series will be released over time, with a third release scheduled for later this year.  Subsequent releases are planned a few times each year, indefinitely.  “We’re excited to release our second bourbon in this ground breaking series.  As of now, we have bourbon aging for the Old Charter Oak collection scheduled for release now through 2030, but we’ll keep producing more each year for more new whiskeys beyond that,” said Kris Comstock, senior marketing director.

By Federal standards, bourbon is required to be aged in a new, charred oak container. But there is no specification it must be American white oak, it’s just that nearly all bourbons made today are aged in white oak.

Old Charter is a brand that has always celebrated the central role that oak plays in making great whiskey, given its namesake. The brand dates back to 1874, when Adam and Ben Chapeze created the bourbon, naming it in honor of the Charter Oak tree, a famous symbol of American independence and free spirit, which grew in Connecticut in the 12^th or 13^th century until it fell in a storm in 1856.

Old Charter changed owners a few times, until it was purchased by Buffalo Trace Distillery in 1999.  The existing Old Charter Bourbon is still produced by parent company Sazerac and there are no plans to discontinue it. The Old Charter Oak series is an upscale brand extension, much like Buffalo Trace has done with its E. H. Taylor, Jr, line.

The suggested retail pricing for the French Oak is $69.99, but the different oak varieties released over the years will have different price points, all in a similar range.  Like the Mongolian Oak release, the French Oak supplies will be limited. Packaging for the French Oak will be similar to the Mongolian Oak, with an upscale look consisting of a glass bottle with a cork finish. Each bottle will have an oak medallion on the front depicting the Charter Oak tree.

The Old Charter Oak French Oak is 92 proof.  More information can be found about the Old Charter Oak series www.oldcharteroak.com

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1773 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee.  Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won 21 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Its Col. E. H. Taylor, Jr. Four Grain Bourbon was named World Whiskey of the Year by Jim Murray’s Whiskey Bible 2018.  Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 500 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com

Glendronach 1992 26 Year Old
The Whisky Shop Exclusive

Scotchwhisky.com recently scored this gorgeous expression from Glendronach a massive 90/100.

“A belter of a Sherried ‘Dronach. Recommended for that special occasion.”

70cl / 50% abv

£239.00
“The sort of dram that makes you say, ‘I Want More’.” – Scotchwhisky.com

Find out why this beautifully rich whisky is a must for any collection.

 Buy Now

The Perspective Series

Wine & Spirits Merchants Berry Bros & Rudd and award winning photographer Lindsay Robertson have collaborated to produce this collectable new range of blended malts. The Perspective Series brings two art forms together, whisky making and photography. Four well aged malts have been bottled for Series no 1, each beautifully presented with a Scottish landscape image taken by Lindsay.

Sandwood Bay – 21 Year Old

£84

The Cullins – 25 Year Old

£142

Rannoch Moor – 35 Year Old

£245

While we enjoy the last of our May festival drams, we’re looking forward to what June will bring. This month, we’re getting ready to excite our taste buds and stimulate our senses with a collection of bold and unconventional whisky pairings.

We’ve released four preview bottles from the new Outturn which are perfect for matching with food. Only a limited number of preview bottles are available ahead of the full release on Friday, 7th June, 9am (GMT). Order now and find your prefect balance before they disappear.

ALL WHISKY                 PREVIEW BOTTLES

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

WEMYSS MALTS CASK CLUB

AN ANTIQUE ARMCHAIR – 31 YEAR OLD SINGLE CASK BUNNAHABHAIN

BUNNAHABHAIN I 1987 I 451 BOTTLES I 70CL | 46% abv.

The second exclusive release for the Wemyss Malts Cask Club; An Antique Armchair is an astonishing single cask single malt from Bunnahabhain distillery. Known as the ‘Gentle Giant‘ of the Islay distilleries it can often be found in one of Wemyss Malts releases but in many different styles, from light and malty through to heavily peated. This particular, unpeated spirit has spent just over three decades in a single sherry Butt developing sumptuous rich and leathery notes to complement the maritime character of the distillery.

£234.95 ~ Join the Wemyss Cask Club to Purchase

VIEW RELEASE INFO

An Antique Armchair is named after the aromas and flavours found in the whisky ‘An Antique Armchair’ is a 1987 vintage, 31 year old Bunnahabhain matured exclusively in an ex-Sherry Butt. It has an outturn of 451 bottles and has been bottled in its original natural russet-like colour at an alcohol volume of 46%. Selected by famed whisky writer Charlie Maclean and noted by the Wemyss Malts tasting panel as another perfect example of an old Islay malt with leathery, earthy aromas as well as a long, deep and rich dried fruit character.

The bottling of ‘An Antique Armchair’ will be released on Thursday the 30th of May at 12pm noon simultaneously on wemyssmalts.com to members of the Cask Club as well being released at Islay’s first ever independent whisky festival; The Indie Whisky Fèis Ìle 2019. The festival, hosted in collaboration with the Feis Ile and independent bottler Dramfool will feature multiple stands offering a wide range of whiskies to sample and purchase including a dedicated Wemyss Malts stand offering an array of Islay single casks and peated blended malt whiskies. 

Wemyss Malts will also host a masterclass tasting during The Indie Whisky Fèis Ìle 2019 pouring ‘An Antique Armchair’ alongside a selection of Islay single cask single malts.  A custom Peat Chimney malt whisky will also be created by and for attendees live at the tasting to bottle, label and take home for themselves.

 LEARN MORE ABOUT THE INDIE WHISKY FEIS ILE

Kilchoman STR Cask Matured

Distilled in 2008, this limited edition single malt whisky from Islay has been matured in special STR (shaved, toasted and re-charred) casks. This process adds a great interaction from the cask, resulting in a big and bold flavours.

“Rarely have I tasted such a fruit-forward Kilchoman that accentuates the peaty, smoky character rather than masking it. The summer fruits and citrus combine with an earthy peat smoke character to create a combination of flavours that I haven’t tasted in our whiskies before.”

James Wills, Sales and Marketing Manager

BUY NOW

SEDUCTIVE SILKIE IRISH WHISKEY LAUNCHES IN UK

Fresh from widespread acclaim in its homeland, the award-winning and legendary Silkie blended Irish whiskey is now available to UK drinkers. Named after the mythical seals that transform into irresistible maidens when ashore Donegal’s beaches, the whiskey is as smooth as its name suggests.  Available from Amazon, Master of Malt and Whisky Exchange at an RRP of £32.99 for 70cl (40%ABV).

Created by James Doherty, a returning Donegal ‘scatterling’, Silkie is made from a blend of carefully selected malt and grain whiskeys.  By using a higher malt percentage – with malts aged up to eight years including some sherry wood – James is able to produce a signature-soft mouth feel and silken, easy character.

On the nose, Silkie evokes brisk green apples opening to a more honeyed butteryness. On the palate, it suggests orange zest, digestive biscuits and stem ginger, all with the signature softness. The rich, sweet taste provides a sublimely gentle finish.

Commenting on the arrival into the UK, James Doherty, Managing Director, Sliabh Liag Distillers said: “As a young lad, my mother used to tell me all about the silkies emerging from the wild Atlantic ocean and beguiling the men they encountered.  We’ve worked hard to create a blended Irish whiskey that is rich, soft and very easy-drinking and are confident drinkers across the UK who encounter our Silkie will be as equally mesmerised by it as the Donegal seafarers of old were by its namesake.”

Given its soft character, Silkie can easily be enjoyed neat but also works superbly as an Old Fashioned cocktail, especially if rhubarb bitters are used instead of the traditional Angostura variety. For a more refreshing drink, a “Silkie Rua” – Silkie with ginger ale garnished with an orange peel twist hits the spot.

Notes 

• Sliabh Liag (pronounced ‘sleeve league’) Distillers is committed to reclaiming the distilling heritage of Donegal. In addition to Silkie, the company also produces An Dúlamán Irish Maritime Gin at its distillery, near Carrick.  Planning has also been submitted for a new distillery at Ardara, co Donegal.

• Silkie and An Dúlamán are both distributed by Vine Distribution Services in the UK. Established in 2000, Vine Distribution Services (VDS UK Limited) are importers and distributors of premium drinks and other FMCG brands in the UK. Founded by Steve Brown and Paul Macgregor, VDS is a sales, marketing and distribution company that specialises in the development of premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic brands.

The Fisherman’s Retreat launches fourth and fifth edition whisky

Following the success of its previous three editions, The Fisherman’s Retreat, located just beyond the picturesque town of Ramsbottom, has launched its fourth and fifth edition single malt whisky.

From buying the first few single malt whiskies to stock the bar back in 1992 to purchasing the first cask in 1995, whisky has always been at the heart of The Fisherman’s Retreat.

Now in its 27 th year The Fisherman’s Retreat now stock over 500 different Scottish single malt whiskies, with the majority of these available to try by the dram or purchase by the bottle from their onsite shop.

Their online shop has just launched which showcases some of the more fine and rare whiskies The Fisherman’s Retreat has to offer.

The 90 litre Octavius red wine cask was filled in 2013 with new make Arran spirit, the smaller cask enabled a faster maturation, thus rendering it ready for bottling after just five years. Bottled at 54% ABV this is a very limited edition at only 191 bottles.

One of the whisky industry’s best-known figures, Jim McEwan, the former master distiller of Bruichladdich, and good friend to the Magnall family has written the tasting notes for the whisky, describing its palate as:

“Amazingly complex for one so young. Layered and seductive. The flavours of the toasted barley, rich wine soaked oak and spicy vanilla is impressive for such a young spirit. Little hints of tangerines & almonds bring this amazing Yalumba matured spirit to a most surprising and satisfying conclusion”

Jim’s notes on the whisky’s aromas focus on the impact of the Yalumba cask:

“Brilliant combinations of mellow oak & concentrated fruitiness from the Yalumba wine cask. No other influence can encourage such an ambrosial intensity. It’s a luscious aroma cradled in a halo of toasted malt with an overture from the Flora & Fauna from this stunning Island”

Edition five has been 10 years in the making. This unique single cask bottling sees a return to Bruicladdich for The Fisherman’s in the form of this heavily peated Port Charlotte. Distilled November 2008 at Bruichladdich distillery on the Isle of Islay and peated to 40ppm this Port Charlotte ticks all the boxes when it comes to embodying Islay’s peaty history.

Spending all its life maturing in a warehouse on the windswept shores of Loch Indaal this whisky has endured everything the elements have thrown at it and used them to create something exceptional. The former Haut-Brion red wine cask has also played an immense role in the making of this whisky, imparting its unique characteristics over many seasons to leave us with a deeply rich and well-rounded malt, accompanied by the unmistakable flavors that can only be found in an Islay aged whisky. Hand bottled in December 2018 at 54%ABV this release has produced 360 bottles.

https://www.fishermansretreat.com/

Tormore 29 Year Old 1988

Single cask refill hogshead bottled by Hunter Laing & Co. for the Old Malt Cask series. Just 62 bottles from the Speyside distillery. Tormore 29 Year Old 1988 vintage Speyside single malt Scotch whisky. Single refill hogshead #15352 bottled August 2018 by Hunter Laing & Co. for the Old Malt Cask series. Only 62 bottles.

Flavours of raspberry jam, strawberry fondant and plums.

Tormore Distillery was established in 1958 in the Speyside whisky region to supply malt whisky to blending houses. It was designed by Sir Albert Richardson, President of the Royal Academy and is set in stunning landscaped gardens. Resplendent with green-coppered roofs, decorative pagoda roofs, a clock tower and clock which still chimes Scottish tunes, a rectangular curling pond, topiary and houses for the staff. Tormore Distillery is now operating with eight stills in its tall still house and Tormore malt whisky is still mostly flowing into scotch blends. Whilst official bottling are sparse it features amongst the ranges of a number of independent bottlers including Signatory Vintage and Connoisseurs Choice.

Shop – Tormore 29 Year Old – £129.95

SCARABUS ISLAY SINGLE MALT LAUNCHES, ‘A WHISKY FOR THOSE WITH A CURIOUS MIND AND EYE FOR DETAIL.’

Hunter Laing & Co reveals newest brand from the famed whisky island

The family owned Scotch whisky distiller, blender and bottler Hunter Laing & Co. releases Scarabus Specially Selected at Feis Ile 2019, the Islay Festival of Music and Whisky held at the end of May. The Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky is bottled at 46% ABV and will be available worldwide from mid June. In the UK it has an RRP of £38 (70cl).

The first drams of Scarabus will be poured at a number of tours and tastings throughout the festival at Hunter Laing & Co.’s newly opened distillery on the island, Ardnahoe. It will also be available exclusively for purchase there until next month.

Scarabus, meaning ‘rocky place’ in Nordic, is named after a mystical area of Islay and is described as a whisky for those with a curious mind and an eye for detail. The Scarabus Specially Selected tasting notes read: “Aromas of Islay peat smoke and sea salt, followed by warming leather notes, stewed rhubarb and a wonderful vanilla sweetness on the palate, leading to a rich lingering finish.”

The whisky creates a sense of mystery and discovery through the mantra “Only those who seek shall find”, with the symbols found on the bottle being intentionally ambiguous. The look and feel drew inspiration from the work of Islay born John Francis Campbell, who created the sunshine recorder, a device that tallies the hours of sunshine in a day, as well as creating a vast collection of Celtic folklore tales.

Commenting on the release of the new expression, Stewart Laing, Managing Director, said: “We’re extremely proud of the Scarabus whisky and the Feis Ile Festival is the perfect place to release the first bottling. We aimed to produce an expression that showcases a traditional Islay whisky style, and the unmistakable Islay smoke matches wonderfully with the rich, sweeter notes that linger on the finish.”

Adding to his father’s comments, Andrew Laing, Export Director said: “Our new brand is mysterious, which we know will create intrigue with the ever-loyal following of Islay whisky fans. Our family has such a strong connection with the island and we can’t wait for people to discover Scarabus at Feis Ile.”

“Our new release is bottled at 46% and will be available in 70cl, 75cl & 1L in the UK and international markets as well as in selected travel retail and duty free stores. We are very proud of the first release from the Scarabus range and are confident we will receive a positive reaction at the festival,” said Scott Laing, Business Development Director.

Facebook: @scarabuswhisky
Instagram: @scarabus_whisky

Notes:

• Hunter Laing & Co is an independent distiller, blender and bottler based in Glasgow and run by the Laing Family – father Stewart with sons Andrew and Scott
• Hunter Laing has been operating since May 2013 and owns a portfolio of much-loved whisky brands including Kinship, Old Malt Cask, Old & Rare, Hepburn’s Choice and Sovereign.
• It distributes to 65 markets around the world in Europe, Asia, the Americas and Australasia.
• Hunter Laing & Co reported pre-tax profits of £2.3m on a turnover of £8.4m for its last full year of trading (end April 2018).