Newsflash – Springbank 24yo: UK Single Cask

The Springbank Team are delighted to announce the release of the new Springbank UK Single Cask, available to buy from tomorrow (1st May 2019).  The Springbank 24yo 46.2% has been matured in a Fresh Sherry Hogshead and there will be 294 bottles available. This new UK Single Cask will be available from tomorrow – contact your preferred Springbank retailer or visit the Where To Buy section of our website for help finding where you can get your hands on a bottle.

• The Campbeltown Cadenhead Shop will be selling the Springbank 24yo for £390.00.
• This is not a core range product
• There will be no Society discount offered for this bottling

Slainte,

The Springbank Team

To join the Springbank Society please contact them at Springbank Society society@springbank.scot

Whisky creator Gordon & MacPhail releases rare Coleburn single malt in Spring Collection

The 38-year-old whisky is the latest addition to the ‘Private Collection’ range

Single malt whisky creator Gordon & MacPhail has announced its Spring Collection, unveiling a series of stunning whiskies which draw upon the unrivalled depth and breadth of knowledge the company has gained from maturing spirit from over 100 Scottish distilleries.

One of the highlights of the Spring Collection is the Gordon & MacPhail 1981 from Coleburn Distillery which is the latest edition to the ‘Private Collection’ range.  This exceptional whisky has been maturing in the company’s specially selected cask at its warehouse in Elgin for 38 years. Spirit from Coleburn Distillery – mothballed in 1985 – was traditionally used in blending but Gordon & MacPhail carefully matched the spirit with a refill Sherry hogshead  to create this extraordinary and very rare single malt.

Hidden from sight behind a rich green landscape, Coleburn Distillery was founded in 1897 in Longmorn, five miles south of Elgin in Speyside. Designed by renowned architect Charles Doig, who also designed the Gordon & MacPhail retail shop in Elgin, the distillery was one of many that closed its doors during a challenging period for the whisky industry in the 1980s.

Laid down on 11^th March 1981 to mature in cask 476, Gordon & MacPhail 1981 from Coleburn Distillery was bottled at 55.9% ABV on 14^th March 2019. With a distinct mahogany hue, the new release has rich flavours of Sherry-soaked fruit, liquorice, and dark chocolate, and a long finish brimming with toffee notes and a hint of smoke.

Only 101 bottles will be available for purchase worldwide, representative of the unique nature of all ‘Private Collection’ releases.

Established in 1895, Gordon & MacPhail has a worldwide reputation for creating exquisitely rare single malts that have featured spirit from over 100 distilleries across Scotland. Due to the foresight of four generations of the Urquhart family, owners of Gordon & MacPhail, the company is currently maturing spirit from 26 mothballed or closed distilleries, including Coleburn Distillery, in its fabled warehouse.

Stephen Rankin, Gordon & MacPhail’s Director of Prestige and member of the fourth generation of the Urquhart family, said: “Our mantra has always been to ‘do right by the whisky’; recognising when it has reached its ultimate peak and then bottling it regardless of commercial pressures or notable birthdays. Brought to you as a rare single malt, this 38-year-old release exhibits the true spirit of the Coleburn Distillery. My grandfather, George Urquhart, was always keen to champion the quality of the new-make from previously unheralded distilleries and this remarkable whisky perfectly exemplifies his vision. It’s one to celebrate and savour.”

Gordon & MacPhail 1981 from Coleburn Distillery will be available for purchase worldwide from selected specialist retailers* (UK RRP £1,250**).

Two more notable whiskies from the 2019 Spring Collection include Connoisseurs Choice 1998 from Glenburgie (UK RRP £136). With just 245 bottles available, this whisky offers a unique opportunity to own a 20-year-old whisky which is rarely bottled as a single malt. Connoissuers Choice 2006 from Ledaig Distillery offers a striking whisky which has been carefully crafted using peated new-make spirit, expertly paired with a specially selected first-fill Sherry hogshead (UK RRP £73).

For more information on the Spring Collection, please visit***

https://www.gordonandmacphail.com/our-whiskies/ranges/spring-collection/)

#GordonandMacPhail

* Gordon & MacPhail 1981 from Coleburn Distillery won’t be available for purchase in the US.

**Prices in international markets may vary due to local taxes and import duties.

***When it goes live.

Notes 

Tasting Notes

Gordon & MacPhail 1981 from Coleburn Distillery (Private Collection)

55.9% ABV, outturn of 101 bottles, UK RRP of £1,250.

Matured in cask no. 476, a first fill Sherry hogshead.

Colour: Mahogany.

Aroma: Sherry-soaked fruit aromas with a touch of beeswax polish. Juicy black cherries drizzled with rich caramel leads into fresh coffee with a subtle smokiness.

Taste: Dark chocolate, coffee, and ripe plums. Dried fruits and sherry-soaked cherries, reminiscent of rich fruitcake. Subtle flavours of oak and liquorice emerge with a slight nuttiness.

Finish: Long; rich fruitcake, coffee, and toffee notes evolve into leather with a hint of smoke.

Gordon & MacPhail Whiskies

Established in 1895, family-owned Gordon & MacPhail is curator of some of the world’s finest and rarest single malt Scotch whiskies from over 100 distilleries. Four generations of the Urquhart family have continued to pursue the perfect partnership between spirit and cask.

Since its foundation, Gordon & MacPhail has carefully matched spirit to the highest quality oak casks which are sent to distilleries throughout Scotland, filled with new-make spirit, and matured either at the distillery of origin or in the firm’s own bonded warehouse in Elgin.

It is this simple but endlessly complex pairing that creates an intriguing and unique portfolio of expressions – single malts that Scotch whisky lovers will not find anywhere else.

In April 2018, the company unveiled its streamlined portfolio:

• ‘Discovery’ – Utterly dependable, this flavour-led range is the perfect introduction to our portfolio of quality single malt Scotch whiskies.
• ‘Distillery Labels’ – A range celebrating our long-standing relationships with Scotland’s distilleries.
• ‘Connoisseurs Choice’ – The heart of our portfolio – always unique, these non-chill-filtered, natural coloured, small batch expressions are genuine one-offs.
• ‘Private Collection’ – Greatly-aged single malts from celebrated, little-known, or closed distilleries specially selected by members of the Urquhart family.
• ‘Generations’ – A prestigious collection of old, rare, and exclusive masterpieces.

2019 marks the 20th year of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, which runs from the 1st to the 6th of May.  From humble beginnings, this year will see an incredible 700 events happening all over Speyside.

Our special events are fully booked, but we will be open for regular tours throughout the weekend – book in advance to avoid disappointment, either on 01807 500 345 or visitorcentre@glenfarclas.com.

As in previous years, we are marking the occasion with a new Distillery Exclusive.  This year’s bottling is a 2003 first fill sherry butt, which gave us 647 bottles at 58% alcohol by volume.  They will be available exclusively at the Visitor Centre from Wednesday the 1st of May and priced at £145 per bottle.  Please note that this bottling is strictly limited to one per visitor and is only available in person – it can not be shipped.

Rebel Yell^® Launches New Look for Brand Lineup

Bourbon brand releases packaging enhancements and new variant 

BARDSTOWN, KY (April 22, 2019) – Rebel Yell Kentucky Straight Bourbon has a new look for its brand lineup. The updated packaging reinforces the brand’s rebellious spirit and elevates the brand’s look, bridging the gap between its proud heritage and modern tastes. The new bottle features an embossed rounded shoulder in addition to a revised front and back label. The new bottle is topped with a matted capsule closure and a natural cork, further enhancing the packaging, which was designed by David Cole.

“By adding the new capsule closure with hints of silver and updating the label with bolder lettering, the new Rebel Yell look aligns with the brand attitude,” says Eric Winter, whiskey brand manager at Luxco.

“The glass embossing on the bottle also adds a tactile component to the consumer’s experience, further elevating the overall look of the package,” adds designer David Cole.

The new packaging will roll out in April and will apply to the full family lineup including Rebel Yell Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Rebel Yell Straight Rye, Rebel Yell Root Beer and Rebel Yell Ginger.

Brand Launches New Variant 

In addition to the new packaging, the brand is launching a new variant this year: Rebel Yell Kentucky Straight Bourbon 100 proof. This whiskey – crafted according to the original time-honored recipe with a smooth ‘wheated’ mash bill – features honey, vanilla and caramel notes followed by oaky tones and a deep, warm finish. This whiskey will also have the new brand packaging enhancements and has an SRP of $19.99.

“Our traditional 80 proof Rebel Yell is an approachable bourbon, softer on the palate than the new 100 proof Rebel Yell, which brings a bit more bite in the finish,” says John Rempe, head distiller at Lux Row Distillers. “We wanted to offer consumers a higher proof option in this brand family, and this bourbon holds up well with balance of smoothness and flavor, whether providing fuller flavor in a cocktail or as a sipper”.

Award-winning Rebel Yell 10 Year Single Barrel Also Available for 2019 

This year, Rebel Yell 10 Year Single Barrel will also be available nationwide in a very limited allocation once again. This year, about 2,600 cases of this highly-acclaimed bourbon will be available in its original packaging, 750ml bottle sold in individual boxes. A limited amount will be available for sale at the Lux Row Distillers gift shop as well. 

ABOUT LUX ROW DISTILLERS

Real roots, real family, real products: Lux Row Distillers – a new bourbon distillery experience on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail – is a family-owned venture, bringing the Lux family history and spirits tradition to the bourbon industry. Lux Row Distillers is the home of Luxco’s bourbon brands, including Rebel Yell, Blood Oath, David Nicholson and Ezra Brooks Kentucky Straight Bourbons.

Located in the heart of Bardstown, Kentucky, the 18,000-square foot Lux Row Distillers includes a visitor center, barrel warehouses, a tasting room, and event space, making for an all-encompassing bourbon experience. The 90-acre property is home to an 18^th century stone house – which is registered as a National Historic Place – and a long, tree-lined driveway providing a scenic entrance to the distillery.

For more information about the distillery, visit www.luxrowdistillers.com. You can also like Lux Row Distillers on Facebook at www.facebook.com/luxrowdistillers or follow the distillery on Instagram @luxrowdistillers.

Glenlivet 40 Year Old – 1978

An incredible 1978 vintage Glenlivet, matured for 40 long years in refill sherry hogshead #9044401. Released as part of the Private Collection series from Gordon & MacPhail, presented in redesigned bottle and presentation case. Distilled 3rd August 1978 and bottled 9th October 2018, only 319 bottles filled at cask strength, 53.5% vol.

Buy Now

First things first, we owe you all an apology over the last newsletter and the issues about buying online. This was due to teething problems that were out of our control. Thank you for baring with us though the transitional stage from the old site to the new one. It was a confusing time all-round especially for you the customers.

A few things we should have told you about are the account log in re-sets needed to upgrade the security of the accounts. Apologies for not informing you all, but we only found out as the new site went live.

It’s the start of the spring /summer season so its back to the easy drinking styles that work so well this time of the year.

We also have a few interesting cask styles for you to discover such as Glenrothes 24yo Sherry cask and the rather amazing Fettercairn 10yo (2008) 56.6%: Red Wine – NZ Pinot Noir Cask.

Benrinnes 11yo (2007) 58.5%: Brl Single Malt Whisky from Speyside

Nose: Honeycomb, almonds, lime zest, pineapple and chewy toffee.

Taste: Golden syrup, lemon icing and melted butter with marshmallows and coconut flakes.

Finish: Thick and creamy with lingering butterscotch and mashed bananas.

BUY NOW 

Bladnoch 30yo (1989) 40.8%: Sherry HHD since June 15 Single Malt Whisky from the Lowlands

NOSE: Vanilla fudge, shoe polish and touch of heather honey.

PALATE: Peat smoke present, toffee pop corn, golden raisins & prunes

FINISH: Dry sherry notes, soot and warm milk chocolate

BUY NOW

Dailuaine-Glenlivet 10yo (2008) 60.6%: HHD Single Malt Whisky from Speyside

Nose: Hard toffee sweets, rye bread with soft paprika and fresh cut grass.

Taste: Stem ginger, caramel, vanilla custard and sauvignon blanc.

Finish: Light and spicy with white pepper, lemon and tarragon.

BUY NOW

Deanston 10yo (2008) 56.6%: HHD Single Malt Whisky from the Highlands 

Nose: soft hints of cinnamon sticks, salted carmel, dehydrated strawberries.

Taste: honeycomb, cashew nuts, nougat cookies.

Finish: homemade tablet, apple strudal, lemon meringue.

BUY NOW

Dufftown-Glenlivet 11yo (2007) 54.5%: HHD Single Malt Whisky from Speyside

Nose: Green tea, hints of tobacco and leather. Becomes creamier with strawberries, blueberries and marzipan.

Taste: Lemon meringue pie, with toffee sauce and icing sugar. Sweetness balanced with gooseberries and citrus hoppy notes.

Finish: Some toffee, faint green tea and lots of creamy, vanilla and clotted cream.

BUY NOW

Fettercairn 10yo (2008) 56.6%: Red Wine – NZ Pinot Noir Cask since October ’17 Single Malt Whisky from the Highlands

Nose: Strawberry ice cream, cranberry sauce, salted beef.

Taste: Quite meaty, bramble jelly, rasperry puree.

Finish: Slight liquorice notes, cloves, cola cubes.

BUY NOW

Glenrothes-Glenlivet 24yo (1994) 47.0%: Fresh Sherry since June ’15 Single Malt Whisky from Speyside

Nose: Cherried sweets, toffee, feint wood spice.

Taste: Spiced orange notes, rich Christmas cake, dried sultanas

Finish: plumbs, raisins, blood oranges come through in the end.

BUY NOW

Glentauchers-Glenlivet 10yo (2009) 59.9%: HHD Single Malt Whisky from Speyside

Nose: Creme brulee, roasted almonds, milk chocolate flakes with lemon thyme and satsuma peel.

Taste: Big mouth coasting whisky! Vanilla ice cream, marzipan, white choclate and a little fresh lemon.

Finish: Slightly drying coffee beans before panakes and maple syrup brig forth a sweet balance.

BUY NOW

Royal Brackla 10yo (2008) 56.3%: HHD Single Malt Whisky from Highlands

Nose: crystalised ginger, butter icing, caramel tweel.

Taste: Summery! vanilla pods, orange sherbert.

Finish: caramel continues, bananna chips, feint hint of anisseed comes through.

BUY NOW

Strathclyde 29yo (1989) 55.7%: Brl Single Grain Whisky from the World Whiskies range.

Nose: Oily, engine oil and toffee shortbread. coconut butter, green olives and honey.

Taste: Rich, portugese tarts with hints of strawberries, raspberry yoghurt, with notes of cinnamon and nutmeg.

Finish: Initial short creamy notes replaced by lingering golden syrup, apricots and brown sugar.

BUY NOW

Teaninich 10yo (2008) 57.2%: HHD Single Malt Whisky from Highlands

Nose: Banana leaves, whole mangoes, brandy butter and faint figs.

Taste: Thick, lychee, icing sugar, spearmint and fennel. Hints of calvdos and dark chocolate.

Finish: Refreshing with popping candy, watermelon and peaches in syrup.

 BUY NOW

Tormore 30yo (1988) 43.2%: HHD Single Malt Whisky from Speyside

Nose: Green apple skins, brown sugar and a hint of rhubarb. Lemongrass and faint spice.

Taste: Hints of chocolate, dried fruits and slightly grassy with tart fruits, peaches and pistachios.

Finish: Melted white chocolate, apricots and lemon sorbet.

BUY NOW

So thats it for now from the team in London. It’s been an eventful few weeks with the new releases coming in thick and fast with a lot more to come over the coming months. For those who wish to get more advanced warning of upcoming releases from Cadenhead’s Authentic & Small Batch ranges you can join the Cadenhead’s club directly by clicking here. Lifetime membership costs £50. Or the Springbank Society for all things Campbeltown visit the website springbank.scot Lifetime membership for the society is also set at £50

We will b in touch again soon.

Cadenhead’s London

Single Cask 1988 Vintage Glenrothes

A refill American hogshead #19/004 bottled January 2019  at 58.5% for Gordon & MacPhail’s Connoisseur’s Choice label. Lovely notes of vanilla, ginger, lime, spice, red apples, wood and plenty fruits.

Shop – Glenrothes 1988 – £495.95

Benromach adds Cask Strength Vintage 2008 to its Classic Range 

New Benromach limited batch release to be available across multiple international markets 

Family owned Benromach Distillery has announced a new addition to its Classic Range, Benromach Cask Strength Vintage 2008 Batch 1, a rich and full-bodied, limited-batch single malt whisky.

The batch release which will be sold across multiple international markets, was matured in First-Fill Sherry and Bourbon casks. Just 5,500 bottles will be available to purchase worldwide from 24^th April 2019*.

Laid down in 2008 before being bottled in 2019, Benromach Cask Strength Vintage 2008 is a 10-year- old whisky. The golden amber dram has notes of cracked black pepper, fruits and milk chocolate, with a delicate smoky edge on the palate. The whisky has a long, deep finish with subtle smokiness and bonfire embers.

Bottled at cask strength (57.9% ABV), Benromach Cask Strength Vintage 2008 Batch 1 will replace Benromach 100° Proof in the Classic Range. The new expression will provide single malt Scotch whisky fans with subtle variations on the flavour profile of Benromach 100° Proof with small strength and natural colour variations reflecting different batches.

Keith Cruickshank, Benromach Distillery Manager, said: “By offering the opportunity to own and enjoy batch releases, we are able to further showcase the expertise of our distilling team while determining the right time to bottle each batch to take full advantage of the remarkable single malt whiskies we produce. We believe this expression will allow Benromach drinkers to understand more about the provenance of the whisky they are drinking.

“Every whisky we release has been carefully handcrafted by our close-knit team of distillers. While retaining the overall flavours that Benromach consumers have enjoyed in Benromach 100° Proof, the new Cask Strength Vintage release will differ subtly in both strength and flavour profile, reflecting the specific casks chosen from the vintage year.”

Benromach Cask Strength Vintage 2008 Batch 1 is presented in an elegant bottle with shapes and textures inspired by the Speyside distillery. The copper cut medallion on the packaging signifies the moment in time when the distillers cut to the sweet heart of the spirit run. Each bottle will detail the vintage year, batch number and age.

Benromach Cask Strength Vintage 2008 Batch 1 will be available in selected markets worldwide with a recommended retail price (RRP) of €69.95 (£59.95). Prices in local markets may vary depending on local taxes and duty.*

Benromach is one of only a few distilleries in Scotland to use traditional methods, without any automated machinery. The small team of distillers employ all their senses when crafting the classic Speyside single malt Scotch whiskies, managing the process by sight, sound and touch to create the unique, handcrafted and authentic Benromach taste.

For more information on Benromach single malt Scotch whisky, and to explore the Classic Range, please visit: www.benromach.com.

*Cask Strength Vintage 2008 Batch 1 will be available worldwide with the exception of China and the US. These countries will receive Cask Strength Vintage market exclusives later this year.

Notes

Benromach Cask Strength Vintage 2008 Batch 1 Tasting notes

Colour

Golden amber

Nose

Stewed apple, pear and vanilla pod aromas.

Palate

Cracked black pepper with juicy fresh strawberry and raspberry, hints of orange peel and milk chocolate combined with a delicate smoky edge.

A touch of water reveals a sweet and salty effect, with ripe banana and blackcurrant flavours before giving way to a creamy milk chocolate edge and lingering subtle smokiness.

Benromach Distillery

Originally built in 1898, Benromach Distillery was brought back to life when the Urquhart family realised a lifelong dream to own a distillery and purchased it in 1993. The distillery was extensively re-equipped over a five-year period before it was officially opened by HRH The Duke of Rothesay in 1998.

In reopening Benromach Distillery, the Urquhart family wanted to create a single malt whisky that has a classic Speyside character: beautifully balanced with a light touch of smoke.

Benromach Distillery is located on the outskirts of the ancient market town of Forres. A five-star visitor centre is open to the public throughout the year for tours and tastings. Benromach Distillery is a member of the world-famous Malt Whisky Trail.

For more information, visit: www.benromach.com.

Don’t miss out on these beautful, rare treasures

Here at The Whisky Shop we pride ourselves on being able to provide you with some of the rarest and most sought after whiskies in the world.

Take a look at some of our most popular rare expressions that we’ve just got back in stock.

Orders shipped worldwide 

Yamazaki

Yamazaki is Suntory’s flagship single malt. The surprising, delicate yet profound experience of a Japanese single malt was born at Yamazaki. Spiritual and deep, its signature multi-layered taste is highly praised by whisky connoisseurs all over the world. Today, Yamazaki is not only the No.1 single malt whisky in Japan, but is enjoyed in more than thirty-five countries.

Yamazaki 12 Year Old

Yamazaki 12 Year Old is a fantastic way to get into Japanese whisky, but is also enjoyed by veterans of the whisky world. A beautifully smooth whisky, this expression is succulent, multi-layered with soft fruit and and the unique Mizunara (Japanese oak) aroma.

70cl / 43% abv

£185.00 – Buy Now

Yamazaki 18 Year Old

Being one of Suntory’s most popular expressions Yamazaki 18 Year Old has won countless awards. And it’s easy to understand why. This is a real staple Japanese whisky and one of the finest whiskies out there. Many a collector would love to have this. This 18 Year Old is rich with mature autumn fruit with a slightly smoky profile.

70cl / 43% abv

£695.00 – Buy Now

Yamazaki 35 Year Old

Yamazaki is the oldest whisky distillery in Japan, having been established in 1923 by Shinjiro Torii, the father of Japanese whisky. With the distillery nearing its centenary year, the whisky has long held a place in the hearts and glasses of connoisseurs around the world. This 35-year-old expression is one of the oldest whiskies Yamazaki has ever created, crafted with liquid distilled in 1966 and 1970. Matured in special 90 litre second-fill Spanish sherry oak cask before bottling in 2006, this incredibly rare whisky is presented in a stunning hardwood case.

70cl / 43% abv

£84,995.00 – Buy Now

Hibiki

Priding themselves on creating blends that see innumerous malt and grain whiskies which are “meticulously blended to create a full orchestra of flavors and aromas”, there’s something special about Hibiki. Hibiki Whisky is Japan’s most highly awarded blended whisky and has won accolades worldwide.

Hibiki 17 Year Old

A world famous Japanese blend, made with aged malt and grain whiskies from all of Suntory’s distilleries. A rich and sweet masterpiece! The Hibiki 17 year old is the winner of many whisky awards including the World Whiskies Awards 2012 for Best Japanese Blend 13 to 20 years.

£560.00 – Buy Now

Hibiki 21 Year Old

In Hibiki 21 year old, numerous pure single malt whiskies aged in a variety of cask types, including Mizunara, a very rare Japanese oak, all combine to create a full orchestra of flavours and aromas and tenderly unfold a calm essence.

70cl / 43% abv

£750.00 – Buy Now

Orders shipped worldwide

As we gear-up for May’s festival fever, we’ve released some fruity characters to help get us in a celebratory mood. From totally tropical tastes to forest fruits and citrus zing, these five preview bottlings from next month’s Outturn are luxuriously textured and delicious. Only a limited number of preview bottles are available ahead of the full Outturn release on Friday, 3 May, 9am. Order now to be the first to sample these juicy little numbers.

PREVIEWS             ALL WHISKIES

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