Dave Broom & Alasdair Day Photo Scott Mooney

Craft whisky makers R&B Distillers are in the final stages of building of the first (legal!) whisky distillery on the remote Scottish island of Raasay. The distillery officially opened this weekend with Raasay Scotch ready to drink by 2020.

Notable features of the launch included the Isle Of Skye pipe band marching off the Skye to Raasay ferry and leading a procession of islanders, press, founders and VIPs up the hill to the new distillery, which began distilling on Saturday​​​​​​​​​​.

The opening party included a tour of the distillery, a ribbon cutting ceremony led by whisky writer, Dave Broom, and co-founder of R&B Distillers, Alasdair Day, and was followed by a drinks reception in the new visitors centre. In the evening, a full banquet with speech by co-founder Bill Dobbie was followed by a ceilidh at Raasay House into the wee hours of the morning.

Nestling into the magnificent volcanic plug Dùn Caan, with stunning views across the sound to the Cuillin mountain range on Skye, the Isle of Raasay Distillery will possess some of the finest views of any distillery.

Visitor Experience Manager, Iain Hector-Ross, describes the unique location of the distillery: “It may only be 14 miles long and just three miles across at its widest point but Raasay is an ideal place for making whisky. Fertile soils for growing barley and an abundance of water, or uisge in Scots Gaelic, provide perfect conditions for making uisge beatha, the water of life: whisky.”

When the visitors centre opens in October, visitors will be taken on a fascinating and in depth tour around this unique distillery: they will learn about the unusual geology that influences the flavour of Raasay Scotch; spot the resident bat population in the ‘Bat Hotel’ and visit the Celtic Well that provides water to the distillery.

Whisky aficionados will also be able to prolong their visit by signing up for membership to R&B Distillers’ whisky clubs – 10 year membership to Na Tùsairean Club or a ‘Taster Membership’ – which offer one night’s stay per year of membership in the premium accommodation in the beautifully restored Borodale House.

Benromach Triple Distilled & Cissac Finish

Two new 2009 vintage releases from Benromach Distillery.  Benromach Distillery was designed by Charles C. Diog and constructed at Forres in the Speyside whiskey region for D. McCallum and F.W. Burickman in 1898. Following numerous 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

Benromach 2009 Triple Distilled – £45.92

Benromach 2009 Chateau Cissc Finish – £40.30

BENROMACH DISTILLERY UNVEILS NEW WOOD FINISH 

The Benromach Distillery Company Ltd has added to its Wood Finish portfolio with the Benromach Chateau Cissac Wood Finish 2009.

This single malt whisky offers a unique flavour profile as a result of a final finishing period in hand-selected wine casks from the distinguished French wine region of Haut-Médoc near Bordeaux.

The Benromach Chateau Cissac (ABV 45%) was finished in first fill Chateau Cissac casks for 25 months after being filled into first fill Bourbon, resulting in an initial peppery taste with sweet vanilla and creamy milk chocolates notes and hints of red wine tannins and lingering peat smoke.

Benromach Distillery Manager Keith Cruickshank said: “Our latest Wood Finish expression is a welcome addition to our growing family of Speyside single malt whiskies. Our previous wood finish expressions, including Benromach Sassicaia and Benromach Hermitage, have proved to be very popular and we are looking forward to hearing what whisky lovers think of this Chateau Cissac. It certainly has plenty of character so I’m sure this new single malt will be appreciated by new and existing Benromach fans around the world.

“Those who enjoy our flagship 10 Years Old will enjoy the chance to experience Benromach in a different way. The maturation in wine casks from the distinguished region creates a distinct flavour in the whisky and allows a truly unique character to develop.”

This new Benromach Wood Finish is available to purchase at specialist whisky retailers with an RRP of £39.75. Prices may vary in export markets because of duty and import taxes.

For more information on Benromach, please visit www.benromach.com.

Notes to Editors

Tasting notes

Pour a good dram into a glass, noticing the dark gold colour, swirl it around and take some little sniffs to enjoy the aroma without water. The fabulous influence of the Château Cissac casks will be immediately apparent, with melon notes, red apples, delicate and zesty orange peel and dark chocolate. There’s also an underlying floral note and a delightful charred oak edge; the Benromach signature.

Now take a sip and enjoy the taste without water. It’s slightly peppery on the palate with sweet vanilla, creamy milk chocolate and there’s even refreshing lemon and limeade flavours with a nod and a wink towards the effervescent. Satisfying hints of red wine tannins emerge, complementing a lingering peat smoke.

Now add some water, swirl it around and savour the aroma with water. There are hints of pressed green apple and pear… and delicate oak aromas develop, complemented by the lingering peppermint.

Take a good sip and roll it around your mouth enjoying the taste with water. At first you’ll sense some spiciness and cracked black pepper. A slight bitterness develops, with grapefruit and orange peel. Now you may detect deeper hints of bonfire embers, complemented by Brazil nuts and gorgeous cocoa flavours.

About Benromach

Originally built in 1898, Benromach Distillery, was brought back to life when leading whisky specialists Gordon & MacPhail purchased it in 1993. The distillery was extensively re-equipped over a five year period before it was officially opened by HRH Prince Charles in 1998.

In reopening Benromach Distillery, Gordon & MacPhail decided to create a classic Speyside single malt – a style that draws its influence from Speyside whiskies pre-1960s.

Benromach Distillery is located on the outskirts of the ancient market town of Forres. A four 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.

Rare & Limited

If you’re looking for something a bit different, you can be sure to find it at The Whisky Shop. With our wide range of single casks and limited editions, there’s always something new to discover.  This week we have two very special single casks from Hunter Laing’s Platinum Old & Rare Selection that are two of the best tasting whiskies of the year so far – and we are already running out! Stocks are very low so order now to make sure you don’t miss out.

Next day UK delivery available
International Shipping

TAMDHU 30 YEAR OLD PLATINUM OLD & RARE

Distilled at Speyside’s Tamdhu distillery in July 1987, this single cask bottling from Hunter Laing & Co.’s Platinum Old & Rare Selection has been matured in a single sherry butt for three decades. Bottled in July 2017 free from chill-filtration and without articial colouring, only 533 bottles have been produced at a natural cask strength of 53.9% abv.  The nose has orange marmalade and candied sweetness with a touch of apricot. The palate brings dried fruits with subtle spices and rich smooth toffee alongside massive sherry notes. The finish has more complex fruits and a developing sweet note atop a hint of honey.

£250 Buy Now

Glenallachie 25 Year Old Platinum Old & Rare

Distilled at Glenallachie distillery in February 1992, this single cask Speyside malt matured for a quarter of a century before bottling in July 2017 by Hunter Laing & Co. Only 187 bottles have been produced, each one at a cask strength of 49.3% abv and free from chill-filtration and artificial colouring. Soft oak from a woodland walk with cut grass and dried hessian on the nose, before creamy vanilla and toffee emerge with a touch of sweet lime. The palate has more sweet and citrus with oak well-balanced by a rich medley of fruits. Some spice in the finish, with white pepper and soft fruits lingering on.

£185 Buy Now

ADDITIONAL CARGO

Our first ever blended malt whisky was released in August, and it sailed off into the sunset in record time. But don’t worry if you missed out – we’ve uncovered some final bottles of Exotic Cargo, hiding in the depths of our warehouse. These are the very last bottles remaining from this extremely limited release, so act quickly to guarantee your trip on this ‘sherry-soaked cruise into paradise.’

VEIW OUTTURN

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

We are already a little more than halfway through September, and that means there are just two weeks left to take advantage of the early bird price for Kensington Wine Market’s 2017 Whisky Advent Calendar. We managed to bring the cost down on this year’s edition to $375, but you can have it for $340, and save $35 if you order before October 1st!

Our Fall Tasting Schedule, and Fall Wine Times Newsletter have been out for a few weeks now. If you don’t get the Wine Times by snail-mail or e-mail, you can view it on our website.

The Fall Tasting Schedule has been online for just a couple of weeks, and not surprisingly the Fall Single Malt Festival was the first tasting to sell out. But there is far more to this fall’s tasting lineup than just that one event.

We have had a few new whiskies trickle into the shop over the last couple of weeks. First there is the latest Viking influenced Highland Park bottling, Valkyrie. The whisky is a more heavily peated Highland Park expression than we are used to seeing, produced with 50% fully peated malt. The Glenfiddich Experimental Series IPA is finally in. If like me you enjoy both single malts and IPAs, this might just be the whisky for you.

Finally, our best selling exclusive whisky is back in stock. The Ileach Cask Strength, a mysterious sherried Islay single malt is back. The producers can’t tell you what it is, be we are under no such restrictions. This young Lagavulin is great bang for you buck at $80, but don’t take our word for it, pop in for a taste!

I hope you enjoy this edition of the Malt Messenger.

Sláinte!

In This Edition

1. Paul John Whisky Tasting with Madhu Kanna – Monday
2. Kilchoman KWM Cask Launch with Anthony Wills
3. Other Up-Coming KWM Whisky & Spirits Tastings
4. Early Bird Pricing Ending Soon for The Kensington Wine Market 2017 Whisky Advent Calendar
5. Introducing Highland Park Valkyrie
6. Introducing Glenfiddich Experimental Series IPA
7. The Ileach Cask Strength is Back

Andrew Ferguson

Kensington Wine Market

PS – Don’t forget you can follow me on Twitter:

@scotch_guy, Instagram: @thescotch_guy/

or @kwmwhisky and Facebook: facebook.com/scotch.guy.1

We Have Two Amazing Value 20 Year Old KWM Exclusive Arran Single Sherry Casks

We have bottled two very different sherry casks of Arran for our shop. The samples were too tasty and the pricing too good to limit ourselves to just one of them. Read more about them here, or pop into the shop to sample them!

 $150 Each

More Information

NEW Compass Box KWM 25th Anniversary Blend

This is one of our most exciting exclusive whiskies ever… It is a Compass Box Blend that we’ve created in collaboration with John Glaser of Compass Box. The whisky was inspired by some of John’s greatest hits, and it is stunning.

$160

More Information

Up-Coming Whisky Tastings at KWM 

Our Busiest Season of Fall Tastings Ever!

But there is so much more than that. We have more than 10 Brand Ambasador led Master Classes this fall. Madhu Kanna’s “From Goa with Love” tasting is coming up on the 18th and We welcome Anthony Wills of Kilchoman to the shop the following night, September 19. And that is just a taste. Here is the full KWM Fall Whisky & Spirits Tasting Schedule:

1. Craft vs. Classics: American Whiskey – Tuesday September 26, 7PM – American Whiskey $35 American craft whiskey is on the rise, but is it ready to go toe to toe with the established Bourbon and Rye brands? There is only one way to find out!  – $35
2. Balvenie with Jamie Johnson – Wednesday October 11, 7PM – For her first ever Master Class at KWM we’re going vertical with Balvenie’s Brand Ambassador Jamie Johnson. We’ll tackle the range from 12 – 25 years of age. – $35
3. Millstone Whisky with Patrick van Zuidam – Thursday October 12, 7PM – Patrick van Zuidam is one of the Netherland’s most respected distillers. He’ll walk you through a range of some of the best single malt and rye whiskies in the world, including a new cask bottled for KWM! – $25
4. An Introduction to Single Malt Scotch – Thursday October 19, 7PM – Your inception into the complex world of single malt whisky. We’ll debunk the myth of regions while introducing you to a range of different styles. – $30
5. Spectacular Speysiders – Tuesday October 24, 7PM – Quite simply this is a range of our favourite Speyside whiskies new and old… you won’t be disappointed! – $75
6. Legendary Gordon Macphail w/ Alastair Milligan – Sunday October 29, 4PM – We’ll sample a range of Benromach and Gordon Macphail whiskies with Brand Ambassador Alastair Milligan, including a pair of very rare 1982 vintage whiskies from St. Magdalene and Brora. – $80
7. Going with the Grain – Monday October 30, 7PM – This will be an exploration of single and blended grain whiskies with an emphasis on old and rare. Three of the whiskies sampled will be north of 50 years of age, and two others over 40! – $100
8. Head to Head to Head – Tuesday October 31, 7PM – This time it will be Evan, Hunter and Marty going head to head to head. Which expert’s whisky picks will reign supreme in this KWM Battle Royale! – $30
9. Hunter Laing with Andrew Laing – Thursday November 2, 7PM – We are thrilled to be launching our first ever single cask of Bowmore, with special guest Andrew Laing of Hunter Laing. It is our first exclusive cask of Old Malt Cask, since the Port Ellen we bottled with Andrew’s father Stewart many years ago. This will be a stand-up mini-festival including a glass! – $30
10. Springbank with Melanie Stanger – Friday November 3 – Springbank is the most stubbornly traditional distillery in Scotland. We love its spirit of independence, and of course its whisky! Special guest Meanie Stanger will take us through a range of whiskies representing its three spirit styles and Kilkerran whisky from its sister distillery Glengyle. – $30
11. Masters of Malt – Thursday November 23, 7PM – Only the rarest and very special whiskies are showcased at this tasting which always highlights some of the most exciting new whiskies in the world! – $125
12. Whisky Advent 2017 Launch Party – Thursday November 30, 7PM – Twas the night before Whisky Advent and all over the floor, there were tables full of whiskies for sampling throughout the store! A mini whisky festival celebrating the launch of our 2017 Whisky Advent Calendar (event price includes a complimentary Glencairn glass). You have the opportunity to attend this event FREE (1 ticket-per calendar) with the purchase of our Advent Calendar, but space in the event is limited so buy your calendar soon and register for the party! – $25 (FREE with the purchase of an Advent Calendar)
13. Glenfiddich with Beth Havers – Tuesday December 5, 7PM – Glenfiddich is launching three new expressions this year, and our friend Beth Havers, Glenfiddich Canadian Brand Ambassador, is making a special trip to Calgary just to showcase them! – $30

Early Bird Pricing Ending Soon for the Kensington Wine Market 2017 Whisky Advent Calendar 

Just Two Weeks Left to Save $35, Ends September 30th! 

We were a little late getting out word on our Whisky Advent Calendar this year… A couple of products fell through very late in the game, which left us scrambling. Fortunately we managed to figure things out, we found a couple of other gems and we have pulled together another exciting offering for 2017. We also succeeded in bringing the base retail price down by $25, and we are extending the early bird price until the end of September. Save $35 by ordering before September 30, $340+GST, $375+GST thereafter!

Here are the details on the Kensington Wine Market 2017 Whisky Advent Calendar:

This year we have 25 all new whiskies, never before featured in the KWM Advent Calendar, including a Dutch whisky and three KWM exclusive single casks… We are really excited about our 2017 KWM Whisky Advent Calendar. For the fourth straight year we have designed and built our own exclusive Whisky Advent Calendar, featuring  24 50ml whiskies, a 100ml Christmas Day bottling from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society (The Society) and a custom logo Glencairn glass. The Society is the world’s largest whisky club, and bottles whiskies exclusively for its members. This year’s Calendar has a single cask from the Society that has been selected and bottled exclusively for the Calendar and Canadian Society members (750ml bottles will be made available to Society members in 2018!). Since Society whiskies are exclusively available to Society members, this is an opportunity for non-members to get their hands on a Society whisky. Recipients of the KWM Whisky Advent Calendar will be the first people to sample this exciting new whisky!

The Kensington Wine Market Whisky Advent Calendar is more than just a product for us – it is a way for us to share and connect with other whisky lovers in Calgary, Alberta and across Canada. Details on the whiskies’ released and their distillery will be posted on the KWM Blog each day of Advent. Recipients of the Calendar are encouraged to share their thoughts with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The KWM Whisky Advent Calendar also comes with a 10% discount card, good for any of the whiskies in the Calendar (excepting the Society whisky), subject to availability.

A deposit of $150 will be charged for each calendar requested. This helps KWM with the production costs. The balance of the payment will be taken a few days before delivery to our shop. ETA is late October, early November!

Order a Kensington Wine Market 2017 Whisky Advent Calendar!

Introducing: Highland Park Valkyrie 

The First in a Series of New Orcadian Single Malts!

The Valkyrie, bottled at 45.9% is the first in a series of the 3 Highland Park releases, with Valknut and Valhalla to follow in 2018 and 2019 respectively. Valkyrie is a smokier than typical expression of Highland Park, made with a higher proportion of Orkney peated malt than is typical in distillery bottlings.

Highland Park famously malts roughly 18-20% of its own barley on traditional floor maltings. It does this with Orcadian peat from the legendary Hobister’s Hill. Orcadian peat is very different from that in other parts of Scotland, because the Orkneys are too windy for trees to take root. Consequently the peats on Orkney are light and more floral than their darker and woodier mainland counterparts.

Most Highland Park bottlings are composed of whiskies distilled from 1/4 heavily peated Highland Park malted on site and 3/4 unpeated commercial malt. The Valkyrie is composed of half and half, make it one of the peatiest Highland Park’s the distillery has ever released.

Highland Park Valkyrie – 45.9% – My Tasting Note: “Nose: honeyed with bright freshly picked oranges and dark chocolate; doughy with some fruit flan, clean fragrant smoke and waxy tallow candles. Palate: starting light, citrussy and silky it quickly builds into something richer and more savoury; firm smoke and oily peats mingle with chocolate, spices: liqourice root, fennel and cloves; still fruity with tobacco and leather; Finish: big, long firm; the rich smoke and savoury maritime notes mingle with chocolate and fruits. Comment: this whisky proves I’m not crazy, I’ve sampled some uncharacteristically peaty Highland Park single casks over the years… it is an interesting style that I hope we see more of! – $105

Highland Park Valkyrie  – 45.9% – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Green apples | Sun-ripened lemons | Oriental spices | Vanilla | Preserved ginger | Dark chocolate | Salty liquorice | Warm aromatic smoke.” – $105

87pts Whisky Advocate: “Valkyrie replaces the current Dark Origins expression and was matured in a combination of first-fill American oak sherry casks, American oak bourbon casks, and European oak sherry casks, along with some refill casks. Apricots and aromatic wood smoke on the nose; slightly oily, with raisins. Stewed fruits on the palate, with earthy peat, licorice, and black pepper. Aniseed, dark berry notes, and wood spice in the finish.”

From the Producer: “Plunging down from the dark heavens, the Valkyries would descend like avenging angels on horseback to comb the battlefields for the bravest of the fallen warriors, heroes fit to enter the great Norse god Odin’s hall, Valhalla. VALKYRIE celebrates our rich Nordic ancestry here on Orkney, where we were once part of a vast Viking kingdom, and its packaging was designed by internationally renowned designer and Viking Soul, Jim Lyngvild. Exquisitely balanced and delivering wave upon wave of warm aromatic smoke and richly ripened fruit, VALKYRIE is the first in a series of three special Viking Legend releases and has just been awarded the Chairman’s Trophy in the 2017 Ultimate Spirits Challenge, scoring 99 out of 100.

“The Valkyries go weaving with drawn swords, Hild and Hjorthrimul, Sanngrid and Svipul. Spears will shatter, shields will splinter, Swords will knaw like wolves through armour. Darraðarljóð (Song of Oarrador), Njal’s Saga”

Describing the fall of Brian Boru to Viking forces at the Battle of Clontarf, 1014

Introducing Glenfiddich Experimental Series IPA 

A Whisky For Lovers of All Things Hoppy!

Billed as the first single malt matured in an IPA cask, the distillery commissioned Speyside Craft Brewery to produce a beer specifically to season the casks. The beer was matured for a month in ex-Glenfiddich casks before the casks were returned to the distillery to finish a single malt batch for 3 months. Bottled at 43%. This is a limited edition and will not last long.

Andrew’s Tasting Note

Nose: creamy, doughy and fruity; citric and floral: subtle raspberry and marmalade with a touch of hop oils.

Palate: round, creamy and oily with grassy malt, lemon slices on goat cheese and gentle hop oils; very floral with a prominent hop component and moderately decadent with soft honey and sugars; creamy, it becomes more herbaceous and vegetal.

Finish: long, coating and vegetal with lemon, goat cheese, cream and oily floral hops.

Comment: the concept is unique, and it has created a unique whisky; like the beer who’s barrels it was matured in the whisky is refreshing and crisp, a great summer sipper.

Distiller’s Tasting Note

“Vibrant with a zesty citrus note followed by soft, sweet vanilla and a hint of hops.”

The Process

1. Our collaborators had a momentous task ahead. First, they had to design and create three separate brews of different strengths – freshly brewed IPA craft beer that could rest in whisky casks, later to be used to finish the Experimental Series variants.
2. Back at our Distillery, Brian secretly kept up to nine barrels seasoning at any one time, hidden from view in his warehouse. He varied the time the craft beer spent penetrating deep into the oak casks, before filling the casks back up with whisky to see what new flavours would be revealed.
3. It was a lengthy, experimental process but they finally decided on their favourite: Brew 2. The science of seasoning, beer strength and the time the whisky spent being finished all had a remarkable effect on the final, distinctive flavour.
4. What began as a quirky idea had quickly turned into an intensive experiment. Not only had Brian pioneered a new malt, but he had created a new craft beer in the process.

The Ileach Cask Strength Is Back 

Our Best Selling Exclusive Whisky

It is back and exclusive to KWM in Calgary again, bottled at 58%. And it is enormously darker… this is new and exciting! The Ileach Cask Strength is a mystery malt from Islay. In other words, the distillery of origin is a mystery but, look closely at the label, and you’ll see a couple of clues: the distillery has its own bay, presumably passable on only the one side; it’s water-front has a distinct appearance; and could that be the ruins of the Dunyvaig Castle on the far right?

The Ileach Cask Strength – 58% – My Tasting Note: “Nose: pungent, this is classic Islay, maretime, smoky, salty and medicinal; lots of brine and chewy malt, some dark fruits, chocolate, leather and earthy tones; underneath a base of vanilla and toasty oak. Palate: still maretime, smoky, tarry and medicinal, the whisky is earthy, leathery and malty; it is also big and rich, there is leather, tobacco and chocolate with loads of spices too. Finish: tarry, leathery, peaty and chocolaty with salt and oils. Comment: classic sherried Islay single malt with a very prominent sherry cask influence. Is it Lagavulin, Caol Ila, peated Bunnahabhain? We’ll never know, but the whisky’s label has clues!” – $80

To Register: pop into the shop, call 403-283-8000 or register online! 

Thank You for Reading the Malt Messenger! 

Contact & Disclaimers 

If you have any whisky questions or comments concerning The Malt Messenger please contact me by e-mail, phone, or drop by the store.

All of the products mentioned in THE MALT MESSENGER can be purchased in store, over the phone or from our website at www.kensingtonwinemarket.com. All prices quoted in the Malt Messenger are subject to change and don’t include GST. In the case of discrepancies in pricing, the price in our in store point of sale will be taken as correct.

Thanks for reading the Malt Messenger.

Slainte!

Andrew Ferguson
Owner & Scotchguy
Kensington Wine Market
403-283-8000
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
www.kensingtonwinemarket.com
Kensington Wine Market
403-283-8000

Collectivum XXVIII

This unique release is a master blend of malt whiskies from all 28 of Diageo’s operational single malt distilleries. With a limited availability worldwide, this blended malt with whisky from five of Scotland’s regions is presented at a strength of 57.3% abv.

The nose is spicy-sweet and fruity with green leaves and rich vanilla, before herbal notes, mint toffee and candied fruits. The palate balances sweetness and acidity, with nuts and spice leading, followed by a building candy and barley sugar influence. Almonds and citrus develop and are joined by rich dark chocolate. The finish is warming and buttery, with a touch of sharp fruit.

£150 Pre-Order Now

“I’ll give you my honest opinion: they’re both very, very good and completely different than anything else in the market right now.” David Driscoll, K&L Assistant Head Buyer

For those on the hunt for the next big thing out of Bourbon County, we have precisely the bottles you are looking for. Our old friends at Copper & Kings have joined forces with Bardstown Bourbon Company (BBCo for short) to craft a pair of Bourbons that offer equal parts pure deliciousness and intellectual engagement. The skinny is this, BBCo took two ten year old MGP-distilled whiskies and finished them for eighteen months – one in a brandy barrel and the other in a Mistelle cask – both of which were provided by Copper & Kings. We’ll cut to the quick and simply say the results are nothing short of ethereal.

Each are endowed with a classic bourbon core of figs, caramel, and raisins but are also wonderfully accented by the Copper & King casks. As our Spirits Buyer, David Driscoll notes, there’s simply nothing in the market quite like them. Copper & Kings has a proven track record of crafting some truly amazing spirits and given what we’ve seen from BBCo in this project, we expect many more good things from them in the future. Given the unique nature of these bottlings, we’ve decided to offer them on a pre-arrival basis. If you want to be the first kid on the block with one of the most exciting spirits we’ve seen this year, then order-up and lock-in your bottles now. Only 200 bottles of each are available.

Check out David Driscoll’s blog post for the full story on these amazing Bourbons.

Bardstown Bourbon Company “Collabor&tion – Brandy Barrel Finish” Cask Strength Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) (Pre-Arrival) ($124.99)

The Collaboration series is the first release of whiskey from Kentucky’s soon-to-be star Bardstown Bourbon Company, a project done in “collaboration” with Louisville brandy specialists Copper & Kings. Using 10 year old stocks of Bourbon distilled at MGP in Indiana, BBCo finished each of the whiskies for an additional 18 months in two different types of casks: American brandy and Muscat Mistelle. Made from 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley, the Collabor&tion expression aged in Copper & Kings American brandy barrels is bottled at cask strength of 113 proof and offers classic, yet bold Bourbon flavor with vanilla, oak spices, and a concentrated richness that speaks to the age of the whiskey. We tasted this on our initial visit to the distillery this past summer and instantly fell in love with the additional fruit and subtle sweetness added from the brandy barrel finishing. It has all the classic flavors of great Bourbon but with extra lift and roundness on the finish. In the spirit of collaboration, the teams at BBCo and Copper & Kings really knocked this one out of the park. NOTE: Due to the shape of the Collabor&ation bottle it cannot be consolidated with other bottles shipping and must ship in its own individual package.

Bardstown Bourbon Company “Collabor&tion – Mistelle Barrel Finish” Cask Strength Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) (Pre-Arrival) ($124.99)

Made from 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley, the Collabor&tion expression aged in Mistelle barrels has an incredible viscosity and chewiness to its texture from the time spent in the used casks. Mistelle is unfermented grape juice (in this case Muscat) fortified with un-aged brandy (Muscat eau-de-vie) and then aged in bourbon barrels for 18 months. The empty barrels are deeply and highly caramelized with the grape sugars and fruit essences and the Collabor&tion whiskey aged in these barrels is pure joy. It’s a completely novel sensory experience; deeply concentrated, rich whiskey that has a supple, fruity, and absolutely delicious finish. It’s both an incredibly unique and divine tasting experience. Bottled at 47% cask strength ABV. NOTE: Due to the shape of the Collabor&ation bottle it cannot be consolidated with other bottles shipping and must ship in its own individual package.

These products are expected to arrive for shipment or pickup by October, 2017.

THE HOUSE OF SUNTORY WHISKY PROUDLY INTRODUCES

THE YAMAZAKI^® MIZUNARA CASK 2017 EDITION™ 

Japan’s Oldest Whisky Distillery Releases Limited Edition Offering

Aged For 18 Years Exclusively In Japanese Mizunara Oak

CHICAGO, IL (September 12, 2017) – For more than three generations, the master blenders at Suntory Whisky, the founding house of Japanese Whisky, have devoted themselves to pursuing the harmony of Japanese nature and craftsmanship. One of the most impressive examples of this pursuit is found in Mizunara, the Japanese oak. The wood from this rare and demanding tree inspired Suntory to take a momentous step forward in whisky making, both in perfecting new cask-making techniques and in creating flavors never before tasted in whisky. Suntory’s blenders have brought the essence of the noble Mizunara into a peerless liquid – tantalizingly spicy, redolent of incense and uniquely Japanese.

Revealing their mastery of the Art of Mizunara, The House of Suntory Whisky proudly introduces The Yamazaki® Mizunara 2017 Edition™ available as of October 2017. 

From the House of Suntory Whisky

The Mizunara cask is a perfect expression of “Tsukuriwake” – the art of diversity in whisky making. Diverse grain types, as well as fermentation, distillation and maturation techniques, underpin Suntory’s legendary Art of Blending. This diversity enables Suntory to produce more than 100 different malt and grain whiskies at the Yamazaki, Hakushu and Chita distilleries and allows Suntory complete self-sufficiency in the creation of its blends.

It is at Yamazaki, Japan’s oldest malt whisky distillery and the House of Suntory’s soulplace, where the art of “Tsukuriwake” is pushed the furthest. Built in 1923 by Shinjiro Torii, the founding father of Japanese Whisky, Yamazaki produces a wide variety of malt whiskies. Only Yamazaki whiskies—and only a few—have had the privilege of maturing in Mizunara casks, creating one of the most uniquely flavored and distinctly Japanese whiskies in the world.

For Suntory’s fourth Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo, every creation is a new journey to achieve the exquisite balance of subtlety, refinement and complexity that is the hallmark of all Suntory whiskies. In his pursuit of true “Mizunara-ness,” he tasted a few hundred Mizunara whiskies and made selections with varying ages, from 18 years old and beyond. A very small portion exceed even 50 years of maturation, which give this limited edition an incomparable depth and a flavor that lingers long after the liquid has passed the lips.

Fukuyo knew from the start that the Yamazaki Mizunara 2017 Edition was not intended for a familiar, relaxing moment. He wanted this uniquely Japanese whisky to be dramatic and unforgettable:

“I wanted to reveal the whisky’s soul that is the Art of Mizunara—a heightened sense and awakened palate engaged through aromas and flavors never known before. Encountering it should be a moment of epiphany.”

Pioneering the Mizunara Cask

It is said that in the early 1940s, Suntory’s blenders began small scale experiments with Mizunara. But it wasn’t until the end of World War II, when it became difficult to import wood, that Suntory truly focused on mastering the homegrown Mizunara cask.

Although only found in a few regions within Japan, it wasn’t Mizunara’s rarity that presented the greatest challenge to cask makers. It was the hard, permeable nature of the wood. The name Mizunara comes from the tree’s high moisture content – in Japanese “mizu” means water and “nara” means oak. Its permeable character is less than ideal for cask making since liquid can easily seep through the wood. And because Mizunara is a hardwood, it can be difficult to shape and join with the precision needed to prevent leaks.

Through great perseverance, Suntory’s craftsmen mastered the art of Mizunara cask-making by learning how to identify the right trees to make perfectly true casks. Although rarer, Suntory’s cask makers found that straight grain trees are less permeable. Trees suitable for cask making must have grown perfectly straight and have a diameter of at least 27.5 inches. They also tend to be far older than trees used in other casks.

In keeping with Suntory’s deep respect for the environment, trees are only cut if their removal will not jeopardize the health of the forest.

Taste Blessed by The Passage of Time

Throughout their long history using Mizunara casks, Suntory’s blenders have observed that age is the key to unlocking the signature taste of Mizunara whisky. A long maturation period reveals the distinctive spiciness and incense-like flavor of sandalwood and aloe wood that Suntory considers as the quintessential “Mizunara-ness.”

With many other cask types, whisky usually reaches a maturation peak at some point. But even at 50 years and beyond, the top-note and after-taste aromas of Mizunara whiskies are generally still improving. This unique ability to support long-term aging affords endless opportunities to experience the evolution and refinement of Mizunara whiskies over time.

Tasting Notes

Color:  Amber

Nose:   Rich and elegant fragrance, aloe wood, cinnamon

Palate:  Condensed sweetness, silky texture, dry fruits, coconut, orange marmalade

Finish:  Distinctive spiciness lingers with Japanese incense, aloe wood, cinnamon and tartness

Yamazaki Mizunara Cask 2017 Edition is presented at 48% alcohol by volume (96 proof) with a suggested retail price of $1,000.00 (750ml). The bottle label is 100% handcrafted mulberry Echizen paper produced via a slow process of drying on wood boards (a traditional Japanese method). The wood box that encloses the bottle is made of cask material used in the aging of Suntory whisky.

ABOUT SUNTORY WHISKY

Suntory was established in 1899 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Since 1923, as the pioneer of Japanese whisky, Suntory Whisky has been renowned for its House of Master Blenders and for their Art of Blending. The founding father of Japanese whisky, Shinjiro Torii, built Japan’s first malt whisky distillery in Yamazaki, near Kyoto—a region known for the purity of its water, where the traditional Japanese tea ceremony was born. Torii dreamt of creating an authentically Japanese whisky by choosing a terrain and climate completely different to that of Scotland, thereby cultivating unique conditions for maturation.

In 1972, Torii’s son Keizo Saji, Suntory’s second master blender, built the Chita grain distillery near Nagoya to produce more of their own high-quality grain whiskies. In 1973, Saji founded the Hakushu distillery amidst the deep forests of Mt. Kaikomagatake in the Japanese Southern Alps. Its high altitude and lush environment is what differentiates Hakushu from other distilleries.

With three distilleries and a great diversity in whisky making (different still shapes, five types of cask, and three varieties of wood), Suntory produces over 100 malt and grain whiskies which amounts to the whole of Scotland’s production.

With respect to heritage and a commitment to innovation, third generation master Blender Shingo Torii, and grandson of Shinjiro, now leads this most highly awarded House of Japanese Whisky. Today the House of Suntory Whisky has been named four-time Distiller of the Year at the International Spirits Challenge in London, UK (2010, 2012, 2013, 2014).

Suntory Whiskies are subtle, refined and complex. The portfolio includes two single malt whiskies:  Yamazaki – Japan’s N°1 Single Malt, multi-layered and profound, Hakushu – verdant, fresh, and delicately smoky; and two blends: the noble blend, Hibiki – Japan’s most highly awarded blended whisky and Suntory Whisky Toki – ideal for Japanese highballs.

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ABOUT BEAM SUNTORY INC.

As the world’s third largest premium spirits company, Beam Suntory is Crafting the Spirits Brands that Stir the World.  Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including the iconic Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark bourbon brands and Suntory whisky Kakubin, as well as world renowned premium brands including Knob Creek bourbon, Yamazaki, Hakushu and Hibiki Japanese whiskies, Teacher’s, Laphroaig, and Bowmore Scotch whiskies, Canadian Club whisky, Courvoisier cognac, Hornitos and Sauza tequila, EFFEN and Pinnacle vodka, Sipsmith gin, and Midori liqueur.

Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and commitment to Growing for Good. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com/ and www.drinksmart.com.