Glenlivet 34 Year Old 1981 Signatory Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Benromach 35 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Wolfburn 1st Release Back in-stock..

While stocks last… if you missed out last month, we have fresh stock of the excellent quarter cask matured North Highland single malt. Wolfburn Highland single malt Scotch whisky. Matured in matured in ex-Islay quarter casks made from Spanish and American oak. Launched on 18th March 2016, this is the Historic first release from the distillery in Thurso which reopened in 2013. Limited release of 10,000 bottles. On the nose you’ll find fruit and malty aromas with just a hint of peat. On the tongue, sweet and nutty flavours are present which coat the palate to leave a very slightly pleasant flavour of smoke. Wolfburn distillery is a Scotch whisky distillery in Thurso, Caithness, Scotland. After ceasing production in the 1850s it reopened in 2013. The first bottling from the new distillery was released in March 2016.

Buy – $54.00

Feis Ile 2016 – Diageo Announces Two Special Bottlings 

Two limited edition bottlings of Lagavulin™ and Caol Ila™ Single Malt Scotch Whiskies will be released for the 2016 Islay Festival, Diageo has announced.

Given the heightened interest in Lagavulin during its bicentennial celebration, it’s anticipated that these bottlings will be much in demand from enthusiasts. Often selling out within hours of going on sale, they will be available to personal shoppers at the distilleries only.

Lagavulin 18 Year Old

The Lagavulin Festival bottling comes from a blend of refill American Oak and ex Bodega European Oak casks. Bottled at cask strength, it will be a limited edition run of 6,000 bottles. RRP £125.

Georgie Crawford’s tasting notes in brief: Rose gold in colour, the Lagavulin 18 Year Old has an initially shy nose which opens up to offer complex rich, spicy notes with a nod to marzipan, dark dried fruits and star anise. Lovely fresh notes from the American oak and some menthol nose tickle. The taste is sharp but sweet, a subtle tannin background with a lovely long lasting finish. Slight saltiness gives way to a gentle roll of smoke across the tongue. Hints of soft fruits and plain chocolate balanced with rich wood character. 

Caol Ila 12 Year Old

The Caol Ila single cask bottling is also a blend of refill American Oak and ex Bodega European Oak casks. Bottled at cask strength, with a limited edition run of 1,500 bottles, this is a unique, more sherried expression than might be expected of a Caol Ila. RRP £99.

The Lagavulin bottling will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis at the distillery, starting on the distillery’s open day on World Whisky Day, Saturday 21^st May. The Caol Ila bottling will be sold starting from the Caol Ila distillery open day on Monday 23^rd May. During the Festival, a series of special events will be held at both Lagavulin and Caol Ila distilleries, including tastings with the distillery manager and warehouse demonstrations, which are now all sold out.

2016 continues to be a memorable year for Lagavulin as the iconic Islay distillery marks its 200^th anniversary. Georgie Crawford, Lagavulin Distillery Manager, said of the bottling: “This is a really special year for everyone at the distillery, and we’re looking forward to celebrating with our friends at the Feis Ile by raising a dram of these exceptional bottlings together.”

The Lagavulin Distillery team are aiming to bring as many people to Islay and Islay to as many people from around the globe as possible in 2016 to celebrate years of craft and passion. For those who cannot attend the festival, a Lagavulin 200th Anniversary film has been produced and is available to watch in 3D and 360 degrees with any virtual reality device. It has been designed to transport you to the birthplace of Lagavulin, whilst enjoying a dram. Watch the film here: https://www.malts.com/en-gb/lagavulin-360-videos/

Instagram: @LagavulinWhisky

Twitter: @LagavulinWhisky

#LoveScotch #Lagavulin200

For more Malts news please visit: http://www.malts.com/

Festival website: http://www.theislayfestival.co.uk/

Notes

About Diageo:Diageo is the world’s leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, beer and wine. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB, Buchanan’s and Windsor whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Baileys, Captain Morgan, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company, with its products sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people, brands, and performance, visit us at Diageo.com. For our global resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools, information and initiatives, visit DRINKiQ.com.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

The LAGAVULIN and CAOL ILA words and associated logos are trade marks. © 2016

Visit malts.com for further information.

Access to Caol Ila Distillery for Visitors on Monday 23^rd May: 

Diageo has announced that, as in previous years, due to limited space there is no parking at Caol Ila distillery, except for cars with a registered disabled badge. A regular complimentary shuttle bus service will operate from the village of Keills.

Langatun Swiss whisky – one man’s dream

I’ve never tried Swiss whisky before, and I suspect that quite a few of you reading this are the same. It’s always fascinating to try a whisky from one of the non-traditional whisky countries/regions, so when four bottles from the Langatun distillery arrived at HQ, I was keen to taste them.

The Langatun distillery (above) is housed in a former grain store

Langatun was created in 2007, but the family behind it has a history in brewing and distilling that stretches back more than 100 years. Jakob Baumberger took over a small brewery in the 1860s, acquiring a top-quality spring-water source a decade or so later. After his death, his son Hans carried on the work, setting up a peat-cutting business to provide fuel for the distillery and malting plant. Fast forward to the present day and his grandson Hans Baumberger III has continued the story, producing Langatun whisky, as well as rum, vodka and liqueurs.

The distillery is based in an old grain store in the village of Langatun, situated about 30 miles north-east of the capital, Bern. We currently stock two lines: Old Deer and Old Bear. Old Deer is unpeated, and matured in both ex-sherry and Chardonnay wine casks; Old Bear, which is named as a tribute to the family’s former brewery, which had a bear as its emblem, is peated, and spends time in Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine casks. Let’s give them a try:

LANGATUN OLD DEER 2009, 40% ABV

Nose: Good mix of woody spice and rich fruit – roasted banana, toasted marshmallows, Parma violets and a savoury, almost rubbery note.

Palate: Soft and balanced, alternating between soft fruit and toasty spice. Plenty of creamy fruit on the palate – stewed apples and melon – along with cinnamon and nutmeg, cracked black pepper and a touch of banana skin.

Finish: Fruity and peppery, with the soft spice gently fading.

LANGATUN OLD DEER CASK PROOF 2008, 62.1% ABV

Nose: Creamy aromas, laden with ripe fruits, pink peppercorn, banana skin and wet grass, along with honey-drenched toast and sponge-cake batter.

Palate: Hot and peppery at full strength, with orchard fruit and a soft citrus note. A splash of water calms things down, bringing out fresh lemon, bramble fruit and buttery richness.

Finish: The fruit and toasty spice linger.

LANGATUN OLD BEAR 2010, 40% ABV

Nose: Herbal and pine-cone freshness leaps from the glass, then richer aromas of vanilla custard and stewed red berries.

Palate: More custard notes on the palate, subtle smoke and black pepper, along with stewed fruit, cake spices and toasty oak.

Finish: Burnt sugar and cinnamon, with a hint of red berries.

LANGATUN OLD BEAR Cask proof 2010, 62.8% ABV

Nose: Woody spice at first, with cinnamon, nutmeg and clove, followed by stewed red fruits, marshmallow and custard tarts. A faint grassy note, too.

Palate: Rather hot at full strength, but keep going and sweet flavours of sponge cake, stewed fruits and custard. Adding water brings out the fruitiness, with notes of summer berries, fruit cake and brioche. A slight rubbery note, too.

Finish: Rich and sweet, with the red fruits lasting longest.

After trying all four, it’s clear that the flavour profile is a little different to most Scottish and Irish whiskies – what really stood out were the tempting red-fruit and sweet custard notes. I didn’t get much peat from either Old Bear bottling – perhaps the influence of the Châteauneuf casks outweighed the smoke. Either way, if you’re looking for an alternative to your regular go-to bottlings, these are well worth a try.

All four Langatun whiskies are available to buy here.

MAY UPDATE: FAST FLYING DRAMS

With all 12 flavour profiles represented in our May Outturn, here’s your chance to see which winning drams are flying fast out of the door. Peat is always popular and there’s just one bottling left so hurry if you’re a fan! And a surprise second place from an elegant, light and delicate dram; the Sauternes cask finish might have something to do with that… Want even more value? Browse our Sensational Set section below or pop a cheeky Flavoursome Under £50 bottle in your basket tonight; they’re all down to the last handful.

No. 1: Spicy & sweet

123.16 Madagascan white chocolate mice
Age: 10 years
Cask: First fill ex-bourbon barrel
Price: £51.00
BUY >

No. 2: Light & delicate

26.117 Silky smooth sundowner
Age: 14 years
Cask: Second fill ex-Sauternes hogshead
Price: £68.50
BUY >

No. 3: Peated

66.83 A memory of summer
Age: 14 years
Cask: First fill ex-bourbon barrel
Price: £54.00
BUY >

No. 4: Juicy, oak & vanilla

36.102 After the rain
Age: 12 years
Cask: First fill ex-bourbon barrel
Price: £55.30
BUY >

No. 5: Spicy & dry

7.131 Apples in the cellar
Age: 12 years
Cask: First fill ex-bourbon barrel
Price: £55.10
BUY >

Browse Current Outturn >
Browse All Bottlings >

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

Join us in raising a glass for World Whisky Day this Saturday! Celebrate the splendid spirit with over 400 whisky lovers attending SMWS events worldwide from Vancouver to Melbourne, or pop in to one of our 3 venues for WWD promotions and that special dram. Which flavours will you celebrate with? Find inspiration with pleasing parcel offers and a showcase of beautiful bottlings for all budgets.

Young & spritely

121.87 Pink Cadillac – Online Exclusive
Price: £56.00
BUY >

Sweet, fruity & mellow

125.72 Strawberry delight
Price: £175.00
BUY >

Spicy & sweet

36.97 Ginger passionfruit trifle
Price: £70.00
BUY >

Spicy & dry

50.61 A fickle date in no haste
Price: £101.60
BUY >

Old & dignified

7.127 Herbal enough to please a gerbil
Price: £423.60
BUY >

Juicy, oak & vanilla

48.49 Herbal enough to please a gerbil
Price: £92.60
BUY >

Oily & coastal

31.32 Piri-piri and teryaki chicken
Price: £116.90
BUY >

Lightly peated

42.21 Ploughmans on the beach
Price: £58.10
BUY >

Peated

66.83 A memory of summer
Price: £54.00
BUY >

Browse Current Outturn >
Browse All Bottlings >

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

Let Us Introduce Fly…

1905 was a momentous year. It was the year that the first legal definition of whisky was declared by a magistrate’s court in London and it was also the year the photo above was taken at Glenturret Distillery in Crieff, Perthshire. Back then, we had 16 Stillmen producing whisky By Hand and By Heart with trusty companion, border collie Fly.  Meet Fly’s 16 Masters Edition. This exclusive limited edition 16 Year Old is a celebration of those 16 men (and their dog). Our stillmen may have changed over the years, but the way we make our whisky hasn’t.

Pre-Order is now open for this Limited Edition Whisky

TASTING NOTES

Appearance: Warm in your belly sun kissed amber hue Nose: Lightly perfumed, citric, newly cut flowers, hints of marzipan, popcorn

Palate: Long and lingering, mature fruit notes, black cherries, mocha coffee

Finish: Vibrant, well-aged, good balance, easy to drink

Age: 16 years old

Size: 70cl

Strength: 44% VOL

Number of bottles: 1,740

PRICE £95 

DISPATCH DATE

Week commencing 23rd May 2016

BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY RELEASES BOURBON EXPERIMENT USING INFRARED LIGHT WAVES 

Two Experiments Employing Short and Medium Wave Light

Make Up the First Experimental Collection Release for 2016  

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (May 11, 2016) Buffalo Trace Distillery has engaged in an unconventional way to use infrared light waves for its latest bourbon experiment, applying the light waves to barrels before charring, with the goal of learning how new and different flavors can be drawn from the oak.

Working with barrel cooper Independent Stave Company in 2009, eight special barrels were constructed. All eight first underwent the same process as standard Buffalo Trace barrels, staves were open air seasoned for six months before being made into barrels.

Then, the barrels were divided into two groups and subjected to two different levels of infrared light waves.  The first group of four barrels underwent 15 minutes of both short wave and medium wave frequency at 70% power.  The second group of four barrels was subjected to 30 minutes of both short wave and medium wave frequency at 60% power. The barrels were then given a quick #1 (or 15 seconds) char, before finally being filled with Buffalo Trace’s Bourbon Mash #1.

After six and a half years of aging, the bourbon from both barrels expressed distinct flavor notes of wood, caramel, and vanilla, as well as pepper flavors drawn from the oak. Another observation from the experiment was the short wave infrared light seemed to affect more of the inner layers of the wood, while the medium wave infrared light affected the surface and medium layers.

Tasting notes for each describe the 15 minute infrared light barrels as having a floral nose followed by a complex flavor profile. Oak and tannins mingle with dry raisins and sweet caramel.  The 30 minute infrared light barrels are described as strong wood notes complemented by a taste of dried fruit. A lingering finish leaves a hint of cracked black pepper.

These barrels are part of more than 5,000 experimental barrels of whiskey aging in the warehouses of Buffalo Trace Distillery. Each of them has unique characteristics that differentiate them in distinct ways. Some examples of experiments include unique mash bills, types of wood, and different barrel toasts. In order to further increase the scope, flexibility, and range of the experimental program, an entire micro distillery, named The Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. “OFC” Micro Distillery, complete with cookers, fermenting tanks, and a state-of-the-art micro still has been constructed within Buffalo Trace Distillery. Buffalo Trace has increased its commitment to experimentation with the recent addition of its Warehouse X. Although small in size, Warehouse X is designed to explore the extent of environmental influences on the flavor profiles of whiskey.

The Experimental Collection is packaged in 375ml bottles, with six bottles from each infrared light experiment in a case. Both entry proofs were bottled at 90 proof.  Each label includes all the pertinent information unique to that barrel of whiskey. These whiskeys retail for approximately $46.35 each and will be available in late May, 2016.  Experimental Collection releases are generally quite small and have limited availability. For more information on the Experimental Collection or the other products of Buffalo Trace Distillery, please contact Elizabeth Hurst at ehurst@buffalotrace.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 as well as being listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won 17 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. It was named “Brand Innovator of the Year” by Whisky Magazine at its Icons of Whisky America Awards 2015.  Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 300 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com.

Blair Athol 5 Year Old – 2010 / Sherry Butt

A 5 year old Blair Athol, matured in a sherry butt since 2010 and bottled by Càrn Mòr in 2016 for their Strictly Limited series of malts. 870 bottles from 1 cask, bottled at 46% vol.

£33.70

Glenlivet 2001 – George & J.G. Smith’s

A George & J.G. Smith’s Glenlivet from Gordon & MacPhail, distilled in 2001 and bottled in 2016. We love the retro labels used for these Independent releases and the whisky is always excellent.

£45.60

Mortlach 21 Year Old

A 21 year old Mortlach bottled by Independent whisky bottlers Gordon & MacPhail. Superb value for money on this big hitting Mortlach, aged in refill sherry casks before being bottled at 43% vol.

£74.88

Ledaig 18 Year Old – 1997 / Càrn Mòr

An 18 year old Ledaig, bottled by Càrn Mòr for their Celebration of the Cask series. Distilled in 1997, this Island Scotch whisky was aged in a single cask hogshead (Cask 643023) until 2016 where it was bottled at cask strength, 55.6% vol.

£86.20

Auchentoshan 24 Year Old – 1991 / Càrn Mòr

Distilled in 1991 at the Auchentoshan distillery, this Lowland single malt Scotch whisky was left to matured for 24 long years in a single sherry hogshead (cask 2953). Bottled in 2016 by Càrn Mòr, for their Celebration of the Cask range. 215 bottled filled at 50.9%.

£125.80