BENRIACH LAUNCHES 10 YEARS OLD SINGLE MALT

new core range expression marks a significant milestone for the Elgin distillery

Global Whisky Distiller of the Year BenRiach has today (8 April 2015) launched a very special BenRiach 10 years old single malt.

This release is a momentous high point for the award-winning Elgin distillery as the whisky is the first core range expression to be produced predominantly from spirit distilled under The BenRiach Distillery Company’s eleven-year ownership.

Managing Director Billy Walker and his South African partners Wayne Kieswetter and Geoff Bell acquired BenRiach from Chivas Brothers in April 2004.

Bottled at 43% vol, the BenRiach 10 Years Old is Classic Speyside in character. The cask formula focuses on ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks – exactly the types of wood we favour at BenRiach. This fresh, lively, fruit-laden single malt captures warm oak spices, green apple, dried apricots, peach and banana with subtle touches of aniseed, lemon zest and barley.

Billy Walker’s tasting notes show that this special single malt is a stunning addition to BenRiach’s core range.

Colour : Crisp summer gold.

Nose : A fresh and lively combination of crisp, green orchard fruits, stem ginger and hints of tangerine mellows to creamy vanilla with a delicate note of mint and a gentle twist of citrus, all held together with a sweet barley back note.

Taste : Warm toasted oak spices flood through green apple skins and dried apricots, ripening to hints of peach and soft banana. Subtle touches of aniseed and lemon zest create a contrasting edge to the fruit and add an intriguing character to the long, crisp barley finish.

Sales Director Alistair Walker said: “Last year we released our tenth anniversary BenRiach bottling with four casks from the first week of distillation, but that was a strictly limited one-off expression.

“Today’s release is something different and is even more important for us going forward. The BenRiach 10 Years Old is a key new launch for us as it marks a significant milestone – it is the first core range expression to be created predominantly from whiskies distilled at BenRiach since we took over in 2004. We have, effectively, been working towards this single moment since we acquired BenRiach Distillery and the 10 Years Old expression will become the cornerstone of our range.”

Back in 2004, Billy Walker said he had modest but robust plans “to revitalise the distillery and target new markets, taking BenRiach to specialist outlets around the globe”.

His “modest” objectives have been more than met in the last ten years. Today, BenRiach is one of the country’s most admired distillers, having added GlenDronach, Glenglassaugh and a bottling plant to its comprehensive portfolio.

It is now trading in over forty countries worldwide with other emerging markets entering the negotiation stage. Over the ten years BenRiach has won numerous prestigious awards; only last month Whisky Magazine announced it was the 2015 Global Whisky Distiller of the Year.

Earlier this year, the London Stock Exchange Group released its list of ‘1000 Companies to Inspire Britain’ and The BenRiach Distillery Company was featured for the first time.

Kininvie 23 year old  Batch 3

This is the third release by the distillery – which was opened in July 1990 by the granddaughter of William Grant, Janet Sheed Roberts. Every bottle will highlight the year of distillation, the batch number and the individual bottle number. The latest release contains whisky from the very first batch from 1990 and has been created using a combination of American hogsheads and sherry casks.

£120 Buy Now

Alberta® Rye Dark Batch™ Whisky Launches In The U.S. Market

Deerfield, Ill. (April 2, 2015) – Alberta® Rye Dark Batch™ Whisky, from the renowned Alberta Distillers Ltd., launches today in the U.S. market. This critically acclaimed super-premium rye whisky features an incomparable rich color and complex flavor paired with remarkable smoothness and character.

Alberta Rye Dark Batch Whisky boasts flavors of honey and oak and imparts hints of vanilla, smoke, sweet oak and savory dried fruit, such as plum and blackcurrant, on the palate. Bottled at 90 proof and best enjoyed in a variety of whisky cocktails, Alberta Rye Dark Batch Whisky is challenging bartenders and consumers to rethink their rye and give cocktails a new interpretation.

“As the rye whisky category continues to grow, we’re thrilled to be able to introduce a new product to U.S. whisky lovers,” said Dan Tullio, Canadian Whisky Master Ambassador at Beam Suntory. “With Alberta Distillers’ rich heritage producing superior rye whisky, Alberta Rye Dark Batch Whisky combines contemporary flavor trends with classic notes of premium rye whisky, offering mixologists, spirits connoisseurs and whisky enthusiasts a one-of-a-kind whisky with a robust, sophisticated flavor.”

Alberta Rye Dark Batch Whisky features a blend of 91% rye whisky, 8% bourbon and 1% sherry to add layers of complexity in each bottle. The distinct rich color of the liquid comes from a combination of factors, including the aging process, which incorporates both new charred American white oak and once-used American bourbon barrels. Other contributing factors include the addition of a touch of sherry and Alberta, Canada’s high altitude, desert-like humidity levels and extreme seasonal and daily temperature changes, which promote maturation.

“Alberta Rye Dark Batch Whisky truly embodies the distinguished flavor whisky aficionados seek,” said Davin de Kergommeaux, award-winning author and whisky industry influencer. “The unique distillation process and grain bill of the rye sets it apart from other rye whiskies, in terms of flavor and quality.”

Alberta Rye Dark Batch Whisky is at its best in cocktails that highlight its distinctive flavor, such as the Rye Squeeze below, and can also be enjoyed neat.

Rye Squeeze 

• 1½ parts Alberta® Rye Dark Batch™ Whisky
• 4-5 parts ginger beer
• 2 dashes Angostura® bitters
• 1 orange wedge pressed

METHOD: Add all ingredients to a lowball glass. Fill with ice, top with ginger beer and stir. Garnish with an orange wedge.

Prior to hitting shelves in the U.S., Alberta Rye Dark Batch Whisky quickly became an award-winning whisky with accolades from top international spirits competitions, including Chairman’s Trophy at the 2014 Ultimate Spirits Challenge, Double Gold at the 2014 New York World Wine & Spirits Competition and Gold & Best of Class – Canadian Whisky from Spirits of the Americas 2014.

Alberta Distillers Ltd., North America’s largest producer of 100% rye, carefully crafts Alberta Rye Dark Batch Whisky with glacial-borne water. The distillery, which has been in operation since 1946, was built in southern Alberta because the area’s dry climate and high altitude are ideal for rye crop growth.

For additional cocktail recipes and more information on Alberta Rye Dark Batch Whisky, which sells at a suggested retail price of $29.99 for a 750ml bottle, please visit www.AlbertaRye.com.

About Alberta Distillers Ltd.

Alberta Distillers Ltd., based in Calgary, Alberta, is the largest producer of 100% rye whisky in North America. Owned by Beam Suntory Inc. since 1988, the distillery has produced quality whisky for nearly 70 years. The Alberta Premium brand, which has a strong focus on heritage and western rural values, has won numerous prestigious awards for its excellent quality.

About Beam Suntory Inc.

As the world’s third largest premium spirits company, Beam Suntory is Crafting the Spirits that Stir the World.  Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including the flagship Jim Beam bourbon and Yamazaki Japanese whisky, as well as world renowned premium brands including Maker’s Mark and Knob Creek bourbons, Hakushu and Hibiki Japanese whiskies, Teacher’s, Laphroaig, and Bowmore Scotch whiskies, Canadian Club whisky, Courvoisier cognac, Sauza tequila, Pinnacle vodka, and Midori liqueur.  The company generates annual worldwide sales exceeding $4 billion excluding excise taxes.

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 entrepreneurial culture.  Headquartered in Deerfield, 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

It doesn’t take great detective skills to sleuth out the best in single cask bottlings!  Look no further than the April Outturn.  For full tasting notes please visit http://www.smws.ca/ but for now be tempted by the bottle notes below.

Happy sleuthing!

Cask No. 48.43  Pepper crop-dusted over orchards

12 years old; 1st fill barrel; 55.5%; Spicy & sweet

The nose starts with tickling pepper and sawdust; then come blackcurrant chews, tinned pineapple, orange jelly and sun-kissed orchard fruits. The palate’s pepper, nutmeg and chili tingle balances honey, toffee, fruit pastilles, ice lolly sticks and hints of leather and tea.

Cask No. 26.100  Galactic root canal treatment

9 years old; 1st fill barrel; 56.5%; Young & spritely

The nose shifts from white pepper, pine and varnish to lemon candles, liquorice, sherbet and old-fashioned rucksacks; milk bottle sweets and laundry later. The neat palate is hot and fierce, but sweetens with water to Haribos gummies, lemon barley water and popcorn.

Cask No. 9.84  Playing ‘Sea Battle’ in the garden

25 years old; refill sherry butt; 55.6%; Juicy, oak & vanilla

You find yourself either on a gun deck of an old wood-hulled warship with gunpowder, spent cartridge and ash or peacefully tending your herb garden and then taking a break on a cedar deck to enjoy waffles with runny vanilla custard playing ‘Sea Battle’.

Cask No. 132.6  Nite Nurse nipped by piranhas

12 years old; refill sherry butt; 63%; Deep, rich & dried fruits

The complex nose combines salted caramel, barley sugars and ginger snaps with laurel hedges, lacquered wood, hazelnuts, cherries and cigarette packets (more herbal with water). The palate mingles dark chocolate and fig rolls with orange peel, perfume and warm nipping spices.

Cask No. 3.217  A delicatessen shopping basket

16 years old; refill butt; 55.6%; Lightly peated

A feast of prosciutto ham, sundried tomatoes, sushi and brown sauce. Leather jackets in canvas bags with tobacco. German peppered ham? A delicious foodie dram in a warm plastic box. A blast of tar, sea spray, and wet burlap rope.

Cask No. 53.190  A fishing village up whisky cove

17 years old; refill hogshead; 56.8%; Peated

The nose evokes fishing villages – boat sheds, smoke houses, tarry ropes, lobster pots and sea-food barbecues; swimming pools, new tires and oysters later. The palate is masculine and tongue-roasting – citric smoke, driftwood, brine, treacle, leather, vanilla, honey-roast pork and chili.

Cask No. 29.140  Juicy, salty and sooty

18 years old; refill barrel; 60.2%; Heavily peated

Carbolic and Coal Tar soap, then Brazil, Monkey and pine nuts in a garden shed with a lawnmower. The taste very sweet, salty and sooty, with a savoury edge. More medicinal with water but still full on.

http://www.smws.ca/

Laphroaig 14 Year Old Feis Ile

2001 vintage single sherry butt bottled by Douglas Laing & Co. for the Islay Festival 2015. Islay in a bottle!

Laphroaig 14 Year Old $110.26

Amrut Distilleries, India, known for their popular range of Single Malt whiskies, which include Amrut Fusion, Amrut Portonova & Amrut Peated, have launched 

​Amrut Naarangi, the first ever whisky in the world with Orange notes.​ 

​Bangalore, India.

Amrut Distilleries, based in Bangalore, India is a boutique distillery known for their award winning single malt whiskies. Amrut recently concluded 10 years of presence in the international markets and have launched the Amrut Naa​rangi Single Malt Whisky. The distillery had launched their malts in 2004 in Glasgow, Scotland by N.R. Jagdale, the Managing Director through his son Rakshit & his friend Ashok and now bears unmistakable shelf presence across 40 countries. The brand peaked in the limelight in 2010 when acclaimed whisky writer, Jim Murray rated the Amrut Fusion with 97/100 points voting it the ‘3rd finest whisky in the world’ putting behind over 4000 whiskies from brands across the world. Amrut is also the only Indian whisky to feature in Ian Buxton’s ‘101 whiskies to have before you die’.

The latest offering from Amrut, the ‘Naarangi’ derives its name from the Hindi word,

​ ​Naarangi which means Orange. It is the only single malt whisky ever produced in the world to have expressions of Orange, which brings forth a new level of experimentation to the malt world.

EU regulations for malt whiskies state that adding anything to a whisky disqualifies it from being called a whisky, however, Amrut who had been contemplating adding Orange notes to whisky have developed a novel solution to create Naarangi which meets all EU guidelines. To produce this whisky, Amrut procured Olorosso Sherry from Spain and matured wine along with Orange peel in it for a period of three years. The oranges for this were sourced from the tourist haven, Madikeri located in the picturesque Western Ghats of India. The wine and orange peel concoction was let to mature for 3 years in Bangalore, lending the barrel a unique Orange essence.

The wine and peels were then spilled and the barrels were filled with 3-year-old matured single malt whisky and allowed to mature for 3 more years. In this period the barrels have lent the Orange characteristics to the whisky creating pioneering single malt.

“The whisky is not dominated by the Orange but remarkably balanced out”, notes Ashok Chokalingam, GM – International Markets, Amrut. “The finish is of subtle orange notes while in the middle ground you can find the traditional Amrut signature.”

900 bottles have been shipped in the first release to Europe, Asia Pacific and Canada with all bottles at 50% ABV. Reviewers and connoisseurs are waiting keenly to get their hands on this whisky. Single malt whiskies, which were for long the domain of the Scots, are now seeing increasing innovative work from boutique brands such as Amrut amongst others.

About Amrut Single Malt

​A​mrut Single Malt was launched in 2004 as an experiment by Amrut Distilleries, a Bangalore based conglomerate that started operations in 1948. Amrut was the first ever-Indian single malt and was launched in Glasgow, right in the heart of Scotland. The whiskies were received well across the world owing to their quality and have grown aggressively. Amrut now bottles around 18 expressions of single malts, which are sold in 40 countries and growing.

Raven’s Lace PeachBerry Whiskey Takes a Colorful Approach to Flavored Whiskey

BARDSTOWN, Ky. – Raven’s Lace PeachBerry Whiskey is a flavored whiskey with both a wild and sweet side. Offering an alternative to masculine dominated flavored whiskeys, Raven’s Lace is a one-of-a-kind whiskey with a vibrant attitude and feminine touch with the juxtaposition of a darker side.

Available in June, Raven’s Lace PeachBerry Whiskey infuses juicy peach and sweet strawberry flavors with the smoothness of Bourbon whiskey at an approachable 60 proof. Raven’s Lace PeachBerry Whiskey primarily appeals to the growing segment of female consumers for whom traditional whiskey is not necessarily their drink of choice but are interested in the sweet taste of flavored whiskeys. By all accounts, flavored whiskey is growing tremendously and makes up 12% of whiskey sales according to the Wall Street Journal. And women are playing an increasingly important role in the whiskey category with about 40% of flavored whiskey consumed by females.

“We see tremendous opportunity for consumer diversification in flavored whiskey,” said Hannah Venhoff, Brand Manager for Raven’s Lace PeachBerry Whiskey. “Many of the flavored whiskeys on the market take a macho and assertive approach. Raven’s Lace features a trend-setting flavor profile targeting females looking for a sweet flavored whiskey with a bold color and package that is made for them.”

Raven’s Lace PeachBerry whiskey packaging features an intricate feminine lace design coupled with the Raven’s mysterious side incorporated in a unique label which dramatically contrasts the vibrant peach whiskey in the bottle.

The limited market launch will include retail and on-premise point-of-sale including a unique travel trunk floor display. In addition, Raven’s Lace will benefit from a robust digital media program which engages consumers on social channels and through digital advertising with the “Whiskey Your Way” marketing campaign focused on young females that enjoy bold whiskey with a sweeter side.

Available at $14.99, Raven’s Lace PeachBerry Whiskey will be available in 50ml and 750ml sizes. The initial launch markets include Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Nebraska, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, South Carolina and Tennessee.

About Heaven Hill Brands: Founded in 1935, Bardstown, KY-based Heaven Hill Brands (http://www.heavenhill.com/) is the nation’s largest independent, family-owned and operated spirits producer and marketer and the world’s second-largest holder of Kentucky Bourbon. Heaven Hill’s diversified portfolio of brands includes Evan Williams Bourbon; Larceny, Elijah Craig and Henry McKenna Bourbons, Burnett’s Vodkas and Gin; Admiral Nelson’s and Blackheart Rums; HPNOTIQ Liqueur; The Christian Brothers Brandies; PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur; Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur; Lunazul Tequila; Cinerator Hot Cinnamon Flavored Whiskey and Rittenhouse Rye Whisky.

Heaven Hill reminds you to “Think Wisely. Drink Wisely.”

APRIL UPDATE: SELLING LIKE DEVILISHLY HOT CAKES

It’s clear from our virtual shelves that you all enjoyed a drop of Society whisky over the holidays. Get them while they’re still hot… we countdown the member favourites still available from April’s Outturn.

No. 1 April Seller

72.43 Bunsen burner and burnt capacitors £43.60

Unusual cask: First fill ex-white wine hogshead Deep, rich & dried fruit 10 years old.

No. 2 April Seller

35.128 A tropical tango of taste  £42.80

Spicy & sweet, 11 years old  First fill ex-bourbon barrel

No. 3 April Seller

85.29 Best of the Med £48.20

Sweet, fruity & mellow 15 years old Refill ex-bourbon hogshead

No. 4 April Seller

123.14 Playful spices buzz the mouth £44.00

Spicy & sweet 9 years old First fill ex-bourbon barrel

No. 5 April Seller

46.30 Flowers and chocolates for Churchill £49.10

Juicy, oak & vanilla 14 years old Refill ex-bourbon hogshead

Browse New 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

NEW ARRIVALS

United States – Bourbon and Rye

• Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 Year Old K&L Exclusive Cask Strength Single Barrel #791 Straight Rye Whiskey 750ml (3 bottle limit) ($54.99)

BACK IN STOCK

Canada – 

• Forty Creek Confederation Oak Reserve Canadian Whisky 750ml (ships as 1.5L due to bottle shape) ($54.99)

Ireland – Irish and Blended Scotch

• Redbreast 15 year old Pure Pot Still Irish Whiskey 750ml – 6 available ($69.99)

Japan – Single Malt Scotch

• Nikka 17 Year Old Taketsuru Pure Malt Japanese Whisky 750ml ($139.99) Named for Nikka’s founding father Masataka Taketsuru, the 17 year old has long been coveted by the American market, which could only read the bombastic tasting notes from international travelers and whisky fans living abroad. The Nikka 17 is one of the most celebrated of the available portfolio and really brings the goods flavorwise — round and soft with dried fruits and an earthy, meaty flavor on the profile, this is not only of the best Nikka whiskies we’ve ever carried, but one of the best Japanese whiskies period.

United States – Bourbon and Rye

• Bowman Bros Small Batch Virginia Straight Bourbon 750ml (Elsewhere $40) – 8 available ($29.99)

• Cyrus Noble Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey 750ml – 11 available ($24.99)

• John J. Bowman Single Barrel Virginia Straight Bourbon 750ml – 7 available ($49.99)

• Tuthilltown Hudson Baby Bourbon (375ml) – 12 available ($42.99)

K&L Wine Merchants
http://www.klwines.com
Phone: 877-KLWines (toll free 877-559-4637)
Email: wine@klwines.com
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

Compass Box celebrate their 15th anniversary with the release of two excellent new limited editions; Peat Monster Cask Strength Magnum & Hedonism Quindecimus.

PEAT MONSTER 57.3% Magnum £119.95

A cask strength beast of a whisky in a monster 1.5 litre magnum bottle. This is by no means a one dimensional creature, it has great smoky sweet complexity.

HEDONISM Quindecimus £128.95

Compass Box 15th anniversary special limited edition of the wonderful blended grain whisky that started it all off. Worthy of celebration and great praise.

FOR ALL GENERAL ENQUIRIES PLEASE CALL: 0131 524 9380 or email: contact@royalmilewhiskies.com