Bourbon season is upon us! We have already seen releases such as Parker’s Heritage, Four Roses Limited Small Batch / Single Barrel and Buffalo Trace’s Stagg JR and Elmer T. Lee Limited. We are anxiously awaiting the release of Old Forester Birthday Bourbon; we are told this will happen very soon.

A few weeks back John Hughes and Eric Brown were entrusted by the rest of the “Private Barrel Committee” to blend our new batch of Angel’s Envy in Louisville with Wes Henderson. We learned a lot from Wes about blending, what a great experience. Later that day, Master Distiller Willie Pratt took us on a tour of the new and still under construction Michter’s Distillery. What an impressive facility. Willie Pratt was a joy to talk to and hang out with. We could have talked with him for hours.

Cheers,
-The Party Source Spirits Department

We are very excited about a specific private barrel that has just arrived. High West Double Rye finished in a used bourbon barrel for 20 months. This High West Whiskey is spectacular, Rye with a subtle sweet bourbon finish. We love this Whiskey!

We are also very excited about a specific barrel coming from our recent trip to Wild Turkey. The First Barrel of Russell’s Reserve that Eddie Russell opened for us was like heaven. We immediately said we will take that one! The Russell’s Reserve Private Barrels should be here in the coming weeks.

New private barrels in stock:

HIGH WEST Double Rye Whiskey TPS Private Barrel – $49.99

JEFFERSON’S Small Batch Bourbon TPS Private Barrel – $22.49

SMOOTH AMBLER Old Scout Bourbon 8 Year TPS Private Barrel #892 – $43.99

SMOOTH AMBLER Old Scout Bourbon 9 Year TPS Private Barrel #869 – $43.99

We also have the following private barrel selections due in the following weeks:

ANGELS ENVY Port Finish Bourbon
BUFFALO TRACE Bourbon
W.L. WELLER 107 Antique Bourbon
1792 RIDGEMONT Reserve Barrel Select Bourbon
RUSSEL’S RESERVE Single Barrel Bourbon
WILD TURKEY Kentucky Spirit Bourbon
JEFFERSON’S Reserve Very Old Bourbon
FOUR ROSES Single Barrel Bourbon
FOUR ROSES Barrel Strength Un-Chill Filtered
KNOB CREEK Single Barrel Reserve Bourbon
OLD FORESTER Single Barrel Bourbon

SOUTHERN COMFORT® RELEASES

NEW HOLIDAY GINGERBREAD SPICE

Limited-Edition Flavor Debuts in October for Holiday Season as the Perfect Party Gift 

(Louisville, Ky.) – Nothing makes it feel more like the holidays than warm gingerbread and a hint of spice. Southern Comfort knows the feeling – and they’ve bottled it just in time for the holidays. To celebrate the season, Southern Comfort introduces Gingerbread Spice – a zesty and smooth combination of warm gingerbread flavors, creamy vanilla and subtle notes of Southern Comfort. Upon first sip, tasters are met with an enticing mix of fresh baked sweet rolls and brown spices, finishing with that classic Southern Comfort spice complimented by warm gingerbread and a touch of cinnamon. 

With its festive holiday packaging and gift tag, Gingerbread Spice makes the perfect holiday party gift or simply a great gift to yourself. Best served warm to bring out its dynamic notes, try Gingerbread Spice by itself or mixed into your favorite holiday cocktails, like the Gingerbread House Cider – the perfect blend of Gingerbread Spice and hot cider, topped with a cinnamon stick for that extra seasonal kick. Be sure to check out more holiday-inspired recipes at southerncomfort.com. 

“Gingerbread is one of the most popular holiday flavors. You see it just about everywhere – in coffee, seasonal sweets, and now in your favorite spirit.” said Jennifer Powell, Southern Comfort Brand Director. “Southern Comfort’s unique flavor is mixed with hints of Gingerbread and cinnamon spice to create a delicious, ready to serve holiday drink that’s sure to become a holiday tradition.” 

Southern Comfort Gingerbread Spice will be available for a suggested retail price of $11.99 nationwide starting today through the holiday season, wherever wine and spirits are sold. Join the conversation online with #GiveComfort. 

About Southern Comfort

Southern Comfort®, a fruit, spice, and whiskey flavored liqueur, was created in New Orleans by bartender M.W. Heron in 1874. Today, it is enjoyed by friends in over 100 countries around the world and continues to grow as an icon brand. Please visit us at SouthernComfort.com and facebook.com/southerncomfort. 

Please Drink Responsibly.

Spirit Specialty, 15% Alc. by Volume, Southern Comfort Company, Louisville, KY ©2014

Macallan Rare Cask Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Elsewhere $300) ($269.99)

Macallan’s new Rare Cask uses handpicked first-fill sherry casks from the top 1% of barrels currently aging at the distillery. The result is a richer, darker, more chocolately version of Macallan with a thicker profile and a complex palate of raisins, sultana, orange peel, and ginger. With the current market craze for first-fill sherry whisky, a la Aberlour A’Bunadh and Glendronach, the Rare Cask represents an aggressive and more modern approach from the typically conservative Macallan. This is bold, chewy, full-bodied single malt that showcases the deep stocks and the immaculate wood management from Scotland’s most iconic distillery. It’s a whisky that provides a peek into the most choice sherry-aged whiskies currently available. (NOTE: The Macallan Rare Cask comes with a gift box which will ship as an additional bottle charge)

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

Macallan Rare Cask Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Elsewhere $300) ($269.99)
Macallan’s new Rare Cask uses handpicked first-fill sherry casks from the top 1% of barrels currently aging at the distillery. The result is a richer, darker, more chocolately version of Macallan with a thicker profile and a complex palate of raisins, sultana, orange peel, and ginger. With the current market craze for first-fill sherry whisky, a la Aberlour A’Bunadh and Glendronach, the Rare Cask represents an aggressive and more modern approach from the typically conservative Macallan. This is bold, chewy, full-bodied single malt that showcases the deep stocks and the immaculate wood management from Scotland’s most iconic distillery. It’s a whisky that provides a peek into the most choice sherry-aged whiskies currently available. (NOTE: The Macallan Rare Cask comes with a gift box which will ship as an additional bottle charge)

BenRiach 17 Year Old Solstice 2nd Edition Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($99.99)
This peated, port-finished malt from Benriach is an absolute home run. It’s got rich, dark-fruited flavor and blast of campfire smoke on the finish. It’s straight-up challenge to Lagavulin 16 in style, with both the richness and the peat–and it’s better executed. Really good stuff. This is what I wish the Laphroaig Cairdeas tasted like! -David Driscoll, K&L Spirits Buyer

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

Elements of Islay – new bottlings on their way!

Ears always prick up at TWE HQ when we hear about new bottlings of the ever-popular Elements of Islay range. Bottled by our sister company Speciality Drinks Ltd, Elements is a celebration of all things Islay, offering an alternative to the standard line-up of distillery bottlings – and three additions to the range will be available very soon.

We aren’t allowed to reveal the identity of any of the whiskies (although you don’t need to be Sherlock Holmes to work them out), but each one is a brilliant expression of their distillery, and shows that Islay whiskies have far more to shout about than just their peating level.

With each Elements release, the new bottlings have to be approved by someone with great whisky knowledge and a love of Islay malts – this time, the bottles were signed and given the seal of approval by Malt Maniac Konstantin Grigoriadis.

Konstantin says: ‘I am very pleased to be able to put my name to these new Elements of Islay bottlings. My personal favourite is Bw4, as it reminds me of the older-style bottlings from that distillery. It’s great to see the quality evident in these whiskies, as with all Speciality Drinks bottlings.’

Here are the new whiskies:

Ar5, 57.8%, £94.95
Nose: A rasping hit of maple-cured bacon, then enticing notes of rich, honeyed fruit and menthol lozenges, freshened up with a little maritime kick.
Palate: Intense peat leads the way, closely followed by stewed fruit and sour cherries, clove-studded gammon, and aromatic spiciness. A big-hearted dram.
Finish: Very long lasting, with peppery spice combining with the peat.
Comment: Ar bottlings are the most popular in the Elements range, and this will be no exception: rich and decadent, with generous helpings of fruit, peat and spice.

Bw4, 51.6%, £69.95
Nose: Delicious, bracing salinity, followed by appealing nuttiness, sweet custard-tart notes, a hint of nutmeg and a whiff of smoke. Very fresh.
Palate: Gentle, warming peat builds in the glass, accompanied by notes of succulent red fruits, tobacco and autumn leaves.
Finish: Clean and measured, with the peat slowly dissipating.
Comment: Elegance in abundance, this is a delightful dram that benefits from time to contemplate its complexity.

Cl7, 58.5%, £69.95
Nose: Clean and fresh, but there’s something extra there – lemon sherbet sprinkled over hot buttered toast, with a dusting of pink peppercorns.
Palate: Sprightly peat kept in check with candied lemon peel and black-pepper aromatics. Lovely balance; this would be excellent with a plate of smoked salmon.
Finish: Beautiful contrast between the earthy peat and crisp lemon.
Comment: There have been more Cl Elements bottlings than from any other distillery, and on the latest evidence, it’s not hard to see why. Cl7 is classy stuff, with razor-sharp citrus cutting through the peat and smoke.

There’s no doubt that Ar5 is the obvious crowd-pleaser of the three, with the peat and sherried fruit cranked right up. But it shouldn’t push the other two into the background; Bw4 is elegant, subtle and quietly classy, while Cl7 has, in my view, the best balance of the three, offering a delightful freshness to offset its peatiness, and is – marginally – my favourite.

All three whiskies will be going on sale any day now – keep checking the TWE site for details…

Late September 2014 Outturn Offerings

Cask No. 29.148                                        $150 

A fantastic fusion of flavours 

Islay 

An evocative nose – sweet treats (liquorice allsorts, Blackpool rock, walnut whip, corn candies) competed with smoky, briny elements (sweet peat smoke, oysters, harbour, tarry ropes); panellists also found bicycle shops, new carpets, First Aid boxes, seared gammon and lavender soap. The palate – a fantastic fusion of flavours – medicinal, liquorice, perfumed smoke, hickory chips, rum and raisin fudge, muscovado and ash – an impressive sweet/smoky balance. The reduced nose had us enjoying tomato sauce crisps, chocolate limes and liquorice toffees by a swimming pool. The palate’s robust carbolic smoke was squeezed in hugs of barley and oak sweetness. Nearest distillery to Port Ellen. 

Drinking tip: To cheer you up and restore your balance and positivity 

Colour: Bullion bars

Cask: Refill barrel

Age: 18 years

Date Distilled: April 1995

Alcohol: 60.7%

USA allocation: 169 bottles 

Cask No. 5.38                                             $125 

Lemon drizzle cake 

Lowland 

Tart apple pie, with grass clippings, lemon zest/lemon marmalade, key lime pie and a hint of sherbet. Surprisingly sweet in the mouth, with lime, lemon sherbet then strawberry jello and wine gums. Water reinforces this with boiled sweets and artificial red fruits; fresh bread or proving dough and cornflakes behind. Not as sweet now, but soft and fruity (tinned fruit cocktail); mouth-cooling, with a short finish. Fresh and easy to drink, with a trace of lemon-grass in the aftertaste. An excellent aperitif. 

Drinking tip: With Thai food 

Colour: Pale gold

Cask: Refill hogshead

Age: 13 years

Date Distilled: October 2000

Alcohol: 57.2%

USA allocation: 78 bottles 

Cask No. 26.97                                           $125 

Spritzy Citrus and Ikea Candles 

Highland, Northern 

The nose packed a punch of pink grapefruit, fizzy sherbet, and cranberry followed by delicate floral – citronella, lilac and elderflower. Tinned mango, wine gums and pistachio emerged, and hint of water butt on a warm day. The taste was tingling and tropical with fresh wood, zesty mandarin and Edinburgh rock. Water delivered a box of Ikea candles, Turkish Delight, lemon and ginger marmalade and roses after summer rain. The panel were reminded of eating a meaty fish baked in salt whilst sitting on a wet rock. A spritzy finish softened with marshmallow, cream soda and a handful of playdough.  

Drinking tip: Ideal for summer drinking on a park bench or rock 

Colour: Old brass

Cask: Refill hogshead

Age: 13 years

Date Distilled: April 2000

Alcohol: 51.4%

USA allocation: 81 bottles

Cask No. 72.41                                           $95 

Girlie holiday breakfast dram 

Speyside, Lossie 

Some described this as a feminine nose – pot-pourri, tanning lotion, cocoa- butter, orange-scented candles, honey-nut cornflakes, pancakes and bucks fizz – perhaps a girlie holiday breakfast dram? Nothing feminine about the palate though – this was a big hitter! – burnt toffee, black bun, treacle scones, caramelized nuts, Jamaica cake, muscovado and rendang sauce – spicy, fruity and darkly sweet. The reduced nose turned to cinder toffee, pencil boxes, Maya Gold chocolate and jelly babies – plus the girls had now been in for a swim. The palate – mmm – coffee creams, sticky toffee pudding, chocolate-coated raisins – delish! The distillery, ironically, has connections with monks. 

Drinking tip: To go with dessert, or instead of dessert; or to get into the holiday mood 

Colour: Amber

Cask: First-fill white wine hogshead

Age: 9 years

Date Distilled: September 2004

Alcohol: 59.8%

USA allocation: 90 bottles 

Cask No. 73.61                                           $185 

A work of Art 

Speyside, Deveron 

We are transported into a joiner’s workshop that specialises in restoring antique mahogany furniture. The aromas filling the air are all very subtle and elegant; oily, waxy and hot melted glue mixed in with a smoldering Cuban cigar and a freshly made sticky toffee pudding. The taste is initially sweet, chocolate coated cinder toffees, a hint of smoke as well as ‘woody’ flavours and a surprisingly dry, nutty finish like a VORS Amontillado Sherry. With water a bag of mixed nuts, figs, prune juice, hickory wood chips and mead wine. The taste is now dry with a lovely sweetness – a coffee and walnut cake accompanied by a glass of Oloroso Dulce Sherry. 

Drinking tip: Enjoying a rest from working in the garden 

Colour: Golden syrup still in the tin

Cask: Refill butt

Age: 24 years

Date Distilled: May 1989

Alcohol: 57.2%

USA allocation: 108 bottles

Please visit the Scotch Malt Whisky Society at http://www.smwsa.com/

The Distillery Section completely revised with all the latest news.

The chapter on Distilleries Around the Globe now bigger than ever

New exciting articles by distinguished writers such as Charles MacLean, Ian Buxton, Gavin D Smith, Dominic Roskrow, Neil Ridley, Jonny McCormick and Bernhard Schäfer

Completely new Japanese chapter by Nicholas Coldicott

More than 250 tasting notes, including Japanese malts and independent bottlings

Whisky Around the World – whisky profiles around the globe invite you to their country

Expanded section on Independent Bottlers

A listing of more than 150 of the world´s greatest whisky shops

The Whisky Year That Was – the most comprehensive summary you´ll find of the news and trends in the industry

All the latest info on bottlings, web sites, books as well as the latest statistics and figures

More than 500 colour photos

 Published by MagDig Media Ltd.
Publication date; 1 October 2014
Number of pages; 300
ISBN 978-0-9576553-1-7
Recommended retail price in UK; £13.95
Contact; ingvar.ronde@magdig.com
www.maltwhiskyyearbook.com

ISLE OF ARRAN UNLEASHES LEGEND OF MACHRIE MOOR WITH NEW EDITIONS 

If you are prepared to explore Machrie Moor, you will be delighted with what you discover. 

Though the legend talks of the warrior giant Fingal and his favourite dog, what will actually await you is a stunning expression of the Arran Malt – a delightful drink with a tale to tell. 

Award-winning Scotch whisky producer Isle of Arran Distillers is launching the latest in its Machrie Moor peated whisky collection, which includes the first ever cask strength version of the limited edition Single Malt. 

The Machrie Moor Single Malt first appeared five years ago, inspired by the legend of a warrior giant who tethered his dog to a stone in a mystical peat bog called Machrie Moor which lies on the west coast of the Isle of Arran. 

This September the fifth edition of Machrie Moor – the only peated Arran malt – will be released worldwide, alongside a cask strength edition which has been bottled at 58.4%. Both single malts are limited edition and highly anticipated because of their unique flavour.

Master Distiller James MacTaggart carefully chose the very best Arran peated casks to create these two whiskies to savour. 

MacTaggart said: “When we first created Machrie Moor, we wanted to create a drink which kept the character and taste of Arran that our followers love but included a taste of something different with the peat flourish. 

“We were blown away with the reception our first edition of Machrie Moor received which has inspired us to produce the subsequent editions and now this fifth expression. 

“This year’s edition is particularly special as we are also introducing a cask strength version of the single malt, which we are really excited about and we are confident it will prove popular with whisky fans who want to try a cask strength dram with a difference.” 

Machrie Moor – The Peated Arran Malt – has hints of vanilla, fresh pineapple and citrus, with an extra punch of peat smokiness on the finish. 

The cask strength edition has distinct influence of peat and notes of fresh pineapple and a caramelised bourbon cask vanilla finish. 

Only 12,000 bottles of Machrie Moor Fifth Edition and just 6,000 bottles of the first edition cask strength Machrie Moor will be available when they go on sale on October 6th. 

Euan added: “We were inspired by the legend of warrior giant Fingal tethering his favourite dog Bran to a stone known as Fingal’s Cauldron Seat on Machrie Moor and these peated expressions of the Arran Single Malt perfectly captures the rugged beauty and lore of the landscape of this area of Arran. 

Our followers have come to know and love Machrie Moor over the last five years for its distinctive taste and we are hopeful that whisky lovers will respond just as well to the new cask strength edition which is really something special.” 

The releases will be available to all Arran key markets worldwide including UK, France, Germany, USA, Russia and Japan. 

Machrie Moor – The Peated Arran Malt (46% abv) has an RRP of £41.99 while Machrie Moor Cask Strength Single Malt (58.4%) has an RRP of £49.99. Both are available from www.arranwhisky.com and specialist whisky shops.  

Notes

The Arran Malt – Machrie Moor 5^th Edition is released in early October and will be available through Arran’s network of worldwide distributors. These can be found on www.arranwhisky.com/distributors RRP is £41.99 for 70cl. 

The Arran Malt – Machrie Moor Cask Strength is released in early October and will be available through Arran’s network of worldwide distributors, excluding the USA.  Distributors can be found at www.arranwhisky.com/distributors RRP is £59.99 for 70cl. 

For more information visit http://www.arranwhisky.com/ 

Accolades for Isle of Arran Distillery include Winner for: Best New Exporter (2004), Queen’s Award for International Trade (2005), Scottish Distiller of the Year (2007) and Scottish Drinks Producer of the Year (2007.) 

Product awards include: Best Whisky Liqueur (2007), ‘Best Single Malt Scotch 12 Years & Under’ for The Arran Malt Amarone Cask Finish (2008) ‘Best Single Malt Scotch 11-15 Years’ for The Arran Malt Sherry Single Cask 1998 (2010) and ‘Best Single Malt Scotch 11-15 Years’ for the Icons of Arran Peacock (2011.) ‘Double Gold Award’ for Arran’s 14 Year Old Single Malt and ‘Gold Award’ for Arran’s 10 Year Old Single Malt at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2012). Double Gold in FiftyBest.com awards (2012). Double Gold Medal for the 12 year-old Cask Strength in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2013). Double Gold for both the 10 year-old and 12 year-old Cask Strength at the China Wine & Spirits Best Value Awards (2014).

THE WHISKY EXCHANGE Single Cask 1343

The Whisky Exchange is celebrating its 15th year online, and what better way to mark the occasion than with the launch of Balblair Vintage 2000 1343 Single Cask – an exceptional whisky which is now exclusively available from The Whisky Exchange.

Click here to find out more

Just a small selection of some of the wonderful whisky that’s arrived on the shelves of Abbey Whisky this September… To view all our new arrivals click here…

GlenDronach 1996 / Single Cask #3607
UK Exclusive

Single cask #3607, a UK Exclusive released by The BenRiach Distillery Co Ltd. Distilled in 1996 and aged in a Pedro Ximenez sherry puncheon for 18 years before being bottled in 2014 at 54.4% vol, 668 bottles filled.

£85.90 (£71.58 ex vat)

Click here to purchase GlenDronach Single Cask 3607

Macallan 1972 Speymalt / First Fill Sherry

A 1972 vintage Macallan, bottled by Gordon & MacPhail as part of their Speymalt series. Matured in first fill sherry casks for over 40 years, bottled in 2014 at 43% vol.

The Speymalt from Macallan distillery range includes a series of exceptional single malts, each matured in the highest quality casks selected by Gordon & MacPhail.

£424.00 (£353.33 ex vat)

Click here to purchase Macallan 1972 Speymalt

Balcones 5th Anniversary Cask 2653 Rumble Finish

Released as part of Balcones fifth anniversary celebrations, single barrel #2653 has been finished in a cask that previously held Rumble Cask Reserve. 181 bottles filled at 57.5% vol.

£295.00 (£245.82 ex vat)

Click here to purchase Balcones Cask #2653

Mackmyra Midnattssol

Mackmyra Midnattssol has been created from a combination of American and Swedish oak, sherry and bourbon along with the final storage in casks that previously held Swedish wine made from birch sap. The result is a complex whiskey with a floral, tart and fruity flavour.

£54.25 (£45.21 ex vat)

Click here to purchase Mackmyra Midnattssol

Tomatin Cu Bocan / Sherry Cask

A limited edition Tomatin Cù Bòcan fully matured in sherry casks.

Cù Bòcan has stalked residents of the remote Highland village of Tomatin for centuries, his legend embellished by the hellhound’s increasingly fractious behaviour!

£48.95 (£40.79 ex vat)

Click here to purchase Tomatin Cu Bocan Sherry Cask

Ben Nevis 17 Year Old / Single Cask #81

A 17 year old Ben Nevis single malt Scotch whisky, bottled for the Celebration of the Cask range by Càrn Mòr. Single cask #81 was distilled in 1997 and aged in a sherry butt before being bottled in 2014 at 52.8% vol. An out-turn of 592 bottles.

£69.25 (£57.71 ex vat)

Click here to purchase Ben Nevis Cask 81

Glenfarclas 1973 / Single Cask #4795

Family Casks Summer 2014

Beautiful colour from this Glenfarclas single malt Scotch whisky. Distilled in 1973, single sherry hogshead #4795 was left to slumber until 2014 where it was bottled as part of The Family Casks Summer 2014 batch. Bottled at 48.2% vol, 195 bottles filled.

£582.00 (£485.00 ex vat)

Click here to purchase Glenfarclas 1973 Cask 4795

GlenDronach 1995 / 19 Year Old

Single Cask #3250 / UK Exclusive

One of two UK Exclusives released by GlenDronach towards the end of September 2014 (#4887 being the other). Single cask #3250, distilled in 1995 and aged for 19 years in a Pedro Ximenez sherry puncheon. Bottled at 52.5% vol, with an out-turn of 554 bottles…

£89.90 (£74.92 ex vat)

Click here to purchase Glendronach Single Cask #3250

GlenDronach 1995 / 19 Year Old

Single Cask #4887 / UK Exclusive

Single cask #4887, distilled in 1995 and aged for 19 years in an Oloroso sherry puncheon. 542 bottles filled at 55.4% vol. One of two UK Exclusives released by GlenDronach towards the end of September 2014. The other being single cask #3250.

£89.90 (£74.92 ex vat)

Click here to purchase Glendronach Single Cask #4887 

Glen Garioch – The Renaissance 1st Chapter

The first chapter in a four part story from Glen Garioch whisky distillery showing off the spirits character and how it ages with time. Distilled in 1997 (when the distillery re-opened), ‘The First Chapter’ has been matured for 15 years in bourbon and sherry casks and was bottled in 2014 at 51.9% vol. Each year there will be a further chapter of Glen Garioch Renaissance, which will be 16, 17 & 18 years old.

£73.90 (£61.58 ex vat)

Click here to purchase Glen Garioch The Renaissance 1st Chapter