By now I’m sure you have heard that the shop will close its doors on Saturday 30th October For a well overdue Re-fit that will launch Cadenhead’s London in the spring of 2022 with a new and exciting experience for beginners, fans, &  connoisseurs of that noblest of spirits whisky/whiskey. The shop will reopen under the “Cadenheads Retail Ltd Umbrella ” Cadenheads Retial Ltd will have its Head office in Campbeltown. At the helm a very capable and true Gentleman in every sense of the word.

Mr Grant Mcpherson

Who is well known to Cadenhead whisky Customers and the Whisky world in General. He will oversee the running of Campbeltown, Edingburgh, and London shops. Under his leadership and expertise, Cadenheads Retail can surge forward in these most difficult times for all retailers.

As for myself I have joined the Board of Cadenhead Retail Limited and will be an integral part of Cadenheads London..  I’m sure I will see you all in the shop from time to time as we welcome in this new era for the London shop

As the doors close today there are 3 friends that I have got a lot of help and encouragement from these last 27 years there is no doubt that I couldn’t have done it without them.  My beloved dear departed Uncle B (Brian) my mother’s brother who.s guidance and friendship I miss every day. He once called me his hero, in truth he was mine.  Mr. Neil Clapperton and Mr. Hedley G Wright who put their trust in me one boozy afternoon in Gordon’s wine bar Charing Cross in the Autumn of 1994

“Thank you Gentleman”

Stay tuned for news of the reopening of the shop when we will welcome new and old customers, tastings will resume in the new tasting room, and lots more surprises. Cadenheads London will be a beacon for the whisky drinker. The future looks bright.

All the very best to all who have come through the doors of Cadenheads London in Covent Garden and in Chilton Street it’s been quite a journey.

Seán

BALLANTINE’S CALLS ON MUSIC INDUSTRY TO CLUB TOGETHER TO FIGHT DISCRIMINATION ON THE DANCEFLOOR

Ballantine’s Scotch whisky, long time champion of diverse talent and underrepresented music communities around the world through its True Music platform, is taking a stand to increase parity within the music industry, after its ‘Resetting the Dancefloor’ report found that 1 in 3 music lovers globally have experienced discrimination and a further 84% have witnessed it on the dancefloor.

The report, which surveyed over 2,300 music lovers across four continents, highlights that while there is work to be done for dancefloors to be truly inclusive, the pandemic offers an opportunity for a ‘reset’. Ballantine’s aims to drive action to address this through a series of commitments and initiatives, including a six-figure fund to support emerging music collectives, and via global experiences that celebrate inclusive dancefloors, with long standing partner, Boiler Room.

Helping spearhead the conversation within the music industry are Berlin-based DJ Honey Dijon, SBTV Founder Jamal Edwards MBE, LGBTQIA+ label and collective He.She.They, rapidly ascending Madrid-based female DJ collective Chica Gang , Brazilian LGBTQIA+ dance collective Afrobapho, and South African rapper and activist Dope Saint Jude who are calling on music fans, artists and those within the business to club together to drive action and change.

While the ideal of the dancefloor being a place of freedom and equality does not reflect the reality – the effects of the past 18 months have resulted in a positive change in attitude with three quarters of people saying they would now speak out if they witnessed discrimination at a music event and 89% believing we all have a responsibility to fight discrimination.

Even though people can’t wait to return to the dancefloor post-pandemic (84%), the safety, diversity and inclusivity of the events will be driving their choice to attend. Treating and paying artists fairly is the number one priority, 63% are more likely to consider whether the music line-up is diverse versus a year ago, whilst 72% will only attend a future event that they feel will be safe and inclusive.

Honey Dijon comments: “All of these things we’re fighting for – diverse line-ups, diverse dancefloors – this is simply us wanting our humanity and our creativity to be considered as worthy as other people’s. That’s an expectation no one should be able to stand in the way of.”

Through its initiatives, Ballantine’s is hoping to raise awareness of issues around diversity and inclusion within music culture and prompt action, and has committed to driving real change in three key areas over the next five years:

• Diverse programming: ensuring all True Music line-ups and content represent diverse communities
• Fair payment: ensuring that no fee gap exists by taking an active role in making sure talent are paid and treated fairly
• Inclusive dancefloors: making safe dancefloors a priority and committing to bringing one billion music fans inclusive True Music experiences through a safe dancefloor policy

Ballantine’s Head of Music Tom Elton comments: “The past 18 months have seen the live music industry suffer, as lockdowns have forced fans to stay at home and repress desires to be on the dancefloor. As the world begins to emerge from the pandemic, we have the opportunity to press the ‘reset’ button and club together to rebuild a music culture for everyone.

A commitment to inclusivity is part of Ballantine’s DNA – the motto ‘a friend to all humankind’ has been on the crest of every bottle for over 100 years – and we are committed to putting our pledges in to practice to help drive tangible change. We all have a part to play in the journey to creating a truly inclusive music industry and this is just the start.”

A key initiative to further champion underrepresented communities within music, will be the launch of a six-figure fund to support emerging collectives and artists in promoting and progressing equality within their scene. Applications to the True Music Fund will open in October.

Ballantine’s will also be running True Music Studios – a series of 40+ global events in partnership with Boiler Room with diversity and inclusion at its core to inspire lasting change in the industry. Launching in October, True Music Studios will offer inclusive experiences for everyone around the world both in real life and online.

For the past seven years, Ballantine’s has been committed to representing, supporting, and promoting global inclusive music culture, championing local and diverse music communities and cultures around the world, supporting over 500 artists, across 50+ events, in 20+ countries.

To find out more about Ballantine’s True Music check out Ballantines.com/truemusic

Rittenhouse Bottled in Bond 100 Proof Rye Whiskey (750ml) $23.99 View

95 points Wine Enthusiast ~  A versatile must-have for mixing cocktails, look for pleasing vanilla, maple and a hint of dried cherry. The finish is long and drying, with plenty of baking spice notes. (KN)  (7/2016)

Whisky Advocate ~  Rittenhouse packs lots of corn, offering a different profile than those higher-rye whiskeys from Indiana. Straight from the glass burst caramel, campfire smoke, and vanilla, with hints of dill weed and Herbs de Provence. Ripe in flavor, it shows slight mint from the rye and a complex voyage of herbs with a touch of chocolate here and walnut shell there. There’s a reason bartenders love mixing with this; it’s good neat or on the rocks. (FM, Summer 2016) 

K&L Notes ~ Named North American Whiskey of the Year at the 2006 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Best Buy of the Year at the 2006 WhiskeyFest. Rye was the first Colonial American whiskey, and was the most popular spirit in the US for more than a century until it fell out of favor. Made in a classic Pennsylvania style at the Heaven Hill distillery in Kentucky, this has been aged for at least four years in barrel and bottled at 100 proof. To be called “Bottled in Bond” it also has to be the product of a single distillery, made in a single season in a single year.

Elijah Craig “Small Batch” Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $24.99 View

91 points Whisky Advocate ~  Subtly complex and nicely rounded. A bed of sweetness (caramel, vanilla) peppered with honey-kissed fruit, golden raisin, and a hint of marzipan. Pleasing oak grip and dried spice on the finish. A great value for such a high-quality bourbon. (JH, Spring 2017) 

K&L Notes ~ Coming from the great master distiller Parker Beam, the Elijah Craig bourbon has to be one of the best value bourbons on the market! Great balance of sweetness and spice. Also, at 94 proof, it has just the right amount of kick.

High West “American Prairie” Kentucky-Indiana Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $31.99 View

Whisky Advocate ~  Minty and herbal on the nose, with notes of fresh oak, licorice, apricots, brown sugar, dried apples, orange peel, peaches, light coconut, ginger, and dried leaves. The palate is sweet up front, with a complex melding of butterscotch, spicy oak, orange slices, and chocolate fudge. The finish offers lots of spice, black pepper, bitter chocolate, and a pleasant note of almond nuttiness. A well-textured whiskey, with lots of spice and heat. (DF, Spring 2020) 

Wine Enthusiast ~  Made with a blend of straight Bourbons, this whiskey has a mild vanilla and resin scent. On the palate, flavors run to vanilla, cedar and citrus. Adding water brings out distinct cinnamon and peach notes, before fading into vanilla. (KN)  (7/2015)

K&L Notes ~ High West is dedicated to preserving and promoting the American West. That’s why they’ve created a whiskey dedicated to one of the greatest land preservation projects of our time: the American Prairie Reserve in Montana, a 5,000-square-mile land tract the size of Connecticut, restored to what Lewis and Clark would have seen. High West will donate 10% of after-tax profits from each bottle to the American Prairie Foundation. This blend of straight bourbons from Kentucky and Indiana continues to showcase High West’s exceptional blending abilities. The base whiskey is a 2-year-old MGP/LDI with a 75% corn mash bill. The other whiskeys come from two undisclosed Kentucky distilleries and clock in at 6- and 13-years old, respectively. No filtration and a satisfying 46% abv, the American Prairie is a welcome followup to the wonderful Reserve and one of the best third-party bottlings in the price range.

Auchentoshan “Bartender’s Malt Edition 1” Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) $32.99 View

Auchentoshan named this whisky the “Bartender’s Malt” because it was designed and blended by a team of twelve different bartenders from all over the world who helped to select the barrels. Here’s the really compelling part: they used single malt whisky from the 1970s, ’80s, ’90s, 2000s, and current decade in the blend, from ex-bourbon, ex-sherry, ex-wine, and even German oak barrels! In our opinion, innovative blends like this are what’s going to drive the business moving forward, especially in a market where single barrel pricing is proving to be cost prohibitive and access is getting more and more difficult. For a very affordable price, this is a drinker’s whisky. It is absolutely jam-packed with sweet barley flavor, loads of vanilla, spicy ginger, candied orange peel. A symphony of oak and baking spices drive the finish that lights up your mouth for minutes with distinct and supple flavors of milk chocolate. Bottled at 47% ABV, it’s got punch as well. This was our spirits buyer’s new house single malt when it first arrived, and his highest recommendation here for a sub-$50 malt. Bravo!

Leopold Bros. 5 Year Old Bottled In Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $37.99 View

Leopold makes whisky a bit differently than most modern distillers. They’re using the highest quality grains, malting their own barley, fermenting with house cultivated indigenous yeasts in open wooden washbacks and double distilling in small copper pots. We’ve always loved what they do over there in Colorado!

Smooth Ambler 5 Year Old “Old Scout” K&L Exclusive Barrel #24295 Indiana Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $39.99 View

After years of pining for the days of bourbon yore, we’ve finally come full circle to re-release the Ol’ Old Scout in its original form. There’s been tons of confusion on the market due to Smooth Ambler’s recent release of a large parcel of Tennessee bourbon, which was acquired from the famous distillery at Cascade Hollow, but this product is not that. Those whiskies are much loved by certain folks but show a completely different character than the original Old Scout. The brand became famous for bottling excellent bourbon and rye sourced from a fine distillery in Indiana. Those excellent whiskies were once the backbone for our now extinct Faultline Bourbon. Until now they haven’t had enough aged stock to spare single barrels for this program. Now that their stocks are finally coming of age, they’ve re-released these excellent bourbons at a respectable 5 years of age. This is the very same age that the original Old Scout was released way back in 2011. We’re very lucky to have scooped up several barrels before the rest of the market has realized that these are back on the table. We’ll likely continue to see the age statements on these excellent whiskies increase over the years, but even now the stupendous complexity of these bourbons at this lovely, youthful age is extremely satisfying. This High Rye bourbon (36% rye) was barreled in Char #4 on 7/8/15 and bottled 8/31/20 at 114.6 proof. With a loss of 29% it yielded only 192 bottles.

Following the launch of our new Cotswolds Bourbon Cask Single Malt Whisky this week, our founder, Dan Szor, shares his thoughts on one of our most exciting whisky releases to date in an exclusive Q&A. From discovering Dan’s favourite Bourbons to understanding the inspiration behind our latest whisky expression and what makes it unique, be sure to read our latest article below.

Q: What is it that makes this Bourbon cask expression unique in comparison to other Bourbon cask-matured whiskies available?

A: I suppose the most unique thing about this expression is the quality of the underlying spirit – which goes into all of our expressions – and the fact that we use only the most premium first-fill ex-Bourbon casks.

Q: Where do you source your Bourbon casks?

A: For the past six years, we have been buying our casks directly in Kentucky. Initially we used first-fill casks which came from a number of Brown Forman distilleries, such as Woodford Reserve, Jack Daniels, Old Forrester and Early Times.

For the past few years, we’ve been buying from Beam Suntory, owner of the well-known Maker’s Mark brand. The casks we buy are their top-of-the-range premium casks which come from distilleries such as Bookers and Basil Hayden’s. They have not been steamed – a process undertaken by many Bourbon distillers to wring out the last few litres of Bourbon from the staves after the barrel has been disgorged – which means there is more Bourbon (and more flavour) remaining in the wood when we receive the casks here in the Cotswolds.

Q: How does the Bourbon cask influence the flavour of this expression?

A: The most recognisable influence of a Bourbon cask on single malt is the wonderful effect of slow ageing in charred American white oak. This type of wood is excellent for the maturation of whisky in that it releases its tannins slowly, without overpowering the spirit with wood flavour, while allowing the wood sugars to come into the spirit giving it the honey, vanilla and crème brûlée flavours characteristic of Bourbon cask maturation. There’s even a bit of toasted coconut, if you look hard enough!

Q: Would you say this is a whisky for whisky purists?

A: This is a whisky for those who love whisky, beer and all things malt. It really shows off our locally-grown, floor-malted Cotswold barley in its best light.

Q: What should people notice when drinking this whisky?

A: When drinking this whisky, think about the grain. If you’ve ever visited our distillery and been lucky enough to time your tour around the first water of our mash, then you’ve had the chance to stick your head inside a mash tun with 500kg of grist being mixed with steaming hot water into an enormous vessel of porridge, in effect. Those malty notes – almost like a warm mug of Horlicks – are reflected in the aromas and taste of our Bourbon Cask Single Malt Whisky.

Q: How would you recommend people drink this whisky?

A: Though I am a purist and enjoy my whisky neat at room temperature, I would say that this whisky is robust enough to handle bitters (for an Old Fashioned), vermouth (for a delicious Manhattan), or even a splash of soda over ice in a highball. As it is cask strength, it will stand up to ice and still assert itself even through dilution.

Q: Do you plan on releasing any more cask expressions?

A: We will certainly be releasing more cask expressions – things that come to mind are Port and Madeira, as well as a number of other cask types made from both American and European oak; these are, however, likely to be limited releases as the four members of our Cask Collection (Founder’s Choice (STR ex-red wine cask), Sherry Cask, Peated Cask and Bourbon Cask) together represent over 95% of our wood programme.

We may decide to tweak this fill programme slightly – so keep your eyes on the development of our range over the years to come, it’s exciting stuff!

His Royal Highness The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay, visits and tours the Glen Garioch distillery in Oldmeldrum, one of the oldest operating distilleries in Scotland, during its ongoing restoration project to reinstate traditional production processes and reduce the distillery’s carbon footprint. Picture date: Tuesday October 5, 2021. PA Photo. Picture credit should read: Simon Price/PA Wire

HRH The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay, visits Glen Garioch Distillery during ongoing restoration and upgrade project

“THIS IS WHERE THE MAGIC HAPPENS” – IAIN STIRLING INVITES MTV CRIBS TO EXPLORE HIS DREAM SPEYSIDE HOME

MTV, welcome to our new crib! The Glenlivet and comedian Iain Stirling have released a new episode of the hit show, MTV Cribs – offering an exclusive tour of the Glenlivet’s idyllic new Speyside home. With originality part of the brand’s DNA, it only felt right that the original single malt partnered with MTV to open its doors in the most unexpected way possible. Tapping into the nostalgia trend, the show gives the original property connoisseurs a first look behind the scenes of its ‘neat’ new crib.

Forget fleets of sports cars or entourage packed jacuzzis, The Glenlivet Distillery, a.k.a Iain’s dream crib, is so much more, with the added benefit of producing one of the most loved single malt Scotch whiskies in the world. The Glenlivet’s unique crib features local artisan-built interiors, an interactive barley field, as well as the all important Still Room, where distillation takes place, or as Iain likes to say “sorcery at its finest”. The episode – available to view across MTV and The Glenlivet social media channels – invites viewers to experience the fascinating legacy of the original Speyside single malt. Ever wondered where the magic really happens? Now you can find out for yourself.

From immersive technologies to exclusive bottlings, some may say Iain’s new crib is the dream playground for adults. It wouldn’t be an episode of MTV Cribs without a peek inside the fridge. This is not any old fridge with fancy ravioli and sparkling water, but one filled top-to-bottom with the world renowned Glenlivet Capsule Collection, which took the world by storm in 2019. The unique capsules are now available to try at the distillery as part of ‘The Archive’ tour, which is accompanied by the many other exciting experiences on offer at the Visitor Experience. Who knows, maybe Mariah might pop down and jump in a bath of cocktail capsules sometime soon.

Iain Stirling, Scottish Comedian and Whisky Lover, commented:

“Being a huge fan of whisky meant it was an absolute honour to be given the key to The Glenlivet’s newly refurbished home. It is such a beautiful place, so rich in history and Scottish charm, that I just had to invite MTV Cribs to check it out. From start to finish, the distillery takes you on an adventure into the mystery and intrigue that shrouds the original Speyside single malt. Whether you’re an enthusiast like me or new to the category, The Glenlivet Visitor Centre is a whole new way to experience whisky”

Throughout the episode, Iain uncovers the brand’s unique heritage, all whilst adding his own humorous and contemporary twist – even telling off an MTV crew member for helping himself to a dram of The Glenlivet. Taking cues from the original episodes, Iain even introduces the nation To a few friends along the way, including the oracle of The Glenlivet and Master Distiller, Alan Winchester, who he attempts to catch out in a quick fire round of tricky questions.

After 18 months of extensive renovations following investment from parent company Chivas Brothers, The Glenlivet continues to set the standard in quality and taste that defines Speyside single malt whisky, with the MTV partnership being another example of the Scotch brand bringing the category to life in an original and innovative way.

Speyside’s finest crib is now open to the public, to book tours and tastings, visit www.theglenlivet.com.

SALUTE THE QUINN – RICHARD QUINN CREATES A MODERN FLORAL FANTASY FOR AN EXCLUSIVE SCOTCH WHISKY COLLECTION WITH ROYAL SALUTE

The inaugural expression of the new collection has been designed in collaboration with rising star in British couture fashion, Richard Quinn. Unveiled during London Fashion Week in September 2021, the 21 Year Old Richard Quinn Edition is inspired by the designer’s unique style of reinterpreting classic flower patterns with a modern and edgy twist. The resulting bespoke and vivid print adorns a limited edition flagon, available in two colourways, perfectly capturing the creative harmony between Royal Salute and Richard Quinn – balancing the beauty and elegance of rose petals with a contemporary edge represented by thorns.

The collaboration between Royal Salute and Richard Quinn is rooted in a shared desire to push their craft beyond expectation. Pushing the boundaries of whisky blending is at the heart of Royal Salute, whilst Richard Quinn’s bold, elegant and emotive style has seen him receive critical acclaim, notably from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, honouring his work with the prestigious ‘Award for British Design’ in 2018.

Speaking on the collaboration, Richard Quinn said: “Being able to spark creatively with Royal Salute has been an amazing experience. Witnessing craftsmanship and innovation within different expertise has always fascinated me, so exploring the world of expertly blended and high-aged whisky for the first time was such a powerful source of inspiration. The collaboration has been a real creative process and I’m thrilled that the expression that resulted from this great partnership encapsulates both of our passions in a truly modern way. I love the thought that my designs for Royal Salute will be collected and treasured for years to come by whisky and fashion lovers around the world.”

With leading expertise in the art of blending, inside the eye-catching flagons is an equally stand-out new 21 Year Old blend, which has been crafted by Royal Salute’s renowned Master Blender Sandy Hyslop who hand-selected more than 31 rare single malts and grain whiskies, and all matured for a minimum of 21 years. The resulting Scotch has a stunning floral and fragrant character, mirroring the design of the flagons, with profound depth and a pleasing structure of oak and spice.

Royal Salute’s impact on the global fashion stage is set to last with a second expression within the Couture Collection, an ultra-limited expression with a stunning new design and blend, cited for release in 2022.

The Royal Salute Couture Collection 21 Year Old Richard Quinn Edition will be released in limited quantities from September 2021, and available at select luxury retailers worldwide at an RPP of $250 USD.

For more information, visit www.royalsalute.com and follow @royalsalute online.

Suntory “Hibiki Japanese Harmony” Blended Japanese Whisky (750ml)

91 points Wine Enthusiast

 The newest blended whisky offering from Hibiki is burnished gold in the glass and has a bold aroma that mixes vanilla, fresh pear and a hint of smoke. The smokiness comes forward at the first sip, wrapping around a core of oak and vanilla custard and finishing long, with a mouthwatering bitter chocolate note. *Best of 2016* (KN)  (3/2016)

90 points Whisky Advocate

 Poised and complex, with typically lifted fruitiness: strawberry ice cream, pineapple, peach, balanced by delicate oak, bamboo shoot-like delicacy, then lemon. The palate is more rounded than that very forward nose, with toffee notes adding some weight. A touch of smoke comes along in the mid-palate, before fruits and caramelized coffee biscuits. Water allows the flavors to flood the palate. Exemplary blending skills and classically Hibiki. (DB, Winter 2015)  (12/2015)

Wine & Spirits

 You can’t be a Japanese whisky enthusiast without having noticed that there’s a shortage of the stuff. What once was readily available is now hard to find. What once was affordable now costs various bodily limbs. It is due to more than a fad. The best Japanese whisky is remarkable stuff, and none are better than the top single malts from Suntory, Yamazaki, Hakushu and the blended whisky Hibiki. Hibiki comes in 12-, 17- and 21-year-old expressions, but even the youngest of these is now allocated. Harmony, the newest release, carries no age statement, indicating that it contains younger whiskies than other bottlings. Nevertheless, this is a welcome concession, with Suntory’s classic sense of balance, nuance and delicacy. *Best of 2015* (JM)  (11/2015)

K&L Notes

*96 points, Ultimate Spirits Challenge Top 100 of 2020* The newest incarnation of Suntory’s hugely popular Hibiki series, this time without an age statement attached. The same soft, mellow, vanilla-laden flavor is still here, however. It’s a true harmony of pure Hibiki flavor.