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.

Benrinnes 15 Year Old

This tasty single malt from the Benrinnes distillery in Speyside is partially triple distilled, a technique used in Irish whiskey and some Lowland or Campbeltown distilleries. But it retains such a rich, full-bodied character! Diageo’s Flora & Fauna series of malts really showcase some whisky gems at affordable prices.

£52.00 £49.99
Buy Now

BENRINNES 15 YEAR OLD DESCRIPTION

AN ICON RE-BORN: CHIVAS 12 UNVEILS BOLD, CONTEMPORARY NEW LOOK

Blended Scotch whisky, Chivas, has unveiled a fresh new look for its flagship blend – the biggest redesign in Chivas’ 112-year history. Chivas 12 – one of the world’s biggest-selling Scotch whiskies – has undergone an extensive redesign of its bottle, label, and pack to usher in a striking new look that blends boldness, modernity, and status while still flexing the luxury and distinguished heritage long associated with Chivas.

Dropping globally from October 2021, the redesign sees the iconic Chivas 12 bottle reshaped and elongated to stand taller and prouder while still retaining its recognisable rounded shoulders. A redesigned crest shines a light on the beating heart of Chivas – the ‘luckenbooth’, a symbol embodying the Chivas values of ambition, generosity and unapologetic success.

The outer box has undergone a complete renewal with a vibrant burgundy replacing the familiar silver and gold tones as the principal colour scheme. The package retains the intricate detailing and textured finish loved by Chivas fans worldwide.

The entire redesign project was conceived with sustainability at its heart as part of parent company Chivas Brothers’ 2025 target of 100% recyclable, reusable, compostable or bio-based packaging. The new bottle is lighter, saving over 1000 tonnes of glass annually, while the outer packaging is now made from fully recyclable materials. The whisky in each bottle remains the same renowned smooth, rich and generous Chivas 12 blend.

The redesign is inspired by the aesthetics of a new, style-conscious generation of Scotch Whisky drinkers who are reforming and re-evaluating what luxury looks like. The sleek, luxe, and sophisticated new Chivas 12 is the first in a series of updates due to take place across the Chivas portfolio over the coming year.

Nick Blacknell, Global Marketing Director at Chivas, commented:

“We’re proud to deliver a redesign that speaks the language of a fresh new generation of Chivas drinkers while bringing established enthusiasts and connoisseurs along for the journey. Social media has introduced a new, broader audience to the wonder of whisky – ‘flex’ consumers with a hustle-first ethos that seek out upmarket brands to align themselves with.

“We have taken a bold, yet meticulous approach with all aspects of this redesign, and I’m especially looking forward to seeing our taller bottle take pride of place behind thousands of bars and clubs around the world. I’m particularly proud of the central role sustainability has played in reconceptualising Chivas 12 for a new generation. With this redesign, we have once again reinforced our belief that sustainable luxury is not an oxymoron.”

The new Chivas 12 will be dropping globally from October 2021, supported by a campaign launching in January 2022 that summons consumers to elevate themselves to new levels of status and hype. For more information, visit www.Chivas.com or follow us on Instagram @ChivasRegal.

Teaninich 1975

Last few bottles of this extraordinary malt now ready.

Teaninich 1975 Aged 45 Years

Single Cask Bottling

Bourbon Hogshead

Cask Strength – 49.5%vol

Natural Colour

Highland Region

‘Pure elegance in a glass, wood polish, fudge, candied lemon peels, grapefruit, bourbon hogshead but gives the vibes of old sherry, oxidised to perfection, finish keeps on giving, not really much to say!’ @andrea.dionori IG

Bartels are really excited to announce to release of this extremely rare, low run bottling.  This will be the oldest whisky we have bottled to date.  The cask was found to have a very low fill so we thought it would be a great opportunity for a low run bottling.  As you can imagine 45 years spent in an ex bourbon cask has given this malt a beautiful deep, dark golden colour.  Distilled 27/11/1975 and bottled by ourselves 6/5/2021.  Straight out the cask and into the bottle, nothing added, nothing taken away.   Whiskies like this don’t come around very often, especially independently bottled ones so get yours while you can!  Four and a half decades this whisky has spent in its hogshead and you can really experience all the complexity that comes with that type of ageing in the palate of this whisky.

We are also pleased to bring back the return of our hand made engraved wooden boxes with this bottling.  (Please note the wood type for the boxes may differ slightly from the photos.)

Nose: Delicate aromas of fresh fruits followed by deeper notes of barley, salted caramel and chocolate.

Palate: A complex but extremely well balanced profile with all the maturity of nearly half a centuries worth of ageing.  Some time in the glass will further bring out the sweeter caramel/bourbon notes

Finish: Long and soft.

Bartels Whisky
4 The Old Glebe
Loughborough, Lec LE12 8LB
United Kingdom