A chat with our new Master Whisky Maker

Our stills are singing again in Rothes and, while some parts of the estate remain unchanged since 1879, recently there’s been some changes afoot…as we mentioned earlier this week, a new Master Whisky Maker has joined The Glenrothes!

Laura Rampling will oversee the next chapter in our rich history, bringing with her a nose for detail and expertise earned through a career in the Scotch Whisky industry.

Laura will certainly be busy in her new role. From developing recipes, to ensuring consistency across production, Laura will be a custodian of quality, ensuring the range retains its unique and much-loved character for many years to come.

We caught up with Laura to chat about her appointment!

What excites you about your new role?

“Rolling my sleeves up, and getting to work! Making whisky is a real passion of mine and I look forward to working closely with my colleagues, both in Rothes at the distillery and the wider team.”

What is it that attracted you to whisky making?

“What I love about whisky is that it’s so diverse, with so many different flavour profiles and characteristics. Every day is different…”

Will the whisky profile change?

“No. The Glenrothes is known for its delicate, fruity character. Sherry casks have been integral to our house style for years and will continue to be. Our customers know and love our whisky and I look forward to continuing this legacy while creating some great new whiskies worthy of The Glenrothes name.”

What is your favourite The Glenrothes dram?

“At the moment, I am really enjoying The Whisky Maker’s Cut, often with just a splash of water but occasionally mixed into an Old Fashioned. The sherry cask flavours truly come to the fore”

#SpiritOfRothes

1995 Blair Athol 24 Year Old “Old Particular” K&L Exclusive Single First Fill Sherry Butt Cask Strength Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) (Pre-Arrival) $119.99 View

This little distillery outside of Pitlochry is one of Scotland’s most picturesque. Few know it well on this side of the pond, but there’s a constant stream of visitors arriving to tour the famous home of Bell’s Blend. This regional blend is very popular in the U.K. and we’ve been lucky to have a steady stream of casks coming from the lovely distillery. Located just a few clicks south of the even tinier Edradour distillery, the beautiful stone buildings were originally constructed in 1798, but closed soon after opening. Now covered in vines, the distillery reopened in 1825 only to be mothballed again a century later in 1932. Finally, in 1949 it was purchased and reopened by Arthur Bell & Sons destined to become the heart malt for their eponymous blend. The distillery features 2 wash and 2 spirits stills and a total capacity of 2.5 million liters per year, although it’s unlikely they get close to that quantity. The spirits character is medium to full bodied with a distinct herbal character that lends itself nicely to maturation in sherry casks. We’ve managed to keep these excellent first fill sherry casks at an altogether reasonable price point despite the increasing age and unbelievable quality. This is one of the more complex and savory sherry butts we’ll see this year with a full body and an unctuous texture. It’s not designed for those expecting sweeter flavors, but also refrains from crossing the savory line toward sulfur. This butt turned out 262 bottles at cask strength.

2007 Daftmill “Winter Batch Release” Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) $249.99 View

1995 Aberlour 25 Year Old “Old Particular” K&L Exclusive Single Hogshead Cask Strength Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) (Pre-Arrival) $299.99 View

The gorgeous little distillery at the entrance of the tiny town of the same name has quietly become one of the Scotch loving world’s darlings. The distillery, owned by blending giant Chivas Brothers (Pernod Ricard), was built in 1879 and features two 21 thousand-liter wash stills and a pair of each spirits stills, 20 and 15 thousand liters. The distillery’s name means “mouth of the babbling brook,” and indeed a stream meanders next to the distillery, but the distillery’s water comes from Ben Rinnes like many of the other distilleries around the famous mountain. We’ve never been offered a barrel of Aberlour much less one of such astonishing age. While the distillery itself has been focused on NAS bottlings like their popular A’Bunadh series, the older expressions have become extremely rare. This single hogshead was selected not only for the incredible provenance and rarity, but also its extreme deliciousness. Unlike many modern Aberlour’s, which have become synonymous with hardcore sherry, this is a much more nuanced and idiosyncratic. While by no means a value buy, it does represent a malt that is otherwise unobtainable at nearly any price and its inherent quality and unique character easily merit the price of entry. Only 184 bottles came out of this old Hogshead. It was bottled at cask strength without chill-filteration or coloring of any kind.

Ardbeg 19 Year “Traigh Bhan – 2020 Release” Batch #2 Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) $299.99 View

Named after Islay’s Traigh Bhan beach, known locally as the Singing Sands, this whisky will be available in limited batches produced on an annual basis. The whisky recipe is set to change with each batch, creating subtle differences between future iterations. Each batch of Ardbeg Traigh Bhan will feature a unique code on the carton and bottle, which drinkers can enter into the distillery’s website to find out more about the story of the whisky. Dr Bill Lumsden, Ardbeg’s director of distilling, whisky creation and whisky stocks, said, “A new, permanent aged Ardbeg is a rare occurrence, and cause for celebration. We hope that, by slightly tweaking the batch recipe year-on-year, Ardbeggians can have some fun exploring the finer details of this ever-changing dram.” Matured in American oak and ex-oloroso Sherry casks before being bottled at 46.2% ABV, this is the second batch of Traigh Bhan (pronounced Try-Van) bottled in 2020. Amazingly the price remains the same despite the incredible success of the first batch.

2008 Highland Park 10 Year Old K&L Exclusive Cask #7774 Refill Sherry Hogshead Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($139.99)

Another gorgeous cask of Highland Park that was bottled exclusively for K&L Wine Merchants. This one is equally special to the European oak hogshead that we also received this year, but completely different in character. The excellent malt coming out of Kirkwall is renowned worldwide for its quality, but many don’t realize that Highland Park is one of a handful of Scottish distillers that continue to utilize the wildly inefficient floor maltings. The tradeoff for losing capacity to floor maltings is a malt of great character and complexity. In addition, the extremely unique Orkney peat is used to dry that barley, which is one of the main reasons for Highland Park’s distinctive flavor profile. Between 20% to 30% of the hand-malted barley goes into every batch of Highland Park, resulting in a lightly peated whisky that, when coupled with the high quantity of active sherry casks, means the whisky isn’t perceived as particularly peaty to most palates. And while Highland Park does produce small amounts of whisky that are 100% hand malted, mostly as blending components for special releases, it’s rare to find a single cask that exhibits the qualities of that special Orkney peat more clearly, despite it being blended with at least 70% of unmalted barley. This refill hogshead almost certainly held malt in it for a very long time before being refilled in 2008. Very dark for a refill, and the resulting spirit is the closest we’ve come to the “old” style Highland Park that we love so well.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 14, 2020

This is the sexiest example of Highland Park we’ve ever seen. Power and grace abound. While the words “First Fill Sherry” adorning the title of our other HP cask gets a lot of blood pumping – it’s the elegance of this refill cask that stands out. It’s certainly not lacking in power – it’s a beastly dram at 61.6% ABV – but it’s supple and balanced beyond belief. The rich mahogany meets burnt amber color looks like it should be a first fill sherry cask, but “refill hogshead” is printed right on the label. The nose is a cornucopia of orange peel, cocoa nibs, fresh cut heather, crisp apple slices, fig marmalade, and a hint of smoky bacon. The palate has what you get when elegance and balance meet power: tension. It’s alive and kicking ass, but holding it on your mouth is a serene experience. The finish lasts for minutes. At first the smoke fills your senses and that gives way to much more floral and candied notes. After a good long while it resolves into the finest of dark chocolate and fresh citrus zest with a touch of coffee. A beautiful performance that you can repeat every night. At least until it’s gone. The cask yielded just 299 bottles.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 09, 2020

It’s extremely infrequent that we find a cask at this age that shows so much complexity. While the 12 year old cask that we also bottled this year had the density and power unlike any we’ve seen previously, this cask has a depth and nuance that isn’t at all available in the 12 year. The cask is much more in line with the way I remember Highland Park once was rather than the more bold and forward offerings we regularly see today. With that in mind, this is by no means a subtle whisky. It’s got character to burn and it’s DEFINITELY on the smokey side of HP. let’s taste! Color: Tawny. Nose: The nose isn’t at all peaty per say, but it’s definitely smoke-y. A perfect example of the distinction of those to flavors. Leather, mesquite, bacon, hints of diesel engine, old cigar box and roasted cloves. Behind a touch of black fruit and pepper. Palate: Here is that AWESOME Orkney peat! Right up front and travelling straight through the palate. It’s not the iodine peat but the flaming heather and earthy peat, framed perfectly with nutty sherry, dark fruit and woodsy spice. With water the nose transforms and offers a big burnt orange peel and candied citrus. Subtle mossy notes allude to the smoke coming on the palate. Now we’re talking! It’s very sweet and smokey now. Softening on the spice and bringing more dried fruits. This one is awesome right out of the bottle, but comes together perfectly with a splash of water. WOW, I’m so in love with this style.

LAST ORDERS! VAN WINKLE TO LAUNCH ‘TEN TO TEN’ TAKEAWAY DRINKS SERVICE

Glasgow’s newest restaurant and go-to bourbon bar Van Winkle will launch a new takeaway drinks menu tomorrow, Friday 2 October, designed especially in response to the 10pm curfew.

The Ten to Ten Takeaway offer at the new Byres Road premises will let customers order a selection of drinks to take away just before the bar shuts for the night.

Between 9.30pm and 10pm only, anyone looking to enjoy a final nightcap back at home will be able to choose from a selection of cocktails, beers and wine and take a few refreshments with them to go.

Launched in partnership with Buffalo Trace – Van Winkle’s best-selling bourbon brand – the Ten to Ten Takeaway menu will include a range of mouth-watering Buffalo Trace and Eagle Rare cocktails including an Old Fashioned, Bourbon Mary and Cowboy Shandy.

Van Winkle visitors will also be able to grab sealed containers of bottled and draft beer and choose from bottles of red, white and rose wine to take home with them.

Derek Mallon of Van Winkle said: “It’s fantastic to have opened our second branch of Van Winkle and to be up and running in the west end. With opening hours now limited to 10pm, we wanted to give customers the option to take a taste of Van Winkle back home with them. 

“People can enjoy an evening of food and drink with us before nabbing a night cap to go at last orders. Changing guidance means we need to act fast and continue to innovate so we’re delighted to launch our new Ten to Ten Takeaway service.” 

Van Winkle opened its second branch on Byres Road on Thursday 24 September, almost three years after it first launched opposite the iconic Barrowland Ballroom in the city’s east end.

Customers to the new west end spot have more than 50 bourbons to choose from, as well as a wide selection of American whiskeys, cocktails, beers and wine. The menu boasts a variety of mouth-watering wee plates, burgers and sandwiches, alongside a five-cheese macaroni and the Van Winkle buffalo chicken wings.

A perfect spot for dog lovers, Van Winkle also has a special nutritious dog-friendly menu, developed by BBC Scotland’s resident vet Ross Allan from Pets’n’Vets.

From Friday 2 October, Ten to Ten Takeaway is available from 9.30pm to 10pm each night for customers already eating or drinking in the bar. All takeaway alcohol will be sold in sealed containers and Van Winkle asks that customers drink responsibly and do not open their alcohol until they are home.

Van Winkle is located at 94 Byres Rd, Glasgow. It is open now for dining inside and out and available for takeaway and home delivery.

For more information go to: www.vanwinkle.co.uk

Address: 94 Byres Rd, Glasgow G12 8TB

Facebook @VanWinkleBar / Instagram @VanWinkleGlasgow / Twitter @VanWinkleBar

Courage & Conviction – Dr. Jim Swan Batch Release

We’re excited to announce the release of our second batch of Courage & Conviction, dedicated to Dr. Jim Swan. Moving forward, each bottle of Courage & Conviction shipped from our distillery will be from the Dr. Jim Swan batch. 🏅

Now shipping to Virginia residents, and rolling out nationwide at your favorite local retailer.

Tasting Notes: The nose has aromas of honeyed apricots, blood orange, milk chocolate, vanilla custard and red berries that mingle with butterscotch and toasted pecans. The silky body brings flavors of grilled peaches merging into caramel, ginger and nutmeg on the palate. The finish builds into cinnamon and mouth-watering orange zest.

Learn more about this new batch release of Courage & Conviction.

SHOP HERE

Cider Cask Finished Virginia-Highland Whisky

Hello, Autumn! That crisp fall air is starting to make its return. Cider Cask Finished Virginia-Highland Whisky is the perfect whisky that pairs best with the fall season. 🍂

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USA Today: Top 10 Best Craft Whiskey Distilleries

Virginia Distillery Co. came in the top 10 in the Best Craft Whiskey Distillery category in USA Today’s 2020 10Best Reader’s Choice Travel Awards, which announced its winners today. Thanks to those who helped us by voting in this year’s nominations! 🎉

GET THE TOP 10 LIST

New government restrictions are coming in to force from tomorrow Friday 25th September and we will now be closing both venues at 10PM so little bit earlier than normal. Our venues will be operating as normal with our full menu available and all our same Covid-19 secure restrictions in place to keep us all safe and ensuring a great experience for us all. 

Everyone must wear a face covering when entering, leaving or moving around the venues but not when you are sitting down to enjoy a great cocktail, savouring that delicious whisky or tasty meal or any drink for that matter, so it will not spoil the fun. These are all Scottish government regulations.

WHISKY TASTINGS – our daily whisky tastings are going ahead as normal but with vastly reduced numbers in a socially distanced way in our tasting room in Whiski Rooms so book one now – they are fun and informative, no experience necessary !

Whiski Rooms

Fresh Scottish food, amazing whisky list, great cocktails and the best views over Edinburgh to princes Street guaranteed.

Reserve a Table at Whiski Rooms

Whiski Bar & Restaurant

Great Scottish produce, award winning whiskies, quirky ambience guaranteed and the Royal Mile on your doorstep.

Reserve a Table at Whiski Bar

WHISKY TASTINGS

Join us for a whisky tasting in Whiski Rooms  – due to the size of our venue, numbers are greatly reduced but that doesn’t stop us having fun and trying some great scotch whiskies in a fun environment – no experience necessary !

See our Whisky Tastings

Whiski
4-7 NORTH BANK STREET
EDINBURGH, Edinburgh, City of EH1 2LP
United Kingdom

Left to right; Andy, Paul, Liz and Mark, a few of the MCLEANSCOTLAND team who gathered for Christmas 2019 in Glasgow

Clydeside Distillery was a favourite for us in 2019

As the first operational Single Malt Scotch Whisky distillery in the city centre in over a century, Clydeside combines the old with the new; much like ourselves!    They gave us a unique whisky experience steeped in industrial heritage, combining state-of-the-art technology with traditional distilling methods and a set of drams and foodie nibbles to make it an ever lasting memory. Bridgeen Mullen took charge of our day there, she is the Visitor Centre Manager – the entire distillery team, tour guides and retail staff, to production and distillers are passionate and give visitors from all over the world a memorable five-star whisky experience. We can vouch for that; Liz, Paul, Andy and Mark all enjoyed the visit as a part of the MCLEANSCOTLAND Christmas woo hoo! Opened in 2017 the Clydeside combines a contemporary structure with an old Pumphouse, now becoming a whisky expertise and heritage centre. It is currently producing what will be a high-quality Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky. The distillery offers a range of tours and tastings, working with Bridgeen we have our own bespoke tours arranged for our tours, by the way we recommend the food choices and these will feature in our tours there.  The Pumphouse used to control the entry gate to the Queen’s Dock – ships exporting whisky to the four corners of the world, how we get corners on a globe defeats me, but you know the craic. On a more personal note, during distillery construction, the Morrison family discovered that Chairman Tim Morrison’s great grandfather had in fact built the Queen’s Dock. These kinds of connections, create a warmth and familiarity that echoes throughout the Distillery. With an excellent shop selection of whisky from across Scotland, and bespoke branded items and gift vouchers, The Clydeside offers a fantastic option for those looking to buy gifts.

ALL IN ALL, A VERY WORTHWHILE TOUR HERE, IT’S AN EXPERIENCE, you can call in (as we will be doing) for the shop and food/drinks without doing the tour if you wish.  PAUL, MAY 2020

We are so proud of our brands and grateful for your support in making them shine!

Following up on our last article we wanted to share with you the results from some other amazing spirits competitions out there. The prestigious International Spirits Competition, Fifty Best, World Whisky Masters, Frankfurt International, Whiskies of the World Awards, and Gin Masters found our brands delightful!

THE GLENALLACHIE ROCKED

“We are delighted to have won our 50th award in only 3 years with news of a prestigious Double Gold and five Golds at this year’s International Spirits Challenge (ISC). Now in its 25th year, the ISC promotes outstanding quality spirits from across the globe. The competition receives more than 1,700 entries from nearly 70 countries.” ~ The GlenAllachie Distillery

PORT ASKAIG PEAKED

Port Askaig 8 yr won Best in Show – Gold Outstanding and Best in Class – Gold from the Whiskies of the World awards!
Check out where Port Askaig is distributed in the U.S. by visiting Grapein.

The credit for this gorgeous photo goes to Melissa Ginzburg, one of our excellent reps.  You can follow her on Instagram @notoriousgzbz

KILCHOMAN ETS GOLD

Kilchoman Machir Bay just keeps on winning gold medals and anyone who has tasted it is not surprised.  This core expression, which is the flagship of the Kilchoman range, stands for superb quality and taste, especially for an Islay Scotch. Check out where Machir Bay is distributed by visiting Grapein.

ISRAELI DISTILLING EXCELLED

M&H Classic Single Malt brought home golds from both ISC and Frankfurt International and earned a Double Gold from Fifty Best.  This distillery from Tel Aviv is taking the world by storm with their latest releases.

WHISKIES FROM JAPAN
ASTOUNDED

The Matsui Distillery has been making amazing whisky since 1910. Following their success with USC, three Kurayoshi expressions brought home Gold from the International Spirits Challenge this year. Check out where Kurayoshi is distributed in the U.S. by visiting Grapein.

If you have any questions or would like any additional information, please don’t hesitate to email office@impexbev.com.

www.impexbev.com
Our mailing address is:

ImpEx Beverages Inc.
360 Swift Ave
Side B # 9
South San Francisco, CA 94080

GLENGOYNE DISTILLERY WINS GOLD AT ISC TOURISM AWARDS

Today, the distillery celebrates being awarded gold at this year’s inaugural International Spirits Challenge Tourism Awards.

Renowned as the most authoritative and influential spirits competition in the world, the International Spirits Challenge, in its 25th year, introduced the ISC Tourism Awards to recognise innovation and excellence among global distilleries.

Commenting on the gold-winning entry, the ISC judges said: “Glengoyne’s rural distillery provides visitors with a magnificent experience set against a truly beautiful backdrop. It is a credit to the region, but it has also refused to rest on its laurels and continues to innovate and improve.”

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Johnnie Walker Blue Label
Ghost & Rare: Port Ellen
Was: £275.00
Now: £199.00

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