Whiski Rooms
Reopening Thursday 17th December

We are delighted to be reopening Whiski Rooms on Thursday 17th December for the festive season. We were shocked that Edinburgh didnt get moved to Tier 2 last week but we have decided to open to enjoy the Christmas vibes regardless of what tier we are in. So on Thursday we hope to welcome you back, with or without alcohol, to get into the Christmas spirit and look forward to 2021.

Its been a long haul but we are so looking forward to welcoming you back to Whiski Rooms – great vibes, stunning views over Edinburgh in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle and the best Scottish produce always guaranteed.

Book a Table Now

WHISKI GIFT VOUCHERS

Valid for use in Whiski Rooms on the Mound, Whiski Bar & Restaurant on the Royal Mile and in our adjoining Whiski Shop with over 500 whiskies, gift hampers and Scottish gifts.

Browse our web store now

Karuizawa Distillers and Komoro Distillery – a new chapter in Nagano whisky making

Karuizawa is a hefty name in Japanese whisky. A town with an eponymous distillery whose  whiskies now change hands for many thousands of pounds a bottle. A distillery which is not only closed but has also been demolished, removing any hope of it reopening despite its booming popularity. However, there will soon be whisky in Karuizawa again – get ready for Karuizawa Distillers and Komoro Distillery.

A New Karuizawa

Karuizawa Distillers is a new project bringing together long-time Karuizawa residents Koji and Yoshie Shimaoka with Ian Chang, the distiller and blender best known for his work at Kavalan, Taiwan’s biggest whisky distillery. When Ian left Kavalan last year there were lots of rumours about what he would do next – the answer is building and opening Komoro Distillery.

Komoro Distillery

Komoro is a town just to the west of Karuizawa, and, like its neighrbour, also sits in the shadow of Mount Asama, the most active volcano on Japan’s main island of Honshu. While Karuizawa is a resort town, with skiing in winter, and hiking and golf in the summer, Komoro is much quieter, a getaway for those looking to play in the outdoors without the crowds. The distillery site is on the northern edge of Komoro and ticks a lots of boxes: it’s easy to get to and has a nearby natural water source. At 910 metres above sea level, the distillery will also be the highest in Japan – it has a claim to fame already, and it’s not even been built yet.

The distillery is designed to look modern but also blend in with its surroundings

The distillery has been designed by Akira Sogo, an architect known for projects that work with and integrate with their environment. This is appropriate for Komoro Distillery, which has a focus not only on making great whisky, but also being green – Karuizawa Distillers’ overall aim is “to make the best Japanese single malt whisky, in the most environmentally friendly way possible, whilst honouring and protecting the legacy of the Karuizawa name.”

Learn more about the closed Karuizawa distillery >

The plans are in and work starts on construction early in 2021. Ian and the team expect to run their first spirit in early 2022.

But there’s more…

The distillery is only the first part of the project. Along with a visitor centre, the team are also building a whisky academy, headed up by long-time friend of The Whisky Exchange, Eddie Ludlow of The Whisky Lounge. Koji Shimaoka had read Eddie’s book Whisky Tasting: A Course and quickly grabbed him for the project.

The team: Founder Koji Shimaoka, distiller Ian Chang, global product manager Kellie Tu, chief educator Eddie Ludlow and brand consultant Amanda Ludlow.

Komoro Distillery itself is also just phase one. The Shimaokas aren’t stopping with just Komoro, and already have plans to build more distilleries over the next decade. Japanese whisky continues to grow.

The Japanese whisky boom

Japan is going through a whisky boom. Fans from around the world are snapping up whiskies from the country, and even the inclusion of kanji on a label can cause prices to spike. With supply outstripping demand and Japan’s whisky legislation allowing spirit produced elsewhere in the world to be called Japanese, times are difficult for whisky from the country. But things are already starting to look up.

Learn more in our Focus on Japanese Whisky >

Komoro Distillery and Karuizawa Distillers are the latest new faces on the Japanese whisky scene, joining the 20+ distilleries that are already operating in the country, from the tiny to the massive. It’s very difficult to start a distillery in Japan, a country famed for its complex bureaucracy, but times are very much changing and we expect this new wave of distillers to continue. With new regulations in the works, the landscape will alter over the coming years and the future is looking increasingly bright for Japanese whisky.

With Ian Chang at the helm, we hope Komoro will continue to honour the legacy of the Karuizawa region, and look forward to trying his whisky when it is finally ready. It certainly is exciting times.

TyndrumWhisky.com’s

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

Massive favourite of ours, the OLD PULTENEY 12.
A cracking dram for the budget,

ONLY £23.99

Old Pulteney 12 – Order Now >

Once the stock is gone, it’s gone!

We’ll keep all our deals of Christmas open until the stock is finished, even if you miss the previous day. Matured wholly in air-dried, hand-selected ex-bourbon casks, the ‘unashamedly excellent’ Old Pulteney 12-years-old is the definitive expression in the Old Pulteney family. Traditionally crafted using techniques that other distillers have long abandoned, this winner of numerous gold medals at the most prestigious international competitions is a high water-mark of quality spirits.

Appearance: Deep amber, red golden (with a slight pink hue) sparkling with a copper glow.

Aroma: Medium to high intensity with a briny hint of sea air.

Taste: Dry, medium bodied and smooth, redolent of honey and cream, faintly salty with a slight spicy note and a sweet long-lasting finish.

The Boss Hog VII – Magellan’s Atlantic

Following in the footsteps of The Boss Hogs before it, the seventh edition in this collectible series is distinctly different than anything else in American Whiskey. A Straight Rye Whiskey Aged 17 Years and finished in two uncommon casks, this limited release is inspired by the first recorded circumnavigation of the globe.

Single barrel, bottled at proof, and powerfully complex, The Boss Hog VII: Magellan’s Atlantic offers an incredible journey of aromas and flavour. Displayed in a bespoke gift box and each bottle crowned with a bespoke pewter stopper, designed and made by Danforth Pewter 11 miles from the WhistlePig Farm.

£599.95

Official Tasting Notes

Nose: Intensely aromatic, with cinnamon sugar, allspice, and maple. With time, toasted wood notes arise alongside creamy vanilla, roasted almonds, and a touch of ground espresso.

Palate: Spicy cloves and sweet brandied cherries abound, with baking spices rampant. A closer look reveals subtle hints of charred oak, sage, and dark chocolate.

Finish: Everlasting; gobs of cinnamon, oak spice, and a gentle warmth demand another sip.

Greetings whisky-lovers From TWL Lockdown HQ! 

Just a quick one today, so as not to take up to much of your valuable Xmas preparations…

We have three new tasting packs for your consideration, each accompanied by a ‘taste-a-long’ video from our founder, Eddie Ludlow.

Let’s go!

The Asian Whisky Tasting Pack 

As many of you will know, whiskies from Asia have taken off in a big way. First, Japan led the way, now India and Taiwan have joined the fray with some incredible whiskies to show for their efforts.

This pack features the same line-up as our very successful ‘Whisky Festival in a Box’ Asian pack, so it’s a great chance to try them if you missed out.

You will have the opportunity to taste;
Suntory, Chita Distillery, Japan – Single Grain Whisky

Nikka, Miyagikyo Distillery, Japan – Single Malt

Kavalan Distillery, Taiwan – Sherry Cask

Rampur Distillers, India – Double Cask

Paul John Distillers, India – Bold

Amrut Distillery, India – Naarangi

Packs are available to order now, as 6x20ml tasting boxes with the whiskies alone (£30 plus delivery), or 6x20ml gift boxes, with a Glencairn whisky tasting glass, a can of Larkfire ‘Wild Water for Whisky’ and a TWL 2020 pin badge (£35 plus delivery).

Buy Asian Whisky Tasting Pack Now

Buy Asian Whisky Gift Pack Now

Peated Whisky Tasting Pack

As the nights continue to draw in and the weather turns colder, sometimes the only thing to turn to is a hearty, peated dram. This pack explores the smokier side of Scottish single malts.
Wolfburn Morven

Highland Park Valfather

Kilkerran Heavily Peated Cask Strength

Port Askaig 12 Year Old Autumn Release

Kilchoman 100% Islay 9th Edition

Laphroaig Quarter Cask

Packs are available to order now, as 6x20ml tasting boxes with the whiskies alone (£30 plus delivery), or 6x20ml gift boxes, with a Glencairn whisky tasting glass, a can of Larkfire ‘Wild Water for Whisky’ and a TWL 2020 pin badge (£35 plus delivery).

Buy Peated Whisky Tasting Pack Now

Buy Peated Whisky Gift Pack Now

World Whisky Tasting Pack

It’s not just Asia that is enjoying an unprecedented level of quality whisky-making and deserved interest in it. Distilleries are opening all over the world and this pack and tasting celebrates that fact.

Each pack contains:

Hinch, 5 YO Double Wood – Ireland

Mackmyra, Jaktlycka – Sweden

Penderyn, Port Wood – Wales

Nikka Yoichi, Single Malt – Japan

Stauning, Rye – Denmark

Whistle Pig, 10 Year Old Rye – USA

Packs are available to order now, as 6x20ml tasting boxes with the whiskies alone (£30 plus delivery), or 6x20ml gift boxes, with a Glencairn whisky tasting glass, a can of Larkfire ‘Wild Water for Whisky’ and a TWL 2020 pin badge (£35 plus delivery).

All of the packs will be accompanied by a YouTube taste-along video with Eddie Ludlow. Details of how to tune into these will be included in each pack.

Buy World Whisky Tasting Pack Now

Buy World Whisky Gift Pack Now

We massively appreciate your business, but please do be patient when ordering. To say we are a small team at the moment would be understating it dramatically! Just be assured you will get your pack within 2 weeks of ordering, and definitely before Christmas itself (courier allowing!).

Gateshead Whisky News!

Latest Whisky Reviews!

READ HERE

That’s it!

We hope you have a great weekend and look out for more exciting TWL developments soon!

Slainte!

Eddie

The Whisky Lounge Team

Celebrate the Compass Box Way

This will certainly be a holiday season like no other, so let’s make it one to remember for all the right reasons by sharing and enjoying this time we have together. It’s never felt so important to cherish moments and memories with our families, and as preparations begin, we’re thinking of ways Compass Box can make it really special. And delicious.

As always, keep an eye on our social media where we’ll share ways to enjoy our whiskies and help you choose the perfect Compass Box bottle for whisky-lovers. Follow our hashtag #shareandenjoytheholidays.

Here’s to a delicious holiday season!

The Compass Box Team

PS: Don’t leave it too late to order your Compass Box gifts. Shop here, and please check the last guaranteed dates from our delivery partners.

We have a ton of newly arriving treasures from around the globe, including a 23 Year Old Hector Macbeth, a 12 Year Old pot still rum under our “Golden Devil” label, and a can’t miss Games of Thrones inspired 9 Year Old Lagavulin. But the real showstopper is the Kentucky Owl Batch #10 release. We’ve had huge success with the Kentucky Owl releases in the past and expect no different here.

Lagavulin 9 Year Old “Game of Thrones House Lannister” Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) (Previously $70) $25.99 View

1997 Hector Macbeth (Glenfiddich) 23 Year Old “Hepburn’s Choice” K&L Exclusive Single Sherry Butt Finish Cask Strength Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) $119.99 View

Kentucky Owl Batch #10 Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $349.99 View

Springbank 15 Year Old Campbeltown Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml)  $139.99 View

With plenty of cosy nights in to be had this season, there’s no better time to stock up the home bar with some tasty tipples to keep you warm!

Get kitted out with deals from our latest Price Drop, featuring delicious drams from Bunnahabhain, Bowmore, Laphroaig and many more.

And with free UK shipping over all orders over £75, you can save while stocking up! Win-win.

Shop our Price Drop ›

Whisky Reading For The Holidays

This holiday season, surprise your spirits loving family and friends with the incredible un-told stories of the exciting and cutting-edge distilleries that are re-shaping Canada’s spirits industry. The Definitive Guide to Canadian Distilleries is a beautiful, thoroughly researched and thoughtfully presented homage to the hard-working people who have infused new life into Canada’s whisky and spirits movement.

Join authors Davin de Kergommeaux and Blair Phillips in discovering more than 200 Canadian distilleries, nearly 100 of them making whisky. You and your whisky loving friends will soon be making plans to visit – or armchair visit – all of them. Maps, tips and suggestions of where to go next are just the start of this comprehensive, tasting, travel and cocktail guide.

The Definitive Guide to Canadian Distilleries pairs well with de Kergommeaux’s earlier book Canadian Whisky: The New Portable Expert. Here he digs deep into the stories and histories of Canada’s top whisky makers, their people, products and distilleries. This highly popular whisky book is now in its second edition and ready for gift-giving or gift-getting.

As New York Times journalist and bestselling whisky author, Clay Risen puts it, “To call Davin de Kergommeaux the soul of Canadian whisky is an understatement—he is its guide, its historian, and its leading advocate. Now comes The Definitive Guide to Canadian Distilleries, with Blair Phillips, as astounding in its breadth of coverage as its depth of insight. Make room in your library, spirits fans: these are must-own books.”

Make your whisky lover’s day with one or both of these carefully researched and beautiful books. Available in major and most independent bookstores, and all online booksellers.

GlenAllachie 31 Year Old

1989 vintage singe sherry cask for the UK market. Last bottles!

Glenallachie 31 Year Old 1989 vintage Speyside single malt Scotch whisky. Single cask Oloroso Hogshead #6118 bottled August 2020 for the United Kingdom market. 339 numbered bottles.

NOSE: Heather honey, mocha, nutmeg, pineapple and eucalyptus.
TASTE: Waves of dark chocolate, mocha and almonds, followed by orange zest, grapefruit and ginger.

BUY NOW

Glenallachie Distillery is a Speyside distillery sitting on the eastern edge of Ben Rinnes mountain where it is rather exposed to the elements and is often to be see sitting within the snowline. A modern building and its architect William Delmé-Evans created a distillery which is rather pleasing on the eye. Glenallachie was commissioned in 1967 with two stills which increased to four in 1989 in order to meet blenders ever increasing demand for Glenallachie malt whisky. Whilst official releases are few independent releases are more numerous with those from Signatory Vintage and Cadenheads proving popular.