Happy New Year from all at the distillery! The weather in the far north is seasonally fresh – ideal conditions for whisky maturation – and the still house is sparkling after its winter deep-clean and equipment overhaul.

To get the year started with a bang, Wolfburn has just been awarded “Brand of the Year 2020” by the Whisky Committee. It’s a wonderful accolade, especially given some of the great whisky brands we came up against. We’ll be entering more whisky competitions during the year and keeping our fingers crossed for similarly positive results. Read more here.

Speaking of growing the brand, we’ve got several new releases planned for 2021, including Kylver#8 around Easter, a brace of Festival Specials in the spring/summer, and a small-batch release in the Autumn. Our core expressions of Northland, Aurora, Morven and Langskip are all benefiting from an extra year of maturity. The colour and depth of flavour continues to progress wonderfully well.

Thanks as always to our friends, fans and followers for your support. We’re looking forward to a ton of fun in the year ahead.

 Slàinte Mhath!

The Wolfburn Team

VALENTINE’S DAY RELEASE

We are today delighted to announce a new whisky, created specially for Valentine’s Day. Crafted from lightly-peated spirit and matured since 2015 in casks hand-selected by Iain, it’s a proper treat – and it will be available to buy from ~ SOLD OUT!

Ditton is one of London’s leading fine wine wholesalers. We pride ourselves in sourcing and selling extensive quantities of the world’s finest wine, champagne, and whisky. We are principally wholesalers, but we also sell to the general public and generally at wholesale prices. We deliver anywhere in the world, right to your doorstep.

 Buy Scotch Whisky Online today at the best price.

Bestselling Rare
Whiskies of 2020

Rare & Collectable Whiskies from 2020

Don’t miss out on these great bottles from 2020 including GlenAllachie, Cambus, Glen Scotia, Lagavulin and more!

TyndrumWhisky.com

Brings you a Kilchoman

Freebie!

We hoped to have this in one of our 12 days of Christmas offers and freebies, however, we didn’t get the glasses in time. They are here now, and with a wee reduction on the Cask Strength – with every bottle purchased, we’ll add in a free Kilchoman Glass. A limited edition Cask Strength Machir Bay released for the festive season in 2020. Free Glass is while stocks last.

Order Now >

Say it with an engraving

Whether you want to wish someone a happy birthday, celebrate a special anniversary or say thank you to a loved one, our bottle engraving service allows you to personalise selected bottles (including The Macallan, Oban, Loch Lomond and more) with a thoughtful, hand-engraved message.

Your recipient is guaranteed to love the personal touch, and they can keep the bottle long after the liquid is gone!

Engrave a Bottle ›

EMPIRE STATE DEVELOPMENT ANNOUNCES “RAISING THE BAR” RESTAURANT RECOVERY FUND 

More Than $3 Million in Grant Funding Available through Financial Support Led By Diageo North America and Supported By Coastal Pacific Wine & Spirits, and implemented by the National Development Council

Eligible Restaurants Can Receive up to $5,000 to Assist with COVID-19 Safety Measures

Empire State Development (ESD) today announced the more than $3 million “Raising the Bar” Restaurant Recovery Fund to assist restaurants in New York State during the COVID-19 pandemic. This grant funding has been made possible through financial donations led by Diageo North America and supported by Coastal Pacific Wine & Spirits (a division of Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits) and will be implemented by the non-profit National Development Council (NDC). The “Raising the Bar Restaurant Recovery Fund” will help eligible restaurants adjust their operations to the impacts of COVID-19 and adherence to New York State’s public health and safety measures during the winter months when outdoor dining is limited.

Empire State Development Acting Commissioner, and President & CEO-designate Eric Gertler said, “The restaurant industry has been among the hardest hit during the COVID-19 crisis and they have had to come up with many changes to keep their employees and patrons safe.  With the winter months here, we need to be able to help these establishments adapt during this critical time.”

“Raising the Bar” grant funding can be used for COVID-19-related improvements and equipment that will allow the business to comply with social distancing guidelines, expand take-out/delivery operations, or accommodate outdoor dining such as plexiglass barriers/partitions, signage promoting social distancing and hygiene protocols, heaters, heat lamps, weatherization upgrades and insulated delivery bags;  improvements that will allow the business to continue operating through the winter months such as filtration system upgrades and food heaters to maintain temperature for to-go orders and purchasing PPE and sanitation supplies necessitated by the pandemic; and COVID-19 related business improvements like patio heaters or contactless technology. Qualifying purchases and expenditures must be from September 1, 2020 onwards to be eligible. Initial round of grants are in the amount of up to $5,000.

Initial grant funding will be awarded based on the received applications and dispersed independently by NDC, an experienced national economic non-profit that has been in operation since 1969.

“Diageo is committed to supporting restaurant owners, particularly those in underrepresented communities, who have been disproportionately harmed by COVID-19,” said Debra Crew, President, Diageo North America. “We are honored to serve as a founding contributor of the ‘Raising the Bar’ Restaurant Recovery Fund, providing much needed relief to an important industry that serves as a vital part of the economic engine of local communities. We encourage other organizations and businesses that also call New York ‘home’ to join us in this endeavor to make the impact of the program even stronger.”

“The hospitality industry in New York needs help now more than ever and we are here for them like they’ve always been here for us,” commented Wayne E. Chaplin, Chief Executive Officer, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. “The Raising the Bar Restaurant Recovery Fund provides an essential lifeline to restaurant owners so they can continue to operate safely, and stay afloat during this critical time. We are proud that our Coastal Pacific Wine & Spirits division is working with the State of New York, our valued supplier, Diageo, and the NDC to provide this much needed and urgent financial support.”

“At NDC, we are eager to get moving on this restaurant grant program,” said Dan Marsh, President of National Development Council. “Having worked on numerous loan and grant programs in New York and across the country, what we have seen is that smaller restaurants — especially minority and woman-owned establishments and those in hard-hit neighborhoods — are not getting the help they really need. A tailored grant program specific to this industry is critical.”

Eligible businesses consist of New York State restaurants that have no more than $3 million in 2019​ revenue ​and are engaged in providing food services and meals prepared on-premises to patrons who traditionally order and are served while seated, including certain on-premises food and drinking establishments licensed through the State Liquor Authority (SLA) and which need funding to adjust to COVID-related impacts and protocols. Establishments providing take out or grab and go food services due to COVID-19 restrictions are also eligible to receive the grant from NDC. Additionally, these establishments must have been in operation on or before March 1, 2019 and certify and demonstrate that they have experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19. ​All businesses must continue to comply with the New York Forward reopening guidance and Cluster Action Initiative guidance, as applicable. Restaurants can apply to the R​aising the Bar Restaurant Recovery Fund starting Monday, January 11, 2021. For more information visit the ESD website at https://esd.ny.gov/raising-bar-restaurant-recovery-fund.  Applications will begin to be accepted on Jan. 11, 2021.

About Empire State Development  

Empire State Development (ESD) is New York’s chief economic development agency. The mission of ESD is to promote a vigorous and growing economy, encourage the creation of new job and economic opportunities, increase revenues to the State and its municipalities, and achieve stable and diversified local economies. Through the use of loans, grants, tax credits and other forms of financial assistance, ESD strives to enhance private business investment and growth to spur job creation and support prosperous communities across New York State. ESD is also the primary administrative agency overseeing Governor Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Councils and the marketing of “I LOVE NY,” the State’s iconic tourism brand. For more information on Regional Councils and Empire State Development, please visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov and www.esd.ny.gov.

About Diageo North America

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan’s whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Casamigos, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (LSE: DGE) and their products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, their people, brands, and performance, visit www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice. Follow at Twitter and Instagram for news and information about Diageo North America: @Diageo_NA.

About Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits

Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits is the world’s pre-eminent distributor of beverage alcohol, and proud to be a multi-generational, family-owned company. The Company has operations in 44 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and Canada. Southern Glazer’s urges all retail customers and adult consumers to market, sell, serve, and enjoy its products responsibly. For more information visit www.southernglazers.com. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @sgwinespirits and on Facebook at Facebook.com/SouthernGlazers. 

About NDC

NDC is a national economic development nonprofit that directs capital and financial expertise to local communities, governments, and agencies. NDC supports the development and preservation of affordable housing; creates jobs through small business lending; advances livable communities with social infrastructure investment; and builds capacity through hands-on training and technical assistance in all areas of economic development. Founded in 1969, NDC continues to evolve and innovate to meet the needs of today’s challenges. Find us at ndconline.org @NatlDevCouncil

Lockdown savings on winter warmers

Stock up and stay home: we’ve slashed prices on a selection of winter warmers to see you through the next lockdown.

Whether you’re replenishing your whisky cupboard after Christmas, or sending a friend a ‘thinking of you’ dram – we’re offering a selection of your favourite whiskies at a fraction of the price, delivered safely to your door.

Grab these prices before they go!

Shop our Whisky Sale ›

Known as “Scotland in miniature’ for its diverse environment and stunning scenery, The Isle of Arran has become one of Scotland’s most popular destinations for whisky enthusiasts. This remote island was once home to over 50 illicit distilleries that lay beyond the reach of the exciseman. The Island’s whisky industry was revived with the construction of the Arran Distillery which officially opened in 1995.

Arran is one of Scotland’s last remaining independently owned distilleries, producing whisky that is typically unpeated, sweet, smooth and fruity. A diverse portfolio includes a wide range of cask finished whiskies, higher age statement bottlings, cask strength releases, and peated whisky bottled as Machrie Moor.

Arran – Single Malt Scotch 10 Year Old Whisky
46% ABV | 70cl

Arran’s signature whisky. The multi award winning 10 Year Old Arran showcases the rich, sweet, fruity aromas and flavours that are characteristic of whiskies from this exceptional Island distillery. Matured primarily in ex-Bourbon casks, with a smaller proportion on 1st fill and refill Sherry hogsheads.

£39.95

SHOP OUR FULL ARRAN RANGE AT HTFW

Making it to the Whisky Advocate Top 20 list four years in a row, what an honor!!!!

Why is this such a great honor you might ask?

Well, their “Top 20 is a selection of whiskies worthy of your attention. The list includes great values that might otherwise be overlooked, whiskies that are best in class for their style, and highly accomplished bottles you should be looking for. Most importantly, each of these whiskies generates excitement and marks a highlight across a year of tasting.”

“An important step in gauging the true merit of these whiskies is blind tasting review by a panel of international reviewers. The review panel tasted the eligible whiskies in a series of blind tasting flights to arrive at the final list. The panel did not know the identity of the whiskies being tasted—not their producer, country of origin, age, nor price. The average rating from the blind tasting panel supersedes the original Buying Guide rating. The individual reviewer rating will remain noted in the Buying Guide for the record. The final decision for placement considers average score, price, and availability.”

This flagship bottling from the core range of M&H Distillery has been turning heads since its launch.  This 46% abv expression truly is an instant classic.

Tomer Goren, head distiller at Milk & Honey Distillery in Tel Aviv, excels at warm climate Single Malt production under the intensity of the Mediterranean sun. His ethos is beautifully captured within this kosher-certified flagship bottling, matured in Bourbon and shaved, toasted, and re-charred (STR) casks. It exudes a nose of golden syrup, vanilla, marshmallow, jasmine, dried apple, nutmeg, cinnamon, and pepper. Flavorful and juicy, the palate has satisfying depth, with caramel, vanilla, shortbread, honey, and orange, daubed with vivaciously spicy black pepper. —Jonny McCormick

We also wanted to take a look back at our amazing whiskies that made it to their list the last few years.

A 48% abv 92 point peaty palate pleaser from Japan, this Matsui marched into the mainstream like a great wave.

The 2018 Kilchoman Loch Gorm at 46% abv earned 91 points and this praise from Gavin Smith:

Penderyn Celt at 43% abv earned 91 points and these words from Jonny McCormick

Scoring 90 points, this 42.8% abv rice whisky from Japan got this review.

But why and how does Whisky Advocate choose the whiskies that make the list?

In their own words:

“Each year, Whisky Advocate Buying Guide reviewers collectively sample hundreds of whiskies. These include rare and extremely limited releases, as well as new and emerging labels that will find their way to shelves across the nation. To determine our Top 20, we begin by looking only at whiskies that rated “outstanding” (90 points or higher on Whisky Advocate’s 100-point scale). However, the Top 20 is not simply a collection of our highest-rated whiskies, because many of those are so limited they would be impossible for most readers to locate or purchase. Therefore, in addition to quality (based on score), our selection also prioritizes value (based on price) and availability.”

Now back to this year…

We couldn’t be more excited about M&H Classic making it to the Top 20 for 2020!

Notably, since the core range launched earlier this year we have seen quite a few amazing mentions in publications across the US.

12/8/20 Liquor.com “Everything You Need to Know About Kosher Spirits”

12/1/20 Insidehook.com/Yahoo Finance “Expand Your Horizons with 7 Great Bottles of New World Whisky”

12/1/20 RobbReport  “9 Superb Whiskies Made in Unexpected Places, From Mexico to India”

11/16/20 Departures.com (AMEX)  “The World’s Lesser-Known Whiskey-Producing Regions You Need to Know About”,

11/5/20 Imbibe 2020 Holiday Gift Guide

November 2020 Hemispheres Magazine (United Airlines) “Holy Spirits”

10/12/20 Jewish News of Northern California “Israeli Whisky comes to Bay Area”

9/7/20 New York Times Front Burner “A Nip for that New Year’s Toast”

9/6/20 David Broza and Friends Live from NYC The Bowery Electric Concert

9/2/20 The Nosher “Israel’s First Single Malt Whisky is Now Available in the US”

September 2020 New York Beverage Media “Whiskey: What’s New”

8/7/20 RobbReport/Yahoo Life “Israel’s First Whisky Is Coming to America”

Here is Tomer and Tal going through the other Milk & Honey expressions, in case you are curious about the magic they make.

And since you stuck around so far, here is a little teaser for you!  They are coming out with their Apex series (hitting US soil in Q1 2021), which is all about crazy combinations and delicious innovation.

We are so excited to see what these folks will produce next!

Will it make it to next year’s Top 20?  Only cask-aged time will tell.

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