Springbank Society Newsletter:  December 2019 

“It’s Christmas time, mistletoe and wine whisky”

We are certainly in the Christmas spirit at Springbank, singing carols and wearing brightly coloured Christmas jumpers. Before the team finishes up for 2019 we thought it was time to give our wonderful members an update on all things Springbank.

We have details of where our Sales Team will be travelling to in early 2020 and a round-up of distillery news, letting you know what has been happening (and what we are planning for the future) at Springbank and Glengyle, in Campbeltown and beyond.

Distillery News

Autumn and winter sees production switch from Springbank up to Glengyle Distillery, with 12 weeks of production commencing on the 23rd of September and running through until we break up for Christmas on the 20th of December. With the 2 new siberian larch washbacks up and running, we have enjoyed a smooth production period at Glengyle producing Kilkerran, Kilkerran heavily peated and a couple of other ‘Kilkerriments’ you may be lucky enough to see in the future!

Malting continues into the winter period, only stopping to allow the malt barns to be used for the annual Christmas Market which was a great success again this year. As the temperature drops we need to make sure the malt floors are laid out a little deeper to allow heat to build up and maintain a nice even germination. The job of stoking the peat fire also becomes much more popular at this time of year!

The bottling hall team have been in full flow bottling for the busy Christmas period, working hard to make sure everyone around the world will get to enjoy our whisky.

Finally, we must note that the Springbank family suffered a great tragedy this year with the untimely passing of one of our production team, Rory Edwards. Rory was a friendly, helpful and caring young man and his passing has left a big hole in the company and community alike.

We will all miss him terribly.

Sales Team Events

Firstly, everyone in the Sales team would like to wish our members Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We have all enjoyed running into our society members over the last few months at shows around the world and look forward to more encounters in 2020.

In October we welcomed a new addition to the Springbank and Kilkerran sales team, Nicole Lindsay. Nicole was born and raised on Islay and has worked in the industry for over four years as a visitor centre manager at Kilchoman. She is excited for her new challenge in the Springbank sales team and, of course, for the city life Campbeltown has to offer.

Once again we have been travelling far and wide to share the story of Springbank and Kilkerran;  Grant has been clocking up his car mileage driving around the UK to show off Kilkerran at many, many whisky shows, Melanie enjoyed her trip to Canada once she wrestled security for an American visa to get her connecting flight, David ventured to Israel to check out our new market for Kilkerran while Cara successfully made it through her first 6 months with no travel mishaps.

January

13th – 20th: Melanie will be jetting off to Canada, showcasing Springbank and Kilkerran at Edmonton MS, Calgary MS and Victoria Whisky Festival.

15th – 18th: Cara will be starting off her year in Amsterdam with a couple of Kilkerran whisky tastings before joining in the fun at L&B Whisky weekend.

February

13th – 15th: Cara will be spending Valentine’s Day on Sweden’s Cinderella cruise with her one true love, Springbank.

17th – 23rd: Nicole will be visiting the Czech Republic for a Springbank tasting tour.

March

1st – 15th: David and Ranald will be setting off to Australia for some Springbank tastings followed by a visit to New Zealand for Dram Fest 2020 on the 7-8th March.

7th: Grant and Cara will be attending Fife Whisky festival with both Kilkerran and Springbank.

13th – 14th: Cara will be setting off to Norway to join the fun at Trondheim Whisky Festival with some Springbank, Longrow and Hazelburn.

24th – 25th: Cara will be hosting a two day Kilkerran tasting tour in Switzerland.

26th: David will be in Glasgow for the evening hosting a Springbank tasting at the Clydeside Distillery.

26th – 28th: Grant and Cara will be presenting both Springbank and Kilkerran at Whiskyschiff in Luzern.

April

TBC: David will be spending time in America this year for both Kilkerran and Springbank. Details will be confirmed nearer the time.

21st – 24th: Cara will be returning to Belgium in the new year but with Springbank this time for a few days tasting tour.

23rd: Grant is heading to London for a Springbank tasting at Jeroboams.

Events taking place further in the future will be included in the next Quarterly Newsletter and, please remember, the Events Section of the Springbank Website is updated whenever we have new information to share with you all.

Springbank Website – Events Page

New Releases

As we approach the New Year we have some exciting new releases to keep you hydrated until the Campbeltown Malts Festival in May 2020.

January/February 2020 

Springbank 12yo cask strength

The next addition of our 12yo cask strength series will soon be available.  This batch will again depart from the usual sherry dominant maturation recipe, with a greater bourbon influence.

Springbank 25yo 

The casks for our next Springbank 25yo release have been selected and will be bottled in early 2020.

Longrow Red 

Our next expression of Longrow red is also due to be released. This time our casks have been sourced from Mont Gras’ Intriga Estate in Alto Maipo, Chile.

There will also be new editions of Springbank 21, Longrow 18, Hazelburn sherry wood and Kilkerran Heavily Peated Batch 3 later in the year. Look out for Society alerts and social media updates for more information on when these will be available.

We are certain you will all be anticipating the release of our next society bottling in early 2020 and can assure you that the chosen Hazelburn 11yo matured in re-charred bourbon casks is worth the wait.

Society Online

The new online Society platform will be launched in early January, improving the way members purchase bottles. The process of purchasing bottles will be simpler and more efficient than before, meaning you will have less time to wait from ordering your bottle to opening it!  Please look out for a society email in early January with instructions of how to sign up to the new platform. You will need to do this before you can buy the new society bottle.

Social Media

You can follow Springbank on Social Media:

Facebook – Official Springbank Whisky

Twitter – @Springbank1828

Instagram- springbank1828

You can follow Kilkerran Single Malt on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram too.

Festive Opening Hours

Please see below the opening hours of the Springbank office, along with our distillery shop and Campbeltown Cadenhead’s shop.

Springbank Office

The Springbank Offices will close on Friday 20th December 2019 (12 noon) and re-open in the new year on Monday 6th January 2020 (9am).

Springbank Distillery Shop

Friday 20th December 2019: 9am – 12 noon
Saturday 21st December 2019: 9am – 5pm
Sunday 22nd December 2019: Closed
Monday 23rd December 2019: 9am – 5pm
Tuesday 24th December 2019: 11am – 4pm
Christmas Day: Closed
Boxing Day: Closed
Friday 27th December 2019: 11am – 4pm
Saturday 28th December 2019: 11am – 4pm
Sunday 29th December 2019: Closed
Monday 30th December 2019: 11am – 4pm
Tuesday 31st December 2019: 11am – 4pm

Campbeltown Cadenhead’s Shop

Friday 20th December 2019: 9am – 12 noon
Saturday 21st December 2019: 11am – 6pm
Sunday 22nd December 2019: Closed
Monday 23rd December 2019: 10am – 6pm
Tuesday 24th December 2019: 11am – 4pm
Christmas Day: Closed
Boxing Day: Closed
Friday 27th December 2019: 11am – 4pm
Saturday 28th December 2019: 11am – 4pm
Sunday 29th December 2019: Closed
Monday 30th December 2019: 11am – 4pm
Tuesday 31st December 2019: 11am – 4pm

Both shops are then closed from 1st January 2020 until Monday 6th January 2020, when normal opening hours resume.

Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Slainte,

The Springbank Team

New Platinum Old & Rare Releases

Discover spectacular new additions to the Platinum Old & Rare Selection. Featuring expressions between 30 and 46 years old from Ardmore, Cragganmore, Glenrothes, Inchgower and more! Free UK standard delivery on all orders over £99

See All New Releases

Look at what your good taste has gotten us!

What a year this has been!  We have been working hard with our suppliers, making sure that we bring you the best whisky we can.  Well, our efforts and your support have paid off, big time!   Scores above mid-nineties, Double Gold medals, and even ‘Whisky of the Year’ are some of the accolades these brands you know and love have earned.  Below are some highlights, all of which are great gift ideas.  Enjoy!

LETS START ON ISLAY

KILCHOMAN KILLED IT

Kilchoman Killed It with some High Praise from the folks at Whisky Advocate who ranked STR with 93 points, ImpEx Cask Evolution 01/2019 11 yrs old First Fill Bourbon Cask (302/2007) with 92 points, Loch Gorm 2019 with 91 points, and most recently ImpEx Cask Evolution 02/2019 Single Cask Oloroso Sherry Matured (622/2011) with 93 points.

“exceptional spirit that is near the pinnacle of achievement and sets the standard for its category.”

Judge’s Tasting Notes, 100% Islay: Pit fire smoke, roasted plums, marzipan, and baking spices draw you into the glass.  The powerful aromas of smoke marry well with vanilla, nutmeg, and marshmallow on the palate.  It finishes with a whisper of vanilla and sweet spice.

Judge’s Tasting Notes, Machir Bay: The noble upstart from Islay has bloomed into a visceral character of the stony island.  This iteration of Machir Bay assumes a light straw color but packs a big maritime punch of roasted seaweed, preserved lemon, and wet stones.

UPROXX wrote about The Best New Single Malt Scotch Whisky Releases of 2019. The first Kilchoman Vintage Release with an age statement, this expression is a vatting of thirty ex-Bourbon Barrels and three Oloroso Sherry Butts filled in 2010 and matured for over 9 years.

PORT ASKAIG WAS PRAISED

Influential bloggers raved about these finely aged expressions of some of the best that Islay distilleries produce.  

Port Askaig 10th Anniversary 10 year old make quite the splash, getting the attention of prominent whisky video bloggers like Scotch Test Dummies.  Check out this video if you want to see how others enjoy this excellent expression.

Christopher Null from DrinkHacker wrote about all three expressions, giving the 10yr and 25yr A – and A,  respectively.

Ruben Luyten of WhiskyNotes gave Port Askaig 45yr 90 points, calling it a “Very classy whisky”.

Dave Broom from ScotchWhisky.com gave the 45yr 90 points, summarizing it as “Wisdom rather than brute force”.

And then Serge Valentin of WhiskyFun raved how “just extremely good” the 25yr is and giving it 5 stars! In fact, he also gave the 28yr and 45yr 5 stars each, giving the youngest to the oldest 90, 90, and 91 points, respectively.

JAPANESE WHISKIES EXCELLED

Matsui Mizunara was the star of the show this year.  Not only did it earn Jim Murray’s covetous ‘Single Malt of the Year’ in the Japanese Whisky category, but judges across multiple competitions agreed – this was a whisky made for medals, and the fine folks at the San Francisco World Spirits deemed it worthy of a Double Gold medal.

Matsui Peated was bestowed the honor of being names of the the Top 20 Whiskies of 2019 by Whisky Advocate.

WONDERFUL WORLD WHISKIES

WALES WOWED THE WORLD

with high praise from the International Wine and Spirits Competition and San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Most recently, the latest additions to the Welsh Gold Series received great reviews from Whisky Advocate with Penderyn Portwood earning 91 points and Penderyn Peated earning 90 points.

GOUDEN CAROLUS SHOWED JUST HOW GOLDEN IT WAS

with a gold medal from the prestigious New York World Wine & Spirits Competition, and 91 points from the IWSC.

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

2010 Caol Ila 8 Year Old “Old Particular” K&L Exclusive Single Refill Hogshead Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) $59.99 View

Macallan 12 Year Old “Sherry Oak Cask” Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) $59.99 View

Macallan 18 Year Old “Annual 2019 Release” Sherry Oak Cask Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) $249.99 View

Email: wine@klwines.com
Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

Whisky Going, Going, Gone…

Bruichladdich 14 Year Old Single Cask

We manged to snap-up some more of this United Kingdom exclusive release but once it is gone, it is gone. 2003 vintage, 60.8% and just 438 bottles. Bruichladdich Distillery was established in 1881 by the Harvey family of distillers based in Glasgow. Situated on the Rhinns peninsular on the island of Islay close and close to the sandy bays of Loch Indaal. Re-opened in 2001 with much of the original Victorian equipment restored to working order. The first release of Bruichladdich’s new whiskey was the highly acclaimed PC5, the first release in the limited Port Charlotte range. Also producing very highly peated Octamore, Organic using Islay grown barley, and triple and quadruple distilled single malt and single cask releases. Bruichladdich distillery participates in Feis Ile, the annual Islay Whisky Festival.

Buy – Bruichladdich 14 Year Old 2003 – $17.376

Raise a toast of the Macallan

With the new year upon us, it is the perfect time to raise a toast of The Macallan with friends and loved ones.

This year, we are taking the opportunity to celebrate some Scottish New Year traditions. “Hogmanay” is the traditional Scottish term for New Year’s Eve and at midnight we sing Auld Lang Syne and go First Footing.

Auld Lang Syne

This traditional Scottish song is sung at the stroke of midnight. It is a call to celebrate longstanding friendships, saying goodbye to the year past, and welcoming the year to come.

First Footing

“First Footing” is a popular Scottish tradition, referring to the first person to enter a home after midnight in the new year.

Gifts, including a dram of whisky are traditionally bestowed, granting good luck for the year ahead.

From everyone at The Macallan, we wish you all the best for the coming year.

Explore Hogmanay Traditions

Whew… what a year it’s been! After years of patience and preparation, Prelude: Courage & Conviction was released this past September as an early look into our very first line of American Single Malt whisky.

And it’s off to a great start. Whisky Advocate recently awarded Prelude: Courage & Conviction 90 points, describing it as a whisky of superior character and style.

In addition, our Cider Cask Finished Virginia-Highland Whisky was awarded 90 points as well. These scores are a testament to our team’s dedication to making great American whisky.

If you’re looking for that last minute gift for a friend or loved one (… or for yourself), you can check out your local store’s availability here.

As great as 2019 was, this is just the beginning. You can expect an even more exciting upcoming year with the launch of our Flagship release Courage & Conviction in the Spring of 2020. 👀

With the holidays upon us, please stop by our Visitors Center for a tour or tasting if you and your family find yourself in our neck of the woods. While we’ll be closed on New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day, we’ll be keeping normal hours of operation outside of that. We’d love to have you!

Thank you everyone for being a part of our journey as we help bring American Single Malt whisky into the spotlight. This season, we’ll be raising a dram to you.

Here’s to courageous beginnings. 🥃

Cheers,

– The Team at Virginia Distillery Company

A Very Relaxed 2020!

We’d like to wish you and your loved ones a very happy and relaxed 2020 and hope to meet you at Maltstock or anywhere else in good health!

Annette, Bob, Klaas, Stan, Teun and the relaxed Maltstock crew.

Cracking Hogmanay Deals!

Last minute savings on some outstanding whisky this Hogmanay including Highland Park, Lagavulin, Glenfiddich and more! Whether you’re having a party or a quiet night with friends, make sure you have the perfect bottle to share this New Year!

See All Offers