MASTERCLASSES ON SALE NOW
16-17 MARCH 2018
– Stourbridge Town Hall –

This Spring we’re welcomed by Dalmore’s Scott Grierson and all-round Diageo legend Colinn Dunn for two exceptional masterclasses.

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TALISKER FORAYS INTO THE SKYE
WITH COLINN DUNN

Saddle up for a coastal journey through the Isle of Skye with legend Colinn Dunn and a fine flight of single malt whiskies from the much-loved Talisker Distillery.

Tasting lineup

Talisker 10 Year Old

Talisker Port Ruighe

Talisker 57° North

Talisker 18 Year Old

Talisker 25 Year Old

Talisker 35 Year Old

DALMORE SENSATIONAL DELIGHTS

WITH SCOTT GRIERSON

Experience the show in full with all the benefits our Devotee package offers and secure a spot in this once-in-a-lifetime masterclass. We’ll be sampling from the following lineup worth over a whopping £5,000:

Dalmore 25 Year Old

Dalmore 20 Year Old 1996 Vintage

Dalmore Quintessence

Dalmore Constellation Series Cask

Dalmore Star Sample

These masterclasses are included with Premium and Devotee ticket packages

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Whisky Stories – my first trip to Islay

All whisky drinkers have a story to share, whether it’s a visit to their favourite distillery or perhaps the day they opened a life-changing dram. We’d love to hear your whisky stories and we’ll be publishing our favourites – tell us all about them here. To set the scene, Stuart recalls his first trip to Islay…

Ardbeg is one of a trio of whisky producers on Islay’s south coast, along with Laphroaig and Lagavulin, collectively known as the Kildalton Distilleries

‘Stu, Ardbeg is launching a new whisky. Fancy going up to Islay for a couple of days?’ I remember the day very clearly, in the spring of 2006, when my editor asked me the most rhetorical of questions.

I don’t think I’d ever been so excited to go on a trip. I was going to Islay – Islay! – that magical island where they make whisky like no other, to mark the release of Ardbeg Still Young.

the peat generation

Given that I’d really got into peaty whisky just a year or two before, you’ll understand my excitement. I was a keen whisky drinker, but like many people, I didn’t take to peaty whisky straightaway. The first one I tried was Laphroaig 10 Year Old; its no-holds-barred medicinal hit took me by surprise.

But I persevered, and I was struck by how those layers of peat and smoke could add so much to a whisky. Peaty whisky quickly became my favourite style, and the marked contrast between Islay distilleries was a revelation, too: Ardbeg 10yo and its smoked-bacon character; the clean and citrusy Caol Ila 12yo fattened up with a beautiful oiliness; and Lagavulin 16yo, a glorious combination of fruit and smouldering bonfires.

Shortie, Ardbeg’s most famous resident

And so to the trip. You can’t fly direct to Islay from London; you take a flight to Glasgow then hop on a very small plane for the second leg, often greeted by plenty of turbulence, but this just added to the sense of adventure. Once on dry land, we headed south to Port Ellen, passing Laphroaig, then Lagavulin, then we were there: Ardbeg.

food, glorious food

The first brilliant thing about the trip: Ardbeg bread. Arriving at the distillery, we made for the Old Kiln Café (Ardbeg is one of only two Islay distilleries that serves food; Kilchoman is the other) and all of us got stuck into this amazing smoky, peaty bread that was served with our soup. It tasted of Ardbeg! It was made with the grist (the leftover ground-up barley) and it’s a taste I will never forget.

Another thing that struck me was how few people actually work at the distillery, given its size and how much whisky is made there. Other than the distillery manager, I could count the number of employees I saw on one hand, something I would soon learn is the norm in whisky distilleries! The other highlight of the trip was trying new-make spirit – the distillery’s DNA. In the case of Ardbeg, the beautiful smoke shone through.

why i LOVE ISLAY

I got to see a fair chunk of the island, too. During the trip, I discovered:

• the charming way all drivers on Islay greet each other with a wave as they pass
• that Islay water is a disconcerting shade of brown
• that people from Islay are known as ‘Ileachs’.

The sun setting over Laggan Bay on Islay

My trip wasn’t just about visiting a whisky distillery. For me, it was about visiting an island where whisky plays such a leading role, an island teeming with history, and an island that was just so different to any other part of Scotland I’d been to before. And now, every time I drink an Ardbeg, I think about that trip, and it brings back many happy memories.

Got a whisky story of your own? We’d love to hear about it.

The Victoria Whisky Festival 2018 has now come and gone, and Pat Dunlop of thewhiskymafia.com was there! On the ground and in the trenches with Mrs. Whiskymafia and pair of whisky cohorts in tow, Pat absorbed the sights, sounds, smells and feelings of #VWF2018 and documents them in trademark style for your reading pleasure.

Click here for more.

Ralfy celebrates 100,000 subscribers with Ralfy Review 711 – Brora 30yo @ 56.3%vol (4th release)

A Classic Bottling for All Fans of Japanese Whisky
Suntory “Hibiki Japanese Harmony” ($59.99)
“Exemplary blending skills and classically Hibiki.” – Whisky Advocate

While age-statement whiskies from Japan appear to have gone the way of the Dodo, that doesn’t mean you can’t still get your fix. Suntory’s “Hibiki Japanese Harmony,” while not bearing an age-statement, still offers the classic profile collectors and connoisseurs expect from this legendary distiller. While there may have been a bit of skepticism when Suntory announced the inaugural release of “Harmony,” any hesitation was quickly swept away upon tasting.

A beautiful whisky by any measure, it is delightfully complex while remaining approachable and utterly delicious from the first sip to the last. Smoky flavors mingle with subtle touches of oak, lemon, toffee, and vanilla. Perhaps most striking, is how gracefully elegant the delivery is, especially given its underlying power and verve. Very attractively priced at under $60, the “Harmony” is a very affordable way to enjoy a classic Japanese whisky from one of the most highly regard distillers in the world. Our allocations of “Harmony” always sell in the blink of an eye, so don’t delay in securing your bottles.

Suntory “Hibiki Japanese Harmony” Japanese Whisky (750ml) ($59.99)

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)” (03/2016)

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 cant be a Japanese whisky enthusiast without having noticed that theres 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 Suntorys classic sense of balance, nuance and delicacy. *Best of 2015*(JM)” (11/2015)

K&L Notes: 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.

Darkess! Shall fall…

The fantastic range of Darkness whisky has arrived at Milroys. Tirelessly sourced rare old casks are bottled at cask strength, but not before finishing the whiskies in smaller casks that have previously held sherry or fortified wine to add significant levels of complexity and deliciousness…

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Buy Invergordon 25 Now

INVERGORDON, 43 YEAR OLD, DARKNESS!, OLOROSO CASK FINISH, 49.3% 50CL

£149.95

An extremely old cask of Invergordon grain whisky finished in Oloroso Sherry.

Buy Invergordon 43 Now

TOBERMORY, 22 YEAR OLD, DARKNESS, MOSCATEL CASK FINISH, 49.2%, 50CL

£79.95

A wonderful whisky from the idyllic Isle of Mull. This Tobermory has been finished in a Moscatel cask adding complex layers of fruit undertones.

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We’re excited to share two new additions to our Chapter 7 selection! 

ALLT-A BHAINNE and AULTMORE 9yrs

ALLT-A BHAINNE 9 YEARS OLD

RRP: $64.99
60.7% alc.

This single cask was distilled at Allt-A-Bhainne distillery in Speyside on 04.08.2008 and bottled on 04.09.2017 at cask strength, without chill-filtering to keep the quality of the whisky untouched. The cask was finished in a first fill bourbon hogshead to give more depth to its character.

AULTMORE 9 YEAR OLD

RRP: $69.99
62.2% alc.

This single cask was distilled at Aultmore distillery in Speyside on 03.04.2008 and bottled on 04.09.2017 at cask strength, without chill-filtering, to keep the quality of the whisky untouched. The cask was finished in a first fill oloroso sherry cask to give more depth to its character.

And now, about the brand…

The premise of Chapter 7 is simple – each cask of whisky is unique, and each one tells a story. The wood, age, temperature, location in the warehouse… Everything makes a difference. Two casks of a distillery filled at the same time and sitting next to each other can taste different. This is why bigger single malt brands marry casks in large vats so that the master blender can try to make the taste of the brand consistent.

Chapter 7, a Swiss brand, is the brain-child of Selim Evin. He is a world-traveling entrepreneur living in Switzerland who was inspired by his Scottish grandfather’s passion for whisky. Selim thinks that each cask should remain singular to tell its own unique story. He was taught at an early age that casks are not just vessels but they give the whisky its character and soul. So he travels to Scotland and Ireland to hand-select single casks from different distilleries. Then he custom bottles each one with its own story. Chapter 7 editions are bottled at cask strength and are non-chill-filtered to present the characteristics of the whisky untouched. It is more than a business, it is a passion.

Chapter 7’s minimalist and natural design and packaging texture attracts a trendy and younger consumer profile with design awareness. Gift buyers that represent a large proportion of whisky buyers are attracted by the minimalist design and exclusivity. Each cask is chosen by whisky connoisseurs from the trade. Some casks are from distilleries that do not have their own distillery bottlings hence are interesting as collectables. Each bottle is hand-numbered to offer personalization.

“This photo evokes memories of days gone by. Studious men seeking knowledge amongst the chaos. Much like the Malt Masters of old learning their art in the pursuit of whisky greatness, When I raise a dram, I like to think of all great men who have been involved in crafting it. From the cooper to the Malt Master and everyone in between. Slainte.” – Selim Evin

Please feel free to reach out for more details: office@impexbev.com

GlenDronach Allardice

The mighty Allardice from GlenDronach returns to our start of year #whiskysale!

Limited stock available at this amazingly good price! The latest batch we have in stock was bottled in 2018.

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View all whisky sale items! 

Ardbeg “An Oa” Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

SKU #132309993 points Whisky Advocate

$59.99

 Ardbeg doles out occasional limited releases for their avid fans, but for nearly a decade the core range consisted of just three whiskies: 10 year old, Uigeadail, and Corryvreckan. The addition of An Oa, matured in a combination of virgin oak, Pedro Ximénez sherry, and bourbon barrels, and married in a French oak ‘gathering vat’ prior to bottling, marks a reason to celebrate. An Oa is a more approachable Ardbeg. It lacks some of the typical oiliness, but flavor and complexity abound with hot peat, black tea, and peppery cloves. Die-hard Ardbeg fans should have no complaints, and new converts have a real treat in store. *Top 20 Whiskies of 2017* (GS)  (12/2017)

K&L Notes

For the first time in a long time, we’ve got a permanent new member of the Ardbeg portfolio to tell you about. This isn’t some new committee release or another $100+ bottle of limited edition, space-themed, gimmick-oriented Islay malt. This is the new “An Oa,” a reasonably-priced and absolutely delicious new addition to the trio of 10 year, Uigeadail, and Corryvreckan that not only brings value back into the LVMH peated empire, but also serious flavor and enjoyment. Believe it or not, it’s not always easy to enjoy a bottle of whisky when it costs you three figures, you can only buy a limit of one bottle, and you’re scared to drink each sip for fear you’ll never be able to replace the experience. With the An Oa, Ardbeg is bringing not only functionality back to their core range, they’re bringing fun and flavor, to boot. The distillery’s notes: “A welcome new addition to the Ultimate range. Ardbeg An Oa is singularly rounded, due in no small part to time spent in our newly established bespoke oak Gathering Vat where whiskies from several cask types – including; sweet Pedro Ximenez; spicy virgin charred oak; and intense ex-bourbon casks, amongst others – familiarise themselves with each other. The result is a dram with smoky power, mellowed by a delectable, smooth sweetness. Hallmark Ardbeg peat, dark chocolate and aniseed are wrapped in smooth, silky butterscotch, black pepper and clove, before rising to an intense crescendo of flavour.”

SPIRIT BEGINS TO FLOW AT GLENWYVIS DISTILLERY
TO CELEBRATE BURNS DAY 2018 

The team at GlenWyvis was celebrating this week as distillation commenced at the world’s first 100% community-owned distillery. On Burns Day, 25^th January 2018, the GlenWyvis master distiller, Duncan Tait, announced this final memorable milestone in the journey to bring distilling back to Dingwall after almost a century.

GlenWyvis, which is entirely powered by sustainable energy, sits high on a hill overlooking the historic town. Established as a Community Benefit Society, the distillery aims to take a lead role in the regeneration of Dingwall and the wider community. And with gin distillation moving to the site in the Spring, GlenWyvis is set to be one of a few dual whisky and gin producers in Scotland – as it seeks to offer something truly innovative and different in the burgeoning Scottish drinks market.

David O’Connor, chairman of the distillery board, said: “Duncan and the distillery team have been busy behind the scenes since the official opening of the distillery on the 30^th of November. The results of their endeavours are now there for everyone to see. It is a truly historic day for the town and the distillery, and we have the casks onsite ready to fill with spirit that we believe will make GlenWyvis a name to reckon with in the whisky world.”

John McKenzie, founder and managing director, added: “Duncan and myself always had the 25^th of January as a target date, not just because it’s my own birthday, but because it’s the day we celebrate one of Scotland’s greatest icons, Robert Burns. The GlenWyvis connection with Burns – through the old Ferintosh Distillery that once operated just outside Dingwall, and which Burns lamented the loss of in his poem Scotch Drink – made today a fitting date to bring whisky distilling back to Dingwall.

“As a Community Benefit Society, thousands of people have come together to help build this distillery, and, in turn, this will help with regenerating the town, creating jobs, and, of course long-term, we will also see the profits being passed onto other worthwhile community projects both locally and further afield. With our first whisky now laid down, we must look to maximise the benefit to the town from visitors. Tourism, renewable energy, and food and drink – these are three huge things in Scotland – and a distillery that is 100% powered by green energy ticks all three.”

Meanwhile, GlenWyvis continues to reap national and international recognition. The latest addition to a number of high profiles features sees the release of a short film from Co-operatives UK that looks at the ethos driving the GlenWyvis projects. The film can be seen here – and its release also coincides with a further surge of investment from new members seeking to secure part-ownership of a distillery – with over £450,000 now invested in the GlenWyvis second open share offer.

Notes

Duncan Tait, Distillery Manager, Biography

Duncan has worked for Diageo across all aspects of distillery and distilling management with an impressive track-record over 26 years in the industry. Working mainly in Speyside – but also with distillery experience in the Lothians and on the West Coast – he is moving from his current role as distillery manager at Mortlach Distillery.

He brings with him an impressive knowledge of all aspects of distillery, production development and retail management including overseeing the upgrade and expansion work of numerous distilleries. In addition, he has a wealth of Scottish tourism, event management and heritage experience and has worked with many international visitors and markets.

Second Share offer investment

The GlenWyvis second open share offer has brought that total number of investors in the distillery to over 3,400 – with some 830 new members investing more than £450,000 since 3^rd August 2017. The share issue was launched to capitalise on continued investment interest from locals and visitors alike. The minimum investment is £250, and supporters are also able pay extra to have their name added to the distillery wall.

Full details of the open share offer are on the GlenWyvis Distillery website at www.glenwyvis.com

Investment can be made online via www.crowdfunder.co.uk or www.glenwyvis.com