SUMMER 2024: HIGHLY RATED WHISKIES $100 & UNDER
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Chivas Brothers partners with Bairds Malt to establish sustainable programme with Scottish farmers
The Scotch whisky producer partners with Scottish barley growers, fostering sharing and collaboration to reduce its carbon footprint and help future-proof the industry
Glasgow, UK: Chivas Brothers, the Pernod Ricard business dedicated to Scotch whisky and makers of Chivas Regal and Aberlour, today announces a new agriculture programme supporting sustainable farming practices among Scottish barley growers represented by Bairds Malt and Scotgrain.
The pilot programme is a collaboration between Chivas Brothers, Bairds Malt, malt producer for the brewing and distilling industry in the UK and internationally, and Scotgrain, the leading Agricultural Merchant covering supply of arable inputs, agronomy, procurement & marketing of grains, oilseeds and pulses.
The partnership has been established with a view to working collaboratively to facilitate and further the continuous improvement on farm, and to help future-proof the livelihoods of farmers in regional Scottish communities. It is also intended to help secure the supply of barley – a critical ingredient in the whisky making process – and reduce Chivas Brothers’ indirect carbon footprint.
Roughly a third of Chivas Brothers’ carbon footprint comes from the growing and processing of its agricultural raw materials – including the manufacturing of fertiliser, production of barley and malting.
Chivas Brothers is one of the biggest purchasers of malted barley in Scotland – the majority of which it sources from Bairds Malt – underscoring the significance of this project and Chivas Brothers’ responsibility to the industry to invest in sustainability trials, research and information transfer.
The pilot programme, named the ‘Dalmunach Growers Pilot Group’, will run over a three to five-year period and is initially comprised of eight farmers who have voluntarily elected to be a part of the first on-farm trial. In addition to carbon emissions reduction, trials will cover various approaches both to improvements in soil health – to create a more resilient growing process – and biodiversity, from fertiliser use and cover-cropping to wildflower strips.
Ronald Daalmans, Environmental Sustainability Manager at Chivas Brothers commented, “Establishing partnerships with our growers represents a critical moment in Chivas Brothers’ sustainability journey. The ongoing impact of climate change means our growers are having to adapt their practices – and many are faced with tough decisions regarding sustainable practices because it is cost prohibitive to implement new techniques without certainty of how they’ll affect crops through the growing cycle. Working together makes us stronger – not only to reduce carbon emissions at pace, but also to provide invaluable insights that can benefit the farming community at large.”
Victoria Buxton, Agronomist and Farm Business Manager at Bairds Malt added, “We’re incredibly excited to have partnered with Chivas Brothers to establish a programme with our growers that looks at sustainable farming practices through on-farm carbon reduction, soil health and biodiversity. To have the support of Chivas Brothers reinforces that climate change is an issue that affects the whole supply chain and we’re all equally invested.”
Learnings and insights will be shared with the full cohort of roughly sixty farmers under the Bairds Malt and Scotgrain communities at regular Growers Group meetings, fostering knowledge-sharing for the betterment of the programme and each other’s operations.
Chivas Brothers and Simpsons Malt Limited partner on pilot of carbon-saving fertiliser creating ‘greener’ whisky
The UK exclusive pilot leverages OCI Global’s innovative low-carbon fertiliser, which has the potential to reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions created in the growing of barley and wheat for whisky production by up to 20%.
Chivas Brothers, the Pernod Ricard business dedicated to Scotch whisky and makers of Chivas Regal and Ballantine’s, along with its distilling wheat supplier, Simpsons Malt Limited, today announce investment in low-carbon fertiliser created by OCI Global, a market-leading fertiliser company.
A select number of farmers in the Chivas Brothers Wheat Growers Group, who provide the wheat which is grown specifically for the distilling of many of the Scotch producer’s blended whiskies, are currently trialling the low-carbon calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) fertiliser, Nutramon® Low Carbon, as part of an exclusive agreement between OCI Global and Simpsons Malt Limited’s agricultural merchanting division, McCreath Simpson & Prentice.
Nutramon® Low Carbon is produced using certified bio-gas and is estimated to have a reduced production carbon footprint of up to 50% compared to conventionally produced fertilizers (cradle-to-gate). Nutramon® Low Carbon is ISCC PLUS certified, a recognized independent certification standard for bio, bio-circular and renewable feedstocks across the world.
While the composition and effectiveness of Nutramon® Low Carbon is equal to conventional fertiliser, use of this lower-carbon alternative ultimately equates to a 15-20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the barley and wheat grown for distilling.
The trial is the latest milestone in Chivas Brothers’ ambition to create a sustainable future for whisky and reduce its indirect carbon footprint. With approximately a third of Chivas Brothers’ carbon footprint resulting from growing and processing raw materials such as barley and wheat grown for distilling, tackling the emissions created in their growth is a vital step towards reducing the environmental impact of the production of whisky.
The farmers will harvest crops involved in the pilot from August to October 2024, with the wheat and malted barley to be used in the production of Chivas Brothers’ Ballantine’s blended Scotch. Once the impact of the trial has been assessed, Chivas Brothers will be looking at how the use of biobased fertiliser more widely could contribute to reducing carbon emissions from its supply chain.
In time, Chivas Brothers and Simpsons Malt Limited will seek to move toward broader use of green fertiliser, including those using green ammonia produced by electrolysis with renewable electricity leveraging on cooperation with OCI Global’s low carbon ammonia portfolio. This process creates up to 90% less carbon emissions than traditional fertilisers.
Ronald Daalmans, Sustainability Director at Chivas Brothers commented,
“We’re on a mission to reduce carbon emissions throughout our supply chain and that requires us to be at the forefront of new innovations that come to market. We cannot do this alone, which is why likeminded partners such as Simpsons Malt Limited and OCI Global are so important to helping us realise this ambition. Together with our farming community, we’re limiting the environmental impact of cereal crops destined for our whiskies.
“We look forward to continuing and expanding this initiative, as well as sharing our findings and experiences with the wider farming and whisky industries to help drive positive change across Scotland and beyond.”
Andy Hindhaugh, Commercial Director at Simpsons Malt Limited added,
“We are deeply committed to sustainability and reducing the environmental impact of our operations. This collaboration with Chivas Brothers and OCI Global on the trial of low carbon Nutramon fertiliser represents a significant step towards achieving these goals. By working closely with our farmers to adopt innovative, low-carbon solutions, we are not only enhancing the sustainability of our supply chain but also contributing to a greener future for the whisky industry. We are excited about the potential of this initiative and look forward to its expansion and the positive impact it will have on our environmental footprint.”
Aviv Bar Tal, Vice President Commercial Nitrogen at OCI Global commented,
“Through its low-carbon portfolio, OCI Global aims to reduce the carbon footprint of the global food production chain. We are proud to collaborate with two leading companies, Simpsons and Chivas, to create a partnership in the food and drink supply chain to deliver affordable but also sustainable products.”
The next Chivas Brothers Wheat Growers Group meeting will take place in the Autumn, where farmers involved will be sharing the results of these trials with the broader group, encouraging wider roll-out and more volunteers to use the low carbon or green fertilisers.
Antiquary 15 Year Old Claret Cask Matured
This blended whisky is a mix of Highland and Speyside single malts (40%) and Lowland grain whisky (60%), which have been married in red wine Claret casks from Bordeaux, France. Bottled at 40% abv. Expect aromas of stewed orchard fruits and mixed spice, before a palate full of rhubarb and raspberry flavour.
£48.00
SHOP NOW ❯
Time to introduce you to another member of our team, Blair Sterrick. Born in Glasgow and raised in Ayr, Blair began his career in hospitality, managing bars before transitioning to sales in 2008.
His career includes 9 years at Diageo, followed by roles at Halewood Wines and Spirits, Dunns Food and Drinks, and Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers. We were thrilled to welcome him to the Isle of Harris Distillery team in August 2023 as our UK Market Manager.
Within his role, Blair oversees all aspects of UK commercial, customer care, business from trade customers and our online website, and also our tour and shop team at the distillery in Tarbert.
When asked what his favourite thing about working as part of the distillery team is, Blair told us…
“When I first started, people mentioned the ‘Hebridean hospitality’, and that is so true, I was made to feel so welcome from day one. A true testament of our ethos, there is no split between our small mainland team and the team based at the distillery in Harris.”
SPRINGBANK 26YO TRAVIS COLLABORATION BOTTLE
‘RAZE THE BAR’
THIS ARTICLE APPEARS HERE AS A MATTER OF RECORD AND INTEREST; IT IS LONG SOLD OUT.
Springbank Distillers has joined forces with the iconic multiple BRIT and Ivor Novello-winning Scottish rock band Travis to release a special collaborative bottling due out on 14th August 2024. Coinciding with the release of Travis’s new album, L.A. Times, this 26 year old bourbon matured Springbank was carefully selected in partnership with the band and proudly displays the L.A. Times album artwork.
The Springbank and Travis collaboration was initiated in conjunction with Kilkerran, as we sought to make 2024 a year of celebrations in Campbeltown to mark the 20th anniversary of Kilkerran, first produced in March 2004. At the forefront of these celebrations was to be a night of music in Campbeltown’s Victoria Hall, for which we had set our sights on Travis as the headline act.
With the help of CaskAde Drinks, a Glasgow-based collective known for its bottling collaborations with celebrated Scottish artists, the groundwork began to bring Travis to Campbeltown to mark this milestone for Kilkerran. Of great advantage in these negotiations was the band’s fondness of Springbank.
It is uncharacteristic of Springbank to offer single casks, but the opportunity to partner with the Scottish music giants was too good to pass up. A deal was struck for a single cask collaboration with Springbank and Travis, in exchange for the band performing at the Kilkerran 20th anniversary celebration in Campbeltown.
Saturday 13th July was a night to remember in Campbeltown with Travis headlining the celebrations, along with support from the Red Hot Chilli Pipers and local band, Fling. Importers, retailers and supporters of Kilkerran were welcomed to Campbeltown from all over the world to enjoy the Scottish entertainment and commemorate the distillery’s milestone.
The Springbank Travis bottling will be available to buy on our website for £1,250 from 12 noon BST on Wednesday 14th August.
Springbank 26 Year Old Single Malt Whisky
Matured in a Refill Bourbon Hogshead
Single cask release of 234 bottles worldwide
Available in a 70cl bottle
53.5% ABV
£1,250 (SOLD OUT)
(UK Price including VAT)
NOSE
Soft peat smoke, honeycomb and tropical fruits on the nose, the introduction to this dram is characteristically bourbon matured Springbank.
PALATE
Light and creamy on the palate, there are notes of fruit syrup, tinned peaches and honeydew melon, along with touches of woodspice and the continuation of the peat smoke influence.
FINISH
There is a flint note in the finish and an ashy note reminiscent of campfire embers.
We’re excited to showcase some of our favourite releases in this month’s top picks. Whether you’re on the lookout for that perfect last chance gift, or searching for a relaxed summer sipper, we’ve got you covered with a raft of whiskies.
As supplies of The Hearach single malt dwindle, it’s time to replenish global stocks with some fresh batches. Our small-batch system now brings you Batch No. 13, 14, 15, and 16, each accompanied by their own flavour notes from one of our fellow islanders.
For Batch 13 we travel north to the neighbouring Isle of Lewis and the village of Lemreway for a tasting with John Maywaters…
“I get aromas of fresh cut grass and then the smoke from a garden bonfire. There’s a sweetness like fresh fruit salad topped with condensed milk. Then I’m reminded of early October-time and preparing ingredients for our Christmas cake and mincemeat. The first sip is very light, well-rounded, with great mouthfeel, and a slight saltiness on the lips. There’s a nice bit of ‘zing’ and those fruit flavours again, with a hint of butterscotch. The finish is long and lingers nicely. It’s what a Harris dram should be…”
Williamson 10 Year Old 2013 Oloroso Finish Berry Bros Milroy’s Exclusive 57.1% ABV
We teamed up with fellow London drinks merchants Berry Bros. & Rudd for our latest exclusive bottling: a 10 year old Oloroso-finished single malt from Islay. While we can’t say exactly which distillery it comes from, those in the know will recognise the ‘trade name’ of this iconic producer. The ashy, smoky spirit pairs indulgently with the rich dried fruits from the cask, for a mouth-watering, sumptuous dram. We’re proud of the spirits we bottle exclusively, and this one is a bold, invigorating stand-out.
Tasting note:
Nose: The peat smoke is immediately apparent, along with figs, dates, prunes, and a hint of meatiness from the Oloroso wood.
Palate: Commanding and pronounced, dark chocolate and beeswax jump out from the fruity tobacco smoke.
Finish: Baking spices linger on.
57.1% 70cl
£87.50
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof “Batch B524” Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
750ml $69.99
The old stalwart from Elijah Craig released originally more than 10 years ago has become a standard barrier for the category. Heaven Hill does three small batch cask strength releases of their finest well aged stock a year and while they’ve recently deviated from the previous 12-year-old standard, the whiskies are no less impressive at 11 or 13 years old. In fact, some of these slightly younger batches will remind you very quickly that older isn’t always better in bourbon. Clocking in at a modest 11 years and 2 months, you’d be hard pressed to perceive the slightly lower age statement had it not been disclosed. Dense, big and powerful, this extremely well-made bourbon is the benchmark for quality and price in the industry. Clocking in at an inviting 130.6 proof, every single lover of full-strength bourbon will be satisfied after just one sip of this excellent new batch.
David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 19, 2024
As Heaven Hill’s competitors continue to increase the prices of even younger casks strength stocks, Elijah Craigs full bore explosiveness and everyday consistency offers an respite from madness elsewhere in the category. And while the taters and flippers might skip this batch because it doesn’t show the big age statement, the rest of us proper drinkers will be quietly enjoying another excellent batch of ECBP. It’s difficult to point to a better bourbon on the shelf under $70 from any producer and as long as you’re initiated into the cask strength club, there’s little risk of not liking this one. Let’s have a taste. The color is a typical deep auburn (1.5). The nose is extremely approachable right off the neck pour but absolutely loves air. Dense caramel sauce, brown sugar syrup, deep roasted oak spice, candied almonds, toasted vanilla bean. Keeps opening and giving with air and time. This is some of the bourboniest bourbon I’ve bourboned in some time. Behind the sweet sugar and oak, flecks of cinnamon, ancient furniture, varnish and stewed plums. On the palate, it’s got surprising lift and gorgeous fruitiness up front. The supple texture is the hallmark here and the dark woody character of the nose does not translate into bitterness or harsh tannin. That said a beautiful building spice takes over after the surprisingly refreshing front and warms the entire body perfectly. This is just really solid in every way. It doesn’t color outside thelines, but honestly we never asked it. It’s an absolute joy to drink and although it’s completely familiar in everyway it’s still exciting from the first nosing to the long lingering finish. Anyone who poopoos this batch for not being 13 years old hasn’t given it a fair shake.
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
