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Clermont Steep ‘The Single Malt Sidecar’ Sips for 4th of July – Whiskey News

Clermont Steep – Suntory Global Spirits’ first foray into the American Single Malt category, this whiskey focuses on a single grain – 100% malted barley. ABV: 47% | SRP: $60

The Single Malt Sidecar

2 oz Clermont Steep American Single Malt

1 oz Orange Liqueur

.5 oz Fresh Lemon Juice

Lemon peel, for garnish

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Ardray Blended Scotch Whisky – Milroy’s of Soho News

Ardray Blended Scotch Whisky 48% 70cl

£55.00 £49.95

Ardray Blended Scotch Whisky 48% 

Think you know blended Scotch? Ardray has come along to put a fresh perspective on all that. An exactingly crafted combination of malt and grain aged for up to 20 years, Ardray is a celebration of the art of blending. Two years in the making, it’s been created by the Suntory blending team – the very same people that make Hibiki, Yamazaki and Hakushu. The result is remarkable. Ardray is rich and sumptuous with a honeyed mouthfeel delivering florals, citrus, and a hint of smoke. An extraordinary blended Scotch that’s a masterclass in balance and finesse. 

Tasting note:

Nose: Ardray opens with an elegant gentleness which develops into orchard fruits and subtle spices that sit above an understatedly savoury smoke. 

Palate: The theme continues but this time with a mouth-coating, silken texture. More florals come through, along with vanilla custard and more smoke. 

Finish: Long, mellow and pleasantly warming with the smoke whispering on.

COUNCIL releases new Scotch Whisky Documentary “MASTERS OF WHISKEY” – Whisky News

COUNCIL releases new Scotch whisky documentary “MASTERS OF WHISKEY”

Masters of Whiskey (2024) follows twenty-three candidates on their journey to whiskey mastery, and to the top ranks of the world’s leading study and certification body devoted to whiskey. The rigorous three-day exam takes place on the remote Isle of Raasay, in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland, at one of the nation’s newest and most picturesque distilleries.

THE FILM

The film peers behind the scenes of the world’s most challenging whiskey exams, where candidates must pass a blind tasting exam, an oral theory exam, and an essay exam overseen by many of the world’s leading authorities on whiskey—including Charles MacLean, Dave Broom, Hans Offringa, Becky Offringa, Steve Beal, Martin Duffy, Bernhard Schäfer, Sébastien Gavillet, Monique Huston, Arthur Nägele, Tobias Gorn, Alasdair Day, Guy Sporbert, Dan Crowell, Adam Edmonsond, Nik Kosobucki, Tom McCormick, Siddharth Sawkar, John Wabeck, and Sam Wright. In addition to sixteen first-time Master of Scotch and Master of Bourbon candidates, seven current Masters of Scotch or Bourbon return for their shot at the top global title, Master of Whiskey.

The Harris Journal: MEET THE PEOPLE BEHIND OUR DRAM – Scotch Whisky News

Our historic island dram flows from Harris hands…

Meet Shona Macleod, one of the key people behind the development of The Hearach single malt whisky ‘recipe’. Shona grew up only few steps from the distillery doors and after studying Hospitality Management in Glasgow felt a strong pull home to her roots here in the Isle of Harris.

In December 2014, she joined the distillery as part of the Tarbert 10, the original ten members of staff, and began her journey as our Guest Services Manager. Her involvement in the sensory and quality aspects of our Isle of Harris Gin naturally led Shona to develop an interest in whisky production and tasting.

Today, Shona now proudly serves as our Distillery Blender, focusing on The Hearach she was instrumental in creating, and the art and science of maturation cask selection.

MEET THE PEOPLE BEHIND OUR DRAM

WELCOME TO MIAMI! REVEL IN A GLAMOROUS MOMENT WITH THE NEW ROYAL SALUTE 21 YEAR OLD MIAMI POLO EDITION – Scotch Whisky News

WELCOME TO MIAMI! REVEL IN A GLAMOROUS MOMENT WITH THE NEW ROYAL SALUTE 21 YEAR OLD MIAMI POLO EDITION

Royal Salute, the master of exceptionally aged Scotch whisky, invites whisky lovers and cultural appreciators alike to savour a taste of Miami with the latest addition in its iconic Polo Collection; the Royal Salute 21 Year Old Miami Polo Edition, where every sip encapsulates the glamourous city’s vibrant backdrop.

Royal Salute’s link to polo has been a long and illustrious one, dating back over 15 years, and the newest polo-inspired expression comes endorsed by celebrated player and Royal Salute World Polo Ambassador Malcolm Borwick. The Royal Salute 21 Year Old Miami Polo Edition is the sixth edition in its renowned Polo Collection and continues the Scotch whisky’s ethos of entering new kingdoms by capturing the culture of emblematic polo locations around the world. Celebrating its famed polo clubs and vibrant scene, Miami is a modern-day polo destination and takes the spotlight as the inspiration behind this new blend.

Expertly crafted by Royal Salute’s Master Blender Sandy Hyslop to embrace the essence of Miami’s sun-kissed energy, the new expression presents a first in Royal Salute’s blending history, with a bespoke whisky finished in a blend of classic first-fill bourbon and first-fill rye casks. The result of this all-American oak cask finish is superbly smooth with vanilla and coconut notes resonant of Miami’s golden beaches, and a subtly spiced finish that captures warm city sunsets.

Commenting on the latest release, Sandy Hyslop said:

Miami is such a dynamic city, so we wanted to craft a blend that would echo this with an exciting new dimension. Selecting the finest first-fill bourbon and rye casks to finish the special formulation of whiskies aged for a minimum of 21 years allowed us to impart some incredible flavours and emphasise the sweet and spicy notes of the final blend, perfectly nodding to Miami’s vibrant scene.”

Capturing the playful allure of the city, the 21 Year Old Miami Polo Edition is presented in a striking pink flagon, itself housed in a stunning presentation box adorned with an illustrative design depicting glamorous post-polo match gatherings, set against Miami’s infamous art-deco architecture.

Royal Salute World Polo Ambassador, Malcolm Borwick, comments:

Miami is a special place and somewhere I’ve spent a lot of time, being such an integral stop on the international polo circuit. The city’s cultural energy is electric, and as a contemporary capital of polo, it’s a fitting destination to honour within the Royal Salute Polo Collection. Capturing its dynamism within a high-aged Scotch whisky is no easy feat, and this new blend will be a perfect dram to enjoy after my next polo match there.”

The Royal Salute 21 Year Old Miami Polo Edition will be officially unveiled in Palm Beach in April 2024 through a two-day event, including a high-energy polo match at Grand Champions Polo Club in Wellington, when Malcolm Borwick will take to the field in front of a crowd of over 300 guests for the ‘Royal Salute Polo Challenge in Support of Sentebale’. The event will bring together guests championing the charity’s work supporting vulnerable people and their communities to address issues of health, wealth inequality and climate resilience in Lesotho and Botswana. Royal Salute has been a long-term supporter of the charity which was co-founded in 2006 by Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex and the Prince Seeiso of Lesotho.

The Royal Salute 21 Year Old Miami Polo Edition is available in limited quantities at specialist retailers globally from 11th April 2024 at an RRP from $190 USD. Follow @royalsalute and visit royalsalute.com to discover more.

The Harris Journal: Meet Donald Mackay – Scotch Whisky News

The Hearach whisky takes its name from the Gaelic word for a native of Harris. So, every box of our single malt features portraits of local men and women from our community.

Meet Donald Mackay, better know here as ‘Mossie’, from Scalpay who is planning to celebrate his 91st birthday in July of this year. Born in 1933, he was born and brought up on the island but spent much of his life at sea and has seen plenty of the world as a result.

Today, he is happily retired and still lives in Scalpay with views of the south harbour, where he’s a proud ‘seanair’ to his 7 grandchildren. A legendary dancer, after seeing him in action at our launch weekend cèilidh last year, we’re happy to confirm his energy and love of life remains undiminished! A huge thank you to him for allowing us to capture some of his Hearach spirit…

ORDER THE HEARACH

SKIP THE LIGHT FANDANGO – Scotch Malt Whisky Society News

SKIP THE LIGHT FANDANGO

Cask No. 44.172

Age: 20 years

Cask: First Fill Oloroso Hogshead

The nose had honey and nut cornflakes, sticky buns, moist gingerbread and peanut brittle, orange boxes and cherry cola in a leather shoe. The intense, deep palate had pastel de nata, syrup of figs, dates and stewed prunes with custard to begin, leaning later into earthier notes of thyme, oregano, tobacco strands and wine-stained flamenco floorboards. The reduced nose went from golden syrup, maple candies and hot fudge sundae to sawn oak and orange groves. The palate now combined demerara sugar on roasted peaches and honey on fresh figs with salted peanuts and cigarette ash. This spent its first 17 years in ex-bourbon wood, the rest in a first fill Spanish oak oloroso hogshead.

VIEW THE BOTTLE

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ

Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

SMWS LOGO 2017 NEW

Bruichladdich 1992 32 Year Old, Dramfool’s Gold Cask #1130 – Tyndrum Islay Single Malt Whisky News

This is an old-style whisky from a bygone generation or distillers. No doubt made using a more traditional barely variety, likely longer slow fermentation and truly traditional ways. Due to the vintage, they are certain this would have been matured close to the edge of Lochindaal in one of the original Victorian dunnage warehouses, with a close eye kept over it by Duncan McGillivray through its distillation, distillery closure and mothballing to reopening. It has stood the test of time through the ‘whisky loch’ of the 1990’s, the rejuvenation of the distillery, the boom of the 2000’s onwards, and only now is it ready to leave the cask and find a home in Dramfool’s GOLD and, we hope, be enjoyed.

It has been a long wait but well worth the time!!

£630.00

Tasting notes from Jim McEwan MBE

Colour – Liquid Gold Body – Mellow, Mature & Pure Magic!

Aromas – Its a gentle mature aroma that can only come from a spirit matured a stones throw from the Atlantic Ocean. The spiciness from the bourbon soaked staves works beautifully with the sweetness of the barley, slow distillation by a team of locals who knew only one way and at 32 years its an olfactory delight. Light notes of melon and pear drift in on a marine overture, little hints of Flora & Fauna drift by inviting you to the Island of wonderful spirits and generations of Islanders who provided the pride and passion you hold in your hand.

Taste At 32 years it’s an irresistible mature spirit. The oak, the malt and the passion of the people who distil while we sleep. The marine freshness does not allow the oak to dominate thus you experience the skill of the men who have inherited the art of distillation from their forefathers.

TyndrumWhisky.com
The Green Welly Stop
Tyndrumwhisky, Tyndrum
Crianlarich, Perthshire FK20 8RY
United Kingdom

Why do we choose our own casks? – Wemyss Single Malt News

Why We Choose Our Own Casks –
Education Series – Part 2

We are proud to unveil the second part of our Wemyss Malts Education Series: Why We Choose Our Own Casks. Our Production Director, Isabella Wemyss, believes in crafting whiskies that stand out for their consistency and quality. It’s not just about the spirit; it’s about the cask and wood type it matures in.

In part 2 of our Education Series, Isabella explains why selecting the perfect casks is integral to our process. Each whisky’s flavour is a result of the intricate dance between the spirit and the cask it calls home. That’s why we match cask types to flavour profiles, ensuring each component is in harmony.

Every cask has its own unique character, influenced by the wood itself, chemical reactions, and its history. Whether it’s the sweetness of a first-fill bourbon cask or the subtlety of a refill cask, each choice is deliberate, aimed at achieving the perfect balance.

Watch the full length video on why we choose our own casks below:

The Hive 70cl | Peat Chimney 70cl | Spice King 70cl

SHOP OUR CORE RANGE

there, discover our whiskies of exception. – The Glen Rothes Single Malt News

Whisky Makers of Exception

Our whisky-making relies on the knowledge, wisdom and skill of a small team of craftsmen, often passed down through generations.  Built in 1879, our founders had a bold vision to distil a lighter spirit that would be a harmonious counter to the norm.

Realising this vision led our founders to three defining decisions that continue to shape The Glenrothes to this day.  They designed the distillery with tall stills, chose to distil the spirit at a slow rate and introduced a balanced distillation system.  All of these decisions increased copper contact, removing heavy flavour compounds, thereby creating a lighter spirit.

But it wasn’t just these decisions that led to the creation of the visionary spirit.

Built in the ancient Glen of Rothes, exceptionally soft and pure spring water rises naturally in springs across the Estate.  Delivering a clean, light mouth feel – the foundation to our elegant spirit – the water was a gift to our founders.  But it was their understanding of the benefits that meant they had the foresight to buy the land and protect it for generations.>

Over time, our whisky makers have developed great wisdom, understanding the unique spirit evolution and the value of quality casks, enabling them to manage aging with a precision that harnesses both spirit and cask.

Explore our whiskies and where you can find them on our website.

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