Award-winning Tomatin whisky: the ideal gift for Father’s Day 2023

Highland distillery unveils its ‘must-have’ whiskies for father figures this June

There is no better way to celebrate a father figure than with a remarkable dram, shared together or gifted as a moment to savour.

Nestled in the heart of the Highlands and famous for its portfolio of spectacular single malts, Tomatin is a distillery full of history, heritage, and charm. Responsible for the award-winning collection is a loyal team, many of whom have worked at the distillery for much of their adult lives, with generations of their families before them.

Family is intrinsic to what makes Tomatin and its whisky so special, making it the ideal choice for a Father’s Day gift.

Tomatin – 12 Year Old single malt (70cl, 43% ABV, £47)

An award-winning flagship from Tomatin’s core range: a silky smooth single malt with a rich and fruity aroma. 

This remarkable 12 Year Old single malt is matured in a combination of ex-bourbon, ex-Spanish sherry and traditional Scotch whisky casks. Initial aromas of wild heather, pine and cedar soon reveal sweeter notes of crème caramel with apples, pears and mango, before a full-bodied and buttery finish.

The quality of this whisky was recognised at the world-renowned International Spirits Challenge receiving Gold in 2022 and 2021, and most recently, picking up a Gold at the San Fransisco World Spirits Competition in 2023.

Available at: https://tomatin.com/ and specialist whisky retailers.  

 

Tomatin – Legacy single malt (70cl, 43% ABV, £35) 

An exceptional single malt which celebrates the legacy of Tomatin and the enduring spirit of its people.

After being established in 1897 in the heart of the idyllic but isolated village of Tomatin, the distillery required a workforce to manage production. The company began a construction project to accommodate its workforce and since then, the distillery has been at the heart of the community. It is one of the few remaining distilleries which provides a home for its craftsmen and women on-site.

Legacy is a nod to that story.

This unpeated Scotch boasts aromas of vanilla bean, white chocolate, and cinnamon. Time spent in bourbon barrels and virgin oak casks brings a light sweetness to the whisky, which also offers a palate of gentle waves of fresh fruit peppered with ginger before a light, clean finish.

Available at: https://tomatin.com/ and specialist whisky retailers.   

Tomatin – 14 Year Old single malt (70cl, 46% ABV, £75)

A rare single malt from Tomatin’s core range: silky and sweet, benefiting from its time spent in Tawny Port casks

This distinctive 14 year old single malt whisky is matured in a combination of Bourbon barrels and Port casks which have previously held port for around 50 years.

A feather in the cap of Tomatin’s first class wood policy, a rich but balanced aromas of red berries are met with sweet honey and rich toffee which develop into aspects of light fruits and nuts to create an abiding finish of smooth fruit salad.

The quality of this whisky was recognised at the world-renowned International the San Fransisco World Spirits Competition in 2021 picking up Gold and Double Gold in 2019.

Available at: https://tomatin.com/ and specialist whisky retailers

Tomatin – Portuguese Collection 

Experience the magic of Tomatin’s craftsmanship in cask maturations with Tomatin’s Portuguese Collection. The limited-edition collection was launched last year to celebrate the relationship the distillery holds with its cask providers overseas.  

Distilled on 8th September 2006 and laid down in traditional oak casks for over eight years. On 23rd April 2015 the whisky was then moved into Tawny Port, Moscatel de Setúbal and Madeira Wine casks for a further seven years, resulting in a magnificent triad of single malt Scotch Whiskies.

#1 – The Port Edition single malt (70cl, 46% ABV, £90)

The first in the Collection is a unique edition matured in Tawny Port Casks, boasting aromas of Black Forest gateau that are met with warm spices and develop into fresh summer fruits. The taste is deep with forest fruits including blackberries, raspberries, and cherries, alongside sweeter notes of peach and apricot which return on the finish.

#2 – The Moscatel Edition single malt (70cl, 46%, £90)

Part two of the Portuguese Collection is the Moscatel Edition which is matured in Moscatel de Setúbal Casks. This distinctive single malt boasts sweet aromas of marmalade, honey and salted caramel that has a hint of citrus which balances perfectly with ginger and star anise on the palate. A sweet whisky with a long, dessert wine finish.

#3 – The Maderia Edition single malt (70cl, 46%, £90

Part three of the Portuguese Collection is the Maderia Edition which is matured in Maderia Wine casks. Initial aromas of honey and lemon take the lead, while flavours of butterscotch and stewed apples dance on the palate, before a treacly and fruity finish.

Available at: https://tomatin.com/ and specialist whisky retailers.

Tasting notes 

Tomatin 12 Year Old tasting notes

• Nose–Initially herbaceous with aromas of heather, wild mint, pinecones, and cedar soon sweetening to reveal notes of cookie dough, sultanas, caramelized sugar, and pine sap. There is a faint hint of leather and spice.
• Palate–Sweet and malty, reminiscent of a cheesecake base with dried apple, mango, and fresh pears. Crème caramel with raisin and Christmas spice.
• Finish –Buttery, full-bodied fruitiness gives way to tantalisingly dry notes of Oloroso. 

Tomatin Legacy tasting notes

• Nose – Opens with a burst of Bourbon barrel sweetness – aromas of custard cream biscuits, white chocolate, vanilla bean, white sugar, and golden syrup, before hints of sandalwood, desiccated coconut and cinnamon give a nod to the use of Virgin American Oak.
• Palate – Waves of sweet vanilla and fresh fruit with a gentle touch of white pepper and ginger. The quality of the Tomatin spirit is on full display here with pink lady apples, rhubarb, and candied orange peel.
• Finish – Fruit and oak combine to create a clean yet intriguing finish. 

Tomatin 14 Year Old tasting notes

• Nose– Top notes of fresh peach, mandarin, watermelon, and apple with deeper forest fruits like cherry and blackberry. There’s a touch of milk chocolate and a pop of honeycomb. Notes of clove and cardamom grow in intensity before another wave of fruit.
• Palate–The freshness on the nose has been preserved into a raspberry and strawberry jam, apricot compote, glace cherry, and crystallised ginger. Caramelised figs, prunes and nutty tones are indicative of the rich tawny port that once occupied these casks.
• Finish–A silky texture coats the mouth with jammy fruits and Byzantium spice. 

Tomatin Portuguese Collection tasting notes 

The Port Edition: The initial aroma is that of Black Forest gateau, with warm spices developing into fresh summer fruits. The taste is deep with forest fruits; blackberries, raspberries and cherries, but the sweeter notes of peach and apricot return on the finish.

The Moscatel Edition: Sweet aromas of marmalade, honey and salted caramel with a hint of citrus balance perfectly with ginger and star anise on the palate. A sweet whisky with a long, dessert wine finish.

The Madeira Edition: Pronounced aromas of honey and lemon take the lead, while flavours of butterscotch and stewed apples dance on the palate. The finish is treacly and fruity.

About Tomatin  

Tomatin is located in the Scottish Highlands (near Inverness) and is famous for its portfolio of soft and mellow whiskies, including a core range, a limited-edition range and a premium archive range (prices range from £35 – £17,500). Tomatin Single Malt is owned by Japanese company Takara Shuzo International

Tomatin has been dedicated to protecting its craft, its environment and particularly its community, which is at the very heart of the brand. Many of the craftspeople working on site have been doing so their entire working lives – all working towards producing a wide range of single malts, beloved across the world.

In 2022, Tomatin launched its new brand platform, ‘To What Matters’ – designed to remind people about the important things in life. ‘To What Matters’ is the latest chapter in the brand’s evolution; a positive call to arms that represents the spiritual DNA of Tomatin – a human belief in what’s truly important in life. The significant moments.

Recognition of the Highland distillery’s craftsmanship continues to grow globally.  In 2022, Tomatin was awarded ‘Scotch Whisky Producer of the Year’ and ‘Outstanding Spirits Producer of the Year’ at the International Wine & Spirit Competition. Later that year, it was recognised as ‘Sustainable Distillery of the Year’ at Whisky Magazine’s Icons of Whisky 2023, in recognition of its continued contribution to sustainably at the distillery.

In 2023, Tomatin’s Legacy single malt, part of the core range, was awarded Gold at the International Wine & Spirit Competition. It also took home seven awards at the San Fransisco World Spirits Competition, while Cù Bòcan, which is produced at the distillery in limited batches every winter, took home three.

 

Top whiskies for Father’s Day 2023

Independent distiller Loch Lomond Group reveals its ultimate gift guide of whiskies including Glen Scotia, Loch Lomond Whiskies and Noble Rebel

Glen Scotia, Loch Lomond Whiskies and Noble Rebel have recommended a range of Father’s Day expressions, perfect for whisky-loving dads and father figures across the country.

With a range of expressions from light and floral to heavily peated, across a variety of budgets, there’s something to suit all dads’ tastes this Father’s Day.

GLEN SCOTIA

For dads who enjoy their history, Glen Scotia is the perfect choice. Once known as the Victorian Whisky Capital of the World, Campbeltown was previously home to more than 30 distilleries. Now, only three remain including the award-winning Glen Scotia, whose range of exceptional single malt whiskies perfectly encapsulates the essence of the area and reflects the centuries of craftsmanship and experience associated with Scotland’s smallest whisky-making region.

Glen Scotia 15 Years Old – £68 – 46% ABV 

An exceptional single malt whisky intended to deliver a true taste of Campbeltown in its most beautiful simplicity.

Unpeated and matured in first-fill bourbon and re-fill American Oak casks, this rich and smooth single malt scotch whisky boasts hints of vanilla, sea spray and spicy aromatic fruits including apricot and orange blossom. A short finish in Oloroso casks ensures the classic regional traits shine through, for a warm, spicy and dry finish. 

Available at www.glenscotia.com and specialist whisky retailers.

Glen Scotia 21 Years Old – £265 – 46% ABV 

An elegant addition to any whisky connoisseur’s collection, the Glen Scotia 21 Year Old single malt is a smooth and aromatic dram.

Aged in a combination of refill bourbon barrels and refill American oak hogsheads, before a six-month finish in first-fill Oloroso sherry casks which adds perfumed floral notes to the signature distillery character of rich fruits and Atlantic Sea spray.

The liquid has been matured to bridge the gap between Glen Scotia’s 18 Year Old and its 25 Year Old, which won the ‘Best in Class’ and therefore Best in the World, at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2021 out of 3,800 entrants.

An elegant metal coin of the Glen Scotia logo is set into the shoulder of the premium bottle, which is presented in a solid display box ideal for collectors or gifting to someone special this Father’s Day. 

Available at www.glenscotia.com and specialist whisky retailers.

Glen Scotia Harbour Whisky Gift Set with Glasses – £50 – 40% ABV

The Glen Scotia Harbour Whisky Gift set is the perfect introduction to a whisky region rich in heritage and the perfect gift for a whisky lover looking to delve into the world of Campbeltown whisky.

It features two beautifully presented branded Glencairn whisky glasses and a bottle of Glen Scotia Harbour, a classic Campbeltown single malt that pays tribute to the small harbour town that went onto become the Victorian Whisky Capital of the World.

Glen Scotia Harbour has a distinct as distinct coastal influence of sea salt and gentle smoke, balanced with soft peach and vanilla custard that leaves a tangy peat on the finish. A gift that truly keeps on giving.

Available at www.glenscotia.com and specialist whisky retailers.  

LOCH LOMOND WHISKIES

Those looking for innovation should look no further than Loch Lomond Whiskies. The award-winning independent distiller features expressions created by the distillery’s unique combination of straight neck and swan neck stills. This year’s collection includes one of the distillery’s most popular expressions, as well as two limited edition single malts created specially to mark the 151^st year of golf’s prestigious The Open Championship, of which Loch Lomond Whiskies is the official spirit partner.

Loch Lomond Open Course Edition 2023 – £240 – 48.2% ABV 

Loch Lomond The Open Course Edition is a celebration of The Open’s 151^st golf championship, a monumental and prestigious event that will bring together the best golfers in the world this July.

Recently awarded Double Gold at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Awards, the highly exclusive certified organic single malt is a rare expression which captures the distillery’s spirit of exploration and unique whisky-making style.  Having distilled for over 22 years, it delivers notes of tropical fruit, pineapple and vanilla with a hint of toasted oak, ginger and cinnamon on the finish.

The Open Course Edition 2023 is presented in a striking black case and boasts an elevated bottle design, making it the perfect Father’s Day gift which will stand out on any whisky cabinet.   

Available at www.lochlomondwhiskies.com and specialist whisky retailers.   

Loch Lomond Open Special Edition – £45 – 46% ABV 

The ideal gift for golf fans, Loch Lomond The Open Edition marks the 151^st year of golf’s most prestigious championship which will take place at Royal Liverpool this summer.

Recently awarded Double Gold at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Awards, it has been crafted in partnership with Loch Lomond Whiskies’ long term golf ambassador, Colin Montgomerie – one of Scotland’s most legendary golfing figures.

The whisky was aged in American Oak casks before finishing its maturation journey in the rich red wine Rioja Alta Reserva cask which brings out the whisky’s unique notes of red berry, orchard fruit and creamy vanilla with dark chocolate, which complement the soft smoke on the finish.

Montgomerie’s signature appears on each bottle, adding an extra special touch to this wonderful Father’s Day gift.  Available at www.lochlomondwhiskies.com and specialist whisky retailers.

NOBLE REBEL

Finally, for any dram-loving dads who like to experiment with new flavours, there’s no better time to introduce them to Noble Rebel. An innovative and bold new blended malt Scotch whisky brand from Loch Lomond Group, Noble Rebel creatively pushes boundaries in the pursuit of flavour creation, combining the nobility of single malt whisky with the rigour of craftmanship. The flavours of Noble Rebel are brought to life through a series of vivid illustrations that detail the intricate stories, layers and tasting notes of each blend.

Noble Rebel Whisky Orchard Burst – £40 – 46% ABV

Noble Rebel was created to bring new ideas to old ways and traditions, so to create modern masterpieces that welcome newcomers with open arms and delight old friends alike.

Matured in ex-bourbon casks, Orchard Outburst balances crisp, ripe orchard fruits with surprising flavours of crashing salty ocean waves, resulting in an explosion of zest with hints of zingy lemon and lime.

This intriguing malt contains whisky distilled with Chardonnay wine yeast, an unusual ingredient in whisky distillation which helps to intensify fruit and citrus flavours in the finished blend.

It’s a beautifully balanced blend that is ideally suited for the main man in your life this Father’s Day. 

Available at www.noblerebelmalts.com and specialist whisky retailers. 

Noble Rebel Whisky Smoke Symphony – £40 – 46% ABV 

Smoke Symphony weaves threads of peat and smoke with hits of chilli. Lightning bolts of rich red body married with subtle berry tartness create a truly intriguing dram. Finished in Rioja wine casks, Smoke Symphony conveys notes of smoke, spice and dark berries.

Like its Noble counterparts, Smoke Symphony is non-chill filtered which adds to its rustic and rugged charm and natural colour.

Far from your everyday dram, surprise your peat whisky-loving father with this excellent dram that’ll leave a lasting impression.

Available at www.noblerebelmalts.com and specialist whisky retailers.

Noble Rebel Whisky Hazelnut Harmony – £40 – 46% ABV 

Hazelnut Harmony is a sweet and inviting all-rounder which mingles nuts with a hint of sweet honeycomb, with subtle pear undertones meeting imprints of warm oak.

Completing the trio of expressions, Hazelnut Harmony is finished in toasted American oak casks, which adds a sweet flavour of honey, vanilla and hazelnut to the whisky.

The vivid illustrations on the premium embellished bottle detail the intricate stories, layers and tasting notes of the expression, making it the perfect gift which will stand out on any whisky cabinet.  

Available at www.noblerebelmalts.com and specialist whisky retailers.

Tasting Notes

Glen Scotia 15 Years Old

Nose: Citrus peels, ginger snap biscuits, and baked fruits

Taste: Plump fruits with a surprising dry finish, apricots, fruit salad, caramelised sugar and oak

Finish: Warm spicy, honey smoothness, oak and a dry finish

Glen Scotia 21 Years Old

Nose: Sweet perfumed oloroso, spiced red apple, peppercorns with a soft signature Campbeltown aroma

Taste: Baked red apples, plump raisins, a journey of cloves, star anise, cinnamon and spice. Soft creamy vanilla, toffee and sea spray

Finish: Long, complex and incredibly balanced, with a lingering touch of sea salt and sherry dryness

Glen Scotia Harbour

Nose: Briny sea spray, violet and lavender and vanilla

Taste: Soft peach, crisp green apple, chewy fudge and vanilla custard

Finish: Medium length, dry with gentle smoke, tangy peat and maritime sea spray

 Loch Lomond Open Course Edition

Nose: Honey, peach, melon, lemon, stem ginger

Taste: Grapefruit, vanilla, caramel, pineapple, mango

Finish: Long spicy finish with ginger, cinnamon and toasted oak

Loch Lomond Open Special Edition

Nose: Floral notes of rose, soft fruits, peach and pear

Taste: Red berry and orchard fruit. Raspberry and peach, creamy vanilla and dark chocolate

Finish: Medium length, a touch of smoke gives way to lasting fruit notes

Noble Rebel Whisky Orchard Outburst

Matured in ex-bourbon casks, Orchard Outburst balances crisp, ripe orchard fruits with surprising flavours of crashing salty ocean waves, resulting in an explosion of zest with hints of zingy lemon and lime.

Noble Rebel Whisky Smoke Symphony

Smoke Symphony weaves threads of peat and smoke with hits of chilli. Lightning bolts of rich red body married with subtle berry tartness create a truly intriguing dram. 

Noble Rebel Whisky Hazelnut Harmony

Hazelnut Harmony mingles nuts with a hint of sweet honeycomb, with subtle pear undertones meeting imprints of warm oak.

About Loch Lomond Group 

• Loch Lomond Group is an independent distiller based in Alexandria and is home to several award-winning brands that are sold in more than 125 countries worldwide.
• Loch Lomond Distillery has been producing the finest single malt whiskies since 1814.
• Images and interviews with key staff from the Group are available upon request.
• For further details, please visit: lochlomondgroup.com

About Loch Lomond Whiskies  

Loch Lomond Distillery has one of the oldest heritages in the industry. It was founded by American, Duncan Thomas, the owner of the Littlemill Distillery which was licensed in 1772. In the 1930s Duncan Thomas was at the forefront of innovation within the Scotch whisky industry and his innovative philosophy is ingrained into everything that is done at Loch Lomond to this day.

In 1814, the original site of the Loch Lomond Distillery was established near Tarbet, towards the north-west end of Loch Lomond; an area which has been at the heart of the whisky industry for centuries. With at least nine distilleries around the loch lost over the years, Loch Lomond Distillers has maintained a proud local tradition into the 21st century.

About Glen Scotia 

Distiller Glen Scotia has been producing single malt whisky in Campbeltown since 1832 and is one of three surviving distilleries in Campbeltown.

Producing peated and non-peated whiskies, the distillery still maintains much of its original design, including the fermenters, the stillroom, and the dunnage warehouse dating from the 1830s.To this day, the distillery team follow in the footsteps of their founders, using traditional methods, and carefully creating the subtly maritime Campbeltown style the brand has become world-famous for.

Recognition of Glen Scotia’s style and craftsmanship continues to be acknowledged globally.

• In 2021, Glen Scotia’s 25-Year-Old Single Malt whisky was awarded ‘Best In Show Whisky’ at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Over 3,800 entries across thirty-one categories were judged with Glen Scotia being awarded the overall winner across all countries and styles. Only seven months later, Glen Scotia was also named Scottish Whisky Distillery of the Year at the Scottish Whisky Awards 2021.
• In 2022, Glen Scotia’s Victoriana won Best In Class in the Distillers’ Single Malt Scotch – No Age Statement category at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
• In 2023, Glen Scotia won ‘Best Single Cask Single Malt’ at the World Whiskies Awards 2023 for a single cask bottling distilled in 2009 and aged for 13 years exclusively in a first-fill bourbon barrel.

About Noble Rebel 

Shaped by expertise and expressivity, Noble Rebel is a blended malt Scotch whisky unlike any other.  Skillfully curating the finest malts, each with a history of their own, and artfully blending them into striking whisky masterpieces, Noble Rebel pushes the boundaries of flavour with courage, craftsmanship and creativity. Respectful of tradition and inquisitive about the future, Noble Rebel heralds a new dawn of whisky mastery.

International Beverage Completes £4 Million Balmenach Distillery Upgrade to lead Sustainability Drive

Integrated Anaerobic Digestion and Bio-Methane Technologies Cut Carbon Footprint

International Beverage Holdings Ltd (IBHL) has today announced the completion of an ambitious £4 million upgrade at Balmenach, which will place this historic Speyside distillery amongst the greenest operating in the Scotch whisky industry today.

Founded in 1824 just a few miles from Grantown-on-Spey and one of the oldest distilleries in the Speyside Region, IBHL has invested in an integrated system of innovative green technology at the site, which produces nearly 3 million litres of alcohol per year for the company’s own blends as well as the blended Scotch market. It is also home to the company’s super-premium Scottish gin, Caorunn.

At the heart of the project is a new Anaerobic/Aerobic Digestion (AD) Plant which uses micro-organisms to break down the liquid co-products of whisky production (pot ale and spent lees), allowing them to be processed on site. This process produces clean bio-methane gas which feeds a Combined Heat & Power (CHP) Engine to generate power for the Distillery and the grid, integrated with an existing biomass boiler which uses locally-sourced wood pellets to produce zero-carbon steam for the system.

Having paused the development during the pandemic, the site is now fully operational, and is having an immediate impact in terms of significantly reducing the Distillery’s overall carbon footprint:

• Renewable energy: each day approximately 130m³ of whisky co-products are processed to produce 2,000m³ of clean bio-methane gas which feeds a CHP Engine to generate renewable steam. This meets 100% of the Distillery’s energy requirements, producing 30,000kW of energy per week, 25,000kW of which is used to power the site (with the remaining 5,000kW exported to the grid);

• Improved energy efficiency: results to late 2022 report a reduction in Distillery energy use from 7.8kWh to 6.8kWh per litre of alcohol produced;

• Reduced Co2 emissions: from 1.5kg to 0.5kg per litre of alcohol produced.

• Water efficiency: the system cleans and returns 40% of processing waters back to the Distillery’s watercourse, the Cromdale Burn, which is a tributary of the River Spey;

• Reduced road transportation: a drastic reduction in the need for heavy goods vehicle movement at the site, removing 12 tankers from Spey Valley roads every week (each with a capacity of 25,000 litres);

• Efficient use of co-products: the AD plant produces a permeate stream, providing nutrient rich bio-solids for use as fertiliser by local farmers in the Speyside region;

The Balmenach project is IBHL’s biggest investment in sustainable whisky production to date. It represents a major step forward in meeting the company’s commitment to use only renewable energy for production by 2040: a goal that is made possible by IBHL’s early adoption of various clean fuel sources across its five distilleries. The business no longer uses heavy fuel at any of its sites and reduced the group’s energy consumption from 11kWh per litre of alcohol in 2005 to 6.4kWh in 2022.

The company’s Group Distillery Manager Sean Priestley explained: ‘At IBHL there is a culture of genuine accountability for the environmental impact of our production process, which means we have been striving for cleaner, greener whisky production many years ahead of the current Scotch Whisky Association’s sustainability target of net zero by 2040. The system we’ve built at Balmenach has been challenging, but a combination of investment, innovation, partnership working and perseverance are paying off, resulting in the significant reductions we are able to report in emissions and energy use today, which will only increase over time.’.

IBHL Managing Director Malcolm Leask added: ‘The completion of our £4 million project at Balmenach leads our ambition to decarbonise production and achieve industry leading standards of sustainability in the future. Sustainability is a long held and central commitment in our business – from the Dow Jones Sustainability Index listing of our parent company ThaiBev, to the daily efforts of our distillery teams across Scotland to respect and care for the local land, lochs and rivers that surround them. This is one of the industry’s oldest distilleries and it wasn’t built for efficiency. But nearly 200 years on, the improvements we are seeing in terms of energy use, emissions and efficiency show just what is possible in sustainability at such a historic site.’ 

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL BEVERAGE

International Beverage is one of the drinks industry’s most dynamic global businesses. Established in 2006 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Thaibev, the company operates as its international business arm, specialising in the development of premium local spirits for the global market. Its success is built on a strong understanding of local cultures and markets within a worldwide business network. Based in Hong Kong with regional offices in Singapore, Malaysia, the USA and UK, the company is responsible for the sales, marketing and distribution of a portfolio of premium brands in over 85 markets. These brands are built on character, craftsmanship and quality, led by a range of award-winning Scotch whiskies and an array of vibrant spirits. These include:

• Single malt Scotch whiskies Old Pulteney, Balblair, anCnoc and Speyburn
• Blended Scotch Hankey Bannister
• Caorunn, No.1 Premium London Dry Gin in the Scottish Off Trade*
• Mekhong, ‘The Spirit of Thailand’ since 1941
• Phraya, a premium rum handcrafted in Thailand

*Neilson IQ – Volume and Value latest 52 weeks to 28/08/2022.

The Dead Rabbit who have been named as ‘The World’s Best Bar’ have embraced Killowen in not one but two of their cocktails for what is a phenomenal new menu.

Just check out the Seanchaí ‘storyteller’ which embraces the Killowen Pangur Irish Poitín perfectly.

As a thank you to our distillery workers Killowen laid down a firkin 1 year ago to acknowledge their efforts and the efforts of workers worldwide today and historically.

Joe Hill Firkin 1

The bottle is named ‘Joe Hill’ as it pays homage to the inspirational labourer and union organiser. Joe became famous around the world after a Utah Court convicted him of murder.

Widley believed to have been framed due to his support of trade unions, he was executed. To this day he remains a labour folk hero living on in song, poetry and art.

The staff have each received a number of bottles as gifts and we are sure some of them will make Irish Whiskey Auctions at the end of this month, so keep an eye on their webpage if you want to taste it and support the workers of today at a time when workers are organising once again across the world.

Killowen’s New Still

Our new still works are well underway and we are now just completing the final fire sealing, the still itself is a replica of one of our current stills and will assist us in making some more whiskey to keep up with demand. Photos will come, but right now we are still finalising a name which we believe might acknowledge a small drumlin a couple of fields away ‘Cnóc Ór’ ‘ Golden Hill’ which sounds like Croc ore, named because at this time of the year the broom blossoms brightly around its peak.

Now it’s time for our New USA Exclusive Releases

Our most favoured 2 casks (one Killowen distillate and one bonded whiskey) where bottled up and sent to the USA some months ago to be released, Thursday 8th June TBC. The Barantúil Single Pot Still is full term in White cognac leaving a delightfully delicate but wonderfully balanced whiskey with plenty of pot still spice.

Also being released is a Coconut Rum & Raisin 5 year Old Single Malt special that was finished in a beautiful Coconut Rum Cask for a year leaving a coconut creamy palate and finish. (More on this to follow!)

Sláinte

The Killowen Distillery Team

FETTERCAIRN DISTILLERY ANNOUNCE 2023 EDITION OF

PIONEERING WHISKY – FETTERCAIRN 18 YEAR OLD – SCOTTISH OAK

Fettercairn distillery has announced the 2023 release of their pioneering, limited-edition, Scottish Oak-matured Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Fettercairn 18 Year Old.

First launched to market in 2022, the release of Fettercairn 18 Year Old marked a new dawn in progressive whisky making as the whisky enjoys a unique, hand-crafted finish in 100% locally sourced Scottish Oak barrels.

Fettercairn 18 Year Old is the complete embodiment of Fettercairn’s values and their commitment to the future of progressive, flavour led, whisky making. This expression is both innovative in style and substance and celebrates what makes Fettercairn different, from their unusual tropical house style – achieved by the unique copper cooling ring distillation – to their future-focussed approach to local sourcing.

Golden amber in colour, expect aromas of sugared almonds, baking spices and a tropical sweetness of passionfruit and guava. To taste, enjoy exotic syruped fruits, patisserie sugars, brioche and spices with soft hints of berry fruit. To finish, savour soft spice, cacao and natural vanilla.

Fettercairn 18 Year Old is created through a marriage of American White Oak casks and a hand-crafted finish in 100% Scottish Oak. Non-chill filtered and natural in colour, this whisky has been bottled perfectly at an ABV of 46.8% and consumers can expect to enjoy the same great quality liquid in this 2023 edition, as with the initial 2022 release.

Beyond the 18 years dedicated to making this remarkable whisky, this Single Malt is part of something truly significant. Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass founded the ground-breaking Scottish Oak Programme which, whilst born at Fettercairn distillery, was created to ultimately support the drinks industry for generations to come.

Scottish Oak imparts incredible flavour and the programme – which has seen ancient forests replanted as well as skills honed in sawmills and cooperages – has created a circular economy for future whisky makers.

Gregg Glass was named as Global Master Distiller of the Year at the Icons of Whisky Awards, in part for his innovative and pioneering work on the Scottish Oak Programme, which has also since been awarded the industry’s Innovation of the Year*, reflecting this pioneering approach to flavour-led whisky making.

The first release of Fettercairn 18 Year Old received an overwhelmingly positive response from whisky lovers and curious explorers alike. With liquid scarce, it is anticipated that the 2023 annual release will be highly sought after.

Fettercairn 18 Year Old 2023 limited-edition annual release, will be available to purchase from premium and specialist retailers from June onwards in key markets including UK, France and Germany, priced at £200 ($275).

For those keen to explore Fettercairn and take a journey through unexpected flavour experiences, further whiskies available in the core collection include a 12 Year Old, 22 Year Old and a 28 Year Old.  Fettercairn also has a number of rare and aged whiskies including 40, 46 and 50 Year Old expressions, as well as an experimental series, The Warehouse Collection, which concluded this year.

* Whyte & Mackay Scottish Oak Programme, winner of The Spirits Business Award for Innovation in Production 2022

About Fettercairn
Fettercairn Distillery is a hidden gem – a Single Malt Scotch Whisky Distillery located in the heart of a thriving agricultural community, Aberdeenshire – ‘The Garden of Scotland’. A spark of whisky making ingenuity is what makes Fettercairn special. A sense of wonder has been a constant theme back to 1824, as illustrated by our beautiful copper cooling ring, which produces a uniquely tropical style of new make spirit, and our Scottish Oak Programme from which we developed our Fettercairn 18 Year Old Scottish Oak. Today we continue to take a progressive outlook and make new unexpected journeys in flavour led whisky making. We invite curious whisky lovers and connoisseurs to explore and enjoy Fettercairn Single Malt.
www.fettercairnwhisky.com

About Gregg Glass- Master Whisky Maker
Icons of Whisky Distiller of the Year, Scotland 2023

Respected whisky maker Gregg Glass joined Whyte and Mackay in 2016, where he has been a leading light in the rejuvenation of Fettercairn alongside Distillery Manager Stewart Walker. Gregg enjoyed a childhood in the heart of whisky making country, the Black Isle. With 22 years in industry notably 11 years at innovative whisky maker Compass Box, Gregg joined Whyte and Mackay in 2016 to work alongside renowned Master Distiller Mr Richard Paterson OBE.

Gregg has enjoyed 15 years career as a blender and whisky maker. At Whyte and Mackay Gregg has led whisky development for Fettercairn Single Malt Whisky, Jura Single Malt Whisky and in 2017 launched Whisky Works – an independent innovation wing of Whyte and Mackay.

Gregg is devoted to his craft and believes in flavour-led hands-on whisky making. Gregg is passionately involved in every aspect of the whisky making process from ‘acorn to glass’ and since 2020 leads whisky making across the Whyte and Mackay portfolio.

Award-Winning Whisky Makers Whyte and Mackay

Whyte and Mackay is home to a collection of multi-award-winning Single Malt Whiskies including The Dalmore, Jura and Fettercairn. With a premium spirits portfolio that includes contemporary whisky brands Shackleton, Woodsman and John Barr, alongside popular alcohol brands Wildcat, Fundador, Harveys Bristol Cream and Aperitivo.

In the UK the company produce Whyte & Mackay, an award-winning ever-popular Blended Whisky, which recently launched the market-leading ‘Whyte & Mackay Light’ – a lighter spirit drink from Scotland, bottled at a lower ABV.

In 2020 the company were publicly recognised by the First Minister of Scotland for their support of the national pandemic response. Whyte and Mackay are official partners to SAMH – Scottish Association for Mental Health, which saw Whyte and Mackay employees worldwide complete a virtual-race-around-the-world to raise awareness for the charity.

Founded in Glasgow 1844, the whisky makers celebrated their 175 year anniversary in 2019. Today Whyte and Mackay have offices from New York to Singapore. In Scotland, Whyte and Mackay operate a state-of-the-art Bottling Hall and Distribution Centre in Grangemouth and a Whisky Production and Warehousing Centre in Invergordon.

Whyte and Mackay’s whisky making is led by Master Distiller Richard Paterson OBE and pioneering Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass.

Scallywag Whisky Unveils 6^th Annual Chocolate Bottling

Douglas Laing today unveils their latest Scallywag, The Chocolate Edition 100% Sherry Cask Matured Limited Edition Speyside Malt Scotch Whisky. This special release marks the 6^th annual ‘Chocolate’ bottling from the Scallywag brand.

The original Scallywag, a Small Batch bottling within Douglas Laing’s “Remarkable Regional Malts” range, launched in 2013 and is expertly crafted using only the finest3 Speyside Single Cask Single Malts from the region.

This latest addition to the Chocolate Series marries together a selection of Douglas Laing’s most cocoa-reminiscent Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso Sherry casks, with the resulting spirit showcasing a “striking natural burnt sienna colour”. With delectable notes of “velvety dark chocolate, rich red berries and buttery caramels”, this full-bodied dram has been bottled at a high alcohol strength of 48% and is proudly without colouring or chill-filtration.

The packaging displays a bespoke hand-drawn illustration from Douglas Laing’s Head of Creative, Claire Coetzee, complemented by a premium bronze foil detailing to deliver a luxurious look and feel.

Commenting on the new release, Scott Morrison, Brand Manager said:

“This special bottling is certainly one that we have a lot of fun with each year as we strive for chocolate perfection. It’s been great to watch the series grow in popularity and demand over the years, going from 300 bottles in 2018 to our now 4,200 bottles sixth annual release. Featuring a phenomenal hand-drawn design combined with the exceptionally moreish liquid, this bottling is a truly special offering, and we can’t wait for people to enjoy it!”

The new release is strictly limited to just 700 cases / 4,200 bottles globally. Scallywag The Chocolate edition is expected to retail at £60.00 / €68.00 in Europe and Asia Pacific. In line with the Douglas Laing family philosophy to offer Scotch Whisky “as natural as it gets”, this latest release is proudly offered without colouring or chill filtration.

About Scallywag

Facebook: /scallywagwhisky
Instagram: @scallywagwhiskyA marriage of Single Cask Single Malts, only from the Speyside region of Scotland, Scallywag is matured predominantly in Sherry casks, affording the spirit a rich, dark colour and a deliciously fruity, chocolatey flavour profile. The multi-award winning Scotch Whisky belongs to Douglas Laing’s Remarkable Regional Malts – “the Ultimate Distillation of Scotland’s Malt Whisky Regions” – also encompassing The Epicurean Lowland Malt Scotch Whisky, Timorous Beastie (Highlands), The Gauldrons (Campbeltown), Rock Island (from the Islands) and Big Peat (Islay).

About Douglas Laing:

www.douglaslaing.com

Twitter: @DLaingWhisky
Facebook: @douglaslaingwhisky
Instagram: @dlaingwhisky

Douglas Laing & Co. is a leading independent Scotch Whisky distiller, blender and bottler specialising in the selection and release of Single Cask Single and Small Batch Malt Scotch Whiskies.

The company was founded by Fred Douglas Laing in 1948 and is still owned and run by the Laing family – Fred Laing Jr and his daughter Cara Laing.

The company philosophy is to bottle the way the distiller intended – at a high strength and without chill-filtration to preserve the robust and unique character of the Whisky. Douglas Laing’s industry reputation and many awards is testament to this ethos.

Douglas Laing’s Remarkable Regional Malts, the Ultimate Distillation of Scotland’s Malt Whisky Regions, encompasses The Epicurean Lowland Malt Scotch Whisky, Timorous Beastie (Highlands), Scallywag (Speyside), The Gauldrons (Campbeltown), Rock Islands (Islands) and Big Peat (Islay). Beyond its Blended Malts expertise, the award-winning Douglas Laing portfolio also includes Provenance, Premier Barrel, Old Particular and Xtra Old Particular, collectively known as the firm’s “Exceptional Single Casks”.

Kentucky Senator Bourbon Announces Its Newest, Small Batch Bourbon: The John Sherman Cooper Release

This marks the fourth very small batch
released by award-winning Kentucky Senator Spirits.

LEXINGTON, KY — Kentucky Senator Bourbon is set to unveil its fourth release of Kentucky straight Bourbon whiskey, named after U.S. Senator John Sherman Cooper of Somerset in Pulaski County.

Hitting shelves this summer, the John Sherman Cooper Release comes on the heels of the announcement that Kentucky Senator Spirits won an ASCOT Award – the famed international bourbon competition – for quality of taste of previous releases.

This highly anticipated release is named after the esteemed U.S. Senator John Sherman Cooper. Aged eight years in oak barrels, this Bourbon is 107 proof with a mash bill of 75% corn, 21% rye and 4% malted barley.

Kentucky Senator Spirits will distribute approximately 1,000 bottles of this 2023 limited edition small batch Bourbon, to be sold with a suggested retail price of $134.99. It has been distilled and aged in Kentucky, bottled at Bluegrass Distillers in Lexington and is being distributed by Kentucky Eagle Wine & Spirits.

The John Sherman Cooper Release will be rolled out at select Kentucky retailers, with a single barrel private selection at all Liquor Barn stores. This limited-edition release is also available online at www.BourbonOutfitter.com

In addition to the small batch bottles available next month in Kentucky liquor stores, bars and restaurants, Kentucky Senator Bourbon will feature a limited quantity for sale at the world-famous Jack Rose Dining Saloon in Washington, D.C.

“Damon and I have been able to unleash our passion for Kentucky’s native spirit,” said co-founder Andre Regard. “Our very first batch was honored with an ASCOT Award for taste, and we have been pleased to let our subsequent releases speak for themselves. This fourth release demonstrates our continued commitment to deliver only the finest taste in each pour.”

“We are featuring the same mash bill as our second and third bottling, this time aged eight years instead of seven or six,” said co-founder Damon Thayer. “As always, Kentucky Senator will be released at 107 proof and, this time, we have paired our release with the popular Senator Cooper, who was one of the most consequential Kentuckians of the 20^th Century.”

Each release is named for a U.S. Senator from Kentucky. To learn more about why John Sherman Cooper was chosen for Kentucky Senator’s fourth release, visit the company website, www.KentuckySenatorBourbon.com

The Kentucky Senator Bourbon brand was revived in 2019 by co-founders, Andre Regard and Damon Thayer. They are passionate about offering the finest-tasting Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, serving up great Kentucky Bourbon with a side of Kentucky history.

BOILERPLATE:
The Kentucky Senator brand originated from Crigler and Crigler in northern Kentucky. The brand was later distilled and bottled by Double Springs Distillers, Inc. in Bardstown. Today, Kentucky Senator has been given a fresh look thanks to local co-founders Andre Regard and Damon Thayer. Both men possess a unique background in Bourbon that they bring to the management team of Kentucky Senator Spirits, LLC.  More can be read about the management team in their online bios (https://www.kysenatorbourbon.com/).

AWARDS & RECOGNITION:
Kentucky Senator Bourbon’s inaugural release, the Alben W. Barkley Release, was highlighted in Forbes Magazine.

Noted Bourbon author, Fred Minnick, also honored Kentucky Senator’s first release in his ranking of the Top 100 Whiskeys of 2021.

Fred Minnick reviewed the Alben W. Barkley Release for his YouTube Channel, acknowledging the release as a “top-rated, 15-year-old Bourbon.”

Kentucky Senator also made the ranking for Minnick’s subsequent Top 100 Whiskeys of 2022 list.

Kentucky Senator Bourbon was recognized by the American Spirits Council of Tasters in 2022, receiving a Gold ASCOT Award for taste and a Double Platinum ASCOT Award for overall marketing and brand design.

European Novelty. Full Maturation in a Mizunara Cask

The German Distillery St. Kilian in Rüdenau, Lower Frankonia, launched an exclusive whisky rarity: a single malt whisky fully matured in a single virgin Mizunara oak cask.

Common in several regions of Japan, Mizunara oak is among the rarest and most expensive wood used to mature whisky. The Japanese oak for this 225-litre medium toasted single cask is about 250 years old. It was harvested in the forests of the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido.

“Mizunara or Japanese oak (Quercus mongolica) is growing across Japan, but in the North of Japan (Hokkaido) the tree grows slower results with a tighter annual ring which is suitable for producing a barrel. 

The wood delivers some particular taste on the spirits characterized as sandalwood and a much stronger coconut aroma than any oak especially when it interacts with whisky after a long time aging.” Source Ariake Sangyo

Experienced coopers of Ariake Sangyo carefully set up the casks. The treatment of the wood, especially of the staves, is very difficult to handle and only a few coopers are able to bind the casks together. The cask staves and the heads were completely made of Mizunara oak.

St Kilian Distillers imported four medium toasted virgin casks directly by plane from Japan in August 2019.

CTO and Master Blender Mario Rudolf: “The Mizunara oak is known for its unique aromas of sandalwood, oriental spices and exotic fruits, which give the whisky distinctive characterful aromas. This masterpiece of whisky craftsmanship reflects the synergy of Japanese finesse with German distilling art in Scottish pot stills. The exceptional Single Malt promises an incomparable taste as well as an exquisite enjoyment experience for discerning connoisseurs.”

A more than delighted Managing Director Philipp Trützler says: “We are very proud to be able to present this exclusive whisky rarity made from Mizunara oak…According to our research, this is the first non-Japanese single malt whisky to be matured in a single, fresh, unoccupied Mizunara oak cask. A true treasure for whisky lovers and collectors alike.”

The result of the maturation provides a unique taste of ripe fruit and exotic melon paired with warming oak notes, oriental spices and fragrant sandalwood aromas.

The Angels’ Share of cask no.3886 was 4.7% of the initial content which is much higher than normal (2 to 3%). The age of the single malt is three years old plus a few months.

“The cask filling strength was lower than regular…at 55.2 % abv as we intended to generate more sweetness in the whisky,” Mario Rudolf reports. 

St Kilian’s EXCEPTIONAL MIZUNARA

The exceptional Mizunara single cask bottling at natural cask strength of 55.1% abv was limited to 300 bottles.

The Exceptional Bottling of Mizunara is the first of a new St Kilian range which will present further exceptional casks to the customer. The series will only be open for thematic exclusive Single Malts which have matured in one of the 371 different cask types in the nearby St Kilian Bunker City.

The Mizunara specialty whisky is presented in a printed 0.5 litre pot-still shaped glass bottle with noble packaging which will make for the uniqueness of the St Kilian product.

“After numerous tastings of bottlings with Mizunara finish, we wanted to find out what a St Kilian whisky with Mizunara full maturation would taste like,” Master Blender Mario Rudolf explains, “…Inspired by our trip to Japan in 2017, we filled the Mizunara oak barrels with our mild as well as  our peaty new make spirits. By doing so, the present result exceeds by far our expectation and confirms the magic that this extraordinary wood ignites in our whisky.”

Please note: At St. Kilian they intend to do only full maturation in casks and no double maturation or finishings. However, a revatting has to be done when casks accidentally are leaking.

Official Taste Notes

COLOUR. Warm amber

NOSE. A beguiling fruit sweetness, carried by ripe pear, apricot and exotic melon, underpinned by buttery cream toffee, aromatic sandalwood and oriental spices.

PALATE. Fruity sweet start with ripe pears, apples and apricots, at the same time warming with spicy oak and sandalwood notes as well as some pepper, before the creamy fruit melange takes over again.

FINISH. Long lasting with creamy fruit jam, accompanied by dry sandalwood aromas as well as a hint of buttery toffee.

ALCOHOL STRENGTH

55.1% abv “

The St Kilian Exceptional Mizunara is a well balanced harmonious young single malt with some rather pleasing sweetness and a basket full of fruity notions of ripe fruit like apples, pears and some melon along with some lingering spiciness. The soft mouthfeel is long lingering with toffee notes and surprisingly the strong alcohol of 55.1% abv is well embedded and makes for the enforcement of the fruity notes.

St Kilian Honorary Brand Ambassador Udo Sonntag said:

„This whisky  is the opposite of ordinary.

That’s quite a cracker…“ 

There are only a few Exceptional Mizunara St Kilian bottles left at the distillery for direct sale. No wonder most of the 300 bottles were sold within five minutes after the web presentation show on Saturday 6th May 2023 for  €249.00 (0.5l).

NB: There will be further Mizunara St Kilian releases in future. Whisky geeks loving peated whiskies will certainly be pleased when the next Exceptional Mizunara cask will be released.

Website: www.stkiliandistillers.com

BRAVE NEW SPIRITS SUBMITS FINAL PLANNING APPLICATION FOR NEW CAMPBELTOWN DISTILLERY

Witchburn – A Campbeltown Distillery, where tradition meets technology and sustainability

Glasgow. 24/05/23. The Glasgow-based independent whisky bottler and blender Brave New Spirits, have today submitted a final planning application to Argyll & Bute council, for a new single malt whisky distillery at the former RAF Machrihanish airbase in Campbeltown.

The Witchburn Distillery, which will be located between Campbeltown Airport and Machrihanish Village, will use traditional distilling craftsmanship to produce unpeated, lightly peated and heavily peated malts.

The new Net Zero carbon production distillery – which will produce 2 million litres of alcohol per year, will be powered by 100% green renewable energy sources and the latest in heat and energy recovery systems, making Witchburn one of the most environmentally friendly distillery in Scotland. The distillery is planning to run 24/7, to ensure it keeps reusing as much heat and energy as possible.

Witchburn takes its name from the word Witch; originally meant folk healers, mostly ‘wised women’ using herbs and power of imagination. Previously amongst the most respected people in village life. Burn; which comes from the Scots Gaelic for naturally occurring fresh water stream or very small river that flows into a larger river.

When complete Witchburn will operate with 1 Mash tun – with a capacity of 5 tons; 16 Washbacks – each with a capacity of 30,000 litres, allowing for a fermentation period of 96 hours or more; 2 Wash Stills – each with a capacity of 16,000 litres and 2 Spirit Stills – each with a capacity of 7,000 litres.

Witchburn has a carefully planned wood policy, with the majority of its spirit to be filled into barrels from famous American Bourbon producers, Oloroso Sherry casks from various Bodegas, selected Tawny and Ruby Port barriques and organic Bordeaux wine barriques. The distillery will mature its casks in on-site warehousing close to the sea, and in warehouses in the Campbeltown area.

Production at Witchburn will be headed by Founding Master Distiller, Andrew Nairn, former Distillery Manager of Glenkinchie, Strathmill and Borders Distillery, who said: “I’m delighted to have the opportunity to work with Organic Architects and Frilli to develop a distillery to produce a truly great Campbeltown Spirit to combine traditional artisan methods of whisky-making with the latest green technology is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Witchburn, which plans to create around 30 permanent new jobs in production, warehousing, and distribution, also plans to open a visitors’ centre in the next few years.

Commenting on the news, joint owners of Brave New Spirits and the new Witchburn Distillery, Adam Hochul and Alexander Springensguth, said: “We are looking forward becoming part of the community, contributing to the already worldwide reputation of Campbeltown whisky. We could not find a better location to build our first still house. The distillery is a great addition to our existing portfolio of internationally recognised brands of Scotch whisky, but also an opportunity to give back to the outstanding community of Scottish whisky distillers.”

“The whole design aims to produce a typical, complex and full-bodied Campbeltown malt. Our aim is to recreate a whisky like it has been produced many decades ago.”

Subject to planning application approval and schedules, production at Witchburn Distillery will commence in the last quarter of 2024.

About Brave New Spirits: Established in 2020, Brave New Spirits, is a multi-award-winning independent whisky bottler and blender, which releases small-batch and single cask Scotch whiskies in over 30 countries, under the Whisky of Voodoo, Cask Noir, and Yellow Edition brands. It has its own warehouse in Glasgow, with a second currently being prepared on the site. The company currently employs a team of 25 and has recently appointed a representative in Japan, to cover Asia.

www.witchburndistillery.com

Twitter: @WitchburnWhisky

Facebook & Instagram: @witchburndistillery

The House of Suntory Launches Limited-Edition Yamazaki^® 12 and 18 Year Old Whiskies in Honor of 100-Year Anniversary 

The renowned Yamazaki Distillery, the oldest malt distillery in Japan, is introducing two limited-edition expressions to celebrate its 100th anniversary

NEW YORK, NY, May 24, 2023 – The House of Suntory celebrates a century of pioneering Japanese whisky with the launch of two limited-edition expressions of its iconic Yamazaki® 12 and 18 Year Old Single Malt Whiskies. Founder Shinjiro Torii established Yamazaki Distillery in 1923, ushering in a new era of whisky-making in Japan. As a nod to its future and to honor the craftsmanship and innovative spirit of the brand, the House of Suntory’s multifaceted centennial range includes the new, limited Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara, a single malt Japanese whisky aged exclusively in rare  Mizunara oak casks, and the classic Yamazaki 12 Year Old clad in limited-edition celebratory packaging for the 100th anniversary.

As the country’s very first and oldest malt whisky distillery, the Yamazaki Distillery has a storied history that is captured in the 2023 limited releases of the new Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara and celebratory packaging on Yamazaki 12 Year Old.  These two bottles are an homage to the brand’s heritage and unwavering dedication to exceptional quality. This is part of a collection of exclusive bottlings that will be introduced this year to commemorate Suntory Whisky’s 100th anniversary.

“Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara was blended for our 100 year anniversary and features a rich texture created from a long aging process. This expresses the delicate and meticulous attention to detail that went into its craftsmanship,” said Fifth Generation Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo. “I believe this whisky embodies the founding family’s spirit to pursue quality, and I am honored to share this with the world.”

The 2023 limited release of Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara seeks to highlight the unique essence of Yamazaki by combining Suntory’s flagship single malt with the irreplicable element of time and the sought-after characteristics of Japanese Mizunara oak, in which the unique malt is aged exclusively. The House of Suntory first discovered and started experimenting with Mizunara wood as early as the 1940s under the supervision of the First Generation Master Blender Shinjiro Torii and Second Generation Master Blender Keizo Saji. The past blenders’ relentless pursuit to crafting whiskies aged in Mizunara paved the way for future experiments. The Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara expression has rich and elegant notes of dark cherry and ripe peach on the nose, with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg. On the palate, it is subtly spiced with organette undernotes of Japanese incense and a long and lingering finish, accentuated with clove, sandalwood, and hints of dried coconut. The expression is bottled at 48 percent ABV and has a suggested retail price of $1,500.00 (700ml).

The House of Suntory’s centennial edition of Yamazaki 12 Year Old is designed as an homage to “Monozukuri” craftsmanship— a Japanese principle which embodies elevated artisanship, relentless pursuit for quality, ingenuity and expressiveness. The bottle design for Yamazaki 12 Year Old pays tribute to Yamazaki, the oldest malt distillery in Japan. The illustration captures this legendary distillery in deep copper tones from a low angle, looking up. This perspective is a reminder to always stay grounded and pay homage to Shinjiro Torii’s dream of making whisky blessed with the riches of Japanese nature and craftsmanship.

The Yamazaki 12 Year Old expression presents aromas of peach, pineapple, grapefruit, clove, candied orange, vanilla and Mizunara (Japanese oak) on the nose. On the palate, it has notes of coconut, cranberry and butter, with a pleasantly long finish and sweet ginger cinnamon undertones. The expression is bottled at 43 percent ABV and has a suggested retail price of $185.00 (750ml).

These two special Yamazaki bottles are unveiled alongside two limited-edition Hakushu releases, announced separately. Since its founding, the House of Suntory has been crafting world-class spirits and is known for its Yamazaki, Hakushu, Chita, Kakubin, Hibiki, Suntory Whisky Toki and Ao, as well as Roku Gin and Haku Vodka.

The new centennial Yamazaki 12 and 18 Year Old bottles will be available this month in select global markets within the United States, United Kingdom, Europe and Asia.

The House of Suntory invites fans to join its new global membership program. Members will be among the first to hear about House of Suntory new releases, receive priority consideration for invitations to consumer experiences*, learn news from the distilleries, gain early access to content and more. The House of Suntory membership program aims to bring Japanese whisky enthusiasts together around the world and provide a cultural journey through Japan. To sign up, please visit us online here.

For more information about the House of Suntory, please visit us online here.

*Limited number of invitations in key cities.

About The House of Suntory

Since 1923, Suntory has been renowned as a pioneer of Japanese Whisky for its House of Master Blenders and for their Art of Blending. Founder Shinjiro Torii built Japan’s first malt whisky distillery in Yamazaki, and the Suntory legacy continued with Torii’s son and Suntory’s second Master Blender, Keizo Saji, who continued to establish distilleries including the Hakushu Distillery. As the generations of Suntory’s master blenders carry on, Suntory Whisky remains committed to heritage and innovation. The House of Suntory has been named four-time Distiller of the Year at the International Spirits Challenge in London, UK (2010, 2012, 2013, 2014). Suntory Whiskies are subtle, refined and complex. The portfolio includes Yamazaki, Hakushu, Chita, Kakubin, Hibiki, Suntory Whisky Toki and Ao. The House of Suntory portfolio also offers Roku Japanese Gin and Haku Japanese Vodka. Created from Japanese ingredients by the master artisans at the House of Suntory, Roku Gin and Haku Vodka represent the nature and spirit of Japan. This year, Suntory Whisky celebrates one hundred years of whisky innovation—a major milestone not only for the brand’s history, but for Japanese spirits culture as a whole. To mark this anniversary, the House of Suntory will be rolling out its centennial campaign throughout 2023.

About Beam Suntory

As a world leader in premium spirits, Beam Suntory inspires the brilliance of life by delivering great consumer experiences through its world-class portfolio of brands.  Known for its craftsmanship of premium whiskies, including Jim Beam®, Maker’s Mark®, Basil Hayden® and Knob Creek® bourbons; Japanese whiskies, including Yamazaki®, Hakushu®, Hibiki® and Toki®; and leading Scotch brands including Teacher’s, Laphroaig® and Bowmore®, Beam Suntory also produces leading brands such as Courvoisier® cognac, Tres Generaciones®, El Tesoro® and Hornitos® tequila, Roku and Sipsmith® gin, Canadian Club® whisky, and is a world leader in ready-to-drink cocktails, with brands like -196 and On The Rocks™ Premium Cocktails. 

A global company with approximately 6,000 employees in more than 30 countries, one of Beam Suntory’s core values is Growing for Good and through its Proof Positive sustainability strategy, the company has committed to ambitious goals and investments to promote environmental sustainability in its operations, ensure the company has a positive impact on the communities where employees live and work, and programs to inform consumers as they make choices about drinking. Headquartered in New York City, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com and www.drinksmart.com.