Glenmorangie captures the sensory wonders of Tokyo in new limited edition whisky 

— Dr. Bill Lumsden’s fascination with the city inspires first Glenmorangie part matured in Mizunara oak casks, with the whisky’s creative inspiration brought to life by Japanese artist, Yamaguchi Akira —

Combining bright, bold flavours with soft sweetness, Glenmorangie A Tale of Tokyo is a single malt whisky as full of delicious sensory contrasts as Tokyo itself. Japan’s capital has always been a place of great creative inspiration for Glenmorangie’s globe-trotting whisky creator, Dr Bill Lumsden, countering bustling streets with quiet gardens and ancient customs with ultra-modernism.

Inspired by the memories, feelings and flavours of his many visits to Tokyo and a desire to experiment with rare Japanese Mizunara oak casks for the first time, Dr Bill has created a limited edition expression characterised by enchanting opposites. In the whisky’s flavour profile, pepper meets bitter cherries and coconut, as mouth-watering orange zest fuses with incense and sweet oak. On the finish, classic Glenmorangie flavours of mandarin, almond and marzipan can be detected.

Glenmorangie’s whisky creators have been endlessly experimental on their quest to create delicious whiskies for the last 180 years. Led by Director of Whisky Creation, Dr Bill Lumsden, they take whatever captures their imagination and turn it into whisky. Some time ago, as he travelled through Japan to share the joy of Glenmorangie more widely, Dr Bill wondered how he could create a single malt that encapsulated Tokyo’s contrasting delights, and what the influence of complex Japanese Mizunara oak might be on the Highland distillery’s light, floral character. After a tireless quest, he was able to source a small number of Mizunara casks, which are known for bringing a very distinctive and unusual flavour to whisky. He balanced the resulting unique and bold flavours from the Japanese oak with Glenmorangie aged in both bourbon and sherry casks to create a deliciously balanced whisky that encapsulates the juxtapositions of Tokyo.

To bring the vibrant inspiration and flavours of A Tale of Tokyo to life, Glenmorangie collaborated with Japanese artist Yamaguchi Akira, who has created his own playful perspective of the city’s rich layers of history and culture in an artwork which adorns each bottle and its packaging. Uniting his trademark maximalist bird’s-eye view style with Glenmorangie’s technicolour palette, it juxtaposes famed landmarks and characteristics from both Tokyo and the Highland Distillery, as well as traditional Japanese pastimes with nods to the whisky’s flavours. From the Tokyo Tower and Ueno Park to Glenmorangie’s giraffe-high stills and lush Mizunara oak trees, there are many intricate, hidden discoverables in his work, including several Dr Bill figures peppered throughout.

Dr Bill Lumsden said: “I’m lucky to have travelled widely over the years sharing Glenmorangie around the world whilst also gathering new inspiration for whisky creations, and Tokyo has always been one of my favourite places. I’m fascinated by the contradictions between its bustling streets and tranquil gardens, ancient and modern buildings, its many sensory experiences and its culture. My time there over the years made me wonder whether I could capture my experience of Tokyo, and these beautiful intricacies, in whisky form.

“I partly matured a proportion of Glenmorangie spirit in rare Japanese Mizunara oak casks, which I’ve been curious to experiment with for some time. The influence of this wood is incredibly complex and unusual; it required balance and softening with Glenmorangie matured in bourbon and sherry casks, and the result is a dram as full of delicious sensory contrasts as a trip to Tokyo.”

Yamaguchi Akira said: “It’s been a joy to collaborate with Glenmorangie to bring Glenmorangie A Tale of Tokyo to life through my art. The idea of my residing home conjures up so many different thoughts and feelings, and my work reflects Tokyo’s contrasts in many ways. Incorporating hints about Glenmorangie and its whisky really appealed to my sense of playfulness.”

Glenmorangie A Tale of Tokyo has recently been awarded Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2023. It will be available from Selfridges exclusively from 1^st to 15^th October, then available from 16^th October onwards at whisky specialists, Glenmorangie.com and Clos19.com, RRP: £76.

To explore Yamaguchi Akira’s full artwork as well as a range of cocktail serves inspired by A Tale of Tokyo, visit glenmorangie.com.

To join Glenmorangie’s new World of Wonder, which offers members priority access to new expressions, community only events, competitions, and first-to-know-news, click here. 

Follow Glenmorangie on:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glenmorangie

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Glenmorangie

RRP: £76 

Tasting Notes:

Glenmorangie A Tale of Tokyo is bottled at 46% ABV 

Colour: Bronze, like the rising sun

Aroma: Powerfully herbal, with hints of toffee contrasted by incense and saddle-soap, followed by a resinous note and a touch of cedar wood.

Taste: A peppery mouthfeel leads into notes of tangy oranges and bitter cherries alongside fennel and chewy oak.

Finish: Long and gently nutty, with hints of almond, mandarin, ground white pepper and more wood resin.

Awards:

Glenmorangie A Tale of Tokyo was awarded the accolade of Double Gold at the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Double Gold is awarded to entries that receive a Gold medal rating by all members of the judging panel; these are among the finest products in the world.

About Glenmorangie:

Glenmorangie’s whisky makers use endless imagination and five key ingredients – wood, water, barley, yeast and time – to dream up delicious single malt whiskies. They’ve been honing their craft for more than 175 years. They create a delicate and fruity spirit in stills as tall as a giraffe to allow for more taste and aroma. Led by Director of Whisky Creation Dr Bill Lumsden, this crackerjack crew are on a mission to bring new flavours and possibilities to the world of single malt.

Glenmorangie celebrates the joy of delicious single malt in every part of its universe, from its boutique hotel Glenmorangie House to its colourful brand campaign, shot by famed photographer Miles Aldridge. With its tagline “It’s kind of delicious and wonderful”, Glenmorangie invites whisky lovers old and new to see themselves in Glenmorangie’s world.

About Dr Bill Lumsden:

Dr Bill Lumsden’s favourite phrase is “What if?”. And throughout more than 25 years with Glenmorangie, the Distillery’s Creative Director has challenged himself and his team to take whatever captures their imaginations and turn it into whisky – be that the magic of a walk in the woods (Glenmorangie A Tale of the Forest), the joy of a cake moment (Glenmorangie A Tale of Cake), a cup of coffee (Glenmorangie Signet) and more. With a PhD in biochemistry and decades of experience, Dr Bill has all the skills needed to bring these ideas to life. Already, he has earned the admiration of his peers many times over. For instance, he has taken his place in the Icons of Whisky Hall of Fame, has won the International Whisky Competition’s award for Master Distiller of the Year more times than anyone else, and has been named Master Blender/Distiller of the Year by the International Spirits Challenge twice.

About the creation of Glenmorangie A Tale of Tokyo:

Dr Bill Lumsden has travelled the world in search of new casks and flavours. And, with its many contrasts, Tokyo has been one of his favourite places, since he first visited the city in 1999. Inspired to bring the city’s contrasts to life in a whisky, he began to search for some rare Japanese Mizunara oak casks – a task that would take him many years, since such casks are so scarce and sought after. Mizunara oak trees grow particularly slowly. It takes 200 years for them to be suitable to be cut and their wood crafted into casks (whereas American oak takes around 100 years). When used for casks, they bring a very distinctive flavour to whisky. Dr Bill aged Glenmorangie in such casks, then mellowed its powerful flavours with Glenmorangie aged in bourbon and sherry casks, to create a whisky of delicious contradictions, which reflects the many sides of the city he loves so much.

About Yamaguchi Akira:

Born in Tokyo in 1969, Yamaguchi grew up in Japan’s Gunma prefecture and graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts in 1996 with an MA in oil painting. Known for painting bird’s-eye views of cities and battlefields, he uses oil painting techniques in a traditional Japanese style, alongside a variety of media including sculpture, the Japanese art form of manga and installation art. Yamaguchi’s wide-ranging work has been acclaimed across Japan over the years. He became the first artistic ambassador in his hometown of Kiryu, while his book Hen-na Nihon Bijutsushi, his own analysis of Japanese art, won the 12th Kobayashi Hideo Award in 2013. He has created public artworks for locations including Narita International Airport, and the Tokyo Metro’s Nihonbashi Station. And he has created illustrative work and cover art for a variety of serialized newspaper stories and novels, as well as work which has appeared on the credits for a TV show. He also produced the official art poster for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Yamaguchi has showcased his work internationally, with major solo exhibitions include TOKIORE(I)MIX, at Maison Hermès, Le Forum, Tokyo, Yamaguchi Akira: Stepping Back to Seek the Underneath, at the Contemporary Art Gallery, Art Tower Mito, and Resonating Surfaces, at the Daiwa Foundation Japan House, in London, among others.

About the artwork:

Created in Yamaguchi Akira’s maximalist style, and threaded with Glenmorangie’s hallmark orange hue, this vivid artwork brims with delightful detail. Set in Tokyo, it features many layers of Tokyo capturing different periods of time, as well as people of widely varying scales, to give the viewer the sense of looking on from close by and from far away, at the same time. In the illustration can be found:

• Details of Tokyo’s landmarks and culture, which give a sense of Tokyo’s evolving heritage. They include: the Tokyo Tower, Ginza – one of the city’s most renowned shopping districts, Ueno Park, the renowned Nihonbashi Bridge as well as a peaceful garden, the Tokyo Metro, and a ramen shop and soba restaurant. Ancient buildings are juxtaposed with modern architecture and modes of transport, while people are dressed in contemporary and traditional clothing;
• Nods to Glenmorangie’s craft and heritage including: One of the Distillery’s signature giraffe-high stills standing tall in a fountain, its Signet icon as a subway vent, an illusion of a giraffe created by construction workers’ legs, and a woman’s animal print skirt. The Distillery’s founding date of 1843 features on the clock tower, which stands at the time of 18:43. Meanwhile, the Distillery’s acclaimed Director of Whisky Creation, Dr Bill Lumsden, is illustrated several times in the full artwork – being thrown an orange, crossing the road, contemplating an oak tree, standing on a boat that’s transporting casks on the city’s oldest canal, and overseeing casks being made;
• Hints to the whisky’s flavours including: A young Mizunara oak tree – in reference to the Japanese Mizunara oak casks used in the whisky’s recipe – a toffee stall, someone picking almonds from a rooftop tree, a violin player putting resin on the instrument’s bow, a beekeeper collecting honey from rooftop hives, and an orange seller, who throws Dr Bill a piece of fruit from their stall.

Douglas Laing Celebrates 75 Years of Whisky with the release of Six XOP Single Cask Diamond Anniversary Sets

Family-owned Scotch Whisky specialist, Douglas Laing & Co., have dug deep into their Scotch Whisky vaults to hand-select and release six of their most precious Single Casks as a sequence of ultra-premium 75^th Anniversary commemorative Whisky sets.

Established in 1948 by Fred Douglas Laing, a gentleman with a genuine love and serious passion for Whisky, Douglas Laing & Co. are proudly independent, family-owned Scotch Whisky Distillers, Blenders and Bottlers now in their third generation. Over 75 years of heritage, history and expertise has helped refine their processes and create Whisky that is consistently exceptional in its offering.

The creative concept behind these luxury sets centres around the theme of “The Diamond Year” – boasting extremely rare spirit, proudly regarded as Douglas Laing’s gemstones, nestled within highly-bespoke packaging.

Douglas Laing take pride in creating hand-bottled, hand-labelled, exceptional Single Cask bottlings. Spending time nurturing and perfecting some of the finest Single Casks from Scotland’s most acclaimed and celebrated distilleries, the bottlings consist of a Speyside’s Finest 55 Years Old, Port Dundas 45 Years Old, Macallan 35 Years Old, Blair Athol 30 Years Old, Cameronbridge 45 Years Old and an elusive Port Ellen 40 Years Old.

These exceptional bottlings have been sampled by renowned Whisky expert & author, Charles MacLean. Giving them his stamp of approval, he commented: “This is an exceptional set of six rare old Malt and Grain Scotch Whiskies – all Single Casks so extremely rare – selected by Fred Laing and his daughter, Cara, to mark the 75th Anniversary of their family business, Douglas Laing & Co., which was founded in Glasgow by Fred’s father in 1948. I was delighted to have been invited to assess and profile the whiskies, with Fred and Cara, in their new tasting room, and can happily report their excellence!”

The same strive for perfection is reflected in Douglas Laing’s partnership with British Designer, Richard Brendon; whose crystalware features within the sets. Demonstrating the finest pairing of craftsmanship and design, the mouth-blown, hand-cut and intricate detail along with the timeless design of their crystal brings an element of the exceptional to every moment. A shared ethos of excellence and quality, makes this partnership truly exquisite.

Cara Laing, Director of Whisky, and third generation in the family business comments: “Our 75th Anniversary is a landmark and momentous occasion for us and one we continue to enjoy celebrating throughout the year. We are delighted to be launching our Xtra Old Particular 75th Anniversary Editions – Single Cask Whiskies selected from deep within the Douglas Laing family vaults. These latest editions reflect very much our focus and philosophy to release excellent Scotch Whisky at the peak of perfection, truly honouring this significant milestone in our family history in more ways than my grandfather could ever have imagined. Here’s to the next 75 years of Whisky adventures!”

Each exclusive XOP Diamond Anniversary Set includes: 

• 1 x 70cl bottle featuring a glass stopper and metal embossed label
• A mouth-blown and hand-cut diamond crystalware set by Richard Brendon, comprising 1 x large decanter dressed with a metal neck tag, and 1x contemporary crystal Whisky tumbler
• 1 x pewter coloured, weighty zinc alloy metal coaster with a black velvet coated back
• 1 x premium certificate, hand-signed by Fred and Cara Laing
• Packaged within a bespoke diamond shaped gift box with special, sturdy fitments 

About Douglas Laing:

www.douglaslaing.com

Twitter/X: @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”.

BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY ANNOUNCES BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY LONDON – THE DISTILLERY’S FIRST BRAND HOME OUTSIDE OF THE USA 

World’s Most Award-Winning Distillery to bring authentic American whiskey tasting and retail experience to the heart of Covent Garden in London. 

FRANKFORT, FRANKLIN COUNTY, KY (SEPTEMBER 20, 2023) – Buffalo Trace Distillery, distiller of some of the most sought-after whiskeys in the world including Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Eagle Rare, Sazerac Rye, W.L. Weller, and Pappy Van Winkle, today announces the forthcoming opening of Buffalo Trace Distillery London, a first-of-its-kind American whiskey experience at 32-33 Long Acre in the highly coveted Covent Garden area of London in late 2023.

“Buffalo Trace Distillery’s relentless commitment to quality aging and distilling has cultivated fans around the globe,” said Jake Wenz, CEO and President at Buffalo Trace Distillery. “Buffalo Trace Distillery London is the first home for our American whiskeys outside of Kentucky, USA, and we are honored to put down roots in the United Kingdom. Many spirits consumers are more familiar with bourbon’s global whiskey counterparts, and Buffalo Trace Distillery London aims to offer a space to learn more about – and hopefully, fall in love with – our bourbon whiskey. We are excited to share our pursuit of the world’s best whiskey with all those interested in London and beyond.”

Buffalo Trace Distillery London will invite spirits enthusiasts to taste the best of what American whiskey has to offer while introducing them to the storied history and authenticity of the third oldest distillery in the world and oldest continually operating distillery in the United States. Featuring an immersive, sensorial experience that brings a taste of Kentucky, the homeplace of Buffalo Trace Distillery, to London, guests will embark on a narrative journey culminating in an exclusive tasting experience at one of two inspiring bars.

“For over 200 years, our Distillery has been defined by a dedication to one craft: making the finest American whiskey,” said Andrew Duncan, Global Brand Director, Buffalo Trace Distillery. “In the heart of Bourbon Country in Frankfort, Kentucky, Buffalo Trace Distillery has built a generation of enthusiasts, one at a time, by showcasing the timeless craft of whiskey making alongside a sharp focus on experimentation and innovation. Our London location will bring that genuine, authentic experience to a new generation of global fans, allowing them to discover all that American Whiskey and the award-winning brands of Buffalo Trace Distillery have to offer.”

Guests visiting Buffalo Trace Distillery London can select from one of two tasting experiences. The first offering – Taste of the Trace– will feature a guided tasting of three outstanding expressions from Buffalo Trace Distillery’s core product lineup: Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Sazerac Rye, Bourbon Cream and the option of a Buffalo and Ginger Ale cocktail sample. The second tasting experience – Tradition & Change: Crafting the Most Awarded American Whiskey – will feature a selection of Buffalo Trace Distillery’s premium expression lineup, including: White Dog Mash #1, Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Eagle Rare 10-Year-Old, E.H. Taylor Small Batch, and a small pour of a Buffalo Trace Old Fashioned. Tastings will range in price depending on selection, up to £29.99.

“Whether you’re an existing fan of American whiskey, or if the category is entirely new to you, we’re confident Buffalo Trace Distillery London will offer an experience and a pour that will delight every palate,” said Duncan.

The location of Buffalo Trace Distillery London has been completely renovated to create a guest-first experience aimed at attracting Londoners and tourists alike. The 2,000-square-foot space will pay homage to Buffalo Trace’s legendary bourbon craftsmanship with special finishes and custom materials that evoke the essence of the Distillery in Kentucky. In the retail store, fans will be able to purchase whiskey bottles and unique merchandise – in fact, some of the merchandise can only be found at Buffalo Trace Distillery London. Rarer whiskey offerings from Buffalo Trace will also be offered during special surprise times throughout the initial opening months.

Reservations are required to secure a tasting appointment at Buffalo Trace Distillery London. Prebooking is highly encouraged and can be arranged via BuffaloTraceDistillery.co.uk. Reservation appointments will open up in the next few weeks. In the meantime, fans can join the waitlist via the website to be the first to know once bookings are available. Guests will also have the option of ‘walking in’ and inquiring about availability in-person, appointments of which will be granted on a first come, first served basis.  Buffalo Trace Distillery London looks forward to welcoming guests from the UK and around the globe beginning later this year.

For more information about Buffalo Trace Distillery London visit BuffaloTraceDistillery.co.uk and to stay current on happenings and updates follow along on Instagram @buffalotracedistillery_uk.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery 

Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1775 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee.  Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark as well as is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won 40 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Its George T. Stagg was named World Whiskey of the Year for 2022 and its Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye was named 2nd Finest Whiskey in the World for 2022.  Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 1,000 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies.  To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com. Charitable organizations interested in receiving a hand-picked bottle of whiskey from Buffalo Trace Distillery are encouraged to register their establishment here.

Douglas Laing Unveils Seasonal Limited Editions: Big Peat Christmas and Scallywag Winter

Douglas Laing adds two seasonal special editions to a long line of festive bottlings within their Islay and Speyside Malt Scotch Whisky brands: Big Peat and Scallywag. Big Peat’s Christmas Edition is the first ever to be finished in Sherry Casks, truly encapsulating the flavour of Christmas. Scallywag’s Winter Edition remains true to self with 100% Sherry Cask maturation from the finest Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso Sherry butts.

Scallywag’s 4^th addition to the Annual Winter Series sees a remarkably rich and robust marriage of Speyside Single Malts, and is said to “deliver warm gingerbread, spiced oak, and orange rind on the nose.” The palate reveals layers of cocoa and juicy berries with a nutty Malt style. On the finish, Scallywag fans should “anticipate dates with forest fruits and winter spice.” This warming Winter dram has been bottled at a natural cask strength of 52.5% and is proudly offered without colouring or chill-filtration. Encased in a premium pearlescent gift tube, the Feisty Fox Terrier has travelled North to admire the impressive Northern Lights.

Big Peat’s 2023 Christmas Edition is one to remember, with the big and bold flavours sure to get you in the festive spirit. Big Peat fans will be able to taste “hints of dried fruit, cocoa, and spiced oak” with candied peel and Hebridean sea air, peated barley, and ‘his’ signature smoke. Big Peat has pulled out all the stops this year, offering this edition at a Natural Cask Strength of 54.8% and bottled without colouring or chill-filtration. Intended for gifting season, this bottling is packaged in a luxurious foil gift tube detailing the bearded Islay fisherman adding his star to the top of his Christmas tree.

Commenting on the seasonal expressions, Brand Manager, Scott Morrison said: 

“This year’s festive releases have been highly anticipated at Douglas Laing. We are incredibly proud of the final product and can’t wait to showcase it to the Whisky world. Scallywag’s Winter packaging is like nothing we have seen before, oozing luxury and adventure. Big Peat’s remains Seriously Committed to Smoke with plenty of peated notes, alongside the festive Sherry Cask finish. It is the ultimate way to combat the wintery cold nights ahead. We hope everyone is as excited as us for the release of these two very special festive bottlings.”

Big Peat Christmas and Scallywag Winter Editions will be available from the 13^th of September 2023. These limited editions can be purchased from good Specialist retailers in key markets globally, including Europe, America (Big Peat only), and Asia. Big Peat Christmas will retail at £60.00, and Scallywag at £65.00. 

About Douglas Laing:

www.douglaslaing.com

X: @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 are a 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”.

LITTLEMILL ANNOUNCES EXCLUSIVE NEW ‘VANGUARDS COLLECTION‘AND UNVEILS THE FIRST EXPRESSION ‘VANGUARDS CHAPTER ONE‘

The Vanguards Collection will celebrate the pioneers behind Scotland’s oldest licensed distillery

Chapter One, the first of four annual releases, is a remarkable 45 Year Old single malt

Luxury packaging includes an original artwork from British artist, Vic Lee, reimagining the original license granted to Littlemill to produce whisky, marking the start of an incredible story in history

Scotland’s oldest licensed distillery, Littlemill, has unveiled its latest annual release, The Vanguard Collection – Chapter One, an incredible 45 Year Old whisky drawn from the oldest and rarest reserves of the extraordinary Lowland distillery, which fell into silence in 1994.

The release was distilled on the 11th of October 1977 at the original site in Bowling, West Dunbartonshire, using Littlemill’s patented straight-neck copper pot hybrid stills, which were first introduced in the early 1900s, an innovation of their time then and today.

The liquid was stored in refill American Oak casks before a final five-year finish in a first-fill Oloroso Sherry Hogshead. The result is a wonderful single malt boasting honey, elderflower, and nutmeg on the nose, with a silk-like mouthfeel of melted brown sugar, vanilla, and fresh fruits, before a long finish full of citrus flavour and caramelised sugars.

This traditional choice of finishing wood, personally selected by Master Blender Michael Henry, is meticulously documented in the distillery’s records and complements the delicate floral nature of this Lowland malt.

Bottled at cask strength of 50.5% ABV and natural colour, only 250 individually numbered bottles are available worldwide, priced at £12,500.

Vanguard Chapter One is the first of four new expressions in The Vanguard Collection, which will be released annually, each partnering with a global artist to pay homage to the trailblazers who shaped Littlemill’s story by overturning traditions, innovating with technology and processes, and leaving an undeniable legacy.

The first expression is dedicated to Robert Muir who was granted the first license to ‘retail beer, ale, and excisable liquors’ from King Geoge III in 1773. It is potentially the first time whisky distilling was officiated and was certainly the beginning of a remarkable story in the world’s whisky industry.

This moment will be remembered through a new collaboration with British artist, illustrator, and wordsmith, Vic Lee, who has been transcending the art world for the last ten years with his iconic and intricate approach to penmanship. Vic has worked with some of the UK’s most loved and forward-thinking brands, including McLaren automotive, Nike, Atkin Guitars, Brompton Bikes, and The Tate Modern.

Using traditional screen printing, Vic has created 250 cotton paper artworks which reimagine the original license through contemporary illustrations including Littlemill’s original stills and warehousing, and the trade ships on the River Clyde in Scotland, nodding to the bustling international exporting of the time.

Printed on beautiful off-white cotton paper, the bespoke artwork, hand finished in Indian grey ink for individuality, will be encased in a stunning handmade ash display cabinet, handcrafted by Littlemill’s most trusted carpenters and woodworkers.

Inside is an exquisite handblown Glencairn crystal decanter with delicate cuts in the glass, inspired by a traditional writing quill which would have been used by Robert Muir to sign the original license. A glass portal in the cabinet door provides a window through time to Vic Lee’s hand-finished artwork, each individually hand signed and numbered by Vic and Master Blender, Michael Henry

Each cabinet also houses a branded 50ml miniature and a hardback book of the Littlemill story, so the very few lucky custodians of this exceptional single malt can explore and enjoy Scotland’s most fascinating whisky tale with an exquisite dram.

Founded in 1772 in Bowling, West Dunbartonshire, Littlemill was at the forefront of innovation for its time. It was lost to a fire in 2004 and since then, Master Blender, Michael Henry, has held guardianship of the last remaining rare casks, drawing on the limited reserves for the first Vanguard Collection release.

Michael Henry, Master Blender of Loch Lomond Group, said: “Littlemill’s was Scotland’s first licensed distillery, but the journey thereafter is what makes it remarkable. It’s legacy is defined by unsung heroes and quiet trailblazers at its helm.

“These vanguards of their time were overturning traditions in production, innovating with still designs and craftsmanship, and quietly leaving their fingerprints on Littlemill and the wider whisky industry. Much like Littlemill itself, these individuals passed into history before their contribution could ever be applauded, but their influence lives on in these last precious casks, which I am lucky enough to have under my personal care and custodianship.

“This creation of the first in The Vanguard Collection has been a fascinating process, as we have gone back to explore again the wonderful history of this intriguing whisky distillery. Robert Muir is a pioneer of his time, and this latest release is a celebration of that.

“Quite unlike anything else, Littlemill is a beautiful summer whisky, with characteristics of gentle vanilla and floral notes on the nose, with the sweetness of honey and creamy fudge, accompanied on the palate by classic Lowland fresh fruits. It’s a unique and special character, which we work hard to preserve without compromise.”

Vic Lee, artist, said: “Working closely with Michael and the team, we sought to create something bespoke and unique that could accompany each exclusive bottle. The artwork had to respect the original license from 1773, and through a detailed and time-consuming approach, I drew upon historic penmanship and printing methods, while applying my own contemporary feel.

“There is so much beauty in works and letters; they can incite so much emotion and understanding of a period of time, which was exactly what was required for this remarkable Littlemill launch.”

Vanguard Chapter One will be available for purchase via enquiry through the Littlemill website and other specialised retailers. For further information visit www.littlemilldistillery.com.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Honey, elderflower, pineapple, kiwi, roasted hazelnuts, cinnamon and nutmeg.

Palate: Silk like mouthfeel, melted brown sugar, vanilla, crème brûlée, crisp apple, ripe pear, freshly squeezed lime juice, dried fruit – sultana and citrus peel.

Finish: Long with notes of grilled grapefruit and sweet caramelised sugars, all balanced with sharp citrus.

About Littlemill 

The Littlemill distillery was established in 1772 on the site of an old brewery that had been founded during the 14th century in Bowling on the banks of the River Clyde near Glasgow.

It is rumoured that illicit distilling had taken place there since 1750 when the site was bought by George Buchanan, a malt master, and according to the renowned whisky historian and writer Misako Udo in her book ‘The Scotch Whisky Distilleries’, distilling may have taken place there for centuries before.

After one year, on the 2nd of November 1773, local Justice of the Peace records for Dumbarton show that ‘Robert Muir of Littlemiln’, an employee, was granted the first-ever license by the Government of King George III to “…retail ale, beer and other excisable Liquors.”

In 1931 Littlemill led whisky still innovation whereby its innovative design could create three styles of spirit under the stewardship of the American Duncan Thomas. It was these stills that inspired the stills that remain in place at Loch Lomond Distillery today.

Littlemill fell into perpetual silence in 1994 and then the distillery was destroyed by fire in 2004. The remaining casks have been under the care of Loch Lomond Distillery since, stored just a short distance away from where the original distillery once stood. In 2015 Loch Lomond Group released a limited number of its Littlemill Private Cellar Edition. Since then, a mere handful of bottles have been released annually, which have become sought after by collectors and whisky enthusiasts.

Twitter: @LittlemillMalt

Instagram: @LittlemillMalt

Facebook: @Littlemillwhisky

https://www.littlemilldistillery.com/

About Vic Lee 

Vic Lee is an award-winning artist, author, muralist and wordsmith. From his studio in Peckham, South London, he has created artwork commissions for the world’s biggest brands. His signature style of black and white, intricately weaving his love of typography and detailed elaborate flourishes, has become well recognised. From painting onto the bodies of supercars to huge storytelling murals, Vic’s passion is clear in the art he creates. His work has been included in school and university curriculums, inspiring the next generation of creatives and is passionate about his art, sharing his journey at events and talks across the World.

For 35 years, Vic has honed his skills in penmanship, always choosing to use water based products to have less effect on the planet. His murals, which can span 12m in length, are hand painted in pen, the waste from a typical mural no bigger than a matchbox. Much of his work is imagined as he paints, rarely knowing how the final piece will look, as will his clients too.

About Glencairn

The award-winning Glencairn Crystal Studio has been at the cutting edge of high-quality decanter and glassware design, innovation, and creativity for four decades. Regarded internationally as one of the finest crystal decanter and glassware manufacturers, the family-run Scottish company has hand-crafted prestigious decanters often for the rarest and most luxurious spirits ever released.

The team of experienced craftspeople at Glencairn Crystal, some of whom have over 30 years of experience in working with crystal, are world experts in pioneering glassware design techniques and unrivalled in their talented craftsmanship. The company also produces The Glencairn Glass, the world’s favourite whisky glass, with five million glasses being sold every year in every corner of the globe.

Torabhaig Allt Gleann Batch Strength limited release revealed 

Torabhaig Single Malt Distillery on the Isle of Skye closes the current chapter of its Torabhaig Legacy Series with a limited edition batch strength release straight from the cask.

Torabhaig Single Malt Distillery on the Isle of Skye announces a new limited edition release, Torabhaig Allt Gleann Batch Strength. This special edition, batch strength release of Allt Gleann completes the current chapter of the Torabhaig Legacy Series, which charts the journey to 10 year old for this exciting new distillery on the Isle of Skye.

The release bottled unreduced shows the confidence that this young distillery has in the quality of its whisky and highlights the strength of their emerging signature style: well tempered peat. It is drawn directly from a select batch of casks and sings of smoke and brine. Heavily inspired by the spectacularly rugged coastline on which the distillery sits on the Isle of Skye, Torabhaig tames heavily peated grains to produce an elegantly rugged dram that balances strength with refinement to accentuate the floral, fragrant character of the whisky.

Torabhaig Whiskymaker, Neil Macleod Mathieson, comments: “Torabhaig Allt Gleann Batch Strength is our way of bidding a fond farewell to Allt Gleann and closing out this chapter of Torabhaig’s journey to 10 year old. This is the last time we’ll get to see this specific style of Torabhaig, so we set aside a few hundred casks of this expression distilled during the experimental phases of 2017 and 2018 to release at its natural strength.

“As with Allt Gleann, we’re transparent on the bottle about everything, from the variety of barley to the type of yeast to residual ppm – and not just in grain ppm. We want to take whisky lovers on this journey of experimentation with us and are confident about sharing our findings about flavour as we’re building this liquid legacy.”

Allt Gleann is named after one of the natural spring water sources that feed the Torabhaig distillery, which sits on a historical site on a rugged coastline. While the distillery has only been operational since January 2017, it is only the second Single Malt distillery on the Isle of Skye in almost 200 years. The 19th century distillery building is an old farmhouse that was painstakingly restored over a four-year period. The historic nature of the building provided creative constraints in terms of the still size and distillery layout.

Torabhaig Allt Gleann Batch Strength

RRP:   £75/ 85 EUR/ $89.99 USD

Tasting note:  Smoke & brine. A robustly peated spirit with a deceptively refined character resulting in a complex and characterful maritime whisky

Grain:  Concerto malted barley

Yeast: Fermented with pinnacle MG+ yeast

Wood:  American oak, first fill bourbon barrels and re-fill whisky barrels

Time in cask: 60+ months

Peat in grain: 78+ PPM

Residual peat: 22.8 PPM

ABV: 61.1%

Treatment: No chill filtration. No colour added

No of bottles:  50,000 bottles globally 

About Torabhaig Single Malt Scotch Whisky: 

The Torabhaig Single Malt distillery is set on one of Scotland’s most dramatic locations on the spectacular rugged coastline of the Isle of Skye. The first new distillery on the Isle of Skye in 190 years, Torabhaig started distillation in 2017 and is one of only two Single Malt distilleries on the island. The whisky created here is shaped by Skye and the breathtaking landscape of jagged rocky peaks, stunningly verdant valleys, and glistening coastal waters. The Torabhaig style is one of well-tempered peat crafted by distilling a robustly peated, elegantly rugged, floral, fragrant whisky that sings of smoke and brine. The whisky is made by a team of nine local distillers all trained from scratch, with seasoned whisky maker Neil Macleod Mathieson at the helm.

Torabhaig is part of the Mossburn whisky portfolio which includes independent bottlings from Mossburn Distillers & Blenders and Caisteal Chamuis, a heavily peated blended malt.

BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY ANNOUNCES THE PROHIBITION COLLECTION

One of the only distilleries to remain open during Prohibition has recreated five historic whiskeys that existed during one of America’s most unique time periods

FRANKFORT, KY (September 26, 2023) – Buffalo Trace Distillery is thrilled to announce The Prohibition Collection: an annual limited-edition, multi-bottle collection honoring the whiskeys that were legally produced and sold at the distillery during arguably the most contentious time period in alcohol history. Known then as the George T. Stagg Distillery, the debut release tributes five Prohibition Era-brands that have, until now, disappeared: Old Stagg, Golden Wedding, Three Feathers, Walnut Hill and George T. Stagg Spiritus Frumenti.

From 1920 to 1933, the production, sale and transportation of alcohol was banned in the United States due to the ratification of the 18th amendment to the United States Constitution, an era known as Prohibition. Purchasing alcohol was only legal with a medical prescription. At the time, many doctors believed spirits to be a cure for a wide variety of ailments. As such, the U.S. Government granted licenses to six distilleries to bottle medicinal whiskey: one of those distilleries was the George T. Stagg Distillery in Frankfort, KY. Known today as Buffalo Trace Distillery, it is the longest continually-operating distillery in America.

The inaugural Prohibition Collection features five whiskeys, each created in tribute to a historic brand that was housed at the Buffalo Trace Distillery site during Prohibition:

• Old Stagg, a barrel-proof (132.4 proof), uncut and unfiltered whiskey featuring an oaky, vanilla aroma; sweet and mellow taste with notes of leather and dark cherries and a smooth vanilla finish. Old Stagg was originally created in honor of former owner George T. Stagg and replaced O.F.C. Bourbon as the Distillery’s flagship brand. Today, the brand lives on as Stagg and George T. Stagg, both barrel proof whiskeys that have their roots in this Prohibition era brand.
• Golden Wedding, a 107-proof rye whiskey that has heavy rye on the nose; a grainy, herbal taste with notes of dill pickle and rye; and a spicy, smokey finish with a hint of banana. The brand, which dates back to 1869, was originally produced by Schenley Distilling at the Joseph S. Finch Distillery in Pennsylvania. During Prohibition, its bottling was split between Schenley’s Pennsylvania distillery and the George T. Stagg Distillery. In the late 1940’s, the brand was moved to Schenley’s distillery in Canada and would become a Canadian whiskey before ceasing to exist in the late 20th century.
• Three Feathers, a 100-proof, bottled-in-bond whiskey created by Buffalo Trace Master Blender Drew Mayville. Dating back to at least 1812, Three Feathers was first advertised as a luxurious rye before becoming a bonded and then a blended whiskey. Today’s recreation presents a vanilla, charred oak aroma with stone and light tropical fruit taste, and smokey, caramel and a slight cocoa finish.
• Walnut Hill, a 90-proof high-rye bourbon featuring a slightly citrus aroma with light corn and oak notes; sweet molasses, stone fruit and vanilla taste; and a smokey, woodsy finish. This historic spirit was bottled by the George T. Stagg Distillery during Prohibition with production overseen by President Albert Blanton.
• George T. Stagg Distillery Spiritus Frumenti, a 110-proof wheated bourbon honoring the medicinal whiskey produced at the George T. Stagg Distillery. “Spiritus Frumenti,” which translates as “Spirit of the Grain” in Latin, existed as a generic name for medicinal whiskey during Prohibition. Tasting notes include an aroma of caramelized brown sugar; fruity yet floral taste with notes of cherry and oak; and finishes with vanilla, wheat and citrus.

“We stand behind our motto, ‘Honor Tradition, Embrace Change’,” says Harlen Wheatley, Buffalo Trace Master Distiller. “Each of these brands disappeared slowly in the years after Prohibition, but they were integral to our survival. Without them, today there would be no Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare or Weller bourbons. The Prohibition Collection is a tribute to these great whiskeys from our past.”

“At Buffalo Trace Distillery, we build brands based on real, authentic stories firmly rooted in the rich history of excellent whiskey making in America,” says Andrew Duncan, Global Brand Director for Buffalo Trace Distillery. “When we discovered these brands – and others – in our distillery’s history, we could not wait to bring them back to life and tell their stories again. By aging and selling barrels from numerous distilleries all over the country, the Buffalo Trace Distillery site played a key role in keeping American Whiskey alive during one of the most unique periods in the history of the spirits industry.”

The entire collection is housed in a custom wooden display case, with each of the five 375ml bottles heavily-inspired by their Prohibition Era packaging and original bottle size: even the back cartons feature the cut-out for doctors to apply the prescription for medicinal whiskey, without which one could not legally purchase alcohol.

The Prohibition Collection will be rolling out in limited quantities to its distributor network, which will ship to select retailers, bars and restaurants across the United States as of October 2023 at a suggested retail price of $999.99 (five 375ml bottles); state taxes will vary per market.

For more information, please visit BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY 

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort,  Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1775 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee.  Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark as well as is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won 40 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Its George T. Stagg was named World Whiskey of the Year for 2022 and its Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye was named 2^nd Finest Whiskey in the World for 2022.  Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 1,000 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com.

ELEMENTS OF ISLAY LAUNCHES NEW LIMITED EDITION

 BEACH BONFIRE GLOBALLY

Elements of Islay, the award-winning independent whisky brand, is releasing its limited-edition whisky Beach Bonfire to global markets following an initial launch at Islay’s iconic whisky festival Fèis Ìle earlier this year.

The team wanted to create a whisky that captured the essence of the island’s rugged wilderness and transport the drinker to the heart of this untamed land with each sip. Head Blender Oliver Chilton took inspiration from a bonfire night where colours, smoke, flames, and sand all collided on a beach – truly representing the unique spirit and terroir of Islay.

The new release, bottled at 54.5% to be consistent with Elements of Islay’s core range, is matured in new oak, bourbon refill and sherry casks. The result is a powerful, herbaceous Islay malt with a rich, complex profile, laden with bonfire ember smoke and a sweet spice finish. Similarly to the rest of the range, Beach Bonfire is non-chill filtered and retains its natural colour.

“We’re thrilled to be releasing Beach Bonfire to markets across the world following its limited release at Fèis Ìle 2023,” said Elixir Distillers Head Blender, Oliver Chilton. “Beach Bonfire takes three distinct Islay spirits matured in a variety of different cask styles to bring a singular location and experience to life through flavour. The chance to condense and reimagine the incredible atmosphere of Islay’s coast by bonfire light into a glass of whisky is another step on our journey as blenders.”

The whisky is the first limited edition release from Elements of Islay since the re-launch of its core range in 2022.

 Elements of Islay, Beach Bonfire, 70cl, 54.5% ABV, RRP £79.95, $115.00, €85.00 will be available in key markets across Europe in October 2023. It will be rolled out to Asia and the US from 2024. 

Tasting Notes by Oliver Chilton, Head Blender

Nose: Oyster shells and bonfire smoke blend with rich baking spices and subtle notes of cherry and tarragon. Hints of mint and black pepper temper lemon oil and caramel cooking on a wood burning stove.

Palate: Bourbon-soaked Amarena Cherries, with baked vanilla pods, cinnamon and light ginger are surrounded by rich wood smoke. Touches of traditional, medicinal Islay peat play against a wonderful herbaceous character.

Finish: Warm and long, with more wood fire and soft brown sugar. A gingerbread spice starts to develop long after the last sip.

THE GLENALLACHIE DISTILLERY

DEBUTS PEATED WHISKY BRAND

Award-winning Speyside-based single malt producer reveals new peated Scotch whisky label

 Independent Scotch whisky distillery The GlenAllachie reveals its new peated single malt Scotch whisky brand: Meikle Tòir (pronounced mee-kuhl tor).

Spearheaded by celebrated Master Distiller Billy Walker, The GlenAllachie Distillery, which surpassed £20 million in sales for the first time last year, has won countless notable awards, including the hotly contested World’s Best Single Malt title (World Whiskies Awards, 2021).

The launch introduces Walker’s first core releases to have been fully overseen by him since he took ownership of the distillery in 2017.

Meikle Tòir, which means ‘big pursuit’, represents Walker and his expert team’s relentless seasonal peated campaign at The GlenAllachie, which began in 2018.

Using mainland peat from St. Fergus, the peated production runs for around six weeks per year, producing approximately 100,000 Litres of Alcohol annually.

The peated label’s core range consists of The Original (50% ABV, UK RRSP £51), The Sherry One (48% ABV, UK RRSP £50) and The Chinquapin One (48% ABV, UK RRSP £50), as well as annual small-batch release, The Turbo 2023 Edition (50% ABV, UK RRSP £51). Each whisky carries a five-year age statement.

All Meikle Tòir expressions were subjected to a lengthy fermentation time of 160 hours – nearly triple the industry average – which adds a fruity, ester-rich character to the subsequent whisky.

The Original 5-year-old was aged in expertly sourced first-fill Bourbon barrels, American virgin oak casks and Rye barrels, imparting “waves of stem ginger, sweet spice and oak-smoked sugar”.

After an initial period in American oak, The Sherry One underwent additional maturation in quality Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry puncheons. The result is a single malt with “impeccable balance between dark fruits, mocha, treacle and puffs of earthy peat smoke”.

The Chinquapin One was first aged in American oak before being transferred into superior Chinquapin virgin oak barrels from the Northern Ozark region of Missouri, USA. Drinkers can anticipate “smoked spices, roasted nuts, campfire smoke and crème brûlée”.

The Original, The Sherry One and The Chinquapin One all have a spirit PPM level of 35, with the mainland peat delivering a more sweet and oaky smoke style in comparison to the flavour contribution of a coastal peat.

The Turbo, a super limited annual bottling, captures ‘the heart of the heart’ of the peated distillate: the spirit cut with the highest phenol content.

The 2023 Edition, a run of just 2,500 bottles, was left to slumber in three American virgin oak casks and five Oloroso Sherry hogsheads for five years. The resulting whisky is said to offer “a powerful punch of peat, amounting to a spirit PPM of 71, alongside notes of toasted honeycomb, burnt orange peel and worn leather”.

All Meikle Tòir products are proudly bottled without added colouring and non-chill filtered for optimum drinking experience.

The eye-catching packaging features a hand-drawn illustration by prominent Scottish artist Iain McIntosh that depicts the rugged terrain surrounding the distillery, including the iconic peak of Ben Rinnes. The complementary “earthy” colour palette was chosen to hint at the smoky flavour profile.

Despite the additional costs associated, the brand exclusively works with UK-based packaging suppliers in order to reduce its impact on the environment.

The launch will be bolstered by a series of tastings across Scotland this week, both at barrel-top sampling events in retail stores and invite-only drinks evenings, concluding in Meikle Tòir’s presence at The Whisky Exchange Show in London at the weekend.

Commenting on the new brand, Walker remarks:

“This incredibly exciting launch is a key milestone for us all at The GlenAllachie. Five years in the making, it represents the culmination of our endeavours since we took over the reins at the distillery. Our intention has always been to release a peated single malt, and this is no surprise to those who have followed our journey from the start.

“Every element of the production process was carefully considered to ensure our vision was met. It’s not about accelerating the journey; it’s about expanding the experience. One of the key decisions was to significantly extend the fermentation period to 160 hours, creating thick, ester-rich distillate. Another was to use mainland peat, which delivers a more oaky style of smoke. These choices, along with the use of quality oak casks, are all factors steering us in our pursuit of peated perfection”.

Meikle Tòir will become increasingly available worldwide from today, with UK RRSPs starting at £50.

ABOUT MEIKLE TÒIR:

Guided by revered Master Distiller, Billy Walker, our team is on a ‘Meikle Tòir’ (meaning ‘big pursuit’). The goal: to carefully craft and cask-perfect a peerless peated single malt at our Speyside home, The GlenAllachie Distillery.

Being independent, we have complete freedom to do things our way. Every step of the whisky-making journey has been meticulously considered and masterfully optimised to steer the ensuing aromatic and flavour characteristics of the whisky.

Using premium mainland peat for an oaky, sweet smoke style; a process of extended fermentation, exacting distillation and expert maturation elevates the spirit to its pinnacle. After years of patient slumber, the spirit within each cask must meet Billy’s rigorous standards to reach the bottle.

Where pioneering passion and painstaking precision are paramount. All in the pursuit of peated perfection. 

Facebook: /MeikleToir         |             Instagram: @MeikleToir

 ABOUT GLENALLACHIE:

One of Scotland’s few independently owned and managed spirits companies, The GlenAllachie is led by industry veteran, Billy Walker, who boasts over a half-century’s tenure in whisky.

Our brands include The GlenAllachie Single Malt, Meikle Tòir Single Malt, MacNair’s Boutique House of Spirits – encompassing Lum Reek Blended Malt Scotch Whisky and White Heather Blended Scotch Whisky.

TASTING NOTES:

Meikle Tòir The Original, 5-year-old – 50% ABV

• Nose: Baking spices, burnt honey and roasted coffee beans, leading to hazelnuts, smoked almonds and butterscotch.

• Taste: Wisps of sweet peat, with rich chocolate and heather honey, followed by cinnamon, ginger and oak-smoked sugar.

Meikle Tòir The Sherry One, 5-year-old – 48% ABV

• Nose: Cedarwood and cigar box, alongside butterscotch, mocha and orange peel, with hints of honey and plum jam.

• Taste: Rich dark chocolate, smoked honey and mocha, followed by fig syrup, treacle and burnt sugar, with puffs of peat smoke on the finish.

Meikle Tòir The Chinquapin One, 5-year-old – 48% ABV

• Nose: Aromas of smouldering oak embers, burnt liquorice and honeycomb, with wild heather, ginger, butterscotch and orange peel.

• Taste: Dark chocolate, crème brûlée and toasted almonds, leading to cinnamon, brittle toffee, aniseed and lingering campfire smoke.

Meikle Tòir The Turbo, 5-year-old – 50% ABV

• Nose: Manuka honey, worn leather and rich chocolate, with hints of toasted hazelnuts, dried sultanas and burnt orange peel.

• Taste: Intense peat, heather honey and mocha, followed by smoked spices, roasted chestnuts and charred oak.

HIGHLAND PARK PARTNER WITH THE SINGLE MALT SHOP TO REVEAL NEW WHISKY

 — Only 513 bottles of new single malt Scotch Whisky available —

Orkney-based distillery, Highland Park, has partnered with The Single Malt Shop to unveil its latest whisky, a bespoke single cask bottled exclusively for the Ireland based drinks specialist.

Hand selected by Highland Park’s Master Whisky Maker, Gordon Motion, the 18 Year Old, single cask whisky is limited to just 513 bottles and is bottled at cask strength to capture the purest flavour.

Gordon Motion, Highland Park, master whisky maker explains: “When it comes to whisky that’s matured for 18 years and more, I have fewer casks to choose from so those in our Single Cask Series are, quite simply, the most exceptional Highland Park casks available.”

The 18 year old refill butt delivers aromatic peat smoke and heather honey flavours which makes Highland Park single malt whisky so distinctive. Casks contribute up to 60 per cent of the flavour. Highland Park works in partnership with bodegas in Spain to source the finest sherry seasoned casks available.

Gordon Motion, continues: “Some of our most outstanding single cask bottlings come from refill casks, as they have often previously held whisky for only a short period of time, so have much to give in subsequent maturation. I chose this cask for The Single Malt Shop due to its interesting and exciting flavour profile to offer something special for their whisky fans.

“As well as the distinctive Highland Park flavours, I also get notes of sweet, toasted oak, vanilla fudge ice cream, roasted almonds and violets with lingering flavours of floral peat smoke, cinnamon bark and lingering spiciness.”

The RSP of the Highland Park single cask exclusively bottles for The Single Malt Shop is €440.00.

Ed Forrest, Managing Director of The Single Malt Shop said: “We are absolutely delighted to be collaborating with Highland Park on this 18-year-old single cask release. As a premium, specialist whisky retailer, we are always looking to work with distilleries to showcase their best expressions and this one complements the Highland Park line up very well indeed. We are very excited by the Highland Park brand now. It is a perfect entry point into whisky with a very well-rounded flavour profile. This single cask bottling is a real delight with dark chocolate, honey and molasses to the fore, balanced by a light, lingering peaty finish.”

Based in Orkney, Scotland, Highland Park has been a working distillery since 1798 and uses local peat in the whisky making process, delivering a balance of aromatic smoky peat and sweet heather honey.

The Highland Park Single Cask bottled exclusively for The Single Malt Shop will be available to pre order from September 4^th 2023, and on general release from September 11th 2023, at, www.thesinglemaltshop.com, priced at, £379.43.

For further information about Highland Park visit: www.highlandparkwhisky.com

About The Highland Park Single Cask bottled exclusively for The Single Malt Shop:

RRP: €420.00 / £379.43

ABV: 57.4%

Volume: 700ml

Natural colour 

Tasting notes:

Enticing aromas of heather honey, lemon peel, new oak, pecans with pleasant aromatic light peat. Intriguing flavours of sweet, toasted oak, vanilla fudge ice cream, roasted almonds and violets with lingering flavours of floral peat smoke, cinnamon bark and lingering spiciness.

About Highland Park:

We’ve been crafting our award-winning whisky at the Highland Park Distillery in Kirkwall, Orkney since 1798. Now, 225 years later, we are one of the ten oldest working distilleries in Scotland. Age, experience, and respect for tradition may define our whisky but it’s Orkney that differentiates us.

It’s not just the influence of the finest sherry seasoned oak casks on our whisky as it matures, it’s the salty sea winds that batter Orkney’s rugged coastlines, the intensely floral character of our treeless but heather-rich peat, and the fiercely independent Viking spirit that drives us. These are the elements that go, untamed, into our whisky-making to create a wild harmony of sweet-smoky flavours that is, uniquely, Highland Park.

www.highlandparkwhisky.com