WORLD’S OLDEST WHISKY FOUND IN SCOTTISH CASTLE

TO BE AUCTIONED

Whisky believed to be distilled almost 200 years ago and sipped by a young Queen Victoria, has been found behind a hidden cellar door in a 750 year old castle in Scotland. Understood to be the oldest known Scotch whisky in existence, it will soon be offered for sale at auction.

In late 2022, Bertie Troughton, Resident Trustee at Blair Castle in Perthshire, found a number of old bottles in an unassuming cellar room. Around 40 bottles of whisky were discovered at the back of a shelf which are believed to have been distilled in 1833 and bottled in 1841 (the whisky was then rebottled in 1932). In November, 24 bottles will be sold via Perth based Whisky Auctioneer, the global market leader in the buying and selling of whisky and spirits at auction.

The bottles were initially sampled by the family and a local whisky expert before Whisky Auctioneer was contacted. Since then, research in the archives of Blair Castle and Atholl Estates, alongside authentication of the whisky by the Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre via carbon dating supports its early 19th century origin.

Joe Wilson, Head Curator and Spirits Specialist at Whisky Auctioneer, said:

“Offering the world’s oldest scotch whisky at auction is truly a once in a lifetime occurrence. I’m fortunate to be well acquainted with old and rare liquid, as Whisky Auctioneer handles some of the world’s rarest whisky bottlings. This, however, is a transcendent discovery that is sure to capture not just the imagination of the whisky industry but also those well beyond.

“Distilled in the 1830s, the whisky was made during a fascinating period when whisky production was experiencing massive change following the 1823 Excise Act, making it a particularly exciting find for those interested in the history and heritage of the Scotch whisky industry.”

Extensive references to the production of whisky and aqua vitae throughout history, specifically the early 19th century, were found in documents held in the Blair Castle and Atholl Estates archive.

Bertie Troughton Blair Castle Resident Trustee, commented:

“Blair Castle is fortunate to have one of the best archives of any historic house in Scotland and it’s been wonderful to see the story of these fabulous bottles come to life in the archives. Whisky has always been a huge part of the history of Blair Castle and we will be building an exhibition around the bottles we keep after the auction so that all who visit Blair Castle can see it and hear the history of this incredible whisky”.

Angus MacRaild, Old and Rare Whisky specialist and co-founder of Kythe Distillery, added:

“This is a profoundly historic whisky and a remarkable artefact of Scottish distilling that is unlikely to ever be equalled in terms of provenance and preservation. That it has been carefully re-bottled and preserved at natural strength, maintaining the freshness and power of this spirit for nearly two centuries is frankly, astonishing.

“To taste it myself, has been a great privilege. It is very much a distillate driven malt whisky, with minimal wood influence and one of a style which could have been produced any time in Scotland up until the 1950s. What I find most interesting is that this profile existed already as far back as the 1830s. It possesses clear textural weight in the mouth, along with a flavour profile that strongly involves medicinal characteristics without any notable or pronounced peat smoke.

“Not only do I find it historically fascinating, but a pleasurable and hugely charismatic whisky that I find quite typical of older style, distillate-forward highland malt whiskies.”

The archives included cellar inventories known as ‘bin books’. One such bin book, dated July 23rd 1834 – one year after the whisky was initially casked – shows whisky recorded in the cellar safely in its cask. It specifically references ‘Bin 65 – Store Whiskey – 72 bottles = 40 Gallons in wood’. This is one of the earliest known references to whisky maturing in wood.

24 individual lots will be sold through Whisky Auctioneer from 24 November to 4 December. For more information about Whisky Auctioneer and to register your interest in the auction, please visit: whiskylink.co/Blair-Castle

About Whisky Auctioneer

Whisky Auctioneer is the global market leader and trusted authority on the buying and selling of whisky and spirits at auction. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Perth, Scotland, Whisky Auctioneer utilises its expertise and knowledge combined with its auction platform to increase interest and passion in the whisky and spirits community. The business currently sees over 150,000 bids per month and has conducted deliveries to 74 countries across the globe.

The central Scotland headquarters’ success paved the way for expansion in recent years. EU operations were opened from Ratheim, Germany in 2020 and expanded further with a new base in Utrecht, the Netherlands in early 2023. To further support the whisky community within the United Kingdom, a central London office was also established.

Whisky Auctioneer endeavours to make the secondary market more accessible for buyers and sellers of any background and demographic, wherever in the world they are based. Its monthly global auctions feature the most comprehensive selection of old, rare and collectible whiskies and spirits online, and are unmatched in volume, variety of bottles offered and prices achieved. Alongside an unrivalled selection of rare Scotch whisky and Irish Whiskey, Whisky Auctioneer has also established the business as the market-leading specialist in presenting world whiskies for sale; from rare American whiskey and bourbon to iconic Japanese whiskies.

In February 2021, the online auction house made history during the iconic sale of The Perfect Collection, when a bottle of The Macallan 1926 Fine and Rare 60 Year Old sold for a hammer price of £1 million. This was the first time a single bottle of whisky has sold at an online-only auction for one million pounds.

Whisky Auctioneer became the first online auction house to sell a million-pound bottle and outperformed the nearest traditional auction house by over 120% in value from spirits sales in 2021, showcasing the move that whisky collectors, investors and drinkers have already made online and firmly establishing its leading position within the modern secondary whisky market.

About Blair Castle

Blair Castle Situated in the heart of Atholl Estates in Scotland, Blair Castle was built in 1269 and today is the ancestral home of the Dukes of Atholl. Set against the magnificent landscape of 120,000-acres, the estate offers beautifully scenic vistas of rolling farmland and wild open hills across Perthshire.

Queen Victoria and Blair Castle

While Queen Victoria may be best known for her  association with Balmoral Castle, she also had strong connections to Blair Castle and a close friendship with the 6th Duchess of Atholl. In 1844, Queen Victoria and her consort, Prince Albert visited and stayed at Blair Castle. During her three-week stay, the Blair Castle Household Book lists that Whisky was consumed during her visit. Local newspapers at the time reported Queen Victoria’s liking for Atholl Brose – a local drink of whisky with honey.  It’s therefore highly likely that this same whisky was the whisky that was shared between Queen Victoria and Prince Albert during their stay.

GLENALLACHIE ISSUES

FOURTH BATCH OF 21-YEAR-OLD

Renowned Scotch whisky distillery introduces

Batch Four of acclaimed cask strength single malt

Leading Scotch whisky distillery The GlenAllachie launches a fourth iteration of one of its oldest core range expressions: The GlenAllachie 21-year-old Cask Strength Batch 4 Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

Batch 4 (UK RRSP £306), a run of only 2,000 bottles, follows in the footsteps of well-received and significantly oversubscribed previous instalments of the annual release.

The ultra-rare 21-year-old Scotch whisky marries single malt matured in just three vintage Pedro Ximénez Sherry puncheons from Jerez, Spain.

Each cask was hand-selected by iconic whisky maker Billy Walker, who, over the course of a half-century in the industry, has established an exceptional reputation for his wood management capabilities and sensory instinct.

Chosen from the independent Speyside-based distillery’s inventory of over 50,000 casks, the Spanish Sherry wood has imparted complex flavour attributes which join the distinguishing heather honey profile of The GlenAllachie’s house style.

The antique auburn-hued liquid is said to offer “sophisticated qualities of clementine zest, cocoa-covered tiramisu, dark cherries and sticky Medjool dates”.

Presented in a lavish pine green gift box with gold foil elements, the single malt was bottled at its natural cask strength of 51.1% ABV, natural colour and non-chill filtered.

The release coincides with the introduction of The GlenAllachie’s next batch of its award-winning decade-old bottling: The GlenAllachie 10-year-old Cask Strength Batch 10.

The tenth iteration (UK RRSP £71), bottled at a punchy 58.6% ABV, was aged in Pedro Ximénez, Oloroso, red wine and American virgin oak casks, resulting in “layers of ripe figs, roasted coffee and citrus peel”.

The launches follow last week’s announcement of the distillery’s new peated single malt brand, Meikle Tòir, which comprises four expressions, each aged for five years: The Original, The Sherry One, The Chinquapin One and The Turbo.

Both The GlenAllachie 21-year-old Cask Strength Batch 4 (UK RRSP £306) and 10-year-old Cask Strength Batch 10 (UK RRSP £71) will become increasingly available over the coming weeks from specialist retailers worldwide.

ABOUT GLENALLACHIE:

One of Scotland’s few independently owned and managed distilleries, The GlenAllachie is led by industry veteran, Billy Walker, who boasts over a half-century’s tenure in whisky. With an emphasis on wood policy, The GlenAllachie’s cask budget for 2023 stands at an eye-watering £2.7m/$3.3m. With 16 on-site warehouses holding over 50,000 casks, we have complete control of the end-to-end maturation process.

The GlenAllachie focuses on quality over quantity, which is why we chose to reduce our production capacity from 4 million to around 800,000 Litres of Alcohol and increase our fermentation period to 160 hours for an ester-rich, fruity spirit.

We believe age and integrity matter, which is why all our whiskies carry an age statement, and are bottled at a minimum of 46% ABV, natural colour and non-chill filtered for maximum flavour.

Our other brands are Meikle Tòir Peated Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky, MacNair’s Boutique House of Spirits – encompassing Lum Reek Blended Malt Scotch Whisky and White Heather Blended Scotch Whisky.

Further information on the distillery and company can be found at www.theglenallachie.com

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TASTING NOTES

The GlenAllachie 21-year-old Cask Strength Batch 4 – 51.1% ABV

Colour: Intense Mahogany.

Nose: Waves of clementine zest, raisins and honeycomb, with cocoa, fruit cake and caramelised brown sugar.

Taste: Bursts of baking spices, rich chocolate and heather honey, followed by treacle, orchard fruits and black cherries, with sweetened espresso on the finish.

The GlenAllachie 10-year-old Cask Strength Batch 10 – 58.6% ABV

Colour: Intensely Rich Mahogany.

Nose: Waves of honeycomb, orange zest and treacle, with fig syrup, mocha and poached orchard fruits, followed by cinnamon and butterscotch.

Taste: Lashings of cocoa, heather honey and baking spices, followed by dried red berries and Black Forest gâteau, with maraschino cherries and anise on the finish.

A New Era in Blended Scotch Whisky Begins 

ARDRAY® sparking delight in the familiar and reimagining the historic excellence of blended Scotch

New York, N.Y. (September 20, 2023) – Today we embark on a new era in blended Scotch whisky as we reveal ARDRAY® in the United States. ARDRAY is an exquisite, beautifully complex, yet approachable malt-rich blended whisky, created to challenge preconceptions and offer a fresh perspective in Scotch.

Bringing the unique terroir of Scotland together with the precision and artistry of Japan defines this moment. Realized by the award-winning Suntory blending team from Japan, ARDRAY brings together only the finest, most complex whiskies to celebrate the wonderful attributes that make Scotch so special.

ARDRAY’s journey began with a vision. A vision to create a whisky that wonderfully balances multiple layers of flavor. Beam Suntory’s Chief Blender for Scotch, Calum Fraser, worked tirelessly with Suntory’s blenders, architects of the superbly balanced recipe, to bring this to life. Calling on blend styles of the past when fewer, more characterful malts were blended to create whiskies of distinction, complexity, and depth, ARDRAY intertwines the past and the future.

With inspiration drawn from The Father of Japanese Whisky, Suntory’s founder Shinjiro Torii, his journey now comes full circle. A hundred years ago, inspired by traditional Scottish whisky, Torii-San envisioned a Japanese approach to create a subtle, refined, yet complex whisky that would suit the delicate palate of the Japanese. With this remarkable blend, we honor Torii’s quest, from a reinterpretation of Scotch for the Japanese palate to ARDRAY: a new, elegant interpretation, designed to celebrate the excellence of blended Scotch Whisky.

Built on the premise that blended whisky is an art form that deserves both respect and reappraisal, we have created ARDRAY to challenge preconceptions. In treating both malt and grain whiskies as equals, we have produced a whisky that is truly greater than the sum of its parts.

Drawing from just a handful of the finest Scotch distilleries from Beam Suntory, a world leader in premium spirits and our partners at Edrington (owners of The Macallan, The Glenrothes and Highland Park), this is a blended whisky that captures the role of terroir and the production traditions of Scotland’s distilleries that define each of their unique spirit character. 

Calum Fraser

Calum Fraser, Chief Blender for Scotch, comments: “In creating ARDRAY, we have combined an exceptional selection of the very best Scotch whisky has to offer with the inspiring talent of Suntory’s blending team to create something new, refreshing and exciting. The time, care and attention to detail taken to source both malt and grain whiskies from some of Scotland’s most noted distilleries has allowed us to explore hundreds of blends of Scotch malt and grain whiskies to achieve ARDRAY’s optimum balance of multi-layered flavors. Driven by the desire to ensure the true beauty of this blend is greater than the sum of its parts. ARDRAY promises a rich and complex taste, with a distinctive harmony of flavors: a mild, gently floral, and citrusy fruitiness, with a vanilla custard creaminess and a rich, silky mouthfeel and lengthy aftertaste that is unmatched.“

Presented in a bespoke bottle each marked with the year of release, the striking artwork of artist Lia Melia adorns each one, capturing Scotland’s raw beauty. Its richly textured rippling pattern representing malt and grain highlights two fundamental ingredients in Scotch whisky. The unique feel of the glass bottle takes after the free-flowing water of Scotland’s streams and rivers, and the patterns made by the wind blowing across barley fields.

ARDRAY is bottled at 48% alcohol by volume (96 proof) and non-chill filtered to make the most of the full complex character of the whiskies in the blend. It is a malt rich blend of Scottish Malt and Grain Whiskies, blended in annual batches to achieve a unique harmony of flavors – the recipe will be adjusted according to the precise characteristics of the casks used in each batch.

Tasting Notes:

• Aroma: hints of apple, pear, and plum lying over a soft savory smokiness and hints of oregano and clementine.
• Taste: gentle floral and citrus fruitiness providing a lightness and elegance. As it expands, its vanilla custard creaminess and silkiness come to the fore.
• Mouthfeel: complex, multi-layered, and rich.
• Finish: long-lasting, with a mellow, cushioning sweet smokiness and soft hints of white pepper and oregano.

SRP: $85/700ml.

ARDRAY is now available at select retailers in Los Angeles and New York. 

ABOUT ARDRAY

ARDRAY is a malt-rich blend created using a handful of malts (from no more than 10 distilleries). The aim is only to include the finest and most complex Scotch whiskies, which is why it calls on single malts from the Beam Suntory portfolio (which includes Laphroaig, Bowmore, Ardmore and Glen Garioch), as well as spirits from partners at Edrington (owners of distilleries such as The Macallan, The Glenrothes and Highland Park). 

Combining the unique terroir and long-standing tradition with the precision and artistry of Suntory’s whisky blending in Japan, ARDRAY offers a fresh perspective on the excellence of blended Scotch and tells the story of our quest to reimagine the historic excellence of blended scotch through fresh eyes. ARDRAY, meaning ‘towards the light,’ reflects the guidance of Suntory founder, Shinjiro Torii, and the philosophy of monozukuri craftsmanship: a relentless pursuit of perfection, meticulous attention to detail, and a commitment to quality.

To make ARDRAY, grain and malt whiskies were blended at precise ratio increments to find the exact point at which the perfect harmony was achieved. For each batch, casks of each type of whisky are blended first to create ‘building blocks’ then minute adjustments (0.1%) to the recipe are made for each batch based on the exact character of each building block, to achieve the same harmony between malt and grain whiskies each time. We retain a proportion of each.

batch – of both the building blocks and the blend as it marries (Solera) – to blend with the next batch and harmonize the flavor of the whisky across the batches.

True appreciation of ARDRAY can also be enhanced further by serving it ‘Off-the-Rocks’ – a fresh perspective on how whisky should be enjoyed – circumventing the old debate over whether to enjoy with ice or water. Poured ‘Off the Rocks’ to achieve the perfect level of chill and dilution by straining the whisky over quality ice. For more information, visit Ardray.com or follow along at @ardraywhisky. 

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 educate and inform consumers to make the right personal 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

Glencairn Crystal proudly supports

second Distillers One of One Auction

The Scottish award-winning glassware company, Glencairn Crystal, is proud to support the second edition of the world’s most distinguished ultra-rare whisky auction; The Distillers One of One as a sponsor. The family-run business also created bottles and decanters for 11 of the 39 lots of extraordinary, never-to-be-repeated whiskies from distilleries around Scotland.

The auction will take place at Hopetoun House near Edinburgh on Thursday 5^th October in partnership with Sotheby’s.

Internationally recognised by the industry as one of the finest crystal decanter and glassware manufacturers, Glencairn Crystal has over four decades of pioneering expertise in the industry, and its skilled team has hand-crafted nearly a third of all the beautiful vessels containing the whiskies up for auction; ranging from special bottlings to stunning one-of-a-kind bespoke decanters.

Handblown, exquisitely hand-engraved and decorated, many of these decanters hold incredibly unique whiskies from the oldest and rarest casks, spanning decades of whisky history, some over 50 years old. Several of the very special auction lots housed in Glencairn decanters are expected to raise tens of thousands of pounds, and in one case well over £100,000.

The Distillers’ Charity, the philanthropic arm of the Worshipful Company of Distillers, along with Sotheby’s organised the inaugural Distillers One of One auction in 2021 and its record-breaking hammer prices across over 40 different lots raised over £3 million. Over £2.4 million was donated to the Distillers’ Charity, principally to the Youth Action Fund, which aims to help disadvantaged young people in Scotland.

This year’s Distillers One of One auction will again raise money for The Youth Action Fund to transform the life chances of Scottish young people aged between 16 and 25. The Fund’s portfolio of six charity partners each bring their expertise and experience in achieving sustainable employability outcomes with young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. These charities include; Aberdeen Foyer, Action for Children, ENABLE Works, FARE Scotland, Street League and Alcohol Education Trust.

Paul Davidson, Managing Director at Glencairn Crystal said:

‘Glencairn Crystal is proud to support the One of One auction and is delighted to have been asked to create so many of the unique bottles and decanters for the rare whiskies up for auction. We, at Glencairn, are keen to support the aims of the auction in as many ways as we can and wish them well raising money.’

For more details visit: www.glencairncrystal.co.uk  and www.sothebys.com

About Glencairn Crystal:

The award winning Glencairn Crystal Studio has been at the cutting edge of high quality decanter and glassware design, innovation, and creativity for over 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 with over 30 years experience working with crystal – are world experts in pioneering glassware design techniques and unrivalled in their decoration craftsmanship.

The company also produces The Glencairn Glass, the world’s favourite whisky glass, with over 5 million glasses being sold every year in every corner of the globe.

Deanston launches new Virgin Oak Cask Strength: 2023 Edition

 Batch #1 of the 1^st Virgin Oak Cask Strength release

First filled into American Oak ex-bourbon, before being finished in new American Oak casks for 12 months, this limited-edition release epitomises the distillery’s waxy, signature, house style

Direct from the cask to you – Deanston Distillery, based on the banks of the River Teith in Stirlingshire, has released its latest expression: the first ever batch of Deanston Virgin Oak Cask Strength.

A limited-edition expression, this whisky was first filled in barrels that have previously matured some of the finest American bourbon, for that versatile and uniquely waxy, citrus character that sets Deanston apart. Then finished for 12 months in virgin American oak barrels, all the way from the Kelvin Cooperage in Kentucky.  Finishing in these brand-new, oak casks, delivers intense and robust flavours of warming spices, candied fruit, green apple and citrus, whilst maintaining a perfect balance.

A true representation of Deanston’s unique waxy character and house style, Deanston Virgin Oak Cask Strength has no added colour, is non-chill filtered and packs a punch with an ABV of 58.5%.

This cask strength dram joins the award-winning Deanston Virgin Oak bottling – a much loved, core expression that the distillery has become renowned for.

Master Blender Julieann Fernandez said: “I’m thrilled to be able to share our first ever batch of Virgin Oak Cask Strength with the world. This release was inspired by the time I spend in the iconic former weaving sheds at Deanston, the perfect place for maturing whisky, nosing and tasting our Virgin Oak spirit directly from the cask.”

“As always with Deanston drams, the waxy character is present and coats the mouth beautifully. At cask strength, we are able to showcase bold and complex flavours of Virgin Oak that are perfectly balanced.”

Deanston Virgin Oak Cask Strength is available to purchase globally at selected specialist retailers and www.deanstonmalt.com and has an RRP of £60.

For more information on Deanston, visit https://deanstonmalt.com/

Tasting notes

Colour: Deep Gold

Nose: Intense robust flavours of wood spice, creamy custard and

candied fruit

Palate: Butterscotch, heather honey, crisp green apple and Deanston’s signature waxy character

Finish: Warm spice, with a twist of citrus and a hint of honey

About Deanston:

In 1785, the Adelphi Cotton Mill was established. Employing nearly 1,500 people at its peak, the mill founders saw an opportunity in the trade boom of the 1800s and seized it. With success came expansion, their own currency, and – in 1830 – a lade and one of the biggest waterwheels in Europe were installed, before being replaced by electrical turbines in 1949 – the same turbines we’ve come to rely on today.

When in 1965, the cotton mill of Deanston town closed for good, it seemed the community’s days of trading were over. Enter Brodie Hepburn and his entrepreneurial partners. Seeing potential, where others only saw challenges, the industrious consortium identified a new use for the building, lade, and weaving shed. And so, in 1966, Deanston Distillery opened for business, with the very first bottle of Deanston produced 8 years later, in 1974.

www.deanstonmalt.com

About CVH Spirits

CVH Spirits (formerly Distell International) was borne through partnership, knowledge, expertise, and success of our Distell founders Remgro, a visionary organisation who invest in companies that are positioned to succeed.

Created in 1997, CVH has spent the last 25 years as a pioneering investment company and one of the original ‘owner’ companies involved since the 2010 merger of Stellenbosch Farmer Winery and Distillers Corp.

With the changes in the Distell Group ownership, it has opened up a number of opportunities for the business, its people and the industry as a whole. CVH Spirits will remain a pioneering, stable business focussing primarily on the premium spirits sector.

Our desire to grow requires vision and focus but most importantly tenacity and exceptional talent. Our people are our legacy and our future. A remarkable group of people with a shared goal for lifting spirits and creating connections.

CVH is part of this legacy, and it stands for something special, something we all believe in…

C V H Spirits Collaborative | Visionary | Human

Our award winning brands include: Bunnahabhain, Deanston, Tobermory and Ledaig Single Malts. Scottish Leader and Black Bottle blended whiskies. Additionally, we are the international distribution partner for Amarula, select Distell export wine brands and the UK distributor of Angostura.

Wyoming Whiskey Introduces National Parks No. 3 and The Grand Limited-Edition Bourbons in Support of Grand Teton National Park Foundation

The Wyoming-based whiskey brand remains true to its commitment to protect America’s wide open spaces with its third National Parks limited release.

Kirby, WY (Sept. 21, 2023) –  Wyoming Whiskey announces the release of National Parks No. 3 and The Grand bourbon whiskies, marking the third iteration of its National Parks collection. The distinct Fall 2023 bourbon releases will pay tribute to Grand Teton National Park and support the park’s philanthropic partner, Grand Teton National Park Foundation (GTNPF) in their continued efforts to preserve natural and cultural resources, and enhance the national park experience for generations to come.

This year’s release features National Parks No.3, a straight Bourbon Whiskey which is aged for a minimum of five years and is inspired by the winding Snake River in Grand Teton National Park. Also included in the release is The Grand collection, which is made up of three unique single barrel rye bourbons, each aged ten years, and deemed to be exceptional at their natural barrel strength. With the release of these two new bottles, Wyoming Whiskey will be making a donation of $150,000 to Grand Teton National Park Foundation.

For Wyoming Whiskey co-founders, Brad & Kate Mead and David DeFazio, Grand Teton National Park plays a pivotal role in their lives. The Meads historically used parts of Grand Teton National Park land for their annual cattle drive, a vital part of their ranching business based in Jackson, WY. DeFazio is also an avid outdoorsman, and visits the park year-round for fishing, hiking, skiing and more. All to say, Grand Teton is part of the Wyoming Whiskey identity which makes this year’s partnership with GTNPF so meaningful.

“My attachment to Grand Teton National Park is deep and visceral, as I have enjoyed some of the finest days of my ranch life in the park,” said Kate Mead who is also a founding member of the GTNPF board of directors. “Supporting the Foundation is a simple way to show our appreciation for all that the park has meant to our family, and to Wyoming Whiskey.”

 “It is an honor for Wyoming Whiskey to be able to give back to the park and help to protect this beautiful land in our own backyard— a place so close to our hearts,” said Wyoming Whiskey Co-Founder David DeFazio.

“Grand Teton National Park Foundation is grateful for Wyoming Whiskey’s incredible support,” said Leslie Mattson, President of the Grand Teton National Park Foundation. “Their vision and commitment to national park conservation will help continue our work to steward, protect, and enhance all that is special in Grand Teton.”

Wyoming Whiskey National Parks No. 3 is the third annual release to honor our nation’s revered outdoor spaces. The label is inspired by the winding Snake River located in the 310,000 acre Grand Teton National Park. The whiskey itself subdues the more floral notes of last year’s National Parks No. 2 edition, and plays to the granite ruggedness of the Tetons. National Parks No. 3 is a 105 proof bourbon with a suggested retail price of $79.99 in select US markets as well as online marketplaces including ReserveBar.

Wyoming Whiskey’s The Grand collection is made up of three different 10-year-old single barrels that Master Blender Nancy Fraley identified as some of the best whiskey she has come across at the brand’s rickhouses in remote Kirby, Wyoming. Originating from the November and December 2011 Rye Bourbon stock at the distillery, Fraley originally discovered these exceptional barrels as she was working on the 10 Year Anniversary Edition blend in 2022. The barrels’ special character and quality led Fraley and the distillery team to bottle each one as individual single barrel bourbons within The Grand collection.

As a result, The Grand collection consists of three distinct offerings with each label showcasing the peak of The Grand Teton during the Fall, Winter or Spring. Each bottle will be sold within a beautiful wooden display box which is inspired by the peaks of the Grand Teton Mountain Range.  There are less than 400 bottles of The Grand available in select markets in WY, CA, CO and NY, each available for a suggested retail price of $499.99.

Wyoming Whiskey has donated over $400,000 to protect our nation’s national parks through its National Parks series. Last year, Wyoming Whiskey released National Parks No. 2 in partnership with Yellowstone Forever, the official nonprofit partner of Yellowstone National Park. The collaboration celebrated Yellowstone National Park’s 150th anniversary and contributed over $150,000 to Yellowstone Forever. The Wyoming Whiskey National Parks No. 2 bottle was the second collectible limited-edition release in the ongoing series which debuted in April 2021, with the National Parks Limited Edition American Whiskey bottle. The inaugural release of Wyoming Whiskey’s National Parks series contributed over $120,000 to the National Park Foundation in 2021.

As always, Wyoming Whiskey is distilled from the ground up— the right way, not the easy way. All grains are grown in Wyoming and are non-GMO. The water used to produce Wyoming Whiskey is sourced from a local limestone aquifer that has not seen the light of day in over 6,000 years.

Sign up to become a Whiskey Baron to receive the latest news and special offers from Wyoming Whiskey. For daily updates, follow Wyoming Whiskey on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

About Wyoming Whiskey—The Whiskey of the West

Based in Kirby, Wyoming, Wyoming Whiskey has had a simple goal: to create America’s next great bourbon. That goal has evolved to include all whiskies. The company and their products are a collaboration between its partners and 97,818 square miles of Wyoming. The Mead family first came to Wyoming as ranchers in 1890 and the state defines them, and their whiskey.  They use the finest corn, winter wheat, winter rye, barley, and water from the Big Horn Basin and promote Wyoming’s natural and human resources.  Every drop of this bourbon is 100% Wyoming. To learn more, visit http://www.wyomingwhiskey.com.

About Grand Teton National Park Foundation

Grand Teton National Park Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to partner with Grand Teton National Park to steward, protect, and enhance all that is special in the park. The Foundation initiates improvements, critical research, and projects that improve visitors’ experiences, creating a solid future for Grand Teton. Since 1997, the organization has raised over $100 million to engage young and diverse audiences in the outdoors, preserve cultural resources, protect wildlife and natural resources, and capital projects such as construction of the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center, a $23 million campaign to preserve the 640-acre Antelope Flats parcel, the Inspiring Journeys campaign for Jenny Lake, and the purchase and protection of the last privately-held acre on the Mormon Row Historic District.

THE ENGLISH DISTILLERY INTRODUCES FIRST SHERRY CASK SINGLE MALT TO CORE RANGE

Whisky pioneer The English Distillery is introducing the first sherry matured single malt release to its award-winning core range [1], as England’s oldest registered whisky distillery reinforces its mission to create the country’s finest offering of single malt whiskies, and share them with whisky lovers around the world.

Bottled by hand at its Norfolk distillery, The English Sherry Cask is an unpeated single malt whisky, which has been matured from start to finish in the finest PX sherry casks to create a stunning expression that has been well worth the wait.

Aromas of rich dark fruits from the sherry-filled casks combine in a nose of raw honey and vanilla, leading to a burst of sweet toffee, cherries and digestives on the palate. The result is a wonderfully balanced and rich whisky that is not outshone by the wood..

Bottled at 46% abv, non chill filtered and natural in colour, this no age statement whisky will join The English Original and The English Smokey to enhance the distillery’s core range.

Founded in 2006 by farmer James Nelstrop to fulfil a lifelong dream, the distillery – guided by the experience of legendary Master Distiller Ian Henderson – began to lay down whiskies in its dunnage warehouses, with the sole aim to make world class single malt whisky. The whisky is made using barley grown locally and on the Nelstrop family farms. The entire distillation process of milling, mashing, distilling with a pair of traditional and beautiful copper stills, maturing in the finest oak casks and hand bottling – all take place at the distillery.

“After a mere 17 years of distilling, we finally have just enough stock to add a Sherry cask matured single malt whisky to our core range,” explains Chairman Andrew Nelstrop, James’ son, part of a 20 strong team at the picturesque distillery in the Norfolk district of Breckland.

“This is a momentous step for the distillery and a big milestone as we continue to demonstrate the skill of our distillers and the depth of our maturing stock.”

Available to order now (RRP: £60, 700ml bottle), the new addition will sit alongside The English Original and Smokey (RRP: £47.50 each).

ABOUT THE ENGLISH DISTILLERY

The English Distillery is England’s oldest registered whisky distillery. Founded by the Nelstrop family in Norfolk in 2006, the distillery is still independent and creates multi-award-winning whisky from local barley.

The distillery has a unique place in history. In 1901 the last recorded whisky distillery in England swapped from whisky to gin production before being destroyed by fire. This saw the end of whisky distilleries in England until The English Whisky Co. Ltd was granted a license to distil whisky by HMRC. In 2006 it opened the first registered, operational whisky distillery in England for over 100 years.

Our founder James Nelstrop was the young er son of a Lincolnshire farmer. James spent his formative years farming in Lincolnshire before emigrating to Australia, where farms were bigger and opportunities were plentiful. James returned to England in 1976 and went to work the land in Norfolk, Suffolk and Lincolnshire. He also set up farming charities in Russia to improve the agricultural industry as the country emerged from 30 years of communist control before returning to Norfolk.

As James neared retirement, a lifetime’s dream to make whisky became a possibility. The dream had grown from a throwaway comment made by James’ father, who said it was a “shame all this barley has to go to Scotland to be turned into whisky.”

The decision to build the distillery in Norfolk was quick and with only one caveat: The distillery would produce only the very finest single malt whiskies, regardless of the time it took to get there. This mantra has become the foundation of everything that we do at The English Distillery.

The distillery is now led by James’ son Andrew, who continues to follow in his father’s footsteps.

[1] The English Distillery has won Gold Awards for its core whiskies including, most recently, in the 2022 editions of the prestigious Bartenders’ Brand Awards, New Wizards of Whisky Awards, and Jim Murray’s world-renowned annual Whisky Bible.

Ross & Squibb Announces Return of Remus Gatsby Reserve

Latest edition of the ultra-limited Remus expression, made with 15-year-old reserves, features two bourbon mash bills for the ultimate tribute to the time of Gatsby

St. LOUIS (Sept. 19, 2023) – Ross & Squibb Distillery announced the return of the most-limited member of the Remus Bourbon family: Remus Gatsby Reserve 2023 Edition. Released to celebrate F. Scott Fitzgerald’s legendary novel, “The Great Gatsby”, a century ago – from the events in 1922 that inspired the novel to its publication in 1925 – Remus Gatsby Reserve is bottled at 98.1 proof (49.05% ABV) and offered in ultra-limited quantities at a minimum suggested retail price of $199.99 per 750-ml bottle.

Crafted by Master Distiller Ian Stirsman and the team at Ross & Squibb Distillery, Remus Gatsby Reserve contains some of the 175-year-old Lawrenceburg, Indiana, distillery’s finest 15-year-old reserves of straight bourbon whiskey. This year, Remus Gatsby Reserve features two bourbon mash bills (75% corn, 21% rye, 4% barley malt; and 60% corn, 36% rye, 4% barley malt) and is offered at cask strength. Hitting shelves this October, Remus Gatsby Reserve leads with aromas of caramel, candied dark fruit and saddle leather, with slight brown sugar and very sweet candied notes. The taste profile is characterized by flavors of caramel, oak, dark fruit syrup, candied raisins, char and brown sugar, while the finish lingers with notes of saddle leather, cherry and oak.

“We have produced great bourbon whiskey over the years at Ross & Squibb, and the Remus Bourbon brand has provided our team an opportunity to showcase some of our best,” said Stirsman. “Remus Gatsby reserve provides a special opportunity to showcase the best of the best – including two different mash bills of some of the finest 15-year-old bourbons in our reserves. Remus Gatsby Reserve made quite an impact when it was launched last year, and the 2023 Edition is likely to follow suit as a highly sought-after member of the Remus Bourbon family.”

The inaugural 2022 expression of Remus Gatsby Reserve achieved some of the highest recognition in the bourbon category, earning Gold in the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits competition, the 2023 Bartenders Spirits Awards competition and the 2023 SIP Awards. Additionally, the 2022 Edition of Remus Gatsby Reserve earned Platinum status at the 2023 ASCOT Awards and was named “Bourbon of the Year” by Robb Report, as well as one of “The Best Rare Bourbons That are Actually Worth the Cost” by Inside Hook magazine.

About Luxco

Founded in St. Louis in 1958 by the Lux Family, Luxco is a leading producer, supplier, importer and bottler of beverage alcohol products. Our mission is to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of consumers, associates and business partners. Merged with MGP Ingredients, Inc. in 2021 (Nasdaq: MGPI), Luxco operates as MGP’s Brands Division and manages all MGP/Luxco brands. This extensive and award-winning spirits portfolio includes well-known brands from four distilleries: Bardstown, Kentucky-based Lux Row Distillers, home of Ezra Brooks, Rebel, Blood Oath, David Nicholson and Daviess County; Lebanon, Kentucky-based Limestone Branch Distillery, maker of Yellowstone Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Minor Case Straight Rye Whiskey and Bowling & Burch Gin; Jalisco, Mexico-based Destiladora González Lux, producer of 100% agave tequilas, El Mayor, Exotico and Dos Primos; and Ross & Squibb Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, where Remus Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Rossville Union Straight Rye Whiskey are produced. The innovative and high-quality brand portfolio also includes Penelope Bourbon, Everclear Grain Alcohol, Pearl Vodka, Saint Brendan’s Irish Cream, The Quiet Man Irish Whiskey, Green Hat Gin and other well-recognized brands. For more information about the company and its brands, visit luxco.com.

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”.