A Burn’s Night celebration like no other

​A BURN’S NIGHT CELEBRATION LIKE NO OTHER

Managing Director of Cask Trade, Simon Aron with Directors Lee Tomlinson and Colin Hampden-White

Cask Trade and Speyside Distillery (Harvey’s Of Edinburgh) in association with Historic Royal Palaces hosted a unique Burn’s Night Experience for 200 people at HM Tower of London on 25^th January 2023 to launch the exclusive Spey Royal Choice Limited Edition.

Welcomed by the sound of  bagpipes, whisky lovers were treated to a private tour of the Crown Jewels before turning their attention to the liquid gold served in the White Tower and enjoyed an exclusive tasting of the last aged whisky from Speyside Distillery.

Guests were taken on an award-winning dram journey tasting; Speyside Distillery’s 2013 Barrel, 2014 Hogshead, and 2015 Barrel, as well as three SPEY tasting expressions – Trutina, Tenne and Fumare.

Founder of Cask Trade Simon Aron says: “It was a fantastic Burns Night at the Royal Palace launching the limited edition – SPEY Royal Choice. It was a joy seeing passionate whisky lovers do what we do best – taste brilliant single malt from one of the best in the art of making it.” 

The evening also included a special preview of artwork by Joanna McDonough, the Speyside Distillery’s Artist in Residence.

*Picture Caption (left to right): Managing Director of Cask Trade, Simon Aron with Directors Lee Tomlinson and Colin Hampden-White.

ABOUT CASK TRADE:

Founded in 2018 by Simon Aron in partnership with several of the world’s foremost whisky masters, including Keeper of the Quaich Colin Hampden-White, Cask Trade buys and sells exceptional cask whiskies.

The company is unique because it owns all the casks it sells, giving the customer 100% transactional guarantee. Cask Trade only sells whole casks: it is not a whisky cask broker and it does not offer fractional sales.

A passionate whisky collector for more than 20 years, Simon Aron suffered many false promises from whisky investment companies and this drove his ambition to create a real and trustworthy marketplace for whisky collectors and investors, and bottlers:

The company’s casks are held in the best HMRC bonded warehouses, regularly visited and approved by Cask Trade whisky masters. All stock holdings have a complete paper trail.

•          Delivery orders from supplier to Cask Trade

•          Invoices for transfer of ownership, storage insurance, re-gauging, sampling or movement

•          HMRC-issued WOWGR (warehouse keepers, warehouse premises, owner of goods and registered consigners): a fully regulated and closely monitored license requiring due diligence on suppliers as well as customers.

•          HMRC-issued AWRS Alcohol Wholesaler Registration Scheme: Licenced to wholesale, bottle and retail.

Included in its extensive list of customer services, Cask Trade’s rigorous processes means that the company will guarantee to buy back from its clients the casks they buy from and have had managed by Cask Trade.

It also offers:

•          Regular sampling and re-gauging of casks

•          Re-racking (sherry wine, port etc)

•          Estimates of bottles and strength in cask (effects of angels’ share 0ver years of maturations)

•          Financial modelling for each cask based on age and rarity with estimated % returns

•          Costings for bottling, labelling and shipping (duty & tax)

•          Regularly updated cask ownership guide which includes statistics from two authoritative third parties (independent of Cask Trade)

•          Cask Trade will arrange for clients to receive samples of their whiskies and visit their barrels(s), upon request – wherever possible.

Cask Trade started the first live auction website dedicated to exceptional whisky casks: auctionyourcask.com.

Hosted four times a year and helping private owners/investors sell their cask to independent bottlers and other investors all around the world. All casks will be re-gauged ready for auction and a full 70cl sample will be drawn so that bidders have the opportunity to try the whisky before they buy, wherever possible.

Cask Trade validate all the sellers and confirm proof of ownership and the history of the cask enabling bidders to safely buy. With complete transparency and no sellers’ fee customers receive the actual hammer price. The low buyers’ fee of 15% + VAT offer the opportunity to buyers, trade or private, to buy rare casks.

https://www.casktrade.com

https://www.auctionyourcask.com

ABOUT THE SPEYSIDE DISTILLERY

SPEY Whisky was voted the best single cask single malt at the World Whisky Awards 2021.

The beautiful boutique distillery has an annual production of 850,000 litres and is met by high demand from markets such as Taiwan. When it comes to luxury whisky in Asia,

SPEY Whisky stands out.

SPEY has a royal link that dates back almost 200 years when Lord Byron is understood to have gifted King George III with a barrel of Spey whisky to celebrate his marriage to Annabella Milbanke in 1815. Historic records show this barrel was dispatched to the King’s family home at Kew Palace. The whisky is produced exclusively under licence from Historic Royal Palaces – the independent charity that looks after the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, Banqueting House, Kensington Palace and Kew Palace.

Bimber to release exclusive Gonzalez Byass Matusalem sherry finished single malt whisky with Selfridges

London’s Bimber Distillery today announced that it has partnered once more with the iconic department store Selfridges to release an upcoming single malt London whisky that has been finished in Matusalem sherry.

Originally matured for over four years in American oak ex-bourbon casks, the whisky was transferred for an additional maturation in Matusalem sherry sourced from Gonzalez Byass – one of Spain’s most well-known sherry bodegas. The creation of Matusalem sees both Palomino and Pedro Ximénez grapes fermented, fortified and then aged in separate Soleras for around 15 years before being combined (75% Palomino with 25% Pedro Ximénez). The blend is then aged for an additional 15 years within a Matusalem Solera before being bottled as a deeply rich VORS style sherry.

The release of 965 bottles at 51.4% ABV will be available from Monday 13^th February in Selfridges London, Selfridges Manchester and Selfridges Birmingham as well as Selfridges.com where it will be sold jointly with bottles of the original Gonzalez Byass Matusalem sherry.

The single cask release was crafted to Bimber’s exacting standards. The spirit was produced from the distillery’s single farm barley and malted on a dedicated floor at Warminster Maltings, before being fermented for seven days in bespoke on-site constructed American oak washbacks. Distillation took place in Bimber’s customised stills which possess an increased copper surface area, resulting in a light, fruit-forward, layered new make spirit.

Bimber Distillery spokesperson Matt McKay said “We are thrilled to be releasing our third collaborative single malt whisky with Selfridges – and to be continuing to introduce Bimber’s whisky to the stores many spirit lovers. The absorbing complexity and rich sweetness of the Matusalem is the perfect counterpart to our bright, fruit-forward, textural single malt whisky.”

Neil McDonald – Beer, Wine and Spirit Buyer from Selfridges added “For this third partnership release with Bimber we sourced a cask from Gonzales Byass which would add a unique characteristic to our 2023 London single malt whisky exclusive. We’re delighted with the result which offers the perfect harmony between the whisky’s naturally rich, fruit-forward character and the sherry’s absorbing complexity.”

Bimber Matusalem Sherry Finish – Selfridges Exclusive

Matured in first fill ex-bourbon barrels, then finished in a Gonzalez Byass Matusalem Sherry

Nose: Deep and moderately sweet. Ripe cranberries and redcurrant jelly join gracefully aged sherry  with aromas of chocolate gateaux, cinnamon rolls and plump raisins

Palate: Highly textural with layers of fruit cake, gingerbread and grated chocolate. Vibrant stone and tropical fruits support alongside a sprinkle of nutmeg and cinnamon

Finish: Enduring with luxurious sherried fruits and perfectly balanced spice

70cl

51.4% ABV

RRP £84.99

Available from Monday 13^th February via Selfridges

About Bimber 

Bimber Distillery produces world-class single malt whisky, handcrafted with passion in West London. As a leading distiller of English whisky, we combine generations of rich distilling heritage with the finest quality ingredients to create the ultimate craft whisky experience.

www.bimberdistillery.co.uk

About Selfridges

Selfridges was founded by Harry Gordon Selfridge, changing the world of retail forever when the first store was opened on Oxford Street in 1909. Since then, the brand has opened three stores in Manchester and Birmingham.

Selfridges has been a key reinventor of retail with innovation across in-store experiences and brand partnerships with leaders in luxury. This includes Dior at Alto rooftop collaboration, the opening of Selfridges Cinema, and helping to launch industry disruptors and emerging retail innovators including Charlotte Tilbury and Pangaia.

Building on over a decade of retail activism, in 2020 Selfridges launched Project Earth, its evergreen sustainability strategy, with bold targets to reinvent retail and meet its commitment to a net zero future. Selfridges aims to help customers change the way they shop in three ways: by addressing the materials used in products, launching and exploring new retail models such as resell, repair, refill and rental, and engaging with teams, partners and customers to inspire a shift in mindsets. Selfridges has made ambitious 2030 targets for everything it builds, buys and sells to meet its environmental and ethical standards; for 45% of transactions to come from circular products and services; and to build an inclusive retail culture in which teams, communities and customers put people and planet first in all decision making. Underpinning Project Earth is a broader commitment to Science Based Targets and to achieve net-zero carbon across the business by 2040 as a signatory to the Climate Pledge.

Selfridges has been transformed in line with a long-term vision that harks back to the core principles of Harry Gordon Selfridge himself, whose high standards of style, service and desire to entertain run through each store today. Selfridges was named “Best Retailer” at the Positive Luxury Awards 2020, a “Best 25 Big Company To Work For” 2020 as awarded by The Sunday Times, and voted “Best Department Store in the World” at the Global Department Store Summits 2010, 2012, 2014, 2018. From weddings to the skate bowl, Selfridges continues to generate new ways to surprise and amaze its customers in London, Manchester, Birmingham and at selfridges.com.

www.selfridges.com

KENTUCKY DISTILLERS’ ASSOCIATION WELCOMES

ALL NATIONS DISTILLERY AS NEWEST CRAFT MEMBER

FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky Distillers’ Association today announced that All Nations Distillery in Garrard County is the newest member of the non-profit trade group that unites and leads Kentucky’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry.

All Nations was founded in 2018 by Matt Shirah, its chief executive officer, and Ray Franklin, senior vice president. Located at 450 Southern Soul Way, the distillery is nestled among 230 picturesque acres near downtown Lancaster which is wet – allows the sale of alcohol – while the county is “dry.”

In fact, Garrard County was the birthplace of Carrie A. Nation, an anti-alcohol advocate famous for using a hatchet to demolish taverns before Prohibition. Many saloons proudly displayed signs that read, “All nations welcome except Carrie,” which is where the distillery took its name.

The distillery plans to celebrate the history of Carrie Nation and has even restored her stone home on its grounds. Its “All Nations” brands include an 11-year rye, a Kentucky Straight Bourbon, a 6-year small batch and All Nations Prohibition Reserve, a marriage of a 15-year Kentucky Bourbon and 11-year rye.

On joining the KDA, Shirah said, “The All Nations team appreciates the KDA’s advocacy and welcomes the opportunity to work with other KDA members. Our team is focused on making positive contributions to Garrard County, the great Commonwealth of Kentucky, and the Kentucky distilling industry.“

KDA President Eric Gregory said All Nations offers a distinct perspective on the industry’s rich heritage by educating consumers and tourists about its Prohibition-era history.

“They’re a great addition to the growing distillery presence along the U.S. 27 corridor,” Gregory said “On behalf of the KDA and its members, we thank All Nations for their investment in our beloved Commonwealth and proudly welcome them to our growing family of Kentucky’s finest distillers.”

Learn more at https://allnationswhiskey.com/.

A Class B licensed distiller, All Nations joins KDA as a Craft-level member aging less than 10,000 barrels a year and is part of a growing list of distilleries in the Bluegrass region including Wilderness Trail, Blue Rook and Kentucky Mountain Moonshine. Garrard County is about an hour south of Lexington, Ky.

The distillery also is now eligible to apply to join the KDA’s Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour®, which the association created in 2012 as the nation’s first and only tourism attraction to showcase the flourishing artisan distilling movement.

Founded in 1880, the KDA is the voice for Bourbon and spirits issues. Its diverse membership produces the overwhelming majority of the world’s Bourbon, from legendary, global brands to emerging micro distilleries that are building the next generation of the timeless craft.

Bourbon is one of Kentucky’s most treasured industries, a booming $9 billion economic and tourism engine that sustains more than 22,500 jobs with an annual payroll topping $1.23 billion each year, and pays over $285 million in local and state taxes and $1.8 billion in federal alcohol taxes, more than any other state.

A key export, distilling has the state’s highest job spin-off factor among top manufacturers; buys at least 17 million bushels of corn and other grains every year, mostly from Kentucky farm families; and is currently investing more than $5.2 billion in new stills, warehouses, bottling lines, tourism experiences and more.

Bourbon production has skyrocketed more than 475% since the turn of the century.

Kentucky now boasts more than 11.4 million barrels of Bourbon aging in warehouses across the Bluegrass, the most in its revered distilling history. Distillers filled more than 2.6 million barrels in 2021 alone, the fourth consecutive year that production topped 2 million.

Attendance at the KDA’s Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour® distilleries has surged more than 300% in the last 10 years. Total attendance in 2021 was more than 1.5 million visits, just below the pre-COVID record of 1.7 million visits in 2019.

Visit www.kybourbon.com and www.kybourbontrail.com to learn more.

The Kentucky Distillers’ Association is a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade association that passionately unites, promotes, protects and elevates the Commonwealth’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry. The KDA maintains an open membership policy, champions a strong commitment to the responsible and moderate consumption of spirits, and fights to curb underage drinking and drunk driving. 

KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL®, KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL CRAFT TOUR®, KENTUCKY BOURBON AFFAIR™, KBT®, BOURBON TRAIL™, KENTUCKY BOURBON HALL OF FAME®, ORDER OF THE WRIT®, KENTUCKY BOURBON TALES®, KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL WELCOME CENTER®,, URBAN BOURBON TRAIL® and THE PROOF IS HERE® are trademarks/service marks of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association. 

Please enjoy Bourbon like a true Kentuckian – Responsibly

After Milestone January, Whiskey Raiders Celebrates Status as America’s Largest Whiskey Website

NEW YORK (Feb. 2, 2023) — Whiskey Raiders is proud to announce it had its highest month of traffic ever in January, with more than 1.7 million unique visitors. It is now the leading whiskey website in the U.S.

Helmed by Jay West, often referred to by the moniker “t8ke,” Whiskey Raiders was co-founded By West and Dan Abrams’ Abrams Media after the latter acquired West’s website, t8ke.review.

“It’s incredible to witness just how explosive Whiskey Raiders’ growth has been since our launch,” West said. “In December of 2020, when Whiskey Raiders first went live, I never pictured a reality in which the reviews I penned and the articles our team published would garner millions of page views in such a short time.”

Whiskey Raiders focuses on the intersection of critical whiskey reviews, aggregating the internet’s most trustworthy review scores to present one, comprehensive “Raided Score” for each whiskey. While other review websites simply provide their own reviews, Whiskey Raiders uses its aggregation technique to offer readers a holistic look at critics’ opinions of whiskeys.

Beyond its reviews and aggregation, Whiskey Raiders covers the latest news and happenings in the world of spirits and uses its vast archive of nearly 2,000 whiskey reviews to produce evergreen content to recommend whiskeys to readers based on price, quality and occasion.

Whiskey Raiders published more than 1,200 articles and 200 reviews/aggregated reviews in 2022 and looks forward to continuing its growth in 2023.

In November, Whiskey Raiders launched “The Whiskey Raiders Podcast,” hosted by West and John Henderson of TheBourbonFinder.com.

These new sites are already off to a promising start, garnering almost 500,000 unique visitors collectively in January.

Heaven Hill Distillery Announces 2023 Heaven Hill Heritage Collection Release

This year’s release features 20-year-old Kentucky Straight Corn Whiskey

BARDSTOWN, Ky. – Heaven Hill Distillery announced today the release of Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 20-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Corn Whiskey, the 2023 edition of the Heaven Hill Heritage Collection. Each spring, this annual, highly limited release will feature some of the distillery’s oldest inventory of aging whiskey, continuing the standard of excellence Heaven Hill has practiced since 1935.

Each release in the ultra-premium collection features one of the six traditional American Whiskey mashbills produced by Heaven Hill, the only heritage distillery to produce this range. This edition features Heaven Hill’s Corn Whiskey Mashbill, comprised of 80% corn, 12% malted barley and 8% rye, and is bottled at 115 proof. With an age statement of 20 years, this release is made up entirely of 110 barrels produced in October 2002 pulled from the third floor of Rickhouse 1K.

 With its distinct nose of toasted corn and oak spices, this edition of the Heaven Hill Heritage Collection is sure to be a unique addition to any whiskey collection. A testament to its age, the initial notes on the palate include aged oak and walnuts followed by a finish of wood spices with hints of corn sweetness.

 “The Heaven Hill Heritage Collection reflects the true craftsmanship, patience and consistency which are hallmarks of Heaven Hill’s whiskey making traditions,” says Master Distiller Conor O’ Driscoll.  “The ability to offer consumers an ultra-aged corn whiskey product is a true testament to the forward-thinking innovation the company has practiced for decades and continues to practice to this day.”

Along with its innovation-focused counterpart the Parker’s Heritage Collection, the Heaven Hill Heritage Collection is a testament to Heaven Hill’s patience and ultra-aging techniques. Releases from both collections offer a glimpse into the long-term plan across Heaven Hill’s American Whiskey stock and commitment to quality, craft, and innovation.

As with the inaugural release, the Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 750ml bottle will be accompanied by a premium box in signature Heaven Hill blue with the double-H insignia stamped in gold to signify Heaven Hill. A signature of the Collection, specific attributes such as warehouse site location, production date, mashbill percentages, and other designations are noted prominently on the packaging.  Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 20-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Corn Whiskey will launch nationally on a limited basis with an SRP of $289.99 and will begin shipping on March 1, 2023.

ABOUT HEAVEN HILL DISTILLERY: Founded in Kentucky by the Shapira family in 1935, Heaven Hill Distillery continues its legacy as one of the foremost American Whiskey producers. Heaven Hill has cultivated the traditions and history of America’s Native Spirit with its fierce independence, passionate family ownership, dedication to quality, and thoughtful innovation. Today, Heaven Hill Distillery maintains over 1.9 million barrels aging in more than 65 warehouses throughout Nelson and Jefferson Counties. It is home to an award-winning collection of American Whiskeys including Elijah Craig Bourbon, Larceny Bourbon, Evan Williams Bourbon, Pikesville Rye Whiskey, Rittenhouse Rye Whisky, Parker’s Heritage Collection, and Old Fitzgerald along with its extensive Bottled-in-Bond label collection. Heaven Hill Distillery held the title of 2020 Whisky Advocate Whisky of the Year, the second Whisky of the Year for Heaven Hill Distillery in the past four years. In 2019 Heaven Hill Distillery was named San Francisco World Spirits Competition Distillery of the Year, Best in Show Whisky, and previously held the titles of 2018 San Francisco Spirits Word Spirits Competition Best Bourbon, 2016 Whisky Magazine Distillery of the Year. For more information, please visit www.heavenhilldistillery.com.

Heaven Hill reminds you to “Think Wisely.  Drink Wisely.”

SECOND BATCH OF LUM REEK 10-YEAR-OLD

CASK STRENGTH UNVEILED

MacNair’s Boutique House of Spirits, led by veteran blender Billy Walker, brings Batch 2

of its 10-year-old Blended Malt to market

MacNair’s Boutique House of Spirits, a brand curated by acclaimed blender Billy Walker, today launches the next iteration of its decade-old Blended Malt Scotch Whisky: Lum Reek 10-year-old Cask Strength Batch 2.

The brand gets its name from the old Scottish toast to a long and healthy life, ‘lang may yer lum reek’, literally meaning ‘long may your chimney smoke’.

The second instalment (UK RRSP £62.99) combines single malt whiskies from two of the most sought-after regions in Scotland: Speyside and Islay.

With peated and unpeated spirit contained in the blend, the flavour profile is said to entail “gentle smoke and sweet spice in perfect harmony”.

Each aged single malt component was carefully selected by Walker to deliver specific desired sensory characteristics to the final blend, which includes GlenAllachie Speyside Scotch whisky.

Once skilfully blended, the spirit was filled to a mix of Sherry, red wine and virgin oak casks for an additional aging period; picking up further character from the wood and allowing the whiskies time to marry.

Batch 2 was subsequently bottled at its natural cask strength of 55.8% ABV, without chill filtering or adding artificial colouring.

Walker, whose 50-year-long career in Scotch whisky spans many household name brands, has earnt widespread recognition for his superlative blending skills and unwavering dedication to cask quality.

Owned by independent spirits firm The GlenAllachie Distillers Company, MacNair’s underwent a packaging refresh and brand repositioning in July 2021, becoming a Boutique House of Spirits.

The new identity saw the unveiling of a rum brand, Exploration Rum; Walker’s first venture in a drinks category beyond whisky.

Following the addition of the 10-year-old to Lum Reek’s product portfolio, Batch 1 was crowned ‘Best in Show’ at the Las Vegas Spirits Awards 2022 with an astonishing 95 points.

Commenting on the new Blended Malt, Walker remarks:

“There’s something wondrous about bottling a whisky at cask strength. Perhaps it’s that it provides an opportunity to taste it as if you were sampling straight from a cask in the warehouse; the experience is incredibly special.

“Lum Reek is a blend I hold close to my heart. It presents the chance to introduce Speyside and Islay single malts to our GlenAllachie spirit, balancing the honey-sweet house style of our whisky with Islay peat smoke and Speyside spiciness. The outcome is undoubtedly delicious!”

MacNair’s Lum Reek 10-year-old Cask Strength Batch 2 will become increasingly available via global specialist retailers from today, priced at a UK RRSP of £62.99.

ABOUT MACNAIR’S BOUTIQUE HOUSE OF SPIRITS:

Since Master Distiller Billy Walker became custodian of MacNair’s, his singular, defining purpose has been in step with the spirit of 19^th Century founder Harvey MacNair.

Over the course of 50 years in the spirits industry, Billy has earned widespread acclaim for his peerless blending prowess.  At the heart of MacNair’s Boutique House of Spirits sits a meticulous attention to detail. Billy’s renowned hands-on approach has earned numerous hats-off accolades, and he now looks to carry this philosophy into new spirits categories.

At MacNair’s Boutique House of Spirits, we are pushing the boundaries of convention to create a boundless range of exceptional small-batch spirits. We are founded on whisky, with a future of diversity.  We are wholeheartedly invested in enhanced maturation, and believe age and integrity matter, which is why all our expressions are bottled at a minimum of 46% ABV, natural colour and non chill filtered for maximum flavour experience.

MacNair’s houses Lum Reek Blended Malt Scotch Whiskies and Exploration Rum expressions. 

Further information on MacNair’s Boutique House of Spirits can be found at macnairs.com

Facebook – @macnairs

Instagram – @macnairs_spirits

For information on The GlenAllachie Distillers Company, visit  www.theglenallachie.com

TASTING NOTES

MacNair’s Lum Reek 10-year-old Cask Strength Batch 2 – 55.8% ABV

• Colour: Rich Mahogany.
• Nose: Waves of grilled honeycomb, ginger and vanilla, with cinnamon, campfire smoke and treacle.
• Taste: Bursting with dark chocolate, burnt orange peel and honeycomb, followed by smoked spices, butterscotch and roasted coffee beans, with notes of ginger on the finish.

BOWMORE® AND ASTON MARTIN: MASTERS REUNITE FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF MASTERS’ SELECTION 22 YEAR OLD SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

Masters’ Selection second edition celebrates exceptional synchronicity 

Photo credit to Beam Suntory

New York, NY (February 6, 2023) – Bowmore® Single Malt Scotch Whisky announces the arrival of Masters’ Selection 22 Year Old Single Malt Whisky in the US. The most recent release in the storied partnership between Bowmore and Aston Martin, Bowmore® has an inherent appreciation as to how time comes to bear on the character of the whisky, and how time past has shaped today.

Rooted in intentionality, Bowmore makes whiskies this way on purpose, shaping every drop, adding depth and distinction of flavor to shape its multi-dimensional single malt. It is this precise ethos that shapes and drives Bowmore’s collaboration with the ultra-luxury British brand, Aston Martin.  It is a partnership built on a true coming together of heritage and innovation, and while  originating from two very different, if not contrasting, worlds the two companies share a synchronicity that unites and creates a strong bond that bridges these distinctive worlds.  And this bond evolves from the partnership of the two Masters, who each lead their areas of expertise with vision and vigor. In celebration of this extraordinary meeting of minds, we unveil the second iteration of our inspired Masters’ Selection series, Bowmore Aston Martin Masters’ Selection 22 Year Old, a single malt capturing a harmonizing force in both its presence and its character.

Marek Reichman, Chief Creative Officer, Aston Martin, said, “For Aston Martin, we are always striving to push the boundaries, be that design, engineering, or performance, to achieve the very best in each car we create.  We are fueled by passion, but also by the partnership.  In coming together with Bowmore, we can imagine, discover, and create together, taking inspiration from one another constantly.   Working together to create synergies and bridges between our two worlds feels very natural so we’ve achieved a powerful harmony built on mutual respect, trust, and understanding.”

Ron Welsh, Master Blender, Bowmore, said “We talk about shared synergies between the contrasting worlds of Bowmore and Aston Martin and this is what truly defines the relationship Marek and I have formed.  We have relished in the opportunity to share experiences, ideas, and thoughts from each other’s worlds, listening and learning from the inherent skill, knowledge, and creativity we both possess.  In collaborating as guardians of our respective legacies, we recognize the honor bestowed upon us.

This whisky absolutely captures this synchronized creativity as it brings two distinct parts together, in this case, American Oak hogsheads with Sherry butts. But also uniting two different millennia, with whisky distilled in 1997 and 2000 respectively.  It delivers a character of two distinct, synchronized parts, much like our two Masters. Beginning with fragrances of honey sweetness, peach, and apricot, yet evolving into bolder medicinal aromas, with fresh tobacco, cloves, and eucalyptus. The palate is treated to another contrast of character, yet this time with a maritime feel giving an initial medicinal, salty taste that gives way to sweetness in the form of honey, and then an intriguing note of fresh oysters lingers that brings it back to Islay, along with the subtle peat smoke on the mouth drying finish.

The story of this whisky sees Bowmore’s Master Whisky Blender skillfully seeking the optimal nurture of spirit in cask. From sampling different cask styles to defining the character they all align behind; this is true collaboration at its finest. By sharing experiences, ideas, and thoughts, they explore each other’s worlds, listening and learning from the skills they all champion, taking inspiration to shape this latest creation.

Bowmore Masters’ Selection Edition 2 22 Year Old is the second release in the collectible series available in key global markets including the UK, Germany, Canada, USA and China. Presented at 51.5% ABV with a US suggested retail price of $450, available in the US as of January 2023.

Photo credit to Beam Suntory

CASK TYPES: American Oak hogsheads with Sherry butts

AGE: 22 Years Old

ABV: 51.5%

 Tasting notes

ON THE EYE: Deep copper

BREATHE IN: Sweet and fruity notes of heather honey, vanilla, cherries, and lychees with a floral character and a hint of eucalyptus. Oak spices, licorice and fresh tobacco leaves with a touch of aniseed and mint.

TASTE: Malty spice notes of vanilla fudge, golden syrup, and butterscotch, with thyme and white pepper, woody notes of dry oak, hazelnut, demerara sugar, and maple syrup and dates.

SAVOR: Sweet and woody with notes of licorice sticks deliver a spicy mouth feel and a touch of peat smoke.

ABOUT BOWMORE®

For over 240 years, the Bowmore Distillery has been capturing the essence of Islay from the shores of its remote island home. Shaped by centuries of skill and tradition, Bowmore’s single malt harnesses the power of this time in every single drop, defined by the past and savored in the present.

Time is defining at Bowmore® and we tirelessly harness the power of time to shape our whiskies. Our distillery’s adherence to traditional production methods helps to shape the character of our fruity and smoky single malts. Today, we are among one of a few distilleries which still produces its own floor-malted barley, hand-turned by a traditional wooden malt shovel and hand-drawn machinery.  Water for the whiskies is especially drawn from the Laggan River, with its rich peaty overtones – the same Islay peat that fires the malt-drying kiln.

Bowmore® Distillery’s proximity to the sea is also vital in determining the final character of its spirit and gives a hint of sea air to the character. The legendary Bowmore® No. 1 Vaults is where most of the whiskies spend their long lives resting quietly in the cool, dark, damp cellars below sea level, oblivious to the waves thrashing the vault’s sea-facing wall.

Matured in oak casks, previously used for bourbon, sherry, or claret, over time developing rich and mellow flavors until the expertise of our whisky makers deems them ready for bottling.  It is this combination of peat, barley, sea breeze, water, wood, people, and tradition that makes Bowmore the exceptional single malt it is today.

Time is marked on each and every bottle of Bowmore, proudly and boldly as a marker of where and when each one’s journey began.  This is our story of time. This is Bowmore; the Art of Time since 1779.

www.bowmore.com

ABOUT BEAM SUNTORY

As a world leader in premium spirits, Beam Suntory inspires human connections. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including the iconic Jim Beam® and Maker’s Mark® bourbon brands, Suntory whisky Kakubin and Courvoisier® cognac, as well as world renowned premium brands including Knob Creek®, Basil Hayden’s® and Legent™ bourbon; Yamazaki®, Hakushu®, Hibiki® and Toki™ Japanese whisky; Teacher’s, Laphroaig® and Bowmore® Scotch whisky; Canadian Club® whisky; Hornitos® and Sauza® tequila; EFFEN®, Haku® and Pinnacle® vodka; Sipsmith® and Roku™ gin; and On The Rocks® Premium Cocktails.

Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and vision of Growing for Good, which now includes its transformative sustainability strategy, Proof Positive. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com and www.drinksmart.com.

ABOUT ASTON MARTIN LAGONDA

Aston Martin Lagonda is a luxury automotive group focused on the creation of exclusive cars and SUVs. The iconic Aston Martin brand fuses the latest technology, exceptional hand craftsmanship and timeless design to produce models including the Vantage, DB11, DBS Superleggera and the new SUV, DBX.  Based in Gaydon, England, Aston Martin Lagonda designs, creates and exports cars which are sold in 51 countries around the world.

Lagonda was founded in 1899 and Aston Martin in 1913. The two brands came together in 1947 when both were purchased by the late Sir David Brown. www.astonmartin.com

Old Perth PX Release

Friday 3rd February 2023, Aberargie, Scotland – Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers, creators of Old Perth Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, have announced the release of Old Perth PX. The liquid, which was hand-selected from Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers’ extensive collection of mature single malt Scotch Whiskies, has spent its entire life in a combination of Oloroso and PX Sherry hogsheads and butts; and for the past 15 months has been mellowing in first-fill Pedro Ximenez casks from Bodega José y Miguel Martin, Spain. Fifteen carefully chosen casks bring balance and complexity to the final product.

Niel Hendriksz, Sales Director at Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers, said:

“Our commitment to the Old Perth range has always been to make the highest-quality blended malt scotch whisky, through the exclusive use of fully sherry matured liquid. Through our limited edition range, we look to further highlight the influence that different types of sherry can have on whisky and we are delighted with the results of PX maturation, producing a velvety texture with raisins, dates and candied fruit leading into dark chocolate and cocoa.”

Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers use a small selection of distilleries in the Speyside region of Scotland to source their mature single malt Scotch Whisky for Old Perth. They conduct the final vatting and marrying at their facility in Aberargie, Perthshire. This allows them to be in complete control of the liquid they use for the blending process, ensuring all of their whisky spends its time in the highest quality wood.

Graeme Mackeddie, Head of Production at Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers, said:

“Inspired by the Spanish Sherry Bodegas, we use a Solera system—a complex system of fractional blending—for vatting rather than producing batch releases which ensures consistency of our liquid. This includes the use of 50-year-old, traditional 700 litre Spanish Casks, creating the perfect balance in our final blend”.

Notes 

Old Perth PX is limited to 7800 bottles and will be available to purchase from major drinks retailers across the UK from 3^rd February 2023.

RRP: £58.00

ABV: 56.2%

Colour: Deep Garnet

Nose: Deep fruit notes with sultanas, prunes and cacao.

Tasting Note: ‘a velvety texture with Raisins, dates, candied fruit leading into dark chocolate and cocoa.’ 

ABOUT OLD PERTH

Old Perth was a lost blend that was originally created by Peter Thomson, who began his career in the grocery, wine and spirits business in Perth in 1908, but soon established his own whisky blends. One of these was Old Perth, which quickly proved popular amongst Scottish publicans.

In the 1960s, those in the know held Old Perth whisky in high esteem because its high malt content (and inclusion of one of the world’s most prestigious sherried single malt whiskies). It was regarded as one of the best blends in existence.

Nearly half a century later, one of Scotland’s oldest whisky families, the Morrisons (formerly of Morrison Bowmore Distillers), purchased Old Perth and have brought the legacy back to life for all to enjoy. Old Perth is a range of Blended Malt Scotch Whisky which has restored tradition by blending in Perth and exclusively using sherry matured malt from a selection of Scotland’s finest distilleries, located in the Glenlivet region of Speyside.

To find out more about Old Perth visit www.oldperthwhisky.com

 ABOUT MORRISON SCOTCH WHISKY DISTILLERS 

Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers is solely owned and operated by one of Scotland’s oldest and most prominent whisky families, Jamie and Brian Morrison. There has been over five generations of the Morrison family involved in the whisky business including grocers, brokers, blenders, bottlers and distillers, making them one of Scotland’s oldest whisky families.

FROM EDINBURGH EPIPHANY TO WORLDWIDE WHISKY CLUB, SOCIETY CELEBRATES 40^TH ANNIVERSARY & APPROACHES 40,000 MEMBERS

Year-long series of special activities announced by The Scotch Malt Whisky Society as it closes in on 40,000-member milestone

Pip Hills, founder of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, pictured at the Abderdeenshire farm where he first discovered single cask whisky: pic by Mike Wilkinson;

Maverick art by Andy Rogerson

Having been dismissed by industry experts in 1983 as an idea that would never work, a whisky club started ‘for a lark’ by a maverick whisky enthusiast in Edinburgh is this year celebrating its 40^th-anniversary and approaching 40,000 members around the world.

For four decades, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) has specialised in releasing ‘whisky in its purest form’ – mainly single malt whiskies bottled from single casks that are not diluted with water, artificially coloured or chill-filtered to prevent it going cloudy when water or ice is added.

Now The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, which has grown to include around 30 branches across the world including China, Australia and the USA, is marking this new milestone in its journey with a year-long series of special releases, events, collaborations and happenings, all inspired by its founder’s unorthodox outlook.

Alongside commemorative bottles and special releases for the 40^th year, the Society’s anniversary activities over the next 12 months include innovative creations such as a chilli-tinged whisky, collaborations with a ‘thrill engineer’ and a top-secret world-record attempt.

The Society will also launch a new podcast series featuring maverick and game changing characters from around the world and assemble a first-ever female-only tasting panel to select future releases.

The worldwide whisky club was started in 1983 by then Edinburgh-based accountant Pip Hills. The idea came after he’d experienced an epiphany discovering that whisky drawn straight from a cask had much more flavour compared with that era’s choice of off-the-shelf whisky.

His ingenious idea of forming a club in Edinburgh to share these ‘pure’ single cask whiskies with others and making whisky more fun by using wine-tasters’ terminology to describe flavours was a game-changer at a time when the Scotch industry was perceived as dull and in decline.

Four decades on, the whisky industry is booming – thanks in part to pioneers like Hills – while the Society is also thriving. Despite being told by industry experts that his idea of a whisky club would never work, the Society now has around 30 branches around the world, over 100 partner bars worldwide, has bottled whisky from over 180 different distilleries and has more than 37,000 members.  The club is part of the Artisanal Spirits Company plc group, known for creation and curation of outstanding limited edition whisky and artisanal sprits for premium drinks lovers around the world.

The Society’s year of celebrations also include the release of a special short film about its origins which documents the whisky epiphany Hills experienced when he first sampled single cask whisky at an Aberdeenshire farm. Other plans involve the release of more sherry-cask matured whiskies, and new releases from distilleries the Society has never bottled from before.

Andrew Dane, CEO of Artisanal Spirts Company plc which owns the Society, said: “They say ‘mighty oaks from little acorns grow’ and that is true of the Society’s story. It’s incredible to think that a small gathering of pals sharing single cask whisky in Edinburgh has grown into this worldwide club.  It seems apt that in our 40^th year, we are closing in on reaching 40,000 members, worldwide.”

“As we enter our fifth decade, we’re incredibly excited. Our Spirits Team is hard at work seeking out incredible casks and we continue to bring people together to explore the flavours of whisky and create new friendships. Our members and adventurous whisky fans looking to join the Society can expect to see a few surprises during our 40^th anniversary year. Watch this space…”Society founder Hills, said: “I started the whole thing for a lark. At the time, most of the Scotch whisky industry was very dull and most of the whisky wasn’t up to much. I had had no great liking for whisky, but when I first tried whisky drawn straight from a cask, it was an epiphany – this whisky tasted astonishing and quite unlike any whisky I’d drunk before. I shared some with my friends and they loved it too, so it seemed like a good idea to share it with more people.

“When we started the Society and began to share the ‘secret’ of single cask whisky with others, there’s no doubt that we began to alter people’s attitudes, so that they came to see that behind the branded sameness of Scotch whisky there lay a world of variety and interest, as well as a drink that tasted a lot better than what they were used to. The great thing was that we had a lot of fun doing and people joined the Society in their thousands to share in the fun, as well as to get their hands on the whisky.”

https://smws.com

About The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS)

• The Scotch Malt Whisky Society was established in Edinburgh in 1983 and has 37,000 members around the world.
• It is owned by The Artisanal Spirits Company (ASC) plc
• The SMWS bottles rare single cask and single malt whisky, exclusive blends and a range of other Single Cask Spirits.
• The Society has bottled whisky from 180 distilleries from Scotland and beyond
• The Society offers a new batch of around 20 different single malt whiskies every month
• Members have access to four exclusive SMWS Members’ Rooms in Leith, Edinburgh, Glasgow and London along with a global network of 100 partner bars.
• The Society offers a variety of membership options that can be tailored.
• For more information about the Society, visit: https://smws.com/, Twitter: @SMWSUK Facebook: @thesmwsuk Instagram: @smws_uk 

About The Artisanal Spirits Company (ASC)

• The Artisanal Spirits Company (ASC) plc is based in Edinburgh
• The Artisanal Spirits Company (ASC) plc is building a portfolio of premium brands that bring together some of the world’s best spirits producers with a growing movement of discerning consumers by curating unrivalled collections of craft spirits.
• ASC owns The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) and in 2021 it launched J.G. Thomson & Co. Inspired by its namesake, which was originally a wine and spirits merchant in Leith, Scotland, in the 1700s, J.G. Thomson is a new, adventurous blender, creating small batch blended malt whiskies, blended grain whiskies,and other spirits.

New St Kilian Releases

Surprise in 2023

By Ernie Scheiner, The Gateway to Distilleries  www.whisky-distilleries.net

Germany’s largest whisky distillery is situated in Franconia along the Main River near the medieval town of Miltenberg. The impressive state-of-the-art distillery features a Scottish set up: traditional mash tun, four wooden washbacks and two 6.000 litre swan neck pot stills made by Forsyths in Rothes. St Kilian was founded in 2012 by entrepreneur Andreas Thümmler and designed by the Irish specialist David F. Hynes. The first whiskies were released in 2019. Today the LPA is about 256.000 litres.

By the end of 2022 CTO and Master Blender Mario Rudolf presented an acclaimed web tasting new releases: seven whiskies and one whisky liqueur. He was joined by Iron Finger Axel Ritt, lead guitarist of the heavy metal band GRAVE DIGGER, and Honorary Brand Ambassador Dr Heinz Weinberger. What a record! 1.300 sample sets reached the viewers.

The peated GRAVE DIGGER BERRY METAL forest fruit liqueur (54ppm) was bottled at 40% ABV. The basis of this exceptionally strong red liqueur is a double swan neck distilled St Kilian spirit made of Scottish malted barley sourced from Glen Esk Maltings in Montrose.

A new limited single malt version of a GRAVE DIGGER FIELDS OF BLOOD was presented in an iconic bottle. Only 5.450 bottles will come to the shelves. Whisky Blender Mario Rudolf preferred an alcohol concentration of 47% ABV, non-chill-filtered and non-coloured:

“The single malt is wonderfully creamy, sweet and fruity with some notes of vanilla, red berry compote and juicy grapes. Accompanied by a warming oaky spicyness with some fine tannins and wrapped in mild peat smoke.”

The peated malted barley (54ppm) came from Glen Esk south of Aberdeen. It was fermented for more than 70 hours in wooden washbacks and slowly double distilled in 6.000 litre pot stills. The spirit fully matured in red wine casks, first-fill Bourbon barrels and Ruby Port wine casks.

St Kilian’s range is absolutely special. The limited Signature Editions give an idea what modern whisky making is all about. Different malt and yeast varieties, various distillation methods and lots of different casks allow Mario Rudolf further methods of whisky blending by using whiskies which fully matured in different wood. His recipes are an arrangement of flavours which integrate and summerize the various profiles of whiskies which enjoyed full time maturation. Finishings are not liked by head distiller Rudolf.

New Signature Editions TWELVE (mild) and THIRTEEN (peated)

For the Signature Edition TWELVE Master Distiller Mario Rudolf selected ‘mild’ (non-peated) four-year-old single malts which had been matured in first-fill-Moscatel de Setúbal barriques (225l, ), first-fill Jamaican rum barrels and some virgin American white oak casks (190l). The particular vatting of the whiskies was filled in 12.550 bottles at 50,8% ABV. The shape of the bottles resemble the swan neck pot stills of St Kilian.

“Juicy peaches, sweet grapes and creamy vanilla with the impression of ripe pineapple pieces make for a mouth warming melange of spicy oak, notes of grape seed and a pinch of pepper,” Mario Rudolf describes the flavour profile. Signature Edition TWELVE is a delightful, tropical and spicy whisky made in Germany.

The Signature Edition THIRTEEN, on the other hand, is characterized by a rather diverse and unusual composition of five different virgin wood casks.

In the European Union by regulations distillers are allowed to use any kind of wood for whisky maturation. At St Kilian the mastermind Mario Rudolf takes a keen advantage of a wide range of wood types. Today more than 424 cask varieties shape the aroma profiles of St Kilian whiskies.

Signature Edition THIRTEEN is created of whiskies which fully matured either in casks set up by Palatinate oak (225l, 11%), Hungarian oak (225l, 32%) and rather unique woods such as 225 l Barriques of Wild Robinia (also known as ‘false Acacia, 27%), chestnut (225l, 27%) and cherry (95l, 3 %). By the end of 2022 Rudolf selected whiskies which the St Kilian team had distilled in 2016, 2018 and 2019. The malt was peated again by malsters from Glenesk to 54ppm by using peat from St Fergus. The single malt is bottled at 53,9% ABV. Limited to 8.680 bottles only.

“Juicy apricots, red cherries and sweet vanilla cream combine with warming woody notes.

Fine spicy oak, white pepper and a hint of ginger, discreetly wrapped in aromatic peat smoke make for a a full-bodied, colour-intensive and characterful single malt…The latest edition of a St Kilian single malt presents itself as a creamy and spicy melange of dark fruit jam, fine tannins and mouth warming notions of peat smoke with some subtle dry ash notes and hints of cocoa.”

St Kilian Standard Range

Two new core St Kilian single malts will be available in future:

ST KILIAN CLASSIC – Mild & Fruity

and

ST KILIAN PEATED – Rich & Smoky.

Both varieties are blends of single malt whiskies made by St Kilian distillers.

Whisky Creator Mario Rudolf explains his recipe: “70% of my whiskies have fully matured in barrels which held Bourbon beforehand and 30% of them were flavoured by seasoned Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso Sherry casks while full time maturation. At St Kilian we do not finish our whiskies.”

The Kilian Classic is “…Balanced sweet and at the same time warming with apricots and peaches, creamy toffee as well as spicy ice cream. Perfectly rounded off with a pinch of white pepper and a hint of fresh mint.”

The mild ST KILIAN CLASSIC impresses with its balanced fruit sweetness, which is perfectly rounded off by spicy oak aromas and some fine herbal notes.

Whereas the latest ST KILIAN PEATED single malt standard convinces with its full-bodied fruity sweetness plus its spiciness along with some very fine peat smoke and fresh mint notions.

The warming peat smoke flavour makes for an interesting profile which has a rich intensity of grilled apricots, creamy toffee and subtle oak spice wrapped in a lingering peat smoke. The peated standard (54ppm) is well balanced and full of character. The sweetness makes it for a lovely daily tipple.

Both versions are bottled at 46% ABV, non-chill-filtered and non-coloured. The iconic St Kilian pot still shaped heavy bottles are of 700ml size. They bear no age statement and they are not chill-filtered and not artificially coloured. The whiskies are of 3 to four years old.

For further information and shop please see

https://www.stkiliandistillers.com

Please see also

Saint Kilian A New Star is Born Part 1

Saint Kilian A New Star is Born Part 2