Douglas Laing Unveils The Epicurean Cask Strength Edinburgh Edition

Independent Scotch Whisky firm, Douglas Laing & Co today unveils The Epicurean Cask Strength Edinburgh Limited Edition of only 600 bottles.

Honouring Scotland’s Capital, the unique “recipe” for the special bottling is the result of a creative collaboration between Douglas Laing & Co and some of Edinburgh’s finest bartenders and spirit experts. A one-off event was held at leading bar “Nauticus” in Edinburgh, during which the VIP attendees masterfully married together various samples of Single Cask Single Malt Whiskies from the Lowlands with the aim of creating a perfectly balanced end product with depth and character. Each unique blend of Single Malts was then judged with the winning recipe becoming this limited edition release of just 600 bottles. A blind tasting by Douglas Laing’s Chairman, Fred Laing, saw Lindsay Blair of 56 North crowned the winner.

The resulting Whisky is said to burst with lively green fruits, sweet barley and tangy citrus with just a touch of spice. Bottled at 53.3% alcohol strength and offered without colouring or chill-filtration, its high strength is said to ensure the natural robust character of the capital city spirit shines through – even when mixed.

Cara Laing, Director of Whisky, comments on the new release:

“The Epicurean’s Cask Strength Edinburgh Edition celebrates our Capital City and its impressive array of bars and spirit experts. With summer just around the corner, this is perfect timing to release this fresh and zesty Lowland Malt. We’d recommend enjoying it straight-up or long with ginger ale or apple juice to further enhance those tangy, slightly spicy sweet flavours.”

The Epicurean Cask Strength Edinburgh Edition is available from June 2020, from specialist Whisky retailers with an expected retail price of £49.99. 

ABOUT DOUGLAS LAING:

www.douglaslaing.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/douglaslaingwhisky

Instagram: @remarkable_malts

Douglas Laing & Co. is a leading independent Scotch Whisky 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 Island (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”.

Whisky for Father’s Day gift guides – GlenDronach, BenRiach & Glenglassaugh single malts

The GlenDronach

Nestled in the Valley of Forgue, deep in the East Highland hills, is The GlenDronach – one of the oldest licensed distilleries in Scotland. The GlenDronach is of true Highland style; a complex and full-bodied spirit, perfect for slow maturation in Spanish oak Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks.

The GlenDronach Revival Aged 15 Year Old

Crowned ‘Best In Show Whisky’ at the internationally acclaimed 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, The GlenDronach Revival Aged 15 Years took home the top prize for all whisky, making an ideal gift for the world’s best Dad. This expression offers sumptuous notes of dark fruits, rich chocolate and manuka honey with an enveloping, memorable finish. The GlenDronach is a richly-sherried and characterful Single Malt, produced in the Highland region of Scotland.

UK RRP: £73.00

The GlenDronach Cask Strength Batch 8

Matured for ten years in Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks, and bottled at natural cask strength, this expression is the perfect gift for connoisseurs seeking a deeper insight into the distillery’s richly-sherried Highland Single Malt. Like sipping velvet, with mocha, caramel macchiato and cherry chocolate cake, layered with dates, plum skin and sultana.

UK RRP: £66.00

BenRiach

Founded in 1898, the BenRiach Distillery has long been the home of artistry and expertise across whisky distilling and cask maturation. The multi-layered flavour of this Speyside single malt is a result of the eclecticism of casks used during maturation. BenRiach distills three types of spirit – classic, peated and triple distilled, and is one of two remaining distilleries in Speyside to use barley from its traditional on-site floor maltings – a time-honoured craft that is celebrated for one month each year.

BenRiach Sherry Wood Aged 12 Years

With flavours of cocoa, sweet macaroons, floral oak and dried berries, BenRiach Aged 12 Years is a whisky with a tremendous depth of flavour, making it an ideal whisky for Dads to sip and savour this Father’s Day.

Double Gold Winner at San Francisco Awards 2019.

UK RRP: £43.00

BenRiach Temporis Aged 21 Years – Peated

If you’re looking for a slightly alternative whisky gift for your Dad, this is it. This intense, unique expression from BenRiach, packing a full-bodied flavour profile, provides the rare opportunity to try a peated Speyside whisky of this age – a unique treat for Dads who like to try something new. With notes of rum-soaked dried fruit, orange peel, new leather and oak-y smoke, the Temporis makes the perfect dram for exploring flavour.

Double Gold Winner at San Francisco Awards 2019.

UK RRP: £ 144.00

BenRiach Aged 21 Years

BenRiach has long been a distillery to keep an eye on when it comes to whiskies with inventive maturation styles. This BenRiach Aged 21 Years has been drawn from a mixture of four casks – bourbon barrels, virgin oak casks, Pedro Ximenéz Sherry casks and red wine casks. With spiced fruit and milk chocolate at its core, this indulgent whisky is a delicious gift for any whisky loving Dad.

Gold winner at International Wine and Spirits Competition 2019.

UK RRP: £130.00

Glenglassaugh

On the crescent beach of Sandend Bay stands Glenglassaugh Distillery, producing a luscious single malt with rolling waves of flavour. A complete distillation of its natural surroundings, Glenglassaugh is shaped from the visible and invisible influences of land, sea, air and spring water. The classic and peated Octaves expressions in Batch 2 are matured in hand-selected Octaves casks, made to size from a range of Bourbon, Pedro Ximénez, Oloroso, Amontillado Sherry and Port wood. The smaller size of these casks allows for greater interaction between the wood and the spirit, strengthening the whisky’s depth of flavour and aroma in a shorter period of time.

Glenglassaugh Octaves Classic Batch 2

Matured in the seaside warehouses of this coastal Highland distillery, Glenglassaugh Octaves Batch 2 a rare gift for an exceptional father. Sip smooth velvet waves of salted chocolate caramel, savouring the intriguingly long finish of citrus spiced coffee, aniseed and peanut brittle.

Gold Winner at San Francisco Awards 2019.

UK RRP: £60.00.

Glenglassaugh Octaves Peated Batch 2

Shaped by land and sea, The Glenglassaugh Octaves Batch 2 Peated embraces the traditional addition of peat smoke in the craft of making this delicious whisky, which has been matured in bourbon, port and sherry casks.

Double Gold Winner at San Francisco Awards 2019.

UK RRP: £65.00

Market Pricing may vary accordingly.

Craft Whisky Club Partners with Edinburgh Whisky Academy

This June, the online whisky initiative Craft Whisky Club has partnered with highly respected pioneers of certified whisky education, Edinburgh Whisky Academy to create the ultimate online course and subscription service, for those who not only want to discover a new world of craft, artisan and innovative whisky-making but get a chance to try them too.

From casks to pairings, locally-produced to the exotic, learning and exploring the world of whisky is a fundamental part of the whisky experience. By teaming up with the Edinburgh Whisky Academy, Craft Whisky Club provides its members with the chance to explore the history, science, artistry and making processes which makes their favourite spirit so special. The collaboration offers members a wealth of opportunities to learn more about a wide range of whiskies from industry experts, and in these more confined times, courses can be taken from the comfort of your own home.

To celebrate the launch of the partnership, all members who sign up before Father’s Day (June 21st) will receive complimentary access to their ‘Focus on Flavor’ module. Existing Craft Whisky Club members will also enjoy a 10% discount on all their other courses, access to a monthly Q&A with an EWA expert, and much more! Edinburgh Whisky Academy’s Focus of Flavour is the perfect module to help members take their Craft Whisky Club membership to another level, helping them discover the new classics and experience the range of flavours being a member of Craft Whisky Club offers.

“We are very excited to enter into this partnership with Craft Whisky Club. Everybody at the Edinburgh Whisky Academy is passionate about first-class whisky education. Working together means we will be able to ensure more whisky enthusiasts can access our online courses and in-person Diplomas. Not only will members learn more about the industry and what makes whisky such a complex and fascinating product, but they can also be assured of an enhanced whisky drinking experience as they enjoy some of Craft Whisky Club’s incredible bottlings. Slainte!” — Edinburgh Whisky Association

For further information on how the membership works and pricing please see here.

Isle of Lewis whisky shop raises spirits with delivery service thanks to Business Gateway support

A whisky shop based on the Isle of Lewis has successfully adapted to lockdown with the launch of a new delivery service and the introduction of enhanced online services for customers, with help from Business Gateway.

Founded by Iain Faller, The Island Spirit Whisky Shop offers customers a selection of high-quality Scotch malt whiskies, Scottish artisan gins and other fine spirits. While initially due to move into new premises in April 2020, Iain adapted his business in response to COVID-19 with the launch of a delivery service available across the Outer Hebrides and mainland Scotland.

This has been accompanied by a series of virtual tasting sessions, in collaboration with Larkfire who provide Hebridean wild water for whisky. Using connections with local organisations met through Business Gateway, The Island Spirit Whisky Shop sourced and delivered a variety of spirits to create a successful virtual tasting experience for 30 customers.

Prior to the pandemic, Iain attended a number of Business Gateway and DigitalBoost workshops, which equipped him with the skills he needed to use social media as a marketing tool to raise awareness of his business and its service.

Iain also accessed a variety of business start-up services over the last two years which have been instrumental in keeping the business stable during the COVID-19 pandemic. This included one-to-one business support, advice on his business plan and a successful grant application to the Outer Hebrides Young Entrepreneurs Start Up Scheme (Plus) (OHYESS+). The OHYESS+ scheme provides support to new businesses and is funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and delivered by Business Gateway Outer Hebrides.

Iain Faller, owner and founder of The Island Spirit Whisky Shop, said, “I had always dreamt of turning my hobby of collecting whiskies into a business, and after attending twenty Business Gateway workshops, I finally took the plunge.

“While I was not anticipating the current situation, the skills I gained from attending Business Gateway workshops equipped me with the confidence to diversify and utilise social media to advertise and market our business, without having the presence of our high street shop. I have been overwhelmed with the support and encouragement I have received from the local community and other local businesses.”

“The business support grant we applied for has helped keep the business on track with our original plan and prevented us from spending money allocated for stock purposes. Meanwhile, the valuable networking opportunities have led to collaborations with other local businesses, we have adapted our operations over the last few weeks to offer our customers a virtual tasting experience in their own homes. I can’t thank Business Gateway enough.”

Derek Maclean, Business Adviser, Business Gateway said, “Over the past two years Iain has been able to take advantage of a wide variety of services which we offer and it is always rewarding to see someone take the leap and start their own business.

“While the ongoing circumstances are not what anyone could have predicted, it has been brilliant to see how Iain has adapted, with the successful launch of his new service and I look forward to when Iain can open his shop so that customers can enjoy the experience he offers.”

For support and advice on critical business issues during the pandemic visit our dedicated Coronavirus Hub which is updated with new information daily: https://www.bgateway.com/coronavirus-business-support-across-scotland.

About Business Gateway

1. Business Gateway offers a range of professional resources, support and tools to help businesses and those in business learn new skills, create new opportunities and develop sustainable strategies for growth.
2. Business Gateway is delivered by local authorities throughout Scotland.
3. Business Gateway works in collaboration with a wide variety of organisations, including Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, to help deliver the best advice and support to Scottish businesses.

THOUSANDS JOIN BIRDHOUSE BALLOT TO PURCHASE LIMITED EDITION REDBREAST DREAM CASK RUBY PORT EDITION

Pictured: Redbreast Dream Cask Ruby Port Edition

Thousands of whiskey fans entered an online ballot to purchase the new limited-edition Redbreast Dream Cask Ruby Port Edition, produced by Irish Distillers at its world-renowned Midleton Distillery in Cork. With just 912 bottles produced, a staggering 7,400 people signed up for a chance to purchase this year’s Dream Cask, launched through Redbreast’s Birdhouse online members’ club to mark World Whiskey Day 2020. Bottle number one will be auctioned the Celtic Whiskey Shop in Dublin, with all proceeds going to Marys Meals Ireland https://www.marysmeals.ie/.

Billy Leighton, Master Blender at Irish Distillers, commented: “This is the first year we have launched Redbreast Dream Cask through a ballot system to make it as fair as possible for whiskey lovers to try our dream creation. The response has been phenomenal, with winners from a diverse range of countries; from Ireland, the UK, Germany and across Europe to Hong Kong, New Zealand, Japan and many more.  While we wish every entrant could have the opportunity to taste this year’s Redbreast Dream Cask, we’re delighted that many successful Birdhouse members will soon be enjoying this exceptional whiskey.”

The Birdhouse gives Irish whiskey fans exclusive access to limited edition releases, information on the Redbreast family, interviews from the Midleton Masters and bespoke Redbreast gifts. Redbreast Dream Cask Ruby Port Edition is the third release in a series of limited-edition Redbreast Irish whiskeys sold exclusively through The Birdhouse.

Click here to visit The Redbreast Birdhouse. 

Notes 

About Irish Distillers

Irish Distillers is one of Ireland’s leading suppliers of spirits and wines, and producer of some of the world’s most well-known and successful Irish whiskeys. Led by Jameson, our brands are driving the global renaissance of Irish whiskey. Jameson is the world’s bestselling Irish whiskey, experiencing 30 years of consecutive growth and hitting sales of 8m cases in 2019. Our brands are exported to 130+ markets, with over 70 of those experiencing double or triple-digit growth.

Irish Distillers was formed in 1966, when a merger took place between John Power & Son, John Jameson & Son and Cork Distilleries Company. In 1988 Irish Distillers joined Pernod Ricard, gaining access to unprecedented levels of investment and an extensive global distribution network. Since 2012, we have invested over €400 million to double our production and bottling capacity to meet global demand for our products.

We employ over 600 people across our operations in Cork and Dublin.

About Pernod Ricard

Pernod Ricard is the No.2 worldwide producer of wines and spirits with consolidated sales of €9,182 million in FY19. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has developed through organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard, which owns 16 of the Top 100 Spirits Brands, holds one of the most prestigious and comprehensive brand portfolios in the industry, including: Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute, and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Malibu liqueur, Mumm and Perrier-Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo, and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard’s brands are distributed across 160+ markets and by its own salesforce in 73 markets. The Group’s decentralised organisation empowers its 19,000 employees to be true on-the-ground ambassadors of its vision of “Créateurs de Convivialité.” As reaffirmed by the Group’s three-year strategic plan, “Transform and Accelerate,” deployed in 2018, Pernod Ricard’s strategy focuses on investing in long-term, profitable growth for all stakeholders. The Group remains true to its three founding values: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust, and a strong sense of ethics. As illustrated by the 2030 roadmap supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), “We bring good times from a good place.” In recognition of Pernod Ricard’s strong commitment to sustainable development and responsible consumption, it has received a Gold rating from Ecovadis and is ranked No. 1 in the beverage sector in Vigeo Eiris. Pernod Ricard is also a United Nation’s Global Compact LEAD company.

Previous box from Craft Whisky Club

With Father’s Day (Sunday 21st June) just around the corner I wanted to make you aware of Craft Whisky Club’s memberships and gift boxes, which would make a thoughtful gift for whisky-loving Dads. Please do let me know if you’re working on any gift guides that this might work for.

To celebrate Father’s Day the online whisky initiative Craft Whisky Club has partnered with highly respected pioneers of certified whisky education, Edinburgh Whisky Academy to create the ultimate online course and subscription service, for those who not only want to discover a new world of craft, artisan and innovative whisky-making but get a chance to try them too.

Resident experts at the Craft Whisky Club handpick the finest small batch and artisan whiskies, carefully selecting exciting and innovative distillers from Scotland and beyond. Each box includes a specially selected food pairing and information about the distillery. Choose from either 1 bottle or 2 bottles of whisky every 2 months. Bottles come from award winning distilleries from all over the world such as American Whiskey, Rye and Bourbon producer High West from the Rockies, to independent bottler and blender extraordinaire, Douglas Laing who has just launched The Epicurean Edinburgh Edition, which pays homage to Scotland’s historic capital.

For a limited time only, the purchase of any Craft Whisky Club membership (before June 21st) will receive complimentary access to the Edinburgh Whisky Academy’s ‘Focus on Flavour’ online whisky education module. As Part of Craft Whisky Club’s partnership with the Edinburgh Whisky Academy, all members will also receive:10% off all EWA online modules and courses, opportunity to ask the EWA resident whisky expert questions and tips about whisky, as well as a selection of monthly prizes and special offers.

For further information on how the membership works and pricing please see here.

Father’s Day Whiskies and Glassware

Whether your Dad is a whisky connoisseur or a complete beginner, a quality bottle of whisky always makes a great gift for Father’s Day.  Take your inspiration from the following whiskies ranging from the easy going, mellow and creamy Glenmorangie Original, to the untamed, peaty, smoky Ardbeg An Oa as well as the Seville orange and dark chocolate flavours of Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban.

And don’t forget some special glassware to make each dram taste even better …

Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban 14 Years Old, £52

A popular whisky in Glenmorangie’s extra mature range and two years older than its predecessor, Quinta Ruban is a bold and velvety 14-year-old Highland whisky, with flavours of Seville orange and dark chocolate shining through stronger than ever. Glenmorangie is renowned for pioneering the art of extra-maturation. For this single malt, the whisky is first aged in bourbon casks, then finished in ruby port pipes and barriques from Portugal. Enjoy neat, with a little water or 2-3 large rocks of ice, for the perfect serve.

Available through www.clos19.com  www.glenmorangie.com

Ardbeg An Oa, £49

An Oa – part of Ardbeg’s core range of whiskies – is named after the Mull of Oa in the south west of Islay where the distillery is situated. The whisky is singularly rounded due to time spent in the bespoke oak Gathering Vat where whiskies from several cask types – including; sweet Pedro Ximénez; spicy virgin charred oak; and intense ex-bourbon casks, amongst others, mingle unhurriedly. The result is a dram with smoky power, mellowed by a delectable, smooth sweetness and a truly untamed single malt. Perfect for those whisky lovers who prefer a more peaty, smoky dram.

Available through www.clos19.com.  www.ardbeg.com

Glenmorangie Original, £36

You can’t go wrong with Glenmorangie’s award winning flagship single malt Scotch whisky, Glenmorangie Original. It is matured for ten years in casks which are only ever used twice to create a smooth rounded taste. The Original is the truest definition of the Glenmorangie house style – elegant and floral, soft, mellow and creamy. Ideal for newcomers to whisky as well as connoisseurs.

Available through  www.clos19.com.    www.glenmorangie.com     

The Glencairn Crystal Glassware Range

Every whisky aficionado will tell you that the only way to drink whisky is from the iconic Glencairn Glass. It’s the world’s favourite whisky glass and over 3 million are sold each year. Endorsed by the Scotch Whisky Association as the official glass for whisky, its unique and stylish shape has been crafted to enhance the enjoyment of both single malts and aged blends. The tapering mouth of the glass captures those all-important aromas, and its wide bowl allows the fullest appreciation of the whisky colour with the thistle style base designed to be comfortable in the hand.

There’s a wide range of Glencairn Glasses and gifts available to suit all budgets starting from a beautifully presented single glass (uncut or hand cut crystal) with prices from £6.

The range can be personalised with bespoke engraving to create a truly unique gift and is available at the Glencairn Crystal online store.  Enter the code DADSDRAM20 to receive a Father’s Day 20% discount.

Responsible Drinking:

Glenmorangie and Ardbeg advocate responsible drinking and suggest that drinkers savour whiskies in moderation and in line with recommended daily guidelines for alcohol consumption.

Buffalo Trace named Distillery of the Year by

Tasting Panel Magazine at 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition 

The Spirits Produced at the Distillery Received 19 Awards

             FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (May 28, 2020) – With expansions underway everywhere you look at Buffalo Trace Distillery, the whiskey maker is expanding its status as World’s Most Award Winning Distillery. The Distillery was just named Tasting Panel Magazine’s Distillery of the Year at the 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. This prestigious award recognizes the single distiller earning the most points, measured by the number and level of awards won in a given year. That honor is bestowed to Buffalo Trace Distillery in 2020 after its spirits garnered a total of 18 medals and a Best in Class designation. This includes five Double Gold medals, four Gold medals, six Silver medals and three Bronze medals and the title of Best Small Batch Bourbon 11 Years and Older for its Eagle Rare 17 Year Old.

“Our focus has always been on making quality spirits, so this honor motivates us to continue the hard work and maintain the high standards we’ve set for ourselves,” Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley said. “This is an ongoing team effort. We’re very proud and thankful for the work every one of our team members puts forth for our whiskies to reach this level of recognition.”

Garnering more than 1,000 awards over the years, this Distillery of the Year title further underscores Buffalo Trace’s commitment to produce excellent spirits. As its collection of honors continues to grow, so too is the popularity of Buffalo Trace’s whiskies and spirits. With the second phase of its Distillery expansion underway, Buffalo Trace is making significant progress on its $1.2 billion investment to expand its distilling capabilities and make more award-winning whiskey.

Double Gold medals went to

• Eagle Rare 17 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon
• William Larue Weller Kentucky Straight Bourbon
• Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight American Rye Whiskey
• Stagg Jr. Kentucky Straight Bourbon
• Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Gold medals were awarded to

• Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Small Batch Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon
• Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Single Barrel Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon
• Weller Special Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon
• Weller Full Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Silver medal recipients were

• Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon
• Eagle Rare 10 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon
• George T. Stagg Kentucky Straight Bourbon
• Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Bottled-in-Bond Straight American Rye Whiskey
• Weller CYPB (Craft Your Perfect Bourbon) Kentucky Straight Bourbon
• Weller 12 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Bronze medals went to

• Weller Antique 107 Kentucky Straight Bourbon
• Wheatley Vodka
• Buffalo Trace Distillery Bourbon Cream Liqueur

Spirits entered into the San Francisco World Spirits Competition are judged over four days of highly controlled blind tastings by a panel of more than 40 judges made up of respected, experienced industry experts. Complete results for the 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition can be found at http://www.sfspiritscomp.com/results/.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1773 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee.  Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark as well as is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won 35 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Its Col. E. H. Taylor, Jr. Four Grain Bourbon was named World Whiskey of the Year by “Jim Murray’s Whiskey Bible 2018” and its William Larue Weller and Thomas H. Handy Sazerac were named 2^nd and 3^rd finest whiskeys in the world, respectively, in the “Jim Murray Whiskey Bible 2020.”  Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 1,000 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit  www.buffalotracedistillery.com

BIG PEAT UNVEILS 8 YEARS OLD “A846 EDITION” FOR FEIS ILE 2020

Big Peat, cult Islay Malt Scotch Whisky brand from family-owned Douglas Laing & Co, today unveils “his” special bottling for Summer 2020: Big Peat 8 Years Old, “A846” Limited Edition.

Aged 8 Years and bottled at 46% alcohol strength, Big Peat’s latest bottling honours the A846; Islay’s legendary road that takes thousands of Whisky lovers from one glorious Distillery to the next, year after year.

Packaged in a premium gift box with a striking label depicting Big Peat himself on his Hebridean island home, just 500 cases of this commemorative bottling are available globally. In line with the Remarkable Regional Malts’ ethos, the new release is proudly offered without colouring or chill-filtration.

Commenting on Big Peat’s latest innovation, Chris Leggat (CEO) said: “A journey along the A846 is a rite of passage for Islay Whisky lovers, and a road that carries countless memorable moments for many. Whilst Feis Ile – Islay’s annual festival – exists in an entirely different “virtual” form this year, we (and Big Peat) wanted to mark the occasion the best way we know how – with a particularly innovative limited edition, featuring a cracking story and spectacular spirit within”.

Cara Laing, Director of Whisky in the family business, added: “Each year, we proudly donate to the Feis Ile charity, an organisation that works tirelessly to showcase Islay to the world. At a time when many of us are dreaming of one day making the journey back to the Queen of the Hebrides once more, a sip of Big Peat’s A846 Edition seeks to bring his much-loved island home to you, via its unmistakably “Islay” notes of chewed leather, streaky bacon, punchy peat smoke and rock salt.”

Continuing Feis Ile celebrations, the independent Whisky specialist is currently hosting a competition on Big Peat’s Facebook page (Facebook.com/bigpeat) whereby fans of the brand can enter for a chance to win 1 of 40 tasting packs, and join the Douglas Laing team for a virtual tasting in June 2020.

Big Peat 8 Years Old A846 Edition will be available from specialist spirits retailers globally from 8^th June 2020 and is expected to retail at £45.

BIG PEAT 8 YEARS OLD A846 EDITION TASTING NOTES

Nose: Opens with puffs of peat, smoked ham and a fresh seaside-saltiness

Palate: A Big Peat hit closely followed by chewed leather, streaky bacon and rock salt

Finish: Satisfyingly long with notes of Madeira cake and more of that earlier smoked ham

ABOUT DOUGLAS LAING & CO:

 www.douglaslaing.com

Instagram: @remarkable_malts

Facebook: www.facebook.com/bigpeat

 Douglas Laing & Co. is a leading independent Scotch Whisky 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 Island (from the Islands) and Big Peat (Islay). Beyond its Blended Malts expertise, the award-winning Douglas Laing portfolio also includes Provenance, Premier Barrel, Old Particular and XOP, collectively known as the firm’s “Exceptional Single Casks”.

FETTERCAIRN DISTILLERY UNVEILS NEW 16 YEARS OLD

New addition to the Single Malt Whisky celebrates unconventional maturation journey

Fettercairn Distillery has today unveiled a new addition to its core range of single malt whiskies, Fettercairn 16 Years Old.   This is the first of a number of new products set to be released this year, as the distillery looks to build on the positive response garnered by previous releases from this truly distinctive Single Malt Whisky.

Fettercairn 16 Years Old, which fills the space between the 12 and 28 Years Old in the core range, showcases a specific maturation journey, designed to hero the distillery’s tropical style achieved from the distinctive copper cooling ring distillation process.

This release has been distilled with chocolate malted barley and matured in first fill American ex-bourbon casks, before being finessed in select sherry and port casks for two further years.  The heavily kilned chocolate malted barley, rising to a temperature of 210 degrees over two hours, creates a rich flavour and a dark roasted colour.

Bottled at 46.4%, Fettercairn 16 Years Old is sunset gold in colour, with rich harvest highlights.  On the nose, this single malt brings together vanilla and ginger with sun-kissed raisins and on the palate, it is the combination of succulent peach, ginger and caramel which gives way to banana, with chocolate and demerara sugar on the finish.

Kirsteen Beeston, Head of International Malts at Whyte and Mackay, said, “Since we launched the new-look Fettercairn 2 years ago, we’ve talked and listened to those across the full spectrum of the whisky community to understand what they think of our whiskies.  These new releases are testament to the importance of this feedback.  Beginning with this wonderful 16 Years Old, we share how we shape our approach to whisky making and the stories that define Fettercairn.  We are confident that we are bringing single malts to market that will truly excite whisky drinkers and allow us to celebrate Fettercairn for the incredible single malt that it is.”

This 16 Years Old will be the first of a series of whiskies celebrating this age.  Once this first release is sold out, the distillery will explore which spirit best tells the story of Fettercairn, its unique distillation process and an inspiring maturation journey for the next release.

As announced in late 2019, there are two additions to the Global Travel Retail offer – the 16 Years Old (1L) and 23 Years Old (70cl), which will sit alongside the GTR exclusive 12 Years Old Pedro Ximénez.  The core domestic range will be bolstered with the addition of Fettercairn 22 Years Old, to further bridge the gap between the 12 and 28 expressions.

At the older and rarer end of the spectrum, a new Fettercairn 46 Years Old which was distilled in May 1973, continues the celebration of the distillery’s maturing stocks and showcases a whisky finished in Tawny Port Pipes.

Fettercairn 16 Years Old is available exclusively in the UK from The Whisky Shop www.whiskyshop.com throughout June, thereafter via specialist retailers, at an RSP of £69.   The GTR edition will be in 1L formats with an RSP of £80.

Release dates and prices for the additional releases will be confirmed in due course.

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About Fettercairn

Located in the picturesque village of Fettercairn at the foothills of Scotland’s Cairngorm Mountains, this hidden gem is found among some of the finest and most fertile farming land in the North East of Scotland. With the purest of mountain water as an ingredient, it is almost no surprise that when the distillery was established by Sir Alexander Ramsay in 1824, the enterprising pioneer chose this location.

In the mid-1950s, the whisky-makers at Fettercairn experimented, seeking ways to create a purer expression of their spirit. They found that pouring water down the still cooled the copper, increasing condensation inside so only the lightest vapours could rise for collection. With this knowledge they fashioned a unique copper cooling ring around the neck of the stills drenching them with crystal clear mountain water – an ingenious and practical solution to creating their exceptional whisky, a technique which remains unique in Scotch whisky-making to this day.