Compass Box is seeking an experienced Whiskymaker to work alongside Compass Box Founder John Glaser to oversee and guide the whiskymaking function of the business, ensuring the business delivers industry-leading products that our audience will find amazing.

About Compass Box

Compass Box is a small and growing Scotch whisky producer launched in 2000. The company is based in London and currently has ten employees in the UK and three in the US. The mission of the Compass Box business is to share the joys of Scotch whisky with more people in the world.  We achieve this by:

making Scotch whisky a more interesting place;
making the enjoyment of Scotch whisky more accessible to more people;
always following our curiosity to seek new ways of producing, working, creating;
being open and honest about everything we do;
never, ever compromising on quality.

We believe the work we do should make a lasting difference. We are working for the ages.

We produce a portfolio of Scotch whiskies in three ranges: the Great King Street range of Blended Scotch whiskies, the Compass Box Signature Range, and a constantly evolving range of Limited Editions.

Learn more about what we do here: http://www.compassboxwhisky.com/

Key Responsibilities:

This is a varied role at the heart of the business with several areas of responsibility, including:

1.  Quality: maintaining the quality of our whiskies, managing and cataloguing the documentation of sensory analysis and product recipes, managing and cataloguing regulatory documentation. Approval of liquid prior to production and of line samples post-production.
2.  Stock Management: working closely with other team-members to ensure the business has appropriate quality of stocks for near- and long-term plans, contributing to the management of mature whisky planning, new fill planning, and managing the linkages with team members in Operations for bottlings and vattings throughout the year.
3.  Product Development: working closely with others to manage the development and delivery of the liquids for new whiskies, as well as ongoing development and improvement of core releases.
4.  R&D: working with colleagues to develop and lead a Research & Development program that keeps us at the forefront of innovation in the category, pursuing opportunities to work collaboratively with industry partners and bodies.
5.  External Relationship Management: managing working relationships with our strategic partners and key specialist suppliers, overseeing and managing relationships with key operational partners such as our bottler and coopers.
6.  Environment Management: oversee the management, usage and functionality of the Compass Box Blending Room, including the bar area and whisky sample room library.

Brand Ambassadorship: responsibility as a lead public face of the company at external events and with visitors to the office and Blending Room, offering educational and competitive tastings, whisky education and resources.

Desired Skills & Experience

The successful candidate will be open and honest with a natural curiosity and desire to learn. They will have a collaborative nature, strong sense of ambition and perseverance coupled with self-discipline, organisation and natural problem solving capability.  Enthusiastic, goal-oriented and a good time manager, if they can’t find a way they will make one.

Skills and experience will include:

Deep experience (minimum three years) in blending and quality assessment with a Scotch whisky producer or other relevant spirits organisation. Demonstrated highly developed nosing and tasting skills.  A track record of successful project management.  Strong communication skills. A fluency regarding the needs of a Scotch whisky business. Experience with whisky R&D projects utilising scientific rigour. A keen interest in the world of wines & spirits.

Compensation

Competitive compensation, commensurate with experience, including private health insurance and pension.

Want to Know More?

If you’d like to apply for consideration, please email careers@compassboxwhisky.com with a current CV and a brief letter explaining why you believe you are a perfect fit for this role. NO APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED AST NOVEMBER 1st, 2016

– A new twist on the sherry influenced pot still whiskey, thanks to an old friendship –

Redbreast has introduced a new, permanent expression to its decorated Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey family; Redbreast Lustau Edition. Finished in hand selected, first-fill sherry butts that are seasoned with Oloroso sherry from the prestigious Bodegas Lustau in Jerez, Spain, this release celebrates the iconic sherry influence found throughout the Redbreast range.

Matured initially in a combination of exceptional ex-Bourbon and ex-Oloroso sherry casks, Redbreast Lustau Edition has been wholly finished for one year in prized sherry butts from Bodegas Lustau in Jerez, the sherry capital of the world.

The result is a new interpretation of the signature Redbreast character with a distinctive twist; Redbreast Lustau Edition offers a nose of dark fruits, prunes and marzipan, a luxuriously rich and creamy texture on the palate with iconic Redbreast spices, and a long, sweet finish complemented by notes of Spanish oak and Oloroso sherry.

With a shared history and kinship for excellence, Redbreast Lustau Edition has been born out of the longstanding relationship between the Midleton Distillery, County Cork, and the unrivalled sherry house, Bodegas Lustau. The unique bond between these two houses was established decades ago, built upon mutual respect for craft production processes, tradition and camaraderie.

Crafted to the exacting standards of Midleton Head Blender, Billy Leighton, Redbreast Lustau Edition is a permanent addition to the Redbreast range. Bottled at 46% ABV and without chill-filtration, Redbreast Lustau Edition is available from this month at the following RRPs; Canada, $90; France, €65; Ireland, €69; and UK, £55. It will also be available in the United States from October 1st 2016, at RRP $69.

On the launch of Redbreast Lustau Edition, Leighton comments: “With Redbreast Lustau Edition we seized the opportunity to celebrate the iconic sherry influence on the Redbreast range, and to do this we turned to our old friends at Bodegas Lustau to source the finest Oloroso sherry casks in the world. I am honoured to be able to finally reveal Redbreast Lustau Edition to the world as it represents the mutual bond, based on our commitment to excellence in craftsmanship, which we have built over time with Bodegas Lustau. Language is no barrier to this marriage of Spanish and Irish craft, and the result is an exceptional new Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey that champions the iconic sherry influence of the Redbreast range, and I hope that whiskey drinkers the world over enjoy it.”

Brendan Buckley, Global Innovation & Prestige Whiskey Portfolio Director at Irish Distillers, adds: “We are delighted to introduce a fifth, permanent expression to the Redbreast range as it demonstrates the appetite among whiskey connoisseurs and spirits aficionados alike for new, innovative and diverse Irish Whiskey offerings. Since we re-launched the brand in 2011, it has gone from strength to strength and we are committed to spreading word of Redbreast around the world as the Irish Whiskey renaissance continues.

“Our work on Redbreast is part of a wider commitment from Irish Distillers to lead the revival of the quintessential Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey style and Irish Whiskey in general, to educate whiskey fans about the breadth and quality that the category has to offer.”

#RedbreastLustau

Notes

Tasting notes by Midleton Head Blender, Billy Leighton:

Nose: Rich infusion of dark fruits, prunes, dates and figs with liquorice, marzipan, toasted oak and Redbreast spices T

aste: Creamy pot still with Redbreast spices balanced with richness of sherry finish and contribution of fresh Spanish oak

Finish: Endless. Sweetness and Pot Still spices endure while Oloroso Sherry and Spanish Oak have the last word

About Bodegas Lustau

The origins of Lustau date back to 1896, when Mr. José Ruiz-Berdejo, a secretary to the Court of Justice, started cultivating the vines of the family’s state in his spare time. With more than 100 years of history since it was founded, its philosophy has not changed: the pursuit of the highest quality in its offer of the widest and finest range of products. With ageing cellars in each of the three towns that make up the Sherry area (Jerez de la Frontera, El Puerto de Santa María and Sanlúcar de Barrameda), Lustau offers a huge portfolio formed by wines, brandies and vermouth. www.lustau.es

About Irish Distillers

Irish Distillers was formed in 1966, when a merger took place between Irish whiskey distillers, John Power & Son, John Jameson & Son and the Cork Distillery Company. In an attempt to reverse the decline in Irish whiskey sales, the company decided to consolidate production at a new purpose-built facility alongside the existing distillery in Midleton, Co. Cork. Irish Distillers was bought by Pernod Ricard in June 1988 and today, Jameson is the No.1 Irish whiskey in the world, selling over 5 million 9L cases worldwide and contributing more than any other Irish whiskey brand to the phenomenal global growth of the category. Irish Distillers is committed to driving continued, sustainable growth of the Irish whiskey category.

Irish Distillers’ portfolio of whiskeys is comprised of Jameson, the world’s no.1 Irish whiskey; Powers, the robust super premium whiskey for discerning drinkers; and the much-acclaimed brands that comprise the Irish Distillers’ Prestige Collection – the Single Pot Still Whiskeys of Midleton which includes the Spot range (Green Spot, Yellow Spot) and Redbreast, Ireland’s most awarded single pot still whiskey brand – and the pinnacle of the Prestige Collection, Midleton Very Rare. www.irishdistillers.ie

 About Pernod Ricard

Pernod Ricard is the world’s co-leader in wines and spirits with consolidated Sales of € 7,945 million in 2013/14. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has undergone sustained development, based on both organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard holds one of the most prestigious brand portfolios in the sector: 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, Kahlúa and Malibu liqueurs, Mumm and Perrier- Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo, Graffigna and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard employs a workforce of approximately 18,000 people and operates through a decentralised organisation, with 6 “Brand Companies” and 80 “Market Companies” established in each key market. Pernod Ricard is strongly committed to a sustainable development policy and encourages responsible consumption. Pernod Ricard’s strategy and ambition are based on 3 key values that guide its expansion: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust and a strong sense of ethics. Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN code: FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 index. www.pernodricard.com

Benromach Distillery releases Benromach Hermitage 2007

The Benromach Distillery Company Ltd has launched the latest in its Benromach Wood Finish range:  Benromach Hermitage 2007.

Initially matured in bourbon barrels for six years, the spirit was transferred to oak casks that once nurtured wine from the Hermitage Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée, in the northern Rhône region of France, and finished for a further 31 months.

Benromach Hermitage Wood Finish 2007 (ABV 45%) has aromas of sweet summer fruits and zesty lemon and lime. This is followed by a touch of vanilla and cinnamon, and underlined by peat smoke with a peppermint edge. On the palate, it’s a sweet, fruity dram, with succulent dark cherry and orange flavours combining with creamy milk chocolate to create a gentle smoky edge and a long, fruity finish.

This latest whisky follows the limited edition Wood Finish expressions Hermitage 2005, Château Cissac 2006 and Sassicaia 2007.

Keith Cruickshank, Benromach Distillery Manager, said: “At Benromach we work with some of the world’s most exclusive wineries to carefully select casks for finishing.

“The Benromach Hermitage 2007 is the latest release from our Wood Finishes range, which gives our customers the opportunity to experience classic Benromach with a twist.

“This Benromach dram is a delicious offering for whisky aficionados and those looking to try something new.”

Benromach is handcrafted using the finest natural ingredients at the Forres distillery. Since the distillery was brought back to life in 1998, the team at Benromach has developed a core range of single malts with the classic pre-1960s Speyside character, and has added a range of exciting expressions, including the first certified organic whisky and a heritage range.

Benromach Hermitage 2007 is available to purchase at specialist whisky retailers with an RRP of £40.25. Prices may vary in export markets because of duty and import taxes.

For more information on Benromach please visit http://www.benromach.com/.

Notes

Originally built in 1898, Benromach Distillery, was brought back to life when leading whisky specialists Gordon & MacPhail purchased it in 1993. The distillery was extensively re-equipped over a five-year period before it was officially opened by HRH Prince Charles in 1998.

In reopening Benromach Distillery, Gordon & MacPhail decided to create a classic Speyside single malt, a style that draws its influence from Speyside whiskies pre-1960s.

Benromach Distillery is located on the outskirts of the ancient market town of Forres. A four-star visitor centre is open to the public throughout the year for tours and tastings. Benromach Distillery is a member of the world famous malt whisky trail.

Heaven Hill Distillery Announces Release of 2016 Parker’s Heritage Collection Limited Edition Bottling

Tenth Edition of annual ultra-premium release will feature rare 24-year-old Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon and continued support of ALS research and patient care

BARDSTOWN, KY— Heaven Hill Distillery announces the 2016 limited edition release of Parker’s Heritage Collection – a 24-year-old, Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon. The uniqueness of this bottling lies not only in its age, but also in its Bottled-in-Bond designation. Bottled-in-Bonds, as they are referred, have experienced renewed interest by consumers because of the long and storied history behind such a designation. Offering the most Bottled-in-Bond labels of any distiller, Heaven Hill helped to maintain this sub-category during leaner years and, more recently, has fueled interest in it with the launch of several new Bottled-in-Bond bottlings, including the newest edition of Parker’s Heritage Collection. The 24-year-old, Bottled-in-Bond will be shipping into select markets across the country beginning in September.

The Parker’s Heritage Collection series was originally conceived to showcase the extraordinary quality and broad range of Heaven Hill’s American Whiskey holdings, as Heaven Hill boasts the world’s second largest inventory of aging American Whiskey. The annual release is one of the most highly anticipated bottlings for whiskey and Bourbon lovers worldwide, as the collection produces an innovative, coveted product each year.

The 2016 edition, the tenth in the series, features two separate versions of the Bottled-in-Bond product, expected to be the oldest Bottled-in-Bond in the world. It was produced in Fall 1990 and Spring 1991 at Heaven Hill’s distillery in Bardstown, KY, (D.S.P. KY-31), which was later destroyed in 1996 by fire along with seven rickhouses and over 90,000 barrels. The liquid is bottled by season in order to retain its Bottled-in-Bond designation. While Heaven Hill now produces its award-winning Bourbon and American Whiskey out of the Bernheim Distillery in downtown Louisville, this Parker’s Heritage Collection edition will feature the original distillery designation on the back label, making it a worthy successor to the previous nine releases.

Bottled at 100 proof (50% abv) and non-chill filtered, the Bourbon will retain more of the natural esters and fatty acids that have matured in the barrel for almost a quarter of a century, providing a richer mouthfeel. Oak flavor is prominent with hints of cinnamon and vanilla, rounded out by a clean finish with a hint of chocolate.

Heaven Hill Master Distiller Emeritus Parker Beam, for whom the acclaimed series is named, was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (also called ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease) several years ago. The past three editions from 2013-2015, including the “Promise of Hope” Bourbon, the “Original Batch” Straight Wheat Whiskey, and the Kentucky Straight Malt Whiskey, respectively, have raised over half a million dollars toward ALS research and patient care through contributions made by Heaven Hill for each bottle purchased. Heaven Hill will continue with this cause-related campaign, and will contribute $15 from the average national retail cost of $249.99 of each 750ml bottle sold of this year’s release to the ALS Association. With every past edition of Parker’s Heritage Collection quickly selling out, the company expects to continue to generate significant dollars for this effort.

“We are proud to again offer a unique Bourbon style for the Parker’s Heritage Collection, one that is a nod to Heaven Hill’s expertise with Bottled-in-Bond products,” said Susan Wahl, American Whiskey Group Portfolio Manager at Heaven Hill Distillery. “As the oldest Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon in the world, we anticipate this to be another highly sought after addition to whiskey fanatics’ collections and, as important to us, it will enable a significant contribution to ALS research and patient care efforts.”

Packaged in the same upscale 750ml bottle as the previous nine editions but with a cream colored label, the Parker’s Heritage Collection 24-Year-Old Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey bottling reflects the care and craftsmanship of its contents. Available in a three bottle case, it will be featured on the shelves and back bars of the nation’s finest spirits retailers and on-premise accounts starting in September. With previous releases having won multiple awards from Whisky Advocate magazine, Whisky Magazine and the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, the rare bottlings stand as some of the most critically lauded American Whiskeys in recent memory. Past bottlings have won awards ranging from “Best North American Whiskey” to “American Whiskey of the Year” to “Best of Show, Brown Spirits.”

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 1.2 million barrels aging in 52 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 and Parker’s Heritage Collection. Heaven Hill Distillery currently holds the titles of Whisky Magazine’s Distillery of the Year, Whiskey Advocate’s American Whiskey of the Year and Rye Whiskey of the Year from Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible.

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

19 GREVILLE STREET – LONDON

New Outturn Tasting – Sat 3 Sept  More >

Steak & Whisky Tasting – Mon 5 Sept  More >

Boiler Maker Tasting – Tue 13 Sept  More >

New Members’ Sensory Tasting – Tue 27 Sept  More >

UK-WIDE PREVIEWS WITH UISGE SOURCE

Glasgow – Radisson Blu Hotel, Fri 23 Sept More >

Aberdeen: Taster Menu Dinner at MUSA Thu 29 Sept  More >

Liverpool – Radisson Blu Hotel, Fri 30 Sept  More >

Newcastle – The Caledonian Hotel, Fri 30 Sept  More >

Winchester – Winchester Royal Hotel, Fri 30 Sept  More >

28 QUEEN STREET – EDINBURGH

Smoke, Sea & Peat Tasting – Thu 15 Sep  More >

Smoke, Sea & Peat Tasting – Thu 22 Sep  More >

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ

Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY WELCOMES MILLIONTH VISITOR

Visitation has more than doubled at this National Historic Landmark in the past five years  

            FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (Aug. 31, 2016) Buffalo Trace Distillery welcomed its one millionth cumulative visitor Wednesday.  The Distillery has been keeping track of visitation since it first opened for tours in 1999, and recently began actively counting down the visitors in anticipation of reaching the one millionth milestone.

            Some careful calculations led the team to narrow down which week they would likely host the one millionth visitor, and with some planning, the team was able to organize a festive day for everyone.

            Around 11 a.m. the unsuspecting visitor, from Lexington, was greeted by Buffalo Trace team members who gathered in the Visitor Center to welcome the lucky person with cheers, a balloon drop and a special prize pack. The exciting moment was captured live on Facebook and can be viewed here: https://www.facebook.com/buffalotracedistillery/videos/1223133587718628/

            The celebration continued throughout the day with cupcakes and surprises for visitors, commemorative T-shirts for employees, and more. View photos from the day on Instagram at BuffaloTraceDistillery, and on Facebook.com/BuffaloTraceDistillery.

            Visitation at Buffalo Trace has grown leaps and bounds ever since first opening for tours 17 years ago. Regularly welcoming visitors from all 50 states as well as more than 25 other countries, the Distillery has more than doubled its annual visitation over the last five years. In the last year alone, visitation at Buffalo Trace Distillery increased by more than 23 percent.

            With this milestone reached, and with prospects for visitation not slowing anytime soon, Buffalo Trace will count onward to its two millionth visitor.

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 17 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. It was named “Brand Innovator of the Year” by Whisky Magazine at its Icons of Whisky America Awards 2015.  Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 300 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit http://www.buffalotracedistillery.com/.

Whisky Quotes public Beta release goes live

After months of development and data collecting Whisky Quotes is ready for public Beta release. 

Whisky Quotes is a service for whisky collectors and investors that want all the price information from different auction sites conveniently in one place.

Our database has now close to 5000 bottles with prices from 3 different auctioneers – and counting. 

Sign up at www.whiskyquotes.com and explore. We are open for comments and suggestions. 

Thank you!

The Whisky Quotes Team

THE JAMES SEDGWICK DISTILLERY OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 

The James Sedgwick’s Distillery in Wellington, the only commercial whisky distillery in Africa and home to the internationally award-winning range of Three Ships and Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky, will be opening to the public from 3 September on selected dates and times.

An incredible tourism boost for the town of Wellington and the Western Cape, the whisky distillery is destined in becoming a major attraction for South African and international consumers to experience first-hand how whisky is made.

The tastings and tours are limited to 10 people at a time to ensure a personal experience and offered on Fridays and Saturdays at 10am and again at 2pm. Visitors can explore the passion and craftsmanship of South African whiskies, come to understand the art of whisky-making, learn about the rich history of the distillery spanning 130 years and taste some of the world’s best whiskies.

On arrival, guests will enjoy a whisky-cocktail followed by an informative video. A knowledgeable guide will offer an on-foot tour to witness first-hand how the whiskies are crafted through the various stages from raw material to distillation to maturation. Back at the tasting room, the guide will present a tasting of three whiskies paired with five sample dishes allowing guests to explore in their own time how the flavours of certain dishes complements the aromas found within a particular whisky.

Situated in Wellington about an hour from Cape Town’s City Centre, the distillery offers sweeping views of the Hawekwa and Groenberg Mountains. Award-winning, The James Sedgwick Distillery was awarded as Best Brand Innovator in Whisky Magazines’ 2011 Icons of Whisky as well as in 2015 named Best International Whisky Distillery at the New York International Spirits Competition.

All tours and tastings are for over 18’s only with booking in advance essential at https://www.webtickets.co.za/events/tourism/whisky-experience/1464501779

No bookings can be made at the distillery or on arrival.  The cost is R350 per person for a welcome drink, tour of the distillery, and three whiskies paired with five food sample dishes to explore the various flavour combinations and match your favourite.

The range of South African whiskies will be available to purchase at the end of the tour and tasting. Limited release whiskies, only available at the Distillery, will from time to time be offered for purchase to continue the extraordinary experience you had at home or to share the moment with someone special in the form of a gift.

For more information contact The James Sedgwick Distillery by sending an email to  info@jamessedgwickdistillery.co.za, calling 072 415 3440 or visiting  http://www.bains.co.za/ and http://www.threeshipswhisky.co.za/

#HomeofSAWhisky

Europe’s biggest Harley-Davidson rally toasts drams created by Speyside Distillery in honour of its 20th anniversary year

It may be Scotland’s secret distillery – but its hidden location off the beaten track didn’t stop dozens of leather-clad bikers from discovering drams produced in their honour today (August 28).

Harley-Davidson enthusiasts who gathered in the Highlands for the annual Thunder in the Glens motorbike rally this weekend descended on Speyside Distillery to be presented with commemorative bottlings produced to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the event.

The quiet countryside roads around the distillery – located in the shadow of the Cairngorm mountain range – echoed to the sounds of roaring engines as a group of riders staged a ride out from their base in Aviemore.

Speyside Distillery is the home of Beinn Dubh – an unusual ruby-black coloured whisky – which was launched at Thunder in the Glens last year. It won rave reviews from thousands of bikers at the event, which is the biggest Harley-Davidson rally in Europe.

Two limited edition releases have been created for the anniversary. The first is a rare 20 year-old single malt from the archives of Speyside Distillery and just 200 bottles have been produced. In addition, the distillery has produced a second 20th anniversary single malt with commemorative label which is available in greater quantities

One of the commemorative bottles of Beinn Dubh has been sent across the Atlantic to Milwaukee in the United States – the home of the Harley-Davidson and the patriarch of the world renowned company, Willie G. Davidson.

Speyside Distillery’s chief executive officer John Harvey McDonough says the firm is honoured to help Thunder in the Glens mark such a special occasion.

He adds, “Beinn Dubh is the local whisky of the Cairngorms, so it is incredibly fitting for us to produce a very special bottling for an event that has become integral to the local area. Following the launch of Beinn Dubh at last year’s rally, the whisky has gone on to achieve huge global success in markets around the world.

“The distillery has played host to many special visitors over the years, from former England footballer Michael Owen to VIP dignitaries from Taiwan, but I don’t think anything will be quite as memorable as the sound of those motorbikes roaring up the drive of our normally tranquil boutique distillery.

“The 20-year-old single malt Scotch whisky that has been used for this commemorative bottling is extremely rare. We have very limited stocks of vintage whisky, but we felt that only something very special should be used to mark this historic occasion.”

George McGuire is the rally co-ordinator for Thunder in the Glens and led the ride out to the distillery, which is located near the village of Kingussie.

“We feel a special affinity with Speyside Distillery, and being able to take so many of our visitors out here today has been a truly magical experience – one of the highlights of the entire weekend,” he says.

“As we were travelling further and further away from civilisation, I am sure some of them thought I was pulling their leg and the distillery didn’t actually exist. But that’s the real beauty of Speyside Distillery – it can only be found by those who want to seek it out.

“However, now that so many Harley owners around the world have become fans, I’m not sure how much longer it will remain a secret.

“Our visitors recognise what a rare chance they have to own what is essentially a piece of the distillery’s history. Opportunities to buy something like this do not come along every day, and some of our visitors have bought one bottle for drinking and one for keeping on the shelf to commemorate a fantastic weekend.”

Beinn Dubh is the name given to Ben Macdui, the highest peak in the Cairngorm mountain range, and translates from Gaelic as the black mountain. It refers to its dark, spooky and mysterious atmosphere which countless climbers are said to have encountered. The ruby black whisky is Speyside Distillery’s tribute to Ben Macdui and the area that it calls home.

Beinn Dubh’s taste is deep and dark: rich fruits, currants and chocolate dominate at first, but these gradually give way to both bitterness and sweetness.

The 20-year-old single malt Beinn Dubh Thunder In The Glens 2016  is priced at £150 while the 20th Anniversary single malt is £56. A very limited number of bottles are still  available, but can be ordered directly from karenann@speysidedistillers.co.uk

For further information about Beinn Dubh, visit www.beinndubh.com or follow Beinn Dubh on Twitter @BeinnDubhWhisky

Ends

Picture caption: Beinn Dubh’s fallen angel Klaudia Zrobek joins bikers from Thunder In The Glens during a ride out to Speyside Distillery which launched commemorative bottlings for this year’s 20th anniversary rally.

As my colleague Jeff Jones and I sat on the plane to Scotland this past March, I said to him, “I’d like to find some alternatives to the standard heavy peat, heavy sherry formula that we seem to have fallen into. Rather than respond to the market, I’d like to start guiding it.” I don’t think I’m alone in my appreciation for nuance, subtlety, complexity and delicacy when it comes to classic Scotch whisky. While I’ve enjoyed the last decade of fashionable trends as they pertain to single malt, I don’t know anyone out there who cut their teeth on bold, brash whiskies like the heavily sherried, cask-strength Aberlour A’Bunadh or the incredibly peaty blast of pepper that is the Bruichladdich Octomore. Most of us started with old-fashioned Scotch like Glenlivet 12 or Glenmorangie 10, then worked our way forward from there.

Lately I’ve been feeling a little nostalgic for those early days of drinking, so I decided to make that a theme for this year’s trip: getting back to basics. That not only meant the basics of classic Scotch whisky enjoyment, but also a time when whiskies were interesting, dynamic and much more affordable. Of course, we’re not in control of pricing when it comes to supply. All we can do as a retailer is find creative ways to work backward once we know the costs. As someone who’s spent the better part of two years reeling from the housing costs of the Bay Area, I was even more determined to alleviate some of the frustration that has resulted from the rising price of fine Scotch whisky. How we were going to do it, I wasn’t sure, but come hell or high water I was going to find a way.

-David Driscoll, K&L Spirits Buyer

1991 John McCrae (Balvenie) 24 Year Old “Hepburn’s Choice” Single Barrel Cask Strength Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($129.99)

While it’s become common practice over the years for independent bottlers to label their single malt whiskies by distillery, there are a handful of producers who do not want their brand name to be mentioned or utilized by a competitor when selling casks to a third party company for blending use. To prevent that from happening, some producers practice what’s called “teaspooning,” meaning they add a teaspoon of a second whisky into the cask, instantly changing the whisky from a “single” malt into a “blended” malt. Once the whisky is “blended,” the name of the distillery can no longer be used on the label because it’s technically no longer a single distillery bottling. However, when you taste this single barrel of John McCrae blended malt whisky (aka teaspooned Balvenie) we’re pretty sure you’re going to be as thrilled as we are. To get a single cask of Balvenie is almost unheard of, and getting one this good for this price is a rare treat indeed. The nose is candied ginger, round vanilla, and sweet malty grains, and the palate builds into more cereal grains, dried fruits, honey, resin, and a beautiful, classic, old fashioned Highland Scotch finish of sweet biscuity malted barley. It’s the whole package from front to back and it’s naturally proofed down to 47.6% ABV. We think this will be one of the most spectacular deals of the year for fans of both Balvenie and delicious, no frills malt whisky.

Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 18, 2016

This is an interesting and lovely whiskey. There is a nice balance between fruit and malt flavors. It is drier and slightly lighter than distillery bottlings of Balvenie but offers the same high quality.The John Mccrae is a very good whiskey and should please most single malt drinkers.

Andrew Stevens | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 16, 2016

This bottle is ridiculous on so many different levels (and I mean this in a good way). First and foremost, it is ridiculously good, it is 24 year old whiskey that is complex and full of fruit. There is a subtly smoke that completely enhances the whiskey and notes of spice on the finish. The second reason this is ridiculous is that it is essentially Balvenie that has had a “teaspoon” of another whiskey added so as to not be true 100% Balvenie whiskey. It is also less sweet and richer than other Balvenie I have tried. The final reason is that with all of this amazing goodness going on it is $130, that price is simply ridiculous.

David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 11, 2016

Teaspooned Balvenie for a HOT price. Don’t sleep on this guy because it really is the quintessential great bottle of Scotch. Everything is in perfect harmony, the fruits, the richness, the grains, and the texture. It’s a smooth, supple, oily, and remarkable cask we managed to find and I think once you taste it you’ll be thinking about how many more you can afford to squirrel away for later.

1991 Glen Keith 24 Year Old “Hepburn’s Choice” Single Sherry Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($89.99)

This single sherry butt cask of Glen Keith is another K&L “refill” selection, meaning we purposely looked for whisky that had been matured in sherry casks that had been used previously. The result of refill aging is that the whisky still takes on some of the richer, fruity, sherry-esque flavors, but much more mildly, helping to maintain the integrity of the inherent malt character. In looking for delicious Scotch whisky that tasted like old-fashioned Scotch whisky, we came upon this outstanding Glen Keith: a Speyside distillery that’s part of the Chivas portfolio. The whisky is classic Highland in style. The nose explodes with cereal grains, apricots and pear, vanilla, and the faintest hint of almond. The palate shows a bit of rich Oloroso character briefly before giving way to the more standard dried stone fruit flavors and supple, malty deliciousness. It’s the price, however, that really grabs your attention: 24 year old, cask strength, single barrel, Speyside single malt for $89.99??!! Sherry-aged, no less! Thank goodness it was a big barrel because we’re sure this is going to be quite popular.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 24, 2016

This is almost the perfect Speyside malt in my opinion, a true Speysider in style, meaning elegant, herbal, floral, and ultra balanced. 24 years old (nearly 25) – Refill sherry, so right out of the gate we’re getting the wonderful juicy fruit on the nose. The palate is sweet floral honey and a wonderful rich mineral ton, with a slight fudginess on the finish. One tiny drop of water heightens the flavors gloriously and at this price is absolutely unacceptable to miss this one.

Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 18, 2016

This is a joyful and delicious single malt. In the nose there are rich and soft malty aromas. This leads to juicy and pretty flavors. The sherry aging is integrated and does not dominate but adds complexity.

David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 11, 2016

Our goal this year was to definitely shock the market and get people excited about old fashioned Scotch once again. I think this is about as exciting of a deal as we can offer: 24 year old cask strength, sherry-aged Highland single malt for less than a hundred bucks! Here we get nothing out of the ordinary, just rich grains, hints of sherry, sweet vanilla, and soft fruit. If you thought top shelf Scotch had been priced out of reach, we’re back to save the day.

1998 Royal Brackla 17 Year Old “Hepburn’s Choice” Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (750ml) ($59.99)

The Royal Brackla 17 year old completely caught us off guard on our recent trip to Scotland. We’d of course heard of the Bacardi-owned distillery, known for its role in blended whiskies, but we’d never tasted one quite like this. Joining us for the first time this year during the meeting was Hunter Laing’s master blender Tom Aitken who used to blend for Dewar’s back when Bacardi first bought the brand. Tasting samples with a veteran who understands the inner workings and the history behind some of these lesser-known distilleries is invaluable. Tom explained that former owner Diageo used the distillery as a sort of experimental lab during the nineties. They made all sorts of different styles back then apparently and the quality could be wildly variant. This particular cask was absolutely stunning. It was straw colored and light to the eye, but packed with so much flavor it was deceiving. There were definitely phenolic elements at play; very subtle hints of peat that worked as an undercurrent to all the sweet stone fruit and vanilla. The combination of grain and fruit was like a burst of classic malt goodness, but on the finish it turned savory with hints of sage brush and white pepper. All in all, this is an incredibly dynamic malt for the price and a great introduction to the distillery for newcomers. Bacardi has since turned Royal Brackla into its own single malt brand that should be on American shelves soon.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 24, 2016

What little Brackla we see on the secondary market is typically overpriced and under performing. This creamy little cask is NEITHER of those, instead it’s ultra affordable with maximum drinkability. This is what I’d easily categorize as a summer whisky. Fresh and open, but not boring. Creamy fruit all the way but not just one note the whole way through. Tons of citrus and meaty fruit, great vanilla and malty grain. A real treat to cheat the heat!

Andrew Stevens | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 23, 2016

In the embarrassment of riches coming from Scotland to us, there are always a few bottles that just absolutely stand out for me. On this incredible wave of whisky the 17-year-old Royal Brackla is one of those bottles. This distillery is owned by Bacardi and most of it goes into Dewars, so it is super rare to see any of it by itselfbut of course the geek factor of this only works if what is in the bottle is any good. It very much is good, in fact it is so good that one is almost forced to wonder why we are selling it at this price. The secret is that we can sell it as this price and so we choose to do that rather than be another place that overcharges due to high demand for whisky. On the nose there is almost a maple bar sweetness with notes of peat and orange peel. Elegant smoke balances the peat and salted notes and leads to a spice finish that is super smooth. This whisky is way to good to miss out on so I would recommend that you do not.

Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 19, 2016

I am really happy to see this product arrive. It is one of the single malts that stayed foremost in my mind from the buying trip I took to Scotland with David Driscoll. It is a bright , fresh and lively single malt that is maltly and complex with a subtle hint of smoke. Highly recommended.

Uberach “Assemblage” Alsace Single Malt Whisky (750ml) ($59.99)

The special single malt of Alsace is a recreation of an age of tradition of distilling beer in the region. Jean Metzger is the force behind this very special malt, which is without a doubt the finest whisky being produced in France today. Alsace whisky has recently been afforded an official AOC, but Metzger has been producing whisky in Uberach for more than a decade. The distillery has always been considered one of France’s finest, renowned for their exacting distillation of perfectly ripened local fruits, but, with the help of local Brasserie, Jean Metzger had a vision of transitioning into a new era. Now they distill only malted barley. Using organic pilsner malt, about 1/3 of which is very lightly peated, Metzger adds the purest water in France sourced from the legendary Vosges Nature Reserve. The beer is fermented using the brewer’s yeast from the organic brewery down the way to about 6% abv. It is then meticulously distilled twice in tiny traditional Alsatian copper pots before being filled into either Vin Jaune, Rivasalte, Rasteau, new French oak or Banyuls casks. Each of these unique barrels provides a completely different flavor after maturation. This small batch is a selection from some of the distillery’s older stocks (around 6 years old), of reused french oak barrel and a second use Banyuls cask, selected and bottled by hand exclusively for K&L Wine Merchants. Expect big powerful aromas of ripe pear, candied yellow plum, and malty grains. Only 160 bottles.

Andrew Stevens | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: June 19, 2016

In the spirit of finding exciting new whiskey from non established whiskey places we bring you an excellent single malt from Alsace. A fruity, rich nose on the whiskey leads to a medium body with some vanilla, golden baked apple notes and a touch of baking spice. Medium heat and a somewhat spicy finish can be calmed down with a little water. Now I have another reason to love alcohol coming from Alsace.

Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: June 10, 2016

I think that this whisky should be in every whisky lover’s collection. It is delicious, interesting and a little different. There are pretty delicate floral aromas that almost cherry eau-de-vie like. In the mouth it is complex and soft with malt and fruit like nuances.

Hedgehog Single Grain French Whisky (750ml) ($44.99)

Theater lovers from across France congregate each summer to enjoy the Hérisson’s cultural gifts. Here, in the department of Allier – the center of France and the historic realm of the Duke of Bourbon – another gift awaits those who seek it. It was the Honorable Mr. Balthazar who, in 1983, decided to create a product of the region that captured its essence. Allier is renowned for two products, grain and oak. Together these two special ingredients make something that hadn’t been produced in the region in modern times, whisky! The Duchy of Bourbon would indeed inspire another great whisky to be created, The Hedgehog. Mr. Balthazar begins with the finest organic corn grown within miles of the distillery. These are then milled with locally malted barley and mixed with a small amount of milled local rye. In the American style, the entire wort – with no filtration – is fermented slowly over 10-14 day fermentation. A double distillation in a copper pot and filling at 60% ABV into new barrels fashioned from the famous Tronçais oak. These barrels, used by the world’s great wine and cognac producers, are the most sought-after in the industry. After one year in these new casks, the whisky is transferred for a minimum of 3 years into ex-cognac barrels where it mellows and matures. The result is one of the most unique spirits available anywhere in the world and K&L is the exclusive US purveyor of this fine whisky. We received a tiny allocation.

Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: June 12, 2016

This Whiskey is interesting, flavorful and off the beaten path.It has a mixture of grain, malt and spice aromas.In the mouth it is soft and dry with the influence of the wood showing itself with some spice flavors. One could say that there are cognac, single malt and bourbon influences in this delicious drink.

Michel Couvreur “Peaty Overaged” K&L Exclusive Malt Whisky (750ml) ($82.99)

The chance to work with Michel Couvreur on a special K&L whisky project was something that David and I had been dreaming of for years. We had heard the stories. This crazy Belgian had moved to Burgundy in the ’60s, carved out a wine cellar inside a mountain, only to fill it with Scottish single malt whisky instead of Pinot Noir. He set up camp in Beaune, ordered new-make spirit to be delivered by tanker, and drove down to Jerez himself, selecting his own sherry butts to insure only the finest quality casks for his contracted spirit. Unfortunately, Michel Couvreur passed away in 2013 from pancreatic cancer, thus ending the career of one of the industry’s most courageous pioneers. Luckily for us, however, apprentice Jean-Arnaud has carried on after studying under Michel for more than a decade. When we visited the underground cave, we were all in total awe. The tunnels of dripping stone go on forever, and the amount of whisky stored in this secret lair is jawdropping. We put our trust completely in Jean-Arnaud and are happy we did. Our peated version of the incredible sherry expression is a seamless creation that drinks like the best version of Johnnie Black ever, mixed with the most supple and soft expressions of Macallan. It’s a lush, unfiltered, creamy, caramel-laden dream of a whisky composed only of malts 12 years and older. There’s a bit of peat on the finish, but the soft sherry is the star. (NOTE: do NOT cut the hard wax seal, tap it so that it breaks)

Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 25, 2016

This Michel Couvreur Malt Whiskey is a perfect marriage of smoke and sherry aged spirit. There is a nice amount of smoke aromas and flavors that are integrated well with the richness from the sherry barrels. On top of this it is complex and will surprise and delight.

Andrew Stevens | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 24, 2016

For those who missed out on the Compass Box “5th and Harrison” K&L Exclusive, for those who are starting to realize how good blended whiskey can be, or for those who simply love good Scotch here is a bottle for you. From Michel Couvreur comes a truly beautiful peated smoky whisky that is elegant, balanced, smooth, and just so good. A rich nose resplendent with notes of caramel, toffee and a hint of butterscotch lead to a full, rich Scotch. There is a lot of good baked fruit notes here with the peat accenting them and swaddled in smooth smokey notes. Despite the richness of this whiskey it is well balanced and never feels to full of itself and leads the palate to a lovely soft finish that fades slowly. Get a bottle of this now and buy another for a gift. This is completely worth it.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: October 14, 2014

The magnificence that is Michel Couvreur has always been clear, but it wasn’t until we stepped into the special cave, carved out of the rock, in Bouze-Les-Beaune that you can full appreciate the incredible endeavor in process at this fine producer. While this is by definition NOT scotch, because it is aged outside of the country, the old school practices utilized at here are unusual back in Scotland. The fact that these guys literally drive to Jerez to pick out fresh sherry casks (from Equipos Navazos no less) is totally unique in modern times. In fact, no producer of malt whisky is getting access to fresher barrels than these guys. Despite not being able to use the famous moniker, does not preclude this from being one of the most authentic and absolutely delicious malts on the market. Stupendous depth and complexity even at 86 proof, while the sherry is toned down from the standard version a subtle fino/amontillado quality exists in the back ground. This is pointed by a fabulous smokey sweetness, which hints at the source whisky. Maybe an island somewhere, maybe a drop of Islay, wildly high-quality Highland whisky with a French sensibility. A truly unique gem.

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