SPRING 2024: CASK FINISHING
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Our top 10s this month highlight some of the best Scottish Island whiskies, from Arran’s sherried cask strength release – one of our contenders for The Whisky Exchange Whisky of the Year 2024 – to the oldest single malt from newcomer, Isle of Raasay.
LAPHROAIG 1989 VINTAGE FEIS ILE 2007 17 YEAR OLD
Released for the 2007 Fèis Ìle festival on Islay, Laphroaig bottled this 17-year-old single malt exclusively for the Friends of Laphroaig to commemorate the new Friends Lounge. There were only 4000 bottles produced, at a cask strength of 50.3% abv.
Don’t forget The WhiskyGenie has the CHEAPEST PRICES ANYWHERE
Wyoming Whiskey Barrel Strength Bourbon (MSRP $299.99): Wyoming Whiskey is releasing its fourth national batch of Barrel Strength Bourbon, the most elusive Wyoming Whiskey offering. Wyoming Whiskey Barrel Strength is bottled at 122.4 proof and offers a distinct flavor profile that reflects its Wyoming origin. Specs: Aged 5 years, 61.2% ABV, 122.4 proof.
Wyoming Whiskey’s Single Barrel Bourbon (MSRP $99.99): This highly anticipated limited release is available in Wyoming and other select US markets this December. Single Barrel represents the top 1% of bourbon barrels sampled each year by Wyoming Whiskey. Each hand-selected barrel is bottled at 96 proof to maintain the character which defines it. Aged for a minimum of five years, no two barrels are alike. Chosen from six rickhouses for its singular character and taste, each barrel yields approximately 180 bottles that capture this unique bourbon and moment in time, both of which will never happen again. Specs: Aged a minimum of 5 years, 48% ABV, 96 proof
Craftsman Brands Presents Three-Quarter of a Million Dollar Check
to Vendome for First Still for New Distillery
Louisville, KY – Craftsman Brands co-owners and staff presented renowned still maker Vendome Brass and Copper a check for $750,000 last week as a down payment for a 28-inch copper still expected to be delivered next August at the distillery’s proposed location near Louisville, Kentucky.
According to Avrie Fenney, Co-Founder and Director of Distilling Operations, “A still crafted by Vendome Brass and Copper is especially important because Vendome’s expertise is incomparable, and their people are motivated. I have a lot of respect for Rob Sherman, President of Vendome; his experience in the industry speaks volumes, and those achievements influence his employees on all levels.”
The company plans to build an eco-friendly distillery to create premium and luxury Bourbons and high-end spirits to capitalize on premiumization in the alcohol industry. Craftsman Brand Distillery will be part of a high tourism resort featuring tours of the distillery and rick-houses, an upscale hotel and restaurant, a bottling and canning plant for “ready-to-drink” spirits, and other hospitality venues. The distillery will begin operating in 2025, and up to sixty high-paying jobs are expected to be created.
Craftsman Brands was founded in 2023 to offer consumers an opportunity to enjoy elite spirits in a new mainstream alcohol market. Behr Neighbors, Co-Founder and Director of Special Projects for the new company, explained that Craftsman will be a premium alcohol company that crafts, purchases, and enhances top-shelf spirit brands.
Co-founders attending the check presentation were Isaac LaFond, Steve Camisa, PJ Fox, and Behr Neighbors. Craftsman’s current brands include Crème of Kentucky, High Plains Rye, Square One Vodka, Merlet Cognac, and Kentucky Par Bourbon.
THE ART OF THE BLEND
This holiday season, give the gift of experience. 46+ years to be exact. The first release in the series was created by Max McFarlane, with over 46 years in the Scotch whisky industry. Now available at Wally’s in Santa Monica and Beverly Hills and online via this link while supplies last.
The Art of the Blend, a new concept in blended malt, working with multiple whisky makers to create a series of one-off blends. Max has carefully selected and married three first fill Oloroso sherry casks from Craigellachie, Aultmore and Glenrothes, creating an absolute masterpiece, an award winning work of art, never to be released again. Each release in the series will be created by a different whisky maker.
Limited to only 1968 bottles worldwide. $350 per 700 ml bottle. 58.8% abv, non chill filtered, natural color.
news@theartoftheblend.com www.theartoftheblend.com @theartoftheblend
Recommendations for Top Whisky Distillery Centres
Glenfiddich – the first distillery to open a visitor centre to the public in 1969
Benriach – one of the most flavoursome experiences, featuring a bar, tasting lounge and retail space, visitors are encouraged to discover Benriach’s rich creative heritage which dates back to 1898
Nc’Nean – the greenest distillery – This pioneering whisky is not only making a big impression in the whisky industry, but is leading the way in sustainability in the spirit industry. Nc’nean is committed to the smallest environmental footprint, and has created a certified organic whisky that is made in a distillery powered by 100% renewable energy and bottled in a 100% recycled clear glass bottle, a first in the spirit industry in the UK.
GlenDronach – One of Scotland’s oldest licensed distilleries, The GlenDronach has long been established as the home of rich and characterful Single Malt Scotch Whisky, slowly matured in Spanish sherry casks. Inspired by this rich heritage and traditional craft, the enhanced visitor’s centre offers a new tasting room, whisky bar, lounge area and retail space. The experience even includes a selection of two distillery-exclusive Hand Fills which give GlenDronach connoisseurs a rare opportunity to personally fill, seal, label and sign their own cask strength bottle of The GlenDronach from a choice of two sherry casks.
Glen Moray – Glen Moray is a small authentic working distillery with bags of atmosphere and real people. The popular visitor centre offers a range of distillery tours and tastings as well as a coffee shop and gift shop.
Port of Leith – has opened its tour bookings and reveals first-look images of the finished interior ahead of opening to the public on Wednesday October 11th.
Tribute Films “Suntory Time” and “The Nature and Spirit of Japan commemorate the Suntory Centennial Celebration
The House of Suntory is thrilled to announce two centennial celebration bottles of Hibiki Japanese blended whisky to mark its 100th Anniversary of Pioneering Japanese Spirit: a centennial release of Hibiki 21-Year-Old and a limited-edition bottle design of Hibiki Japanese Harmony.
The Hibiki releases come on the heels of a pair of Centennial Limited Edition Yamazaki 18 Year Old and Hakushu 18 Year Old whiskies, in addition to commemorative packaging for Suntory’s Yamazaki 12 Year Old and Hakushu 12 Year Old, both released in May.
These special whiskies complement a year-long celebration marked by the tribute film “Suntory Time,” directed by Sofia Coppola and starring Keanu Reeves, as well as newly released docuseries, “The Nature and Spirit of Japan,” directed by Roman Coppola and also starring Keanu Reeves
NEWS FROM CAPE CLEAR DISTILLERY
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
There was good attendance at our AGM on 1 March which was very positive and upbeat. The works done to complete fire, disability and other certification for our proposed new Cask Store has been accompanied by work on our business plan and prospectus for the next tranche of share capital through which we plan to raise €1.5m. This will support the development of the Cask store and working capital over the next few years. This is attached to this newsletter.
G1 STATUS IRISH WHISKEY
A small but significant quantity of Irish whiskey has been purchased and is currently maturing in another West of Ireland location with the goal of transfer to Cape Clear. For this we have applied for the necessary G1 Status Certification from the Irish Revenue. We will be in a position to mature modest quantities with this status and it will put us in a better position in regard to the licensing of the proposed cask store later on.
TRIAL BARLEY PATCH
We are preparing a patch of ground about 600m2 for a trial sowing of barley this Spring. If successful the barley will be harvested and milled by hand for a trial distillation, subject to Revenue approval.
Click here to download the Funding Document
Our mailing address is:
Cape Clear Island Distillery
Cape Clear Island
Skibbereen, CO P81 AX89
Ireland
Knob Creek “Single Barrel Select” K&L Exclusive Barrel #15320 (Distilled 10/18/12, Warehouse K, Floor 04, Rick 032) Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $59.99 View
Nothing beats in-person selections from the rickhouses in Kentucky. After a pandemic enforced hiatus, the spirits buying team finally got back to the James B. Beam distillery in Clermont and selected a couple of winners from an enticing array of rolled out barrels.
