The Water of Life Film launches with a unique virtual online celebration of Scotch Whisky

Burns Night Celebration January 22 – 27, 2021 – A weeklong online celebration of film, whisky, and the personalities who have made scotch what it is today

LOS ANGELES – DECEMBER 21 2020 – Producers Blacksmith + Jones today announced a unique six-day Burns Night Celebration January 22nd – 27th, 2021 to launch the film THE WATER OF LIFE – A WHISKY FILM (https://www.wateroflifefilm.com/ )

The Water of Life is a feature documentary that focuses on the craftsmen, chemists, and renegades at the heart of the whisky revolution that turned the stagnant scotch whisky industry of the 1980s into the titan it is today.

Starting behind the locked gates of an abandoned distillery, Jim McEwan and Mark Reynier — “the most unlikely partnership in the history of whisky” — share their personal experiences of the risk-taking and wild experimentation they used to turn Bruichladdich into a creative and financial powerhouse.

The film also takes you on the journeys of visionaries like Gordon & MacPhail, Billy Walker, Rachel Barrie and David Stewart, whose mixture of talent, chemistry, hard work, grit, and a little sprinkle of magic paved the way for the next generation of innovators like Adam Hannett, Kelsey McKechnie, Liam Hughes, Iain Croucher, and Eddie Brook.

The Water of Life is a uniquely personal perspective on the evolution of whisky by those who lived it – the story of those who played a key part in rediscovering the crafting of the ancient spirit.

Blacksmith + Jones is launching the film alongside Burns Night, which has long been a celebration of the life and poetry of the Scottish poet Robert Burns. Traditionally held on Burns’ birthday (January 25th), it is a gathering of friends celebrating good food, stories, poetry, and of course a few wee drams of whisky. What better way to celebrate all things Scottish then by celebrating all things whisky!?

The Burns Night Celebration will kick off on the 22nd January and run through the 27th January and will offer whisky fans a unique way to experience Burns Night 2021. The virtual online program will include a screening of the film followed each night by a unique hour-long session featuring the stars of the film. There will also be an option to purchase a limited-edition one-off tasting kit specifically curated to accompany the film and take viewers on a taste journey while they watch the movie (where licensing laws permit).

“Our biggest challenge, as with any food or drink film, is you can’t taste the screen. When putting this event together it was important that we found a way to bring not just the story to the screen but to engage the audience in a way whisky does,” said Director Greg Swartz.

“When you take that first sip your senses are bombarded not only with the smell and taste, but it taps into your memories, feelings, and emotions if you let it,” Swartz continued. “Our Burns Night Celebration will bring all the senses together through watching the movie, pairing that with the tasting kits, and offering the opportunity to join the stars to hear them talk more about their passions.”

Executive Producer Brittany Curran said, “We shot, scored, and paced the film purposely to bring the audience on a sensory journey as they watch the story unfold. And we think that that’s pretty unique. We’re excited about it as filmmakers and as whisky geeks.”

“Burns night has always been a night for friends and family together. Since this year that is not an option for so many, we hope that we can provide an opportunity for communal experience. You can watch the film, hear the amazing stories, incredible score and all while having the world’s best whisky. Even if you can’t be in the same room, you can share the same experience,” Producer Trevor Jones said.

For tickets, tasting kits and other offers please go to https://www.wateroflifefilm.com/
Click on Link to see the trailer

About Blacksmith + Jones

Blacksmith + Jones is a media production company that puts story first. Their primary focus has been in documentary style television and short form projects. Principals Trevor Jones and Greg Swartz have decades of experience and have produced shows for NatGeo, Discovery Channel and Animal Planet. They have been partners for more than 10 years. The Water of Life is their first feature documentary.

The whole Whisky-Hamster.com team is happy to wish you a Merry Christmas and a very happy new year to come, let’s hope it’s gonna be much less weird than 2020.

On our side, at whisky-hamster.com, what a year it has been. We have been live for 10 months and went from comparing the prices of 4 whisky specialized shops to more than 12 shops today. We went from 2000 whiskies in stock at our partner shops to more than 8000 now. We also have more and more content for you to know about the main whisky regions, whether you are into Campbeltown Scotch Whisky (https://www.whisky-hamster.com/campbeltown-scotch-whisky), French Whisky (https://www.whisky-hamster.com/french-whisky) or Taiwanese Whisky (https://www.whisky-hamster.com/taiwanese-whisky) you can find a detailed description of each region on our website, including fun and historical facts.

We are also working a lot on the quality of our data, we are checking all our product pages one by one in order to ensure our filters are the most efficient and you will be able to find the best price for the whisky of your dream in no times. More than 4500 products have already been manually verified and the work is ongoing.

Thanks again for all the people who are supporting whisky-hamster.com that is helping a lot of whisky fans having access to their favourite bottles at the most affordable price. We have plenty of plans for 2021 and will keep you posted here and on our Facebook page. Don’t hesitate to follow us there not to miss on any of our selected offers (https://www.facebook.com/whiskyhamster).

WIN a bottle of Glen Scotia 25 Year Old!

Hosting a Burns Supper at home on Monday 25 January? Along with traditional treats in the form of haggis, neeps and tatties, you’ll need some Scotch whisky to boot – and we’ve teamed up with the good guys at Glen Scotia to help you out with that!

For Burns Bonus Dram, we’ve hidden a bottle of Glen Scotia 25 Year Old (worth £275!) in one of our Glen Scotia 15 Year Old boxes. To enter, simply buy a bottle of Glen Scotia 15 Year Old online and you might just be the lucky one to find a bonus bottle in your order in time for Burns Night…

Glen Scotia 25 Year Old has been drawn from American oak casks, hand-selected by the distillery’s Master Blender, Michael Henry, to be married in first-fill bourbon casks for up to a year before bottling. Bottled at 48.8% abv, free from chill-filtration and artificial colouring, this spectacular single malt from Campbeltown is liquid gold in a glass.

Win or lose, you’ll be gaining a brand new bottle of delicious whisky! So, what are you waiting for? Enter now while stocks last.

Glen Scotia 15 Year Old
Was: £63.00
Now: £53.00

Buy Now ›

The Isle of Jura

Jura is Norse for “deer island” and on the Hebridean island of Jura, the red deer outnumber the human residents by about thirty to one. The distillery use lightly-peated malt which produces a light whisky with an almost oily taste to it.

Jura draws their water from the Bhaile Mhargaidh Spring which produces crystal clear water. Jura Whisky is available in a variety of single malts and vatted malts. The Jura distillery was originally established in 1810 and then reborn in 1963. The remote Isle of Jura has only one road, one pub and one distillery.

Oban 18 Year Old “Limited Edition” West Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) $139.99 View

Macallan 30 Year Old Sherry Oak Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) $4,800.00 View

DISCOVER THE UNEXPECTED TASTE OF SAILOR’S HOME,
MADE IN IRELAND AND SHAPED BY THE WORLD

INNOVATIVE NEW BRAND SETS OUT TO PUSH THE BOUNDARIES OF
IRISH WHISKEY, LAUNCHING ACROSS THE ON AND OFF-TRADE AND AVAILABLE NOW FROM HIGHBALL BRANDS

December 2020, Limerick: Sailor’s Home, an innovative, contemporary and premium new Irish whiskey brand hailing from Limerick, has launched its first range of three truly unique expressions in the UK; The Haven, The Journey and The Horizon. Crafted by legendary master whiskey maker Dr. Jack Ó’Sé; Sailor’s Home’s distinct flavours have been shaped by an adventurous approach to blending, ageing and finishing. Sailor’s Home seeks to take drinkers on a new journey, with flavours that push the boundaries of what is expected of a premium Irish Whiskey.

MADE IN IRELAND, SHAPED BY THE WORLD

Inspired by the rugged and untamed Wild Atlantic Way on the Western coast of Ireland and the original Sailor’s Home, a shelter built for the international community of seafarers travelling through the port of Limerick from Spain, America and the Caribbean in the 1800s; Sailor’s Home and Dr. Jack Ó’Sé’s approach to making whiskey is clear – to respect tradition and paths well-travelled, whilst forging a new and innovative approach to Irish Whiskey that places taste above all.

Using his 40+ years of experience blending Irish whiskey and his insatiable thirst for learning and innovation, Dr. Jack has brought this vision to life and pushed the boundaries of traditional Irish Whiskey with three distinctive expressions, created to be enjoyed by adventurous drinkers and bartenders seeking out new flavour experiences, in great places and great serves:

The Journey Irish Whiskey (The Explorer Series) is the go-to whiskey for adventurers. The liquid’s journey is remarkable – from an initial ageing in virgin American oak, followed by recasking into American bourbon barrels before being blended with malt Irish whiskey that has been matured in American bourbon and finished in Jamaican rum casks. The resulting liquid has tropical fruit and rum notes with sticky toffee pudding and malty depth before a long, almost sweet finish. Explorers can stir The Journey Irish Whiskey into an Old Fashioned or enjoy neat.

Nose: Butterscotch, toasted oak, dark rum notes
Taste: Sticky toffee, rum roundness perfectly balanced with malt depth
Finish: Ripe banana, molasses & vanilla
ABV:43% RRP: £41.95

The Haven Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey is Sailor’s Home first release of the unique single pot still Irish Whiskey style – created with both malted and un-malted Irish barley and oats that is then triple pot distilled resulting in a rich, creamy and smooth distillate. The new make spirit is initially matured in American bourbon barrels and Spanish Oloroso sherry casks, giving the liquid a flavour full of pot still spices, roasted
almonds and vanilla notes whilst the finish is long with brown sugar and ripe black fruits. The Haven Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey is best enjoyed neat or in a well-balanced Manhattan cocktail.

Nose: Green grapes, warm spice & honeyed oak.
Taste: Captivating creamy mouthfeel, pot spices, roasted almonds & vanilla notes.
Finish: Brown sugar, ripe black fruits.
ABV: 43% RRP: £52.95

The Horizon 10 Year Old Irish Whiskey (The Islands Series) is crafted from exceptional Irish malt and grain whiskeys that have been matured for at least 10 years in American bourbon barrels. The remarkable whiskey is then filled into carefully selected Barbados rum casks for a finishing period of 6 months introducing lush, refined flavour twists typical of Caribbean rums like caramelised banana and rich brown sugar. The Horizon 10 Year Old Irish Whiskey should be experienced neat.

Nose: Mouth-watering brown sugar and ripe tropical fruits.
Taste: Melting pot of malted honey, oak depth, silk rum, vanilla and caramelised banana.
Finish: Buttery toffee with orange zest.
ABV: 43% RRP: £58.95

Dr. Jack Ó’Sé, Sailor’s Home’s Master Whiskey Maker commented: “We’ve created a range of three truly distinctive whiskeys made in Ireland but shaped by the world. It’s been amazing to work with these liquids, being adventurous with flavours is what Sailor’s Home is all about. We look to explore and go beyond, so that a new generation of Irish whiskey drinkers can join us along this journey of discovery.”

Fabrice PM Limon, Co-Founder & Director Highball Spirits, commented: “Sailor’s Home is not what you’d expect from Irish whiskey. It’s inspiring. It’s progressive, contemporary and flavour-rich and will appeal to bartenders and connoisseurs that are looking to discover new depths and flavours. It’s exciting to consider their applications in cocktail culture and we look forward to working with our partners in the on-trade to offer consumers distinctive and delicious experiences.”

The full Sailor’s Home range is available from https://www.masterofmalt.com/ and https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/. For further information on stocking Sailor’s Home please contact Highball Brands.

https://www.sailorshomeirishwhiskey.com/
Instagram: @sailorshomeirishwhiskey

NOTES 

COCKTAIL RECIPES

Whilst all three Sailor’s Home expressions can be enjoyed neat, why not explore The Journey and The Horizon with the following classic whiskey cocktails?

The Journey Old Fashioned

Ingredients
50ml The Journey
10ml 2:1 sugar syrup
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Method
1. Build in a rocks glass with a large cube of ice and stir
2. Garnish with a twist of orange
The Horizon Sweet Manhattan
Ingredients
60ml The Horizon
30ml Sweet Vermouth
2.5ml Luxardo maraschino
1 dash Angostura bitters
1 dash Angostura orange bitters
Method
1. Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice and stir
2. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass
3. Garnish with a fresh cherry and zest of orange

ABOUT SAILOR’S HOME

Sailor’s Home is an innovative, contemporary and premium new Irish whiskey brand whose purpose is to reward those who explore. Consisting of three distinct expressions linked by the desire to explore the boundaries of flavour. The Journey Irish Whiskey, The Haven Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey and The Horizon 10 Year Old Irish Whiskey have been sourced, distilled, aged to perfection, blended and finished under the watchful eye of maker, Dr. Jack Ó’Sé. Jack himself is inspired by the beautiful Sailor’s Home built in 1856, to reward seafarers on their journeys with the experience of home away from home.

ABOUT DR. JACK Ó’SÉ

Dr. Jack Ó’Sé is one of the most respected names in Irish Whiskey. He has a lifelong love of learning and passion for the industry, having distilled his first batch of spirit in 1979 and earning his Doctorate in fermentation in 2020. During the course of his 40-year career, Dr. Jack has been involved in all aspects of alcohol production – from commissioning and designing pot stills for the likes of Pearse Lyons Irish Whiskey, Achill Distillery and The Burren Distillery; to learning from expert coopers, such as John Neilly and holding the position of Master Distiller for award-winning whiskeys – Dr Jack is embedded in all elements of production with a focus on innovation and taste. Jack’s approach to making Sailor’s Home whiskey is clear – to respect tradition and paths well travelled, whilst forging a new and innovative approach to Irish Whiskey, that places taste above all.

Please enjoy Sailor’s Home Irish Whiskey responsibly.

Shop Opening Times and Restrictions

We have put in place some restrictions to keep you, as well as our staff, safe. While we are allowed to remain open and trade as an essential outlet, we feel that we have a responsibility to our customers and other local businesses to remain vigilante to the coronavirus and its risks.

Therefore we have put in place the following:

– Only customers from 2 households will be allowed into the shop at any time

– Masks must be worn unless exempt

– The hand sanitation must be used before entry to our shop

We also encourage you to please use our click and collect  or local delivery services online to decrease any time spent in the shop – we are available to chat to via messenger or simply pick up the phone and dial 01467 622412 for advice on your purchase. We are happy to talk you though our products.

We will be open our usual hours, Monday to Saturday from 10am until 6pm throughout January under the current restrictions.

We will be closed for New Year on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd of December.

Deliveries and Click & Collect

Local Deliveries and In Shop Collection

When you enter the basket area of your online checkout you will be met with three options for the next stage of your order.

Shipping

this will be sent to your location on either a 48 hour or 24 hour express delivery via courier

Local Delivery

If you live in an AB51 area (this will be expanded in January) we will hand deliver to your door on Thursday, 30th December

Store Pickup

Select this option if you are able to pop down and collect your purchase. Please arrive within the times listed in our opening times above, and only one person should come to collect. Please alert a member of staff before entering the shop and we will bring your collection to you.

STRATHCLYDE DISTILLERY
50 Year Old 1969 Sovereign Exclusive
Cask #17254

$452.32

LAST BOTTLES – 1969 single cask from the Glasgow distillery. Strathclyde 50 Year Old 1969 vintage Lowland single grain Scotch whisky. Single cask refill barrel #16642 distilled September 1969 bottled October 2019 by Hunter Laing & Co. for the Sovereign series. Selected and bottled exclusively for The Whisky Barrel. Just 150 numbered bottles. Nose: This dark gold whisky has a nose of red berries, menthol and dark chocolate. Palate: Sweet but mellow with notes of apple, candy floss and toffee. Finish: Long, with a vanilla sweetness.

Strathclyde Distillery was established in 1927 on a site which had previously supported mills in Moffat Street by the south bank of the River Clyde in the heart of Glasgow. Strathclyde Distillery is a Lowland grain whisky distillery equipped with two Coffey continuous stills for grain whisky production and also a further five Coffey continuous stills which produce neutral spirit. Loch Katrine situated amongst the hills to the north of Glasgow provides the water. In 1957 Kinclaith malt distillery was constructed within the Strathclyde Distillery complex but closed in 1975 and was dismantled the following year.

Whisky Of The Year 2021

ralfy review 857 – Isle Of Arran 21yo @46%vol: