Col. E.H. Taylor Jr., Straight Kentucky Rye Whiskey and
Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey Awarded Gold Medals in
The Fifty Best American Rye Whiskey Tasting

             FRANKFORT, KY (Dec. 17, 2020) – Col. E. H. Taylor Jr., Straight Kentucky Rye Whiskey and Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey were awarded Gold medals in the distinguished “Best Rye Whiskey” awards for 2020, hosted by The Fifty Best. These awards are granted to whiskeys that perform exceptionally during a blind tasting process.

The tasting consisted of 27 American rye whiskies with a panel of 14 judges and strict tasting rules. The rye whiskies were poured into fresh glasses from new, sealed bottles, and served at room temperature. Judges were even limited on how they could cleanse their palates. Each whiskey was judged and scored separately on a 5-point scale, with Double-Gold, Gold, Silver and Bronze medals awarded according a set of final point scores.

Col. E.H. Taylor Jr., Straight Kentucky Rye Whiskey is a small batch, Bottled-in-Bond 100 proof straight rye whiskey that pays homage to the former Distillery owner, made with only rye and malted barley. Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey is known as a spicy and assertive rye who made its name in New Orleans.  Both whiskies are well-known for their impeccable taste and rich history, playing unique roles among the Sazerac brands.

The 2020 results are published on TheFiftyBest.com and can be found at: www.thefiftybest.com/spirits/best_rye_whiskey/. 

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 1775 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 for 2018 and its William Larue Weller and Thomas H. Handy Sazerac were named 2^nd and 3^rd finest whiskeys in the world for 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

Port Ellen 33 Year Old 1983 1st Release

Eidolon is the first release in a series of three bottlings from Hunter Laing & Co. to mark the revival of Port Ellen distillery on Islay. Port Ellen 36 Year Old 1983 vintage Islay single malt Scotch whisky. Eidolon is the first in a three-part series of Port Ellen limited-edition bottlings from Hunter Laing & Co. Limited release of 638 bottles.

Port Ellen Distillery was established by Alexander K. Mackay on the southern coast of the Isle of Islay at Port Ellen in 1825. Port Ellen was a malt whisky distillery but closed in 1983 and whilst some of the distillery buildings remain Port Ellen drum maltings occupy part of the site. During the winter of 1823-24 James Fox tested his newly designed spirit safe at Port Ellen Distillery prior to its introduction in all Scottish licenced distilleries by 1825 in order to comply with enactment of the Excise Act of 1823. Thus Port Ellen Distillery was the first Scottish distillery to install a spirit safe and James Fox was paid £428 for his work. Official bottlings of Port Ellen single malt whisky include the Port Ellen Annual Release and independent release from Hunter Laing & Co. are highly prized.

Just 683 bottles and we have managed to secure a few of this incredible new series.

£2,900 / €3,187 / usd$3,250 / cad$5,013

Shop – Port Ellen 36 Year Old – 1st Release

A Classic, Collectible Lagavulin at a Very Sharp Price
Lagavulin 9 Year Old “Game of Thrones House Lannister” Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) (Previously $70) ($25.99)

For time-sensitive bottles this December, please get your orders in early. Thanks and happy holidays! We appreciate your business. NOTE: Our walk-in retail locations are currently closed. We have curbside pickup and low cost (often free) delivery options available in ZIP codes where we can ship lawfully, including anywhere in California. We can also include any new or existing will call orders in your delivery batch. Choose local delivery at checkout to learn if you qualify.

While the final battles have been fought and a new king sits on the Iron Throne, you can still revel in the glory of the Game of Thrones with this special commemorative release from Lagavulin. While we don’t typically go for gimmicky, TV-show-themed bottlings, this Game of Thrones-inspired line up has been so good that we’ve been forced to reconsider our stance. This 9 Year Old expression was finished in first-fill ex-bourbon casks, imparting bold flavors to this traditionally restrained single malt. Power-packed, yet not without an element of refinement, this Islay beauty is likely to turn more than a few heads. Impeccably balanced and engagingly complex, this is one of the most intriguing Lagavulins we’ve tasted this year. Now for the best part – we are offering this exceptional dram for a fraction of its regular price. So not only is this a superior single malt, but it is also an incredible value. As this is part of a closeout deal, we likely won’t see any more of this very special bottling and certainly not at such an attractive price. Whether you enjoy Lagavulin or are a champion of House Lannister (or both!), you will find plenty to enjoy in this limited release.

Lagavulin 9 Year Old “Game of Thrones House Lannister” Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) (Previously $70) ($25.99)

90 points Whisky Advocate: “Lagavulin at an odd age, representing House Lannister and showcasing its lion sigil. The nose is floral, with rose hips, toffee, and fragrant peat notes. Full on the palate, with toffee apples, cinnamon, earthy peat, and smoked haddock in salted butter. The smoked fish combines with fennel in the lengthy finish. (GS, Spring 2019)”

K&L Notes: Part of Diageo’s line of eight single malt whiskies to commemorate the eighth and final season of HBO’s hit television series “Game of Thrones”, which is based on the series of novels “A Song of Ice and Fire” by George R.R. Martin. The Lannisters are known for their meticulousness and tenacity, traits also embodied by the legendary distillery Lagavulin. Tasting note: “Lagavulin 9 Year Old is a roaring single malt that leaves an intensely smoky flavour in every sip. The golden liquid recalls the Lannisters’ riches and comes from being exclusively matured in first fill ex-Bourbon casks. The nose is characteristic of Lagavulin and bursts with sweet smoke, with a slightly zestier, maritime scent than other expressions. On the palate it opens with smoky, caramelised banana, burnt marshmallow and vanilla, fading into a salted caramel finish.”

THE CORE RANGE

Our Core Range celebrate the exploration of flavour with three distinctive whisky profiles. Ideal for both the well-versed and newly discovered whisky drinker, these bottles dare to challenge your taste-buds and are guaranteed to strike up a conversation. Not only do they excel in flavour, but they’re beautifully redesigned decanter-style bottles have crowned them The Scottish Whisky Awards’ Excellence in Branding 2020 winners! A prominent display on any shelf.

Each | 70cl | £39.95
The Trio | 3 x 70cl | £119.85

Receive a free Glencairn glass when you buy a bottle, or receive a set of four glasses when you buy the trio. 

DISCOVER THE CORE RANGE

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 359: Tobermory 1994 – Wilson & Morgan vs The Whisky Mercenary

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, puts two Mull malts head-to-head. The independent bottler Wilson & Morgan bottled this second fill oloroso sherry butt #5043 some 6 years ago. Mark puts it head-to-head with sister cask #5013 that was bottled this year by The Whisky Mercenary. For the latter it is a shared cask with Dutch bottler Kintra. It matured 5 years longer than the former.

https://youtu.be/p17MH0xEtzY

A very Merry Christmas to each and every one of our members across the world! #alltogethersmws

Wishing our friends around the world a dramtastic Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

From the whole Wemyss Malts family, we’d like to wish you a Merry Christmas. This festive period has been like no other, and we’re incredibly thankful for all of your support throughout 2020. May you have a wonderful Christmas Day and we hope to see you in the New Year!

ralfy review 857 Extras – How to Find good whisky.