The Pinnacle of Irish Whiskey, MIDLETON VERY RARE,

releases exceptional 2020 vintage

Final Midleton Very Rare vintage from Former Master Distiller Brian Nation is unveiled

Irish Distillers, maker of some of the world’s most enjoyed whiskeys, has unveiled the eagerly awaited Midleton Very Rare 2020, a unique parting gift from former Master Distiller Brian Nation.

In his final days as Master Distiller, Brian continued the long-standing tradition of hand-selecting whiskeys reserved for this coveted annual expression from Midleton Distillery’s exceptional inventory for the last time. The result heralds the 37th edition in the world-renowned range.

Chosen from the most outstanding quality single pot still and single grain Irish whiskeys laid down over the past four decades in Midleton, Co Cork, Midleton Very Rare 2020 showcases an expression of whiskeys aged from 13 to 35 years in lightly charred ex-bourbon American oak barrels.

This year, Brian Nation selected a higher pot still inclusion when compared to previous vintages, while also increasing the use of refill barrels amongst his choice of casks. The result is a luxurious and balanced whiskey with rich pot still notes and elegant grain distillates that take centre stage thanks to the inclusion of refill casks – a fitting legacy from one of Irish whiskey’s great Master Distillers.

Kevin O’Gorman, newly appointed Master Distiller at Irish Distillers, and long-time collaborator of Brian Nation, comments:

“As a colleague and friend to Brian for many years, I could not be prouder to present his final Midleton Very Rare vintage and his legacy as Irish Distillers’ Master Distiller, to consumers across the globe.

“Selected each year with passion and precision, this expression offers an initial burst of tangy fruity sweetness on the palate, with pot still spices building over time to add a mild prickle of chili oil. Indeed, Brian’s love of a single pot still is reflected in this exceptional whiskey, while preserving the balance and beauty for which Midleton Very Rare is renowned.”

Bottled at 40% ABV, Midleton Very Rare 2020 is available online and in Ireland now, and will hit shelves in the UK, USA, Global Travel Retail, Australia, Germany and Canada in the coming months at the RRP of €180.

In a break from tradition and in response to consumer demand for the annual vintage to be made available earlier in the year in question, newly appointed Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman will reveal Midleton Very Rare 2021 in spring next year, honouring a rare changing of the guard at the iconic Midleton Distillery.

Only the third Master Distiller to influence one of the world’s most sought-after whiskey collections, the unveiling of Midleton Very Rare 2021 will mark the beginning of a new chapter in the world of Irish whiskey.

#MidletonVeryRare

IG: @MidletonVeryRare

Shop online: https://www.midletonveryrare.com/en-EN/midleton-very-rare-vintage-release

Tasting notes:

Aroma
Initial top notes of cane sugar and vanilla intertwined with pepper and nutmeg spices, complimented by sweet orchard fruits and white chocolate fudge all layered over polished antique wood notes, showcasing an intriguing balance between spirit and wood thanks to the complex interaction from the many years spent in the finest oak casks.

Taste
Initial burst of tangy fruit sweetness of orange peel and sweet pear creating a succulent texture while the pot still spices build overtime adding a mild prickle of chilli oil. The presence of the charred oak remains constant in the background adding balance to the fruits and spices.

Finish
Satisfyingly long finish with the fruits slowly fading, allowing the oak and spices to linger until the very end.

Notes: 

About Midleton Very Rare

Midleton Very Rare is the ultimate expression of craftsmanship from Irish Distillers’ Midleton Distillery. Released once a year, Irish Distillers’ Master Distiller hand-selects the finest and rarest whiskeys from the inventory of Midleton Distillery before blending them to create a true whiskey masterpiece, often referred to as the ‘pinnacle of Irish whiskey’.

Created in 1984 by Master Distiller Emeritus Barry Crockett, to date only two Master Distillers, Barry Crocket and Brian Nation, have had the privilege of preserving its legacy.

In June 2020 Kevin O’Gorman was appointed Master Distiller at Irish Distillers, becoming only the third guardian of Midleton Very Rare, with his first release due in 2021.  

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.

Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN code: FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 index.

The arrival of Callington Mill Distillery’s heart and soul

Callington Mill Distillery and Stillsmiths Tasmania are delighted to announce the delivery of the heart and soul of Callington Mill Distillery’s. The two custom made Copper Pot Stills will be the centre stage of the Tasmanian-made whisky distillery and will be enjoyed by visitors dining at the restaurant or exploring the distillery.

The momentous occasion will mark the new beginning of Callington Mill Distillery’s whisky journey and will represent the collaborative work carried out between Stillsmiths Tasmania and Callington Mill Distillery in the past years.

The meticulously crafted stills were fabricated by Stillsmiths Tasmania in Westbury, central north of Tasmania and will journey 131 Kilometres to Oatlands on Friday 16 October 2020.

Co-Founder of Stillsmiths, Tim Freeman says “Stillsmiths is honoured to have been chosen by Callington Mill to manufacture their state of the art, fully automated distillery solution. Not only have we hand-crafted the copper pot stills but we’re also utilising the latest automation technology from Siemens. Callington Mill will be the jewel in Stillsmiths’ manufacturing crown”.

About Callington Mill Distillery

Callington Mill Distillery has been quietly producing premium single malt whisky at its Glenorchy prototype distillery in Tasmania in anticipation of opening its world class distillery at Oatlands.
For further information visit www.callingtonmilldistillery.com.au

About Stillsmiths Tasmania

With a long history in stainless and mechanical fabrication, Kolmark, Stillsmiths’ parent company, is recognised as the leading stainless-steel fabricator in Tasmania taking on complex and difficult projects from the food and beverage to the industrial and mining industries. In 2017 Co-Founders Mark Kolodziej and Tim Freeman, identified the opportunity to establish a new market manufacturing high quality stills for the burgeoning Australian distillery industry in Tasmania. With clients across Australia and internationally, Stillsmiths’ manufacturing prowess is set to continue. For further information visit www.stillsmiths.com.au

TyndrumWhisky.com

Brings you

Ardbeg Wee Beastie

Ardbeg Wee Beastie has been matured for just 5 years, making it the untamed enfant terrible of the whisky world. Whereas most single malts seek the smoothness and balance of older age, they know that more time in cask tends to subdue the smokiness that so many whisky fans love. By boldly proclaiming the whisky’s relative youthfulness, we invite consumer curiosity and promise a monstrously smoky experience.

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New Release: The Next Limited Batch of a Bourbon Bestseller
Doc Swinson’s 15 Year Old “Rare Release Batch #8” K&L Exclusive Exploratory Cask Series Nonchillfiltered Small Batch Cask Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) (Pre-Arrival) ($149.99)

“There’s not much more I can say about this awesome bottle except that it tastes damn good. I highly doubt we’ll find many to disagree.” — David Othenin-Girard, K&L SoCal Spirits Buyer

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.

These aged bourbon releases from Doc Swinson’s are the best thing to have happened to whiskey collectors in a long while. It’s no secret that finding bourbon with any kind of substantial age statement is not an easy accomplishment. The bourbon market continues to be red hot, with the best bottlings selling for top dollar and in the blink of an eye. This small Washington State bottler has somehow landed on a treasure trove of 15-year bottlings that rank among the best we’ve had. Remarkably, they are strikingly affordable and constitute the sharpest buys going in American whiskey. As David Othenin-Girard’s tasting note below will attest, Batch #8 is superb, offering a potent and attention-grabbing delivery that’s sure to earn legions of fans. The #6 and #7 releases sold out in record time, and we fully anticipate much the same here. World-class bourbon for under $150 is practically unheard of these days, making this an exceptionally rare opportunity that no collector will want to miss.

Doc Swinson’s 15 Year Old “Rare Release Batch #8” K&L Exclusive Exploratory Cask Series Nonchillfiltered Small Batch Cask Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) (Pre-Arrival) ($149.99)

The return of the wonderful and mysterious Doc Swinson’s 15 Year is upon us. This newest batch is from the same unnamed source and continues to represent some of the best value available for old cask strength bourbon anywhere in the world. The Doc Swinson’s brand was started by a small (and very lucky) bottler in Washington state who’d made a name for themselves finishing Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee whiskies in various wine casks. When they had an opportunity to secure some high-quality mature Kentucky straight bourbon, they jumped at the chance and so did we. The source of this excellent bourbon is so concerned about its identity being revealed that the barrels are dumped in Kentucky before being transported to the bottler in anonymous totes. Usually we insist on having some idea of where the products we sell are produced, but one taste of this stuff and those standards get thrown out the window, as it’s just too good to care to argue with. We will likely never know exactly where it was made, but as long as it keeps tasting this good, we won’t complain. The most special bourbons from Doc are under their “Rare Release” line. This is the 8th release of this truly small batch line, but only the third batch of the unbelievably popular 15 year. This batch contains just 27 barrels and is bottled at 114.2 proof. Another example of why this whisky is one of the most exciting new bourbons on the market today. We love being the California exclusive for this special bourbon.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 22, 2020

Well, you animals absolutely decimated the Rare Release #7 in record time. The obvious first thing I did when I saw how unbelievably well our second batch had done, was to call our friends at Doc and start begging for more! These guys are no dummies. They already had another batch on a truck out from the distillery the first chance they got. The only bottleneck is getting labels and bottles and I know they’re doing that as quick as humanly possible. If you don’t already know the Doc Swinson’s story, I’ll give a little recap. Tiny bottler in Washington state, Distiller’s Way. They clearly know someone at one of the big Kentucky bourbon distillers. Who that is, we might never know. I’ve pressed them on it. The only info we do have is an unhelpful mashbill and the knowledge that previous batches have been excellent. Anyways, you’ve probably realized that there’s no old bourbon available and when you see anything that’s even remotely old, it’s either cut down with water, marked up through the roof, or from Tennessee. No offense Tennessee, but we want old Kentucky bourbon, first and foremost. To our continued astonishment, Doc Swinson has done it again. If there’s an endless supply of old whisky coming through this label, it might be the best news of 2020. But it’s 2020, so don’t count on it. What you can count on though is another twenty-seven-barrel batch here, bottled without chill-filtration or reduction. This time, it is back up to nearly 115 proof. Closer to the profile of batch #6 (the first batch of 15 year), than the previous batch (#7). Immediately, there’s a freshness on the nose that’s so inviting. It starts with big red cherries, old leather, sandalwood incense, lacquer box, touches of licorice and citrus oil. On the palate that great freshness comes through again, with lots of red fruit offset perfectly with candied cinnamon and building peppermint. Medium to full bodied, thanks likely to the higher proof, and both sweeter and longer than the first batch. The finish meanders between pungent warming spice, wild honey, toasted vanilla and antique wood. There’s not much more I can say about this awesome bottle except that it tastes damn good. I highly doubt we’ll find many to disagree.

ralfy review 847 Extras – Hacks to help you access a whisky better.

BEAM SUNTORY ANNOUNCES GLOBAL LAUNCH OF FIRST-EVER WORLD BLENDED WHISKY SUNTORY WORLD WHISKY AO, EXCLUSIVE FOR GLOBAL TRAVELLERS

A premium whisky from five of the world’s most renowned whisky regions 

Chicago, IL (October 15, 2020) – Beam Suntory has announced the launch of the first-ever world blended whisky – Suntory World Whisky Ao – exclusive to global travel retail. The whisky, which will be available in 16 markets with a suggested retail price of 65€ / $71, is the first innovative whisky launch in global travel retail since the coronavirus pandemic began.

Blended using whisky from five of the most renowned distilleries in Japan, Scotland, Ireland, Canada and the US, Ao Whisky, meaning blue, is named after the oceans that connect these distilleries together.

The one-of-a-kind whisky is a tribute to the liquids’ long history, perfectly capturing the heathery flavor of Ardmore and Glen Garioch in Scotland, the complexity of Cooley in Ireland, the smoothness of Alberta in Canada, the vibrance of Jim Beam in the U.S. and the subtlety of Yamazaki and Hakushu in Japan. With notes of vanilla, tropical fruit and cinnamon, it is the distinctive climate, fermentation and distillation processes in each whisky-making region that give the whisky its unique taste.

Fifth generation Suntory chief blender, Shinji Fukuyo, carefully selected the liquids used based-on Suntory’s globally recognized Monozukuri craftsmanship – a relentless pursuit of perfection, attention to detail and quality. Building on Suntory’s history of craftsmanship, this innovative, premium blended whisky embodies the spirit of Suntory and is a tribute to the liquid’s long history. 

Shinji Fukuyo said: “Ao is an exceptional whisky which, through the art of Suntory blending, allows you to enjoy the unique characteristics of all five major whisky-making regions.” 

Ed Stening, Global Head of Travel Retail Marketing at Beam Suntory International, said: “This is a truly innovative whisky that blends five very different distilleries’ greatest assets and unique crafts. We couldn’t be more excited to share this exciting innovation with global travel retail.”

Suntory World Whisky Ao is a unique addition to Suntory’s growing spirits portfolio. The Suntory whisky range includes Yamazaki and Hakushu, the pioneer of Japanese Single Malts, and Japan’s most highly awarded blended whisky, Hibiki.

Ao is a reference to the beautiful color of the ocean (碧, Ao in Japanese), a tribute to the crossing of oceans and seas taking place as these whiskies of the world and Japanese craftsmanship meet. The bottle is five-sided in honor of the five major whisky-making regions. The calligraphic lettering was written by Japanese calligrapher Tansetsu Ogino with an intent to represent the whiskies’ global origins and Japanese craftsmanship.  

Suntory World Whisky Ao will be available only in Global Travel Retail in these 16 countries: United States, Australia, Canada, China, Dubai, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Netherlands, Singapore, Taiwan, Turkey, UK, India and South Korea. 

TASTING NOTES – SUNTORY WORLD WHISKY AO, 43% ABV

Color – amber

Nose – profound vanilla, pineapple-like fruitiness on top, a creamy sweetness and depth with a lingering woody aroma

Palate – smooth and sweet mouthfeel, gradually followed with smokiness and cinnamon-like spiciness

Finish – sweet and smoky, spicy and woody, a many-layered complexity 

ABOUT BEAM SUNTORY

As a world leader in premium spirits, Beam Suntory inspires human connections. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including the iconic Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark bourbon brands, Suntory whisky Kakubin and Courvoisier cognac, as well as world renowned premium brands including Knob Creek, Basil Hayden’s and Legent bourbon; Yamazaki, Hakushu, Hibiki and Toki Japanese whisky; Teacher’s, Laphroaig and Bowmore Scotch whisky; Canadian Club whisky; Hornitos and Sauza tequila; EFFEN, Haku and Pinnacle vodka; Sipsmith and Roku gin; and Midori liqueur.

Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and vision of Growing for Good.  Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan.  For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com and www.drinksmart.com. 

ABOUT HOUSE OF SUNTORY

Since 1923, Suntory has been renowned as the pioneer of Japanese whisky for its House of Master Blenders and for their Art of Blending. The founding father of Japanese whisky Shinjiro Torii, built Japan’s first malt whisky distillery in Yamazaki, and the Suntory legacy continued with Torii’s son, Keizo Saji, Suntory’s second master blender who continued to establish distilleries including the Hakushu distillery. As the generations of Suntory’s master blenders carry on, Suntory Whisky remains committed to heritage and innovation. The House of Suntory Whisky has been named four-time Distiller of the Year at the International Spirits Challenge in London, UK (2010, 2012, 2013, 2014).

Elijah Craig Old Fashioned Week Presents an “Old Fashioned Cocktail Hour” with Chef Richard Blais in Partnership with PUNCH

Marquee event highlights inaugural celebration to raise up to $100,000 for Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation

BARDSTOWN, Ky. – Mark your calendars for Oct. 21 as Elijah Craig Bourbon delivers a Whiskey Wednesday to lift spirits as part of the inaugural Old Fashioned Week. For one night only, Chef Richard Blais will host an “Old Fashioned Cocktail Hour” featuring cocktails and conversations with leading mixologists and Heaven Hill Distillery Ambassadors.

Chef Blais, winner of Bravo’s first Top Chef All-Stars and owner/operator of Trail Blais, a highly creative and innovative culinary consulting company, headlines the marquee event of Elijah Craig Old Fashioned Week. This live event will be available on OldFashionedWeek.com, as well as streamed on Elijah Craig’s YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. Starting at 8 p.m. eastern time, Chef Blais will take you through a night of discovering the Greatness Within® the hospitality community as he shares recipes, tips and tricks, and Q & A sessions with special guests. Pick up an Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon, and the necessary cocktail accoutrements listed here, to join Chef Blais in Old Fashioned cheers.

Starting Oct. 16, Elijah Craig will host a lineup of live activations designed to be both educational and entertaining to generate support and funds for Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation. Consumers and hospitality professionals can register and create their own schedule of events at OldFashionedWeek.com. The first 250 people registered will receive an Elijah Craig home bar kit, the first 500 will receive Elijah Craig socks, and all who register will receive coupons to celebrate the week accordingly. The schedule of events includes Old Fashioned Bar Trivia with Heaven Hill Distillery Ambassadors Bernie Lubbers and Jack Choate, ‘The Art of Crafting Ice’ with Portland-based bartender and author Jeffrey Morgenthaler, and ‘Elevating Your Home Bar’ with Devin Kennedy, bartender at Pouring Ribbons.

First announced Sept. 3, Elijah Craig Old Fashioned Week celebrates a great cocktail for an even greater cause. Learn more about the initial launch and support of the Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation here.

ABOUT ELIJAH CRAIG BOURBON: Elijah Craig Bourbon bears the name of the Reverend Elijah Craig, known as “The Father of Bourbon,” who established his distillery in 1789 on the banks of Elkhorn Creek in modern day Georgetown, Kentucky. He is credited with being the first distiller to age his wares in charred oak barrels. The clear, unaged corn liquor became transformed into a bold amber liquid with a distinctively smooth flavor that makes Bourbon what it is today. Produced by Heaven Hill Distillery, the family of whiskeys includes Elijah Craig Small Batch, Elijah Craig Straight Rye Whiskey, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, and Elijah Craig Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

First brought to market in 1986, Heaven Hill Distillery’s Master Distillers were selecting a small number of barrels of the finest Bourbon to make Elijah Craig Small Batch long before the term “small batch” even existed. It is this attention to detail and superb craftsmanship that give Elijah Craig an ideal balance of age, robust body, and rich flavor. Elijah Craig accolades have included Whisky Advocate’s Whisky of the Year, Best Small Batch Bourbon and Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and Excellent Highly Recommended honors at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge. For more information, please visit www.elijahcraig.com.

Stable Growth for the Global Whisky Market

The global whisky market to reach 104.63 billion USD by 2025, according to a recent research report by Williams & Marshall Strategy.

In 2015, the global whisky market was equal to 68.27 billion USD, calculated  in retail prices. By 2025, the market is forecast to reach 104.63 billion USD. Thus, increasing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.96% per year for the period 2020-2025. That is a decrease, compared to the annual growth rate of 4.83%, registered for 2015-2019.

The average consumption per capita reached 14.60 USD in retail prices in 2015. For the next five years, it grew at a CAGR of 4.18%. By 2025, the per capita consumption is forecast to increase at a CAGR of 2.98%.

Among the leading trends in the whisky category is premiumization, and the growing popularity of whisky among consumers. As a result, the whisky industry is growing in a stable manner, resilient to negative conditions.

Although price remains the key purchase criterion, the global whiskey market has witnessed a very strong shift to premiumization. That is thanks to consumers’ immense openness to innovation and the increasing popularity of mixology. The desire for interesting premium products and drinks of a niche variety explains the rising trend among wealthier consumers. Premiumization can also be linked with the fact that consumers aim to cut down on their alcohol intake. Therefore, they can afford to purchase spirits of higher quality.

There has been a robust consolidation on the whiskey market during the last few years, which was partially driven by the large number of new brands emerging on the market. Companies like Beam Suntory, Brown-Forman, Diageo, and Pernod Ricard have been actively involved in most of the acquisition deals in the last few years. Thus, diversifying their portfolios’ with new specialty brands.

Just some of the examples include the acquisition of bourbon manufacturers Smooth Ambler and Rabbit Hole Whiskey by Pernod Ricard in 2017 and 2019. Also, the purchase of a minority stake in Westward Whiskey by Diageo through Distill Ventures in 2018, and Bacardi’s investment in The Teeling Whiskey Company in 2017.

The report includes information on the following companies:

Accolade Wines;

Alko;

Allagash Brewing Company;

Allied Blenders & Distillers;

Arkell’s Brewery;

Anchor Brewing Company;

Asahi Breweries;

Bass Brewery;

Bacardi Ltd;

Beam Suntory;

Brown Forman;

Diageo;

Angus Dundee Distillers Plc.;

Pernod Ricard;

Constellation Brands, Inc.

The market research report is prepared using Williams and Marshall Strategy’s methodology. It includes a blend of qualitative and quantitative data and insights from market experts, gathered by semi-structured interviews.

For more Information Contact: info@wm-strategy.com

Introducing The Macallan Red Collection

A collection of remarkably rare single malt Scotch whiskies inspired by the colour red and its deep and long-standing significance for The Macallan.

The red thread begins with Alexander Reid, the farmer and teacher who founded The Macallan in 1824. His surname means ‘the red one’ in Scots and was originally associated with red hair.

In 1903, owner Roderick Kemp launched The Macallan Choice Old range. It was reportedly shipped in cases labelled with distinctive red print to distinguish it from The Macallan’s existing whiskies, which featured black labelling.

Almost eight decades later, Allan Shiach, chairman of The Macallan at that time, tied a red ribbon around The Macallan’s then oldest vintages, dated 1938, 1940 and 1950.

Inspired by these characters, and honouring the mastery and provenance of generations of pioneers, this new collection includes ongoing aged expressions of 40, 50 and 60 Years Old, as well as three high aged guest releases of 71, 74 and 78 Years Old single malt whiskies. The 74 and 78 Years Old are two of the oldest releases of The Macallan to date.​

Discover The Red Collection ›

Cotswolds Sherry Cask Single Malt Whisky

A marriage of carefully selected & blended sherry casks. Our latest rich & fruity expression is a must-have for any discerning whisky drinker and makes for a beautiful gift.

We begin making this release as we do with all of our single malt whiskies – by using 100% locally grown barley from the Cotswolds which is traditionally floor-malted by hand at Warminster, Britain’s oldest working maltings. It is then mashed and fermented for over 90 hours before being distilled twice in our bespoke copper pot stills, during which we only take the purest ‘heart’ cut, resulting in a smooth and fantastically fruity new make spirit which is ready to be casked.

Each yearly batch of our Sherry Cask Single Malt Whisky is unique, drawn from our finest American and Spanish oak hogsheads & butts, some of which have been seasoned with dry Oloroso sherry and others with sweet Pedro Ximenez. All have been sherry-aged through their full maturation for a deeper and more flavourful whisky.

Non-chill filtered. Natural colouring.

TASTING NOTES

Nose: Brown sugar and cherry pie with a touch of roasted coffee beans.

Palate: Viscous and rich. Full of dark stone fruits and a hint of roasted almonds.

Finish: Peppery oak spice accompanied by notes of dried fruits.

Available exclusively online and in-store.

Please note: all international orders will be dispatched separately and could take up to 3 weeks to be delivered.

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