An Incredible Mature Expression from a Treasured Distillery
Ardbeg 19 Year “Traigh Bhan – 2020 Release” Batch #2 Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($299.99)

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.

Among the first batches produced after Ardbeg rebuilt their distillery back in 1997, this limited-edition 19-year-old is a piece of history from one of the most popular distilleries in Islay. The second release of “Traigh Bahn,” it follows in the footsteps of the instant bestseller from last year, but has a character all its own. In fact, one of the things that the team at Ardbeg tried to do was to make sure each release is its own distinct impression, allowing dedicated collectors to experience a unique iteration of this annual bottling. A mix of oloroso sherry casks and bourbon barrels, it has the richness and complexity that one would expect from nearly two decades of aging, and the signature style that could come from nowhere else but Ardbeg. This is our one and only allocation for the year and, as with all other top bottlings from this cult-caliber distillery, it will be gone before you know it.

Ardbeg 19 Year “Traigh Bhan – 2020 Release” Batch #2 Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($299.99)

Ardbeg has a storied, 200-year history and today is one of the most celebrated Islay Scotch producers. Although they were almost extinct in the 1980s, they went through almost a decade-long rebuilding and reopened their flagship distillery in 1997, quickly becoming a must-have Scotch collectible of the highest order. Their flagship 10-year has previously won Whiskey of the Year, while their limited-edition “committee” bottlings have seen similar success and are some of the most coveted in today’s market. This one-time, limited-edition release is the second under the “Traign Bhan” label, a 19-year-old Scotch that comes from some of their oldest stocks from the current-day distillery. It is bottled at 46.2% alcohol, the youngest spirit was distilled in the fall of 2000, and it was aged in a mix of sherry and bourbon casks.

ralfy review 846 Extras – To what extent does a warehouse influence whisky ?

MADE FROM SCOTLAND:  MODERN STONE AGE BREAKS INTO DRINKS INDUSTRY 

Blairhoyle based craftsman Keith Burnett has gone from cutting through giant 25 tonne rocks to hand-finishing tiny 20-millimetre cubes, in a bid to break into Scotland’s thriving drinks industry.

His range of Modern Stone Age whisky stones – designed to cool drinks without affecting their taste – are not only made in Scotland, but from its very landscape, as Keith explains:

“As well as being famous for its distilleries, Scotland is also home to some of the oldest rock formations on the planet. We saw a gap in the market for an ‘all Scottish’ product fit for our national drink. While many whisky stone products on the market are made from American soapstone, our drink stones come from the very mountains that produce some of the world’s finest whiskies. We only use local whinstone and greenschist– some of the hardest and densest stones on earth. The stones work to cool a glass of complex single malt whisky or beautiful botanical gin without diluting its distinctive taste.”

A modern-day version of the stone age man, Keith has even fashioned his own tools to perfect the manufacturing process. Keith said: “For thousands of years man has relied on stone products and they’re just as useful today. I’ve always enjoyed tinkering with machinery and spent 3-4 years creating the perfect machine to cut and shape our whisky stones, which I then finish off by hand before sending them out to customers all over the world. Unlike cutting large pieces of stone there is a lot more precision involved. Just 1 millimetre out and the stone will look lopsided. I also discovered, after lots of research and experimenting with different sizes, that 20mm cubes were best for temperature retention.”

Keith’s family have lived in Blairhoyle, near Port of Menteith, Stirlingshire, since 1842, just along the road from one of Scotland’s largest natural stone suppliers Tradstocks – where he sources all his materials.

Keith said: “I initially started out in farming but quickly realised that the type of farming I grew up with and had loved was not sustainable in more modern times. So, I moved on to construction and demolition where I marvelled at the buildings that we were dismantling for stone salvage. They were perfectly built by extremely practical and clever people without the assistance of lasers, CAD programs, global positioning systems or machinery. This sparked my interest in stone and building I have worked with stone all my life, from building and repairing drystone dykes when I was young to building new houses with stone today.”

Keith now plans to collaborate with Scottish whisky brands to create a bespoke range of stones matched to the rocks where the drinks are distilled.

For further information see www.modernstoneage.co.uk

If you were wondering when we were going to release a brace of delicious whiskies that would struggle to be more seasonally-appropriate even if they tried really hard, then you’re in luck – we’ve done it.

First up, join us in wishing a warm welcome to a 30-year-old single pot still Irish whiskey from the folks over at Redbreast. This impressive dram has spent 24 years of its maturation in a single ex-port cask, enriching Redbreast’s already notoriously-fruity character, awash with dried mango and gummi bears, with floods of dark berries and powerful spices, all offset by a touch of dark espresso and airy vanilla, and supported by a punchy 57.2% ABV.

As if that wasn’t enough, we also have a 16-year-old Highland Park matured in a single, first-fill ex-sherry butt, blending the distillery’s trademark heather sweetness and subtly-smoky notes with an abundance of autumnal wood char and layers of sweet, dark fruit.

And don’t let these two monopolise all of your attention – our ever-growing selection of exclusives includes an Irish post still whisky from Green Spot finished in Marsala casks as well as sherried Glendronachs, Longmorns, Glenlivets and more.

Redbreast 1989
30 Year Old Port Cask
TWE Exclusive
£675
BUY NOW

Matured in ex-bourbon barrels for the first six years of its three-decade slumber, this single pot still Irish whiskey was in 1995 re-racked into the port cask which has nurtured this powerfully-fruity spirit ever since.

Highland Park 2003
16 Year Old Sherry Cask
TWE Exclusive
£199
BUY NOW

Sixteen years in a single, first-fill sherry butt have, in this instance, augmented Highland Park’s heathery and subtly-smoky spirit with a flood of wood-char notes and sweet dark fruit.

SHOP ALL EXCLUSIVE WHISKIES

Auction Is Now Live!

THE LIVE AUCTION

21oo+ lots to bid on including a…

26oo+ lots to bid on including special bottlings & casks…

Interested in selling whisky in our next auction?

+44 (0)1463 210 427

sales@thegrandwhiskyauction.com

Double Gold Dram from Darkness!

This 8-year-old single malt Scotch whisky from Darkness has been matured initially in ex-bourbon barrels, before being finished in custom-made Oloroso sherry octave casks for at least three months. Smaller sherry casks allow for a vastly increased surface area to volume ratio compared to larger sherry butts, leading to a greater cask influence that provides more concentrated and vibrant sherry notes that we’ve come to love.

£49.99
Buy Now ›

NEW IN: Drams from Distell

This week we welcome not just one, but eight new limited editions across three exceptional distilleries: Bunnahabhain, Deanston and Tobermory. Among these new releases you’ll find a peated Bunnahabhain finished in a Moine PX Cask, and a red wine cask finish from Deanston – a first for the Highland distillery. Choices, choices! With free UK delivery on orders over £50, what are you waiting for? Grab your favourite limited edition before it goes – for good!

Have a scroll down to see what piques your fancy.👇

See all new whiskies from Distell ›

ralfy review 846 – Arran 18yo @ 46%vol:

SWEET & SAVOURY: TOMATIN LAUNCH 2006 FINO UK EXCLUSIVE

Tomatin, the award-winning Highland distillery, has today announced the release of a limited-edition 2006 Fino expression, launching exclusively to the UK market.

The 2006 Fino expression was initially matured for 13 years at Tomatin Distillery on the 10^th November 2006, and moved to the finest Spanish Fino Sherry butts on 12^th November 2015.

Fino’s bright flor and nutty flavours, along with Tomatin’s malty backbone and fresh fruits are in perfect harmony. The whisky has notes of baked apple and almond cake, toffee sauce and lemon, followed by the more savoury flavours of freshly baked sourdough, olive oil and baking spice, which results in a silky yet fresh finish. Non-chill filtered and natural colour, the limited run has produced just 1,691 70cl bottles (46% abv) of this 13-year-old whisky, and will be available online and from specialist retailers across the UK from today.

Graham Eunson, Master Distiller at Tomatin, said: “We strive to produce remarkable expressions that appeal to not only our existing customers, but to a wider audience too. The 2006 Fino is a great example of our dedication to craft and excellence. The combination of both sweet and savoury notes gives a finish like no other, and we hope it will entice both whisky enthusiasts and novices to try this new edition.”

Tomatin’s ability to experiment with creatively finished expressions comes from the distillery’s exceptional wood policy, which ensures there is a wide range of casks sourced from prestigious partners within the industry.

To align with the 2006 Fino launch and to celebrate Graham Eunson’s 30^th year in the industry, Tomatin Single Malt will be hosting a live tasting session on Friday 16^th October at 7:30pm, on the Tomatin YouTube channel. A competition will also be running on the Tomatin social channels for viewers to be in for a chance of winning a tasting kit so that they can join in with the tasting event.

The limited edition 2006 Fino expression is available to purchase from select specialist retailers across the UK from 1^st October, for further information please visit: http://www.tomatin.com/2006-fino-uk-exclusive

Notes:

Tomatin Distillery has been producing and blending malt Scotch whisky since 1897. Over the last 50 years, the distillery has borne witness to vast change. At its peak in the 1970s, Tomatin was the largest distillery in the world operating 23 stills and producing 12 million litres of alcohol every year. Over the last decade, significant time has been invested in rediscovering the distillery, people and values, and in refining the business model to move away from the formerly lucrative bulk commodity market to now focus on Tomatin’s core range of single malts.

Tomatin is located in the Scottish Highlands (near Inverness) and is famous for its portfolio of soft and mellow whiskies, including a core range, a limited-edition range and a premium archive range (prices range from £35 – £10,000). In the last ten years, Tomatin has secured over 60 prestigious awards in a variety of categories, and in 2019 the distillery celebrated its most successful year ever at the San Francisco World Spirit Competition, securing seven Double Gold awards and four Gold awards.