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We’re delighted to announce that the latest edition of Whisky Magazine, issue #168, publishes shortly. In this issue, our cover feature delves into the story of how Jeff Arnett became the seventh distiller at the iconic Jack Daniel’s Distillery. The story takes us to Lynchburg Tennessee, home of the Old No.7 Black Label whiskey, where we discover how Jeff is taking liquid innovation just as seriously as any other distillery. From maturation in maple barrels for No. 27 Gold, to carving grooves into barrel staves for Sinatra Select and even introducing its first new mashbill in its 134-year history for JD Rye, we find out what’s hiding in the warehouses.
We hope you enjoy this issue
Rob Allanson
Editor-at-Large
Whisky Magazine
FEATURES FOR WHISKY 168
Focus on Fils du Roy distillery in Canada
A profile on blender and bottler Denis Charpentier as he launches his latest expressions
Analysis of the Scotch whisky industry’s use of wine casks for flavour
Blind-tasting reviews of new expressions from Ardbeg, Elijah Craig, Kilbeggan and more
Not a subscriber? You can purchase the latest edition online today, with worldwide shipping available!
Tobermory, Deanston and Bunnahabhain Distilleries unveil stunning new collection of limited-editions
Eight exceptional new limited-edition expressions have been unveiled across Distell’s Single Malt Scotch Whisky portfolio – Tobermory, Deanston and Bunnahabhain distilleries
The new expressions promise to appeal to all whisky-lovers – with an array of cask finishes to suit every palate
Mini sample kits will also be available to purchase, for those who want to join in a Global online tasting event with the distillery team later this year
Distell’s award-winning collection of Single Malt Scotch Whisky distilleries, Tobermory, Deanston and Bunnahabhain, are proud to introduce eight exceptional new expressions to the Global market.
The limited edition expressions across the three distilleries each bring unique new colour to the iconic Distell portfolio, with a rich combination of diverse and traditional cask finishes.
The artisan Tobermory Distillery on the island of Mull, known for its ties to art in nature and colourful island influences, has revealed three vibrant new expressions. First off is the Tobermory 2007 Port Pipe Finish (ABV 55.8%), matured first in refill hogsheads before transferring to Port Pipes for its final four years, followed by two of the distilleries Ledaig peated expression; the Ledaig 1998 Marsala Finish (ABV 58.6%), matured for 21 years with four of those spent in Marsala wine casks, and the third and final Collectors Edition 2007 Pedro Xeminez Finish (ABV 55.5%).
Deanston Distillery, hailed for its industrious spirit and sustainable production processes, has also introduced three distinct new expressions. A 2002 Organic Pedro Ximenez finish cask strength (ABV 49.3%); a Deanston 1991 Muscat Finish (ABV 45%), and finally, the Deanston 2002 Pinot Noir (ABV 50%).
Finally, to round off the collection, global favourite Bunnahabhain Distillery, the most northerly of the Islay distilleries, looking over the Sound of Islay, has unveiled two stunning new expressions. First is the Bunnahabhain 2008 Manzanilla Matured (ABV 55.4%), boasting a unique marriage of coastal infused flavours after carefully maturing in former Manzanilla sherry casks for 11 years, alongside the Bunnahabhain Moine 1997 Pedro Ximenez Finish (ABV 50%), – a peppery peated cask-strength single malt.
All of the new expressions are natural in colour and non-chill filtered so their full flavours can be enjoyed as nature intended.
Julieann Fernandez, Master Blender at Distell, said: “Our annual collection of limited-editions always bring the distillery team’s talent and craft to the forefront, with unique takes on our beloved core classics. And this year’s expressions are truly special.
Having been slumbering away in their casks at our distilleries around Scotland, these stunning malts are finally ready for our loyal fans to experience them. With a combined age of nearly 150 years across the eight expressions, we’ve been waiting a very long time to hear what you think.”
The distilleries will be debuting an online tasting of a selection of limited editions exclusively with TopWhiskies on Instagram in the autumn, with a unique IGTV tasting experience with Master Blender Julieann Fernandez, Distillery Manager Andrew Brown and Visitor Centre Manager Dr Billy Sinclair. These limited-edition bottlings will be available for purchase worldwide.
For more information on the new limited-edition expressions, you can visit the distillery websites at:
Notes:
| Brand | Name | Bottles | Volume (case) | Strength |
| Tobermory | 2007 Tobermory Port Finish | 3101 | 516 | 58.6 |
| Ledaig | 2007 PX Cask Finish | 1345 | 224 | 55.5 |
| Ledaig | 1998 Marsala Finish | 1126 | 187 | 55.8 |
| Deanston | 1991 Muscat Finish | 1402 | 234 | 45.0 |
| Deanston | 2002 Organic Pedro Ximenez | 3102 | 517 | 49.3 |
| Deanston | 2002 Pinot Noir | 5604 | 934 | 50.0 |
| Bunnahabhain Moine | 1997 Pedro Ximenez Finish | 1661 | 553 | 50.0 |
| Bunnahabhain | 2008 Manzanilla Matured | 9240 | 3080 | 52.3 |
About Tobermory Distillery
Established in 1798, Tobermory is the Isle of Mull’s only whisky distillery and one of the oldest commercial distilleries in Scotland. It sits at the centre of the vibrant island community from which it takes its name. Under the Tobermory distillery name, the artisan Hebridean Distiller produces Tobermory Whisky and Ledaig Single Malts and, for the first time in its history, Tobermory Gin. Today, it is a thriving, expressive and unique distillery, true to its idyllic location on the Hebridean island of Mull.
Inspired by the expressive nature of Mull, a splash of spirit from the Tobermory whisky stills is added to Tobermory Gin to create a unique character. Distilled on the island with a rich palate of hand-selected botanicals including juniper, tea, heather, elderflower, sweet orange peel, and just a little bit of knowledge from 220 years of history. Best served in a balloon glass, with copious amounts of ice, chilled tonic water, and garnished with a sprig of thyme, a slice of fresh red blood orange, and a dash of dried hibiscus flowers.
About Deanston:
In 1785, the Adelphi Cotton Mill was established. Employing nearly 1,500 people at its peak, the mill founders saw an opportunity in the trade boom of the 1800s and seized it. With success came expansion, their own currency, and – in 1830 – a lade and one of the biggest waterwheels in Europe were installed, before being replaced by electrical turbines in 1949 – the same turbines we’ve come to rely on today.
When in 1965, the cotton mill of Deanston town closed for good, it seemed the community’s days of trading were over. Enter Brodie Hepburn and his entrepreneurial partners. Seeing potential, where others only saw challenges, the industrious consortium identified a new use for the building, lade, and weaving shed. And so, in 1966, Deanston Distillery opened for business, with the very first bottle of Deanston produced 8 years later, in 1974.
About Bunnahabhain:
Established in 1881 and situated on Islay’s most northerly point, Bunnahabhain is the island’s most remote distillery, overlooking a notorious passage of ocean known by seafarers as the sound of Islay. It has long established links to the sea, previously only accessible by boat – with ships loaded up daily before transporting their important whisky cargo back to the mainland for sale.
The word ‘Bunnahabhain’ is Gaelic for ‘mouth of the river’ referring to the Margadale River, its source of pure spring water which is distilled in the island’s tallest stills, creating the renowned malts. It’s the use of pure spring water that is piped to the distillery which gives it its unique light colouring setting it apart from other darker liquids on the Islay landscape. The distillery goes against the grain – quite literally – with a portfolio made up of broadly non-peated expressions, however, its peated Toiteach A Dhà expression recently won in the Scotch Islay: No Age Statement category at this year’s World Whiskies Awards. Bunnahabhain took home a further four titles in the 2020 awards ranging from silver to gold certificates – showcasing the calibre of its range.
Whistle Pig 10 Year Old “K&L Swine Merchants” 102.5 Proof Single Barrel Cask Strength Straight Rye Whiskey (750ml) $89.99 View
Barreled Oct. 10, 2008 and bottled in the first quarter of 2020 – this barrel actually comes in at 11 years old. Classic Albeta rye from Whistle Pig sweet and spicy and at the intensity of full proof.
Whistle Pig 15 Year Old “K&L Swine Merchants” 115.6 Proof Single Barrel Cask Strength Straight Rye Whiskey (750ml) $229.99 View
WhistlePig offers one of the most extensive rye barrel programs in the country and with some of the very best whiskey available it has won award after award for its innovative barrel program. The newest edition to the barrel lineup is the 15 year Vermont Estate Oak Finished barrels. The extremely limited 15 year barrels takes Vermont Oak trees from the WhistlePig farm in Shoreham, VT and coopers custom barrels for finishing. The growing season in Vermont is short and this results in an incredibly tight grained wood (more rings in each stave). The already ancient 15 year old whiskey spends an additional 6+ months in the custom toasted and charred barrels. The end result? An incredibly intense whiskey that is amped up to 11. The cask strength bottling can handle a fair bit of water. When you add it, a substantial oil slick will form in your whiskey adding visual proof to the intensity of flavor. 100% Rye. Distilled in Alberta.
Whistle Pig 15 Year Old “K&L Swine Merchants” 115.8 Proof Single Barrel Cask Strength Straight Rye Whiskey (750ml) $229.99 View
WhistlePig offers one of the most extensive rye barrel programs in the country and with some of the very best whiskey available it has won award after award for its innovative barrel program. The newest edition to the barrel lineup is the 15 year Vermont Estate Oak Finished barrels. The extremely limited 15 year barrels takes Vermont Oak trees from the WhistlePig farm in Shoreham, VT and coopers custom barrels for finishing. The growing season in Vermont is short and this results in an incredibly tight grained wood (more rings in each stave). The already ancient 15 year old whiskey spends an additional 6+ months in the custom toasted and charred barrels. The end result? An incredibly intense whiskey that is amped up to 11. The cask strength bottling can handle a fair bit of water. When you add it, a substantial oil slick will form in your whiskey adding visual proof to the intensity of flavor. 100% Rye. Distilled in Alberta.
Triple win at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2020
We’re proud to announce that all three of the Wemyss Malts core range of blended malts have all scored highly at this year’s Ultimate Spirits Challenge!
With a score of 96 points, Peat Chimney was named the best Scotch Blended Malt at this year’s awards, winning a Chairman’s Trophy and named as one of the top 100 spirits in this year’s competition.
The Hive and Spice King were also Highly Recommended finalists in the category, receiving scores of 92 and 93 points.
We hope you’ll join us in raising a dram and toasting to this fantastic win. Slàinte!
Single cask 2001 vintage bottled at 50%. Briney, ashy, smokey and salty. Laphroaig 18 Year Old 2001 vintage Islay single malt Scotch whisky. Single refill butt #15760 cask bottled March 2019 by Hunter Laing & Co. for the Old Malt Cask series. 300 bottles. Nose: Ash, peat, and brine. Palate: Peat, bonfire smoke, and salt. Finish: Long, with lingering smoke and ash.
LAPHROAIG SINGLE MALT WHISKY
Laphroaig Distillery was established in 1815 on the rocky south coast of the Isle of Islay off the west coast of Scotland. This malt whisky distillery continues to malt barley using its traditional malting floors and malt kiln. In 1994 the distiiley was awarded the Royal Warrant. The core range is quite extensive and supplemented by limited releases including a 21 year old was issued in 2015 to celebrate 21 years of Friends of Laphroaig. Independent bottlings are also available from Signatory, Cooper’s Choice and Hunter Laing. Laphroaig distillery also participates in Feis Ile, the Islay Festival of Malt and Music.
Shop >> Laphroaig 18 Year Old 2001
WIN: an exclusive tasting with The Macallan
Buy any 70cl bottle from The Macallan Double Cask range from our online shop before Sunday 30th August to be in with a chance of joining an exclusive online tasting with David Sinclair, Brand Ambassador for The Macallan.
All winning entrants will be selected at random after the competition’s end this Sunday. Winners will then be contacted and invited to join David Sinclair via a Zoom link for a private group tasting on Monday 7th September between 7:30pm and 8:30pm.
You only have one week to enter, so what are you waiting for? On your marks, get set…
Shop The Macallan Double Cask range to win ›
PADDY IRISH WHISKEY NAMED BEST BLENDED WHISKEY
Paddy Irish Whiskey Wins Two Medals at 2020 International Whisky Competition
LOUISVILLE, KY (Aug. 12, 2020) – Paddy Irish Whiskey placed in two categories at the 2020 International Whisky Competition, earning a gold medal and was named the Best Blended Irish Whiskey. The whiskey also earned a silver medal and second place for the Best Irish Whiskey at the IWC.
Founded by Paddy Flaherty in 1779, the whiskey is triple-distilled from the finest barley and water from County Cork’s Irish countryside. Paddy’s matures in three types of oak casks. Hints of spice, honey and vanilla along with a gently fading sweet finish denotes a bottle of Paddy Irish Whiskey.
“We are very honored to receive the title of Best Blended Whiskey,” Marketing Director Tiffany Wilburn said. “Both of these awards are testaments to the efforts by our partners at Cork Distilleries.”
The International Whisky Competition launched in 2010 with a vision of creating a true competition, offering just three medals per category, like the Olympics. The IWC brings the best whiskies from around the world to be tasted and rated by a professional tasting panel. Complete results for the 2020 International Whisky Competition can be found at https://www.whiskycompetition.com/2020-results.
For more information about Paddy’s Irish Whiskey please visit https://www.paddywhiskey.com/.
About Sazerac
Sazerac is one of America’s oldest family owned, privately held distillers with operations in the United States in Louisiana, Kentucky, Indiana, Virginia, Tennessee, Maine, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Maryland, California, and global operations in the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, India, Australia and Canada. For more information on Sazerac, please visit www.sazerac.com.
A collection containing several of the most sought after single malts whiskies has gone up for grabs for £2 entry on the competition site Raffall.com
One lucky winner will take home the entire collection for a small entry fee. The competition is global and open to anyone over the age of 18 to enter.
A rare opportunity to aquire this stunning whisky collection for only £2. This wonderful collection features rare single malts from prestigious distilleries including The Macallan, Springbank and Glendronach, to also include one CASK of GlenAllachie 5 YO whisky yielding 263 bottles at 70cl.
The highlight of my collection is The Macallan 1946 52 YO Select Reserve which is acclaimed to be ‘one of the greatest Macallan whiskies ever released’. Supported by a stunning line-up including a Macallan 30 Year Old Sherry Oak (Blue Label), a 1959 Macallan 80 ̊ Proof and various Vintage Glendronach’s including the highly regarded 1978 single cask #1067 (bottle number 1) and the 1968 25 YO, All Nippon Airways Exclusive.
If you love Springbank Distillery then you’ll be pleased to have the opportunity to own a super rare set of private, Christmas bottling’s for staff, directors and shareholders of the distillery. This collection consists of twelve years’ worth of extremely difficult to procure bottlings that rarely come onto the secondary market and surge in value year upon year.
After completing the UK’s first ever successful £1 house and car competition which was recently won by a family from Leeds and featured in most of the National Press, we have decided to use this opportunity to offer our collection to one lucky winner prior to moving to Australia.
Whether you wish to drink them, keep them for investment purposes or sell them, this collection will surely put you on track to achieving ‘whisky envy’ amongst your friends and family. For only £2 entry, you could be the proud new owner.
Rules for entering this competition: This is a global competition; entrants must be over the age of 18 to enter the draw. Once the competition closes, the winner will be contacted to arrange delivery of your prize. We aim to ship anywhere in the world and have included local duties / import taxes within the competition fund, the winner shall not be responsible for any fees. Please note, should your local State or Country not permit the shipment of alcohol then the prize will be securely stored in Scotland (UK) awaiting your collection at no charge. The competition will close early once all ticket sales have been reached and the winner announced before the closing date in this instance.
