THE BALVENIE LAUNCHES A UNIQUE NEW ‘STORIES’ RANGE,

THREE TALES OF CHARACTER WRITTEN IN WHISKY 

• The Stories range celebrates human tales of endeavour, craft and unexpected twists, as told by its craftsmen at the distillery in Dufftown, Scotland
• Three new expressions, titled The Sweet Toast of American Oak, aged 12 years, The Week of Peat, aged 14 years and A Day of Dark Barley, aged 26 years, launch today, each bringing to life its own unique and interesting story
• Both whisky enthusiasts and story lovers can listen to these tales, as told by the craftsmen themselves, via specially recorded audio conversations captured at key locations
• This autumn, in partnership with leading independent publisher Canongate, The Balvenie will publish an accompanying book ‘Pursuit – The Balvenie Stories Collection’, a curated collection of short tales by acclaimed writers from around the world

Today The Balvenie announces the launch of its new Stories range – a unique collection of three single malt whiskies representing tales of character, endeavour and craft, created at its home in Dufftown, Scotland.

While always looking forward, The Balvenie remains true to the techniques passed down by its craftsmen from generation to generation. As in years past, it remains a place run by people – where human touch, skill, and emotion prevail over machine and automation. In this way, each whisky produced by The Balvenie tells a human story, evolving with the characters and developing unexpected twists through years of maturation.

These three new expressions of The Balvenie celebrate this – whether it be Apprentice Malt Master Kelsey McKechnie using Kentucky Virgin oak to make a fruitier Balvenie, former distillery manager Ian Millar introducing smoke from Speyside peat, or Malt Master David Stewart MBE using an unusually brittle barley – each expression tells its own tale in liquid form.

Drinkers will have the unique opportunity to hear these stories in full, as told by the characters themselves, via audio conversations recorded between them and The Balvenie Global Ambassador, Gemma Paterson. These special conversations were recorded at locations featured in each tale, including The Balvenie distillery and as far afield as Kelvin Cooperage, Kentucky, where Kelsey McKechnie sourced virgin oak barrels for The Sweet Toast of American Oak. This audio content, as well as guided audio whisky tastings of each expression with David Stewart and Kelsey McKechnie, is available via an NFC-enabled neck tag, that people connect to using their smartphones. This was designed in partnership with connected product solutions company Thinfilm.

Commenting on the release of The Balvenie Stories, The Balvenie Malt Master David Stewart MBE says: “Stories are the lifeblood of The Balvenie distillery. They make up the fabric of who we are and what we do. The Balvenie Stories collection tells these tales in liquid form, giving whisky drinkers across the globe a special glimpse into the unique and very human nature of how we produce our whisky. Each expression in the collection reflects this by telling its own story via first-hand accounts and recollections of the many people involved.”

The notion of storytelling informs the design of The Balvenie Stories packaging too, with each tale represented visually on the whisky’s tube and label in bespoke illustrations from British artist and printmaker Andy Lovell. Andy’s work draws its inspiration direct from the distillery, where he spent time listening to the stories first-hand, before using his bold, hand-made gestural technique to build up images that capture the essence of each tale.

Following the liquid launch, in autumn 2019 The Balvenie will launch a book titled Pursuit – The Balvenie Stories Collection. Edited by award-winning author and journalist Alex Preston and published by internationally renowned independent publisher Canongate, this collection will contain a series of fiction and non-fiction short stories, by renowned writers from around the world. Authors include internationally best-selling writer Lawrence Osbourne, award-winning British author Max Porter and many more.

The Balvenie Stories collection will launch globally in May 2019 and comprises of the following three expressions;

• The Sweet Toast of American Oak – Aged 12 Years – 43% ABV

This is the story of the spectacular things that can happen when ancient technique meets fresh ideas, as newly appointed Apprentice Malt Master Kelsey McKechnie experimented with         twice-toasted white American oak from Kelvin Cooperage in Louisville, Kentucky to produce an even fruitier, sweeter tasting Balvenie.

• The Week of Peat – Aged 14 Years – 48.3% ABV

An evolution of The Balvenie Peat Week Aged 14 Years, which launched globally in 2017. This expression tells the tale of Malt Master David Stewart MBE and former distillery manager Ian Millar using a week’s gap in the distillery’s production schedule to experiment with the use of peat in the barley drying process. The result is a classic Balvenie expression with honey, vanilla and citrus notes with an extra layer of delicate smokiness.

• A Day of Dark Barley – Aged 26 Years – 47.8% ABV

The story of Malt Master David Stewart MBE and The Balvenie’s malt men experimenting with a heavily roasted dark barley in 1992. The resulting liquid was originally released in 2006 as the 14-Year-Old Balvenie Roasted Malt, however casks were retained for extra maturation, eventually becoming a classic aged Balvenie, but with extra depth and oak notes gleaned from the darker malt.

The Balvenie Stories collection will be available in select retailers, including Fortnum & Mason, at the following recommended prices*: The Sweet Toast of American Oak £45, The Week of Peat £65 and A Day of Dark Barley £600. Further information on Pursuit – The Balvenie Collection will be distributed at time of launch.

*RRPs are at discretion of the retailer 

#Balvenie #BalvenieStories

Website: www.thebalvenie.com/stories

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBalvenie

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BalvenieUK

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebalvenie/ 

NOTES 

About audio content;

The recorded stories and guided whisky tasting content will also be available in podcast format, and hosted on the most popular podcast platforms, allowing for playback on home devices such as Amazon Alexa and Google Home.

About The Balvenie Stories;

The Sweet Toast of American Oak – Aged 12 Years – 43% ABV 

• Tasting Notes:
  • Nose: Lusciously malty with some sweet fudge, followed by citrusy and oak vanilla aromas with layers of spicy oak notes of ginger and cinnamon.

• Taste:Candied orange and lemon peel, vanilla toffee and butterscotch, layers of blossom honey, some melted brown sugar and oak spices at the end.

• Finish: Rich and malty with gentle waves of oak vanilla and subtle spices.

The Week of Peat – Aged 14 Years – 48.3% ABV 

• Tasting Notes:
• Nose: Gentle sweet peat smoke, lighter floral notes and delicate butterscotch honey.

• Taste: Velvety and round to taste with the peat smoke balancing citrus flavours, oaky vanilla and blossom honey.

• Finish: Gentle smoke with a lingering and creamy vanilla sweetness.

A Day of Dark Barley – Aged 26 Years – 47.8% ABV

• Tasting Notes:
• Nose: Big malty notes, soft brown sugar, vanilla toffee, blossom honey and a mild oaky spiciness.

• Taste: Syrupy with a toffee sweetness, some citrusy notes of tangy orange peel, followed by oak vanilla and a touch of cinnamon and ginger spices at the end.

• Finish: Enduring gentle waves of vanilla and oak spices. 

About The Balvenie: 

• The Balvenie is a unique range of single malts created by David Stewart MBE, The Balvenie Malt Master was awarded an MBE for services to the Scotch whisky industry by Queen Elizabeth II in 2016. Each expression has a very individual taste, but is rich, luxuriously smooth and underpinned by the distinctively honeyed character of The Balvenie.

• The Balvenie is dedicated to the five rare crafts that are used to create The Balvenie’s distinctive taste. It is the only distillery that still grows its own barley, uses traditional floor maltings and keeps both coppersmiths and coopers on site – making The Balvenie the most handcrafted of single malts.

• The Balvenie Single Malt Scotch Whisky is produced by William Grant & Sons Ltd, an award-winning independent family-owned distiller founded by William Grant in 1886 and today run by his direct descendants.

BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY ANNOUNCES

SPECIAL BOTTLING AVAILABLE FOR CHARITIES

Distillery Hopes to Raise $500,000 for Charity 

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (May 14, 2019) – Just over a year ago, in April 2018, Buffalo Trace Distillery rolled its seven millionth barrel produced since Prohibition into Warehouse V, the world’s only bonded single barrel aging warehouse. That meant, of course, the existing sixth millionth barrel that had been residing in Warehouse V since 2008 would need to take up new residence.

            Promptly moved into another warehouse to mature for another year, this bourbon has aged a full 10 years 11 months. The six millionth barrel of Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey has been filled into 375ml bottles and is being made available exclusively to non-profit organizations for fund raising opportunities.

      Each bottle from the Sixth Millionth Barrel has a beautifully handwritten description on the glass.  The bottles in turn have been packaged in a numbered hardwood showcase box that includes a piece of the charred oak stave from the historic barrel and small brochure explaining the significance of this collector’s edition.

      Buffalo Trace Distillery is offering all 400 bottles to charitable organizations across the country free of charge to auction off and raise money for their worthwhile causes.

            This commemorative bottling of the Buffalo Trace Sixth Million Barrel will not be available in stores. Bottles will only available to non-profit organizations in the United States wishing to raise funds for their charity. To be considered, organizations must submit an official U.S. non-profit tax ID number and auction the bottle within the 2019 calendar year. Applications will be taken online only at www.6millionthbarrel.com  Recipients of these bottles shall be notified by email in early July.  Bottles will be shipped free of charge in August 2019 and recipients will have until Dec. 31, 2019 to auction the bottle.  Non-profit organizations can submit their request for a bottle online at 6millionthbarrel.com beginning today. The cutoff date to submit an online application is July 1^st, 2019.

      “We’re thrilled to be able to do something with the bottles to help those in need,” said Kris Comstock, Buffalo Trace senior marketing director. “We decided on the 375ml size bottles, rather than a larger size, to allow for more bottles so we can help more charities. We really hope whiskey enthusiasts will help some deserving non-profit groups raise serious money. These bottles are beautiful, the package is first class, and the bourbon tastes amazing. Our goal is to raise $500,000 for charity!”

      This is not the first time Buffalo Trace Distillery has offered commemorative bottles for non-profits to use for fundraising purposes.  In 2011 the Distillery offered its Millennium Barrel of bourbon, put up to age on Dec. 31, 1999. That effort raised more than $150,000 for various charities across the U.S.  In 2016, its inaugural O.F.C. Bourbon Whiskey from 1980, 1982 and 1983 were released in the same manner, and non-profits reported back they had raised more than a million dollars for charitable causes.

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 1773 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 21 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 by “Jim Murray’s Whiskey Bible 2018.”  Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 500 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com.

Suntory Rolling Stones 50th Anniversary. Estimate: £25,000-35,000

RARE ROLLING STONES ANNIVERSARY BOTTLE AT BONHAMS WHISKY SALE

BOTTLES FROM WHISKY GALORE WRECK 

A rare bottle of Suntory Rolling Stones 50^th Anniversary, released in 2012 to mark the anniversary of the legendary group’s formation, leads Bonhams Fine Whisky sale in Edinburgh on Wednesday 5 June. It is estimated at £25,000-35,000.

The whisky is a blend of selected malts distilled in milestone years in the history of the Rolling Stones, including a malt from 1962 – the year the band was formed – that has been aged in mizunara (Japanese oak) casks. The blend also contains whisky from 1971, when the famous ‘tongue and lips’ logo was launched; it’s said to be one of the most famous brand images in the world, and the original art work is in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Bonhams whisky specialist in Edinburgh, Martin Green, said, “This remarkable whisky is a fitting tribute to a band that has been at the top of its game for decades. Only 150 bottles of Suntory Rolling Stones 50^th Anniversary whisky were ever released, and on the rare occasions they appear at auction there is always a great deal of excitement and interest.”

Bottles from the wreck of the SS Politician. £6,000-8,000 each.

Bottles from the wreck of the SS Politician. £6,000-8,000 each.

Whisky Galore bottles

The sale also features six bottles recovered from the wreck of the SS Politician which foundered in the Sound of Eriskay in the Outer Hebrides in 1941. The bottles were salvaged legally in 1990 and are accompanied by copies of the letter of declaration from H M Customs. At the time of the shipwreck itself, islanders conducted their own – less legal – salvage operations, later celebrated in Compton MacKenzie’s 1947 novel Whisky Galore.

The six bottles in the sale – one from Ballantine’s, one VAT 69 and four from Gilbey’s – are each estimated at £6,000-8,000. They were bottled in around 1940, and are stamped with “Federal Law Forbids Sale or Re Use of This Bottle” around the shoulder. This phrase appeared on all liquor bottles offered for sale in the USA between 1935 and 1964. It was an attempt to limit the spread of illegal distilled or moonshine spirits.

Other highlights include:

• Bowmore-40 year old-1955. The crystal decanter, numbered 18 of a limited edition of 306, comes in a wooden presentation case with a certificate of authenticity.  Estimate: £15,000-17,000

• The Macallan-1940. Bottled in 1981, it comes in its own wooden presentation case. Estimate: £12,000-14,000

• The Macallan-1938. Distilled and bottled by Macallan Glenlivet Ltd, and distributed by Gordon & MacPhail. Estimate: £10,000-12,000

NOTES 

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s largest and most renowned auctioneers, offering fine art and antiques, motor cars and jewellery. The main salerooms are in London, New York, Los Angeles and Hong Kong, with auctions also held in Knightsbridge, Edinburgh, Paris, San Francisco and Sydney. With a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 22 countries, Bonhams offers advice and valuation services in 60 specialist areas. For a full list of forthcoming auctions, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit bonhams.com.

Kilkerran Whisky Tasting With Ranald Watson 

Tuesday 18 June
7pm-8.30pm
£30 Tickets on sale now.

Book now >

At the turn of the 20th century Campbeltown was a thriving malt whisky region of no fewer than 34 distilleries, and highly prized for its distinctive whisky character. Today, just three distilleries remain and our next tasting will focus on one that, since its 2004 resurrection, has caught the attention of whisky drinkers around the world – Glengyle, maker of Kilkerran single malt whisky.

 Kilkerran 12 Year Old
Kilkerran 8 Year Old Cask Strength
Kilkerran Heavily Peated
Kilkerran Triple Distilled – Cask Sample
Kilkerran 15 Year Old Port Cask – Cask Sample
Kilkerran 15 Year Old Rum Cask – Exclusive Distillery Bottling

ABOUT THE HOST

 Having worked for Glengyle owner J&A Mitchell for more than 10 years and played a key role in every new release, it’s safe to say that nobody knows Campbeltown whisky more than our host Ranald Watson. This is a special occasion to meet and share a dram with someone who has first-hand experience of the peaks and troughs of Scotland’s cult whisky region.

MAY AUCTION ENDS SOON!
(ends Sunday 26^th May)

…place your bids at www.whiskyhammer.co.uk

With an incredible selection of whiskies and other fine spirits there is certainly something for everyone – whether you are looking to collect, invest, enjoy!

I don’t have any tattoos, that’s my opening line, that’s all I’ve got. However, this whisky is delicious! Bourbon and Rijoca wine cask influence over the course of 16 years from one of the finest distilleries in the world, Highland Park. The design and packaging won’t be for everyone and I can understand why, I don’t mind it, it makes the product stand out and i have a thing for all black whisky bottles. Check out the video and let me know your thoughts below.

Cheers!

Whisky Reviews every Wednesday ~ Facebook.com/whiskytube ~ Twitter.com/whiskytube ~ Youtube.com/whiskywednesday

Welcome to this weeks episode of the show in which I’ll be looking at some recent releases from the Springbank distillery along with one of those infamous cage bottlings!

https://youtu.be/_ZetxLkX0m0

THE GLENDRONACH BOYNSMILL AGED 16 YEARS

LAUNCHES AS A GLOBAL TRAVEL RETAIL EXCLUSIVE 

The GlenDronach continues its journey with world travellers with the release of The GlenDronach Boynsmill Aged 16 years, joining The GlenDronach Forgue Aged 10 years as the distillery’s second exclusive for Global Travel Retail.

The Boynsmill Estate, nestled in the Valley of Forgue, was established by James Allardice as the home for his GlenDronach distillery in 1826. It was here that Allardice discovered the rich depths of sherry cask maturation; marrying robust Highland spirit to Spanish cask, a tradition carried forward by The GlenDronach to this day.

James Allardice lived most of his life at Boynsmill House (later re-named Glen House) and was often known to share a dram of his ‘Guid GlenDronach’ with friends and neighbours. This historic home continues to welcome guests at The GlenDronach distillery to this day.

At this time in the early 19 th Century, both sherry and port were popularly enjoyed by Scotland’s gentry and their influence on Single Malt Scotch Whisky is still prominent today. The GlenDronach Boynsmill Aged 16 Years is a marriage of rich Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks from Andalucía, with the subtle influence of the finest port casks from the Douro Valley in Portugal.

The GlenDronach Boynsmill Aged 16 Years pays a fitting homage to the distillery’s heritage and the warmth and hospitality of its founder.

The GlenDronach Master Blender, Dr Rachel Barrie said:

“The GlenDronach Boynsmill Aged 16 Years celebrates the rich heritage of The GlenDronach, with a small number of casks hand-selected to showcase its robust and complex Highland character. I hope whisky travellers will enjoy this rare opportunity to savour the depth of a truly old-style Highland Single Malt. 

Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks express the rich and full-bodied signature style of The GlenDronach, while port casks from the Douro Valley subtly influence the balance of fruit, recognisable in the ‘Valley of the Brambles’. As a complex and supremely balanced Single Malt, The Glendronach Boynsmill Aged 16 Years has notes of plum pudding and apricot brandy on the nose, layered with the warmth of nutmeg and quince. Exceedingly rich fruitcake builds on the palate as dates, dried apricots and walnuts are savoured into the long and richly satisfying velvet finish.” 

This rich and complex Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky is bottled at 46% ABV and as is the case for all The GlenDronach expressions, is non-chill filtered and absorbs colour naturally over time from the Spanish oak in which it resides.

It will be available to purchase from selected Travel Retail locations from May.

Notes 

The GlenDronach Boynsmill Aged 16 Years Tasting Notes:

Appearance: Burnished copper with a red bramble hue.

Nose: Fruit-led and complex. Plum pudding, cherry stone and apricot brandy with traces of nutmeg and sandalwood tempered by the sweetness of quince.

Taste: Exceedingly rich and fruity with baked apricot, cherry and plum skin in a fruitcake with orange and walnut cream.

Finish: Savour dates, apricot and walnut lingering into the rich velvet finish.

ABV: 46%

RRP: Available from $115, global markets may vary

About The GlenDronach Distillery:

Nestled in the valley of Forgue, deep in the East Highland hills, is The GlenDronach, one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland. The GlenDronach is of true Highland style: a full bodied and robust taste, perfect for long maturation in sherry casks. At The GlenDronach Distillery, we have carried forth the tradition of our founder James Allardice since 1826, maturing our whisky in the finest Spanish Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks from Andalucía.

We continue to work towards mastering the art of sherry cask maturation. Our Highland whiskies are recognized for their deep colour and rich flavour profiles, which range from sweet fruity flavours of the Pedro Ximénez casks we select, to the dry and nutty notes of Oloroso casks. Our distillery has been guarded for nearly 200 years by a parliament of rooks, who love The GlenDronach so much they try to nest in the warehouses. The distillery folk believe that as long as the rooks remain at the distillery, it will be good for the whisky.

For Further Information on The GlenDronach Distillery:

Visit: www.glendronachdistillery.com

Twitter: @Glendronach

Facebook: /TheGlendronach

Instagram: @glendronach

SAVOUR WITH TIME, DRINK RESPONSIBLY.

THE GLENDRONACH IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK. ©2019 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

©2019 THE GLENDRONACH SCOTCH WHISKY, 46% ALC. BY VOL.

IMPORTED BY BROWN-FORMAN BEVERAGES, LOUISVILLE, KY.

The Indie Whisky Fèis Ìle

Thursday 30th May 2019

1200 – 1700 hrs

Bowmore Hall, Main Street, Bowmore

We are pleased to announce that Islay’s inaugural Independent Bottlers’ festival within the Fèis Ìle will take place in The Bowmore Hall on 30th May 2019 from 12pm to 5pm. The event will showcase Independent Bottlers’ vast array of Islay and Jura whiskies for the first time with the blessing of the Fèis Ìle Committee.

Visitors will be charged £25 for entry via tickets on the official Fèis Ìle website; https://www.islayfestival.com/festival-programme/

All paying visitors will be provided with a Glencairn glass to keep and use to receive their drams, and will be able to purchase bottles of whisky direct from the exhibitors.

Dramfool will be releasing an official Fèis Ìle bottling for purchase at the event, a 14 year old first fill sherry hogshead of Port Charlotte.

Stovies, oatcakes & Scottish cheddar, Clootie Dumpling, Shortbread, Cranachan and other refreshments will be available to purchase from the adjoining kitchen run by the Ladies from St. John’s Church.

Masterclasses

Several masterclasses will also be hosted at the festival and will be announced on the Islay Festival website in the run up to the event. The first announced is a Wemyss Malts masterclass in which several of their peaty malt whiskies and new single casks releases will be tasted. Attendees will also help produce a limited edition Peat Chimney malt whisky live at the tasting to bottle and take home.

TICKETS

Exhibitors

Confirmed Exhibitors are;

• Dramfool
• Elixir Distillers
• Islay Boys
• Islay Mist
• Lady of the Glen
• That Boutique-y Whisky Company
• The Single Cask
• Vintage Malt Whisky
• Wemyss Malts

Tickets available now!

Tickets are available for purchase directly from the Islay Festival website: BOOK NOW 

For any further information regarding the Indie Whisky Fèis Ìle please email enquiries@islayfestival.com or visit www.islayfestival.com/festival-programme/

Bowmore Hall, Main Street, Bowmore, Scotland

With both the Campbeltown and Islay whisky festivals happening this week, we’re encouraging members to get involved. Join the fun at the festivals, sign up for one of our tastings or if you can’t travel share a dram with fellow members across the globe by taking part in our virtual tasting.

We’re also releasing our celebratory festival bottlings, get ready to grab yours. Set an alarm for these dates and times…

WHISKY CHARACTERS             MAY OUTTURN

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ

Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video