Kingsbarns Distillery Toasts Single Cask Sales Success

Fife’s Kingsbarns Distillery is celebrating a milestone this month with news that the first of a new series of single cask malt whiskies has sold out – just weeks after its release.

Launched in mid-March exclusively to the distillery’s Founders’ Club members and online customers, the eagerly awaited expression sold a remarkable 204 bottles in less than 24 hours, with the remainder of this limited edition bottling being snapped up soon afterwards.

Kingsbarns Single Cask No 360 is the first of a new single cask series from the small East Neuk-based distillery, launched to showcase the distinctive, light and fruity Lowland style of its single malt whisky in specific barrels.

Laid down in 2015 in a first fill American oak barrel, this cask strength release is bottled at 60.9% ABV. On the nose the whisky’s sweet floral scent has notes of custard and vanilla, whilst on the palate there is cream soda with a little ‘fizz’ of lemon sherbet.

Packaged in soft shades of blue and gold to symbolise the natural elements of the whisky’s picturesque Fife home, the bottle also features Kingsbarns’ signature pigeon motif to represent the historic ‘doocot’ (Scots for dovecot) that sits at the heart of the distillery.

The release of Single Cask No 360 follows a successful start to the year for Kingsbarns Distillery, which saw the founding Wemyss family officially launch their flagship expression, Kingsbarns ‘Dream to Dram’, back in January.

Named to celebrate the realisation of their dream to craft fine single malt whisky in their Fife home, the new dram has already made its mark with strong sales and positive feedback for its light, fruity style – with leading whisky experts noting its huge potential in the single malt market.

The Kingsbarns Founders’ Club has also seen a significant increase in membership as the popularity of Lowland style single malts continues to grow. Open to just 3000 members, the club offers a unique chance to be part of the growth and success of this ambitious young distillery, as well as securing exclusive and collectable expressions when they are released.

Kingsbarns Distillery Manager, Peter Holroyd commented: ‘The success of our first single cask release is incredibly exciting and is a real testament to our team’s skill, passion and dedication. Over recent years, there has been a growing interest in the once overlooked Lowlands whisky region, and we are very proud to be championing the area and introducing the light, balanced character and fresh style of our Kingsbarns whisky to the world. 

‘Just like our flagship malt expression, the new single cask range is expertly handcrafted using local Fife barley, rich mineral water from the land beneath us, expertly chosen wood and the distillery’s long, slow production process in copper pot stills. This is what sits at the heart of our whisky and will never change, as we look forward to releasing more expressions and single cask releases in the not too distant future.’ 

Whilst Kingsbarns Single Cask No 360 is now sold out, visitors to the Distillery can purchase a bottle of sister cask 358 which is sold exclusively in the Visitor Centre shop.

www.kingsbarnsdistillery.com

Twitter @KingsbarnsDist / Instagram @kingsbarnsdist 

Kingsbarns Distillery

Kingsbarns Distillery began life as a semi-derelict farm steading – built around 1800 by Thomas Erskine, the ninth Earl of Kellie, as part of East Newhall Farm to service the adjoining Cambo Estate. Its centrepiece is a doocot, made with over 600 neatly formed terracotta nesting boxes which, at the time, would have housed pigeons to supply the laird’s kitchen with meat and eggs.

A three year restoration project involving specialist architects, engineers, designers and whisky specialists restored this historic building into the beautiful distillery and visitor centre that is now in place today – including the immaculately restored doocot in pride of place.

The distillery has 4 washbacks and 2 stills (wash still 7.5k litres, spirit still 4.5k litres) which have been designed to fit snugly into the low distillery space, using long lyne arms for maximum copper contact. The distillery has a capacity of 34 barrels per week and can produce 200k litres of alcohol per year.

The Kingsbarns team is aiming to make the distillery as green as possible and sustainability is at the heart of production. Nothing is wasted and everything goes back into the local environment to the benefit of local businesses.

Distiller Peter Holroyd has been at the helm of distillation since the very beginning, sharing his passion for whisky and turning the Kingsbarns dream into a reality with the Wemyss family. A native of Glasgow, Peter graduated from the Heriot Watt Brewing and Distilling Course in Edinburgh, working in a number of small breweries before joining the Kingsbarns Team in his first whisky role.

The Kingsbarns Distillery Founders’ Club was launched on the first anniversary of the Distillery on 30^th November 2015 and is still open for membership.  Members enjoy a welcome pack with a small bottle of Kingsbarns New Make Spirit, a glass and membership badge, plus five exclusive bottles of cask strength single malt whisky, including the distillery’s inaugural Founders’ Reserve expression.

The Wemyss Family drinks portfolio 

Wemyss Malts: Edinburgh based independent bottler, Wemyss Malts is owned by the Wemyss family. Their family seat is Wemyss Castle in Fife where they’ve lived since the 1300s.  Wemyss Malts is primarily known for its award-winning range of blended malt Scotch Whisky which uses names inspired by the natural flavours and aromas of the whiskies: The Hive, Spice King and Peat Chimney. www.wemyssmalts.com. 

Darnley’s Gin: The family also own and produce Darnley’s Gin at the Kingsbarns Distillery site in Fife. Darnley’s Gin offers tours and tastings in a converted cottage with a Gin School where visitors can distil their own bottle of gin on a mini still www.darnleysgin.com. 

Rimauresq: to complete the drinks portfolio, the Wemyss Family own the premium wine estate of Rimauresq Cru Classé in Cotes de Provence www.rimauresq.eu.

Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival combines great drams and the great outdoors

Scotland’s national drink is intrinsically linked to the landscape in which it is produced – and now the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival is bringing the two together in a series of events which celebrate both the amber nectar and the great outdoors.

Event providers have pulled out all the stops to deliver on their promise to ensure the Festival, which takes place from May 1 to 6, provides something for everyone by organising a range of whisky-themed outdoor activities.

From golf outings and geocaching to canoe trips and trail runs, visitors to this year’s Festival can spend every day surrounded by stunning scenery, learning about history, heritage and how geography influences Speyside’s drams.

Festival chairman James Campbell said: “With over 660 events on the Festival programme, this year is the biggest on record. It is also the most varied programme that I have ever seen, with some very imaginative and innovative activities planned.

“If anyone thought that the only thing to do at a whisky festival was to enjoy a dram or visit a distillery, this year’s programme completely dispels that perception. The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival is very much about having fun while creating great memories – and these events will certainly deliver.”

One of the more unusual events is Secrets of Spynie on May 4 which combines walking and canoeing. During their guided journey by foot and by voyageur canoe, visitors will be able to learn about the 1,500-year history of the Laich of Moray where much of the barley used in local whisky is grown.

Guides will also be sharing the story of Macbeth, the history of Spynie Canal and will visit Spynie Palace, which dates back to medieval times.  This is an easy to moderate activity which is suitable for all.

Visitors can also enjoy a dram against the backdrop of one of Speyside’s most photographed attractions – Craigellachie Bridge. John Dewar & Sons, which operates nearby Craigellachie Distillery, will be hosting Scottish Aperitivo hour at the iconic landmark on May 4 and 5 at 6pm.

Complimentary drams of some very special Craigellachie and Aultmore single malt whisky will be served at the free event, which is designed to get people to stop, think and simply enjoy a dram in beautiful countryside.

Dog lovers will revel in the hunt to find Rebel, the missing Murray McDavid dog. This treasure hunt with a difference takes place on May 5 and will task visitors with finding 10 wee ‘Westies’ that have wandered off into the Speyside countryside.

Participants will get a map of where the dogs were last spotted – and every map can be redeemed against a 5cl miniature. However, the Murray McDavid team will ensure that those who are able to reunite Rebel with his owners are richly rewarded with a bottle of whisky.

The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival takes place in locations across the region – the spiritual home of Scotland’s whisky industry – from May 1 to 6. Over 660 events are on offer during the six days, including exclusive behind-the-scenes tours, whisky nosing and tasting, food pairing and outdoor and heritage activities.

The programme is designed to appeal to people of all levels of interest in whisky, from the connoisseurs who have a deep-rooted passion for Scotland’s national drink to those who have never tasted it before. While many events are ticketed, some are free – and it is possible to enjoy the excitement and atmosphere of the Festival without touching a drop.

Tickets for individual events are on sale now at www.spiritofspeyside.com with regular updates on social media: facebook.com/whiskyfestival and Twitter and Instagram @spirit_speyside

Picture caption: Craigellachie Bridge is an iconic location in Speyside, where visitors to the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival will find whisky galore.

Kick-start Bourbon Season with Three Amazing Exclusives

The light at the end of the bourbon shortage tunnel is finally growing brighter. While options and age statements have disappeared from the broad market over the last few years, the strong relationships K&L has built over the past decade have paid off in the ability to continue sourcing extremely high-quality bourbon casks. With everyone scrambling to increase production capacity, we are finally entering a new era of availability in premium single casks. Our recent Kentucky adventures yielded a record 20 casks, some from producers we haven’t seen a barrel from in years, which we will be rolling out all summer long. Fortunately, to kick-start bourbon season we have three exceptional bottlings from three different producers.

Elijah Craig, from the Heaven Hill Distillery, has been a stalwart of exceptional whiskey at affordable prices throughout the years. For a mere $30 bucks, you can have nearly 10-year-old bourbon made by the largest family-owned distillery in Kentucky. There is no better single cask program in Kentucky in terms of price/quality ratio.

Old Forester, the darling of Brown-Forman’s portfolio, has also managed to produce exceptional single casks at terrific prices. They retain some old school production techniques at the Shively plant that most bourbon producers have forgone in favor of more efficient, modern methods. The result is a full and rich bourbon that tastes like a step back in time.

Except for Four Roses, no major Kentucky producer bottles a proper cask-strength barrel for their single barrel programs. Fortunately, for those who love the extra punch of high ABV, the Tom Moore (Barton) Distillery in Bardstown releases some of the most pure and intense high rye bourbon available in single cask form, and 1792 leads the way in full proof casks, bottled at 62.5% ABV. Their distillery-bottled Full Proof release won World’s Best Bourbon from World Whiskies Awards in 2018. We’ve spent a lot of effort to source the best full proof casks we can get our hands on from this famous brand.

Elijah Craig K&L Exclusive Single Barrel #5325830 Bourbon 750ml (ships as a 1.5L) ($29.99)

The history of Elijah Craig is the history of Bourbon. Reverend Elijah Craig was a Baptist preacher and active character in 1800s Kentucky. He was an educator, road builder, land speculator, and built the first paper and wool mills in Georgetown, KY. But it was his gift as a distiller and entrepreneur that established his place in history as The Father of Bourbon. How did Elijah Craig become credited with pioneering the charring of the oak barrels used to age Bourbon? We’re actually not entirely sure. A lot of the history is lost, and there are several versions of the story. One account tells of an accidental fire in Elijah’s mill, which charred the wooden barrels and changed the whiskey inside. It makes for a great story at your next Bourbon tasting, doesn’t it? Other accounts speak of Elijah storing his wares in former sugar barrels, and becoming impressed with how the charring of the barrels improved the flavor. The truth is, no one really knows how Elijah began charring his barrels, but once he figured it out, it’s easy to understand why he continued to develop the process and changed Bourbon making forever. Inside, the clear, un-aged corn liquor becomes transformed into a bold amber liquid with a distinctively smooth flavor that makes Bourbon what it is. We rarely get access to Heaven Hill single barrels, but when we do, we snap them up. We expect a lot of people to do the same. This barrel is 9 years old from Warehouse W, 6th floor. 134pf when pulled for bottling at 47%.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: April 06, 2019

One of Heaven Hill’s finest barrel programs is Elijah Craig. Always a huge hit, these barrels are luscious, rich, and absurdly inexpensive for the very high quality. This barrel clocks in just under 10 years old and is packed with dark caramel, candied corn, a touch of fresh baked bread, and a lingering spicy finish. Great bourbon shouldn’t be expensive. EC single barrels hit the hammer on the head for an old fashioned value proposition.

Neal Fischer | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: April 08, 2019

If you know you’re normally a fan of Elijah Craig’s style then this will be right up your alley. Our K&L single barrel pick has those rich caramel notes that Craig is known for. Nice scents of vanilla, well-toasted oak, and cherry candy meet the nose. What sets this barrel apart from the standard Craig is more fresh black pepper spice, buttery popcorn, some dustiness, and a stroke of menthol. On the palate, the spice announces itself first, followed by the burnt wood flavors, then it moves on to drippy caramel territory. The finish is decidedly woody with a touch of spice.

Stefanie Juelsgaard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: April 06, 2019

This is the classic Bourbon you’ve been looking for from the premier producer in Kentucky. Sure to please with its sweet toffee note, caramel corn, hint of pepper, and long finish. Though there is richness, it doesn’t feel heavy or too hot, but fresh and super smooth. This is the perfect bottling for novices and old hands alike.

Old Forester K&L Exclusive Single Barrel #4093 (Warehouse H, Floor 5) Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whisky (750ml) ($39.99)

Another stupendous cask from the excellent distillery in the Louisville-adjacent neighborhood of Shively. The old facility is one of the most authentic, using several practices now eschewed by modern distillers, including a proper souring element and an old school thumper. The thumper is an unusual style of doubler (pot still component of bourbon distillation that takes the first run up to final proof) where the alcoholic steam from the beer striping run (column still) is injected directly into a pot of water. The steam heats the water to boiling, and the resulting quick condensation creates a loud bang or thump. The whiskies are then aged in the old patent warehouse for 4-6 seasons. They’re very cagey with the actual bottle ages here, but these are not the oldest whiskies on the shelf. They do see a number of seasons of steam heated aging in the winter time, which adds depth and softens the bourbons. All together, the result is one of the most interesting and drinkable single barrel releases on the market. Expect a nose of stewed fruit, old exotic wood, wild flower honey, and sweet maple syrup. The palate starts very soft and sweet with a warming spice that keeps it incredibly balanced and lifts this whiskey up for a long, lingering finish of baking spice and roasted orchard fruit.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: April 18, 2019

A beautiful sweet cherry note sits on top of the bouquet of this whiskey. As you go deeper into the whiskey the layers of wood spice, dark cocoa powder, and caramelized sugar unfold. The palate is exceptionally soft and approachable, almost velvety in texture. One of the most easy drinking, yet fully flavored whiskies on our shelf at any price.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: April 18, 2019

Old Forester is finally starting to get the recognition as a brand that it really deserves. After years playing second fiddle to Jack and Woodford at Brown-Forman, the whisky brand that started it all is back in a serious way. They’re Whisky Row series is picking up fans across the country and selling about as quickly as any of the other Special Releases from Buffalo Trace or Four Roses, but they instead of being completely unavailable, they’re in stock with relative regularity and priced for drinkers not collectors. Their stalwart 100 proof remains one of the very best values in bourbon today, but it is these single barrels where the whisky truly shines. The nose here is a concoction of exotic wood, maple drizzled fruit compote, roasted vanilla and candied cherries. On the palate, surprisingly spicy with the sweetness only building at the very end. The finish is soft as can, but not boring and ends on a somewhat distinct chocolate covered cherry note. Zero bite, but not cloying. It really is incredible what they’re able to do in the patent warehouse in 5-6 short years. I’d pay double to have this at cask strength, but this has guts enough to hold the attention of even the staunchest purist.

1792 “Full Proof” K&L Exclusive Single Barrel #3087 Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) ($49.99)

Sazerac’s “other” distillery is the legendary Tom Moore (Barton) facility in Bardstown, one of the few programs in Kentucky that actually allows private barrels bottled at full proof. This 62.5% ABV monster is a high rye mash bill, yet it shows an incredible amount of sweetness, dark caramel, and butterscotch. Our previous two 1792 barrels sold out in moments. With a sweeter, rounder profile, we doubt this barrel will last much longer.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: April 18, 2019

A wildly expressive nose of sweet corn and spicy rye jumps out of the glass. Cool mint and touch of dill squeeze past the gobs of intense caramel and toasted sugar. Like a perfectly balanced dessert, one sip and you’ve got an explosion of flavor and sweetness, but never a cloying or lingering finish. A bit of pepper spice kicks up the back end of the palate and intensifies the entry by pulling all of the sweetness down your tongue. Work a few drops of water into your glass and everything broadens to coat your entire palate without losing intensity of flavor.

APRIL AUCTION ENDS SOON!
(ends Sunday 28^th April)

…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!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJsPba1HcqI&feature=youtu.be

 We’re not quite at 007 yet but 002 will have to do, and if i’m being honest, this ha a lot more charm as well. Switching from Batch 001 which was very heavy on French Mocha influence, we’ve lightened that up in 002 and added elegance and complexity to the power that 001 threw at you. Just like the first batch, this was a true privilege to pick out and an even bigger honour to showcase it all to you! An exclusive to The Whisky Shop and something that i also view in part as my own. Cheers!

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

TOMATIN STRIKES GOLD, CELEBRATING OVER A DECADE OF WINS!

Distillery celebrates most successful year to date at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirit Competition

15^th April 2019 – Tomatin has swept the board at the 2019 San Francisco World Spirit Competition, with seven Double Gold wins and four Gold awards. The latest victories cement a decade of success, with nearly 60 prestigious accolades across the board for the globally recognised whisky brand.

Founded in 2000, the San Francisco World Spirit Competition recognises exceptional products in the spirits industry, with a judging panel made up of 40 industry experts who ‘blind’ taste-test all products to prevent brand reputation or bottling style from impacting on the final award given. Entries that receive the coveted ‘Double Gold’ award have been rated as ‘Gold’ by every judge on the panel.

Scooping 11 awards of Gold or higher, Tomatin’s core range excelled with 4 Double Gold awards and 3 Gold awards, a new record for the core range. Tomatin’s exclusive Travel Retail range also came out on top, with 2 Double Gold wins and a Gold. Lastly, Tomatin’s 21 Year Old American Exclusive single malt, which was released last year, also scooped a Double Gold win.

Graham Nicolson, Sales Director of Tomatin said: “This has been an amazing year for Tomatin. The fact that we’ve received a gold or double award for every whisky we entered is a fantastic achievement. I’m proud to say the Tomatin range excels at all levels.”

This year, Tomatin has received no less than seven Double Golds, with success reigning supreme for the distillery’s Core Range. Tomatin’s core range starts at entry level Tomatin Legacy (£30) and extends to the exquisite Tomatin 36 Year Old (£600); all products in the Core Range have been awarded Gold or Double Gold at this year’s awards. Over the past decade Tomatin have received 17 Double Gold, 24 Gold, 16 Silver and 2 Bronze medals.

Graham Eunson, Distillery Manager at Tomatin, said: “Over 3,000 spirits were judged at this year’s awards, and to triumph across the board is a big accomplishment for the Distillery team.  wood policy is second to none; we produce a high-quality spirit which develops into exceptional whisky through maturation in the right casks, these awards prove that we’re amongst the best in the world.”

Tomatin’s 30 Year Old, the latest addition to the core range, was also awarded with ‘World’s Best Design’ at the World Whisky Awards held in London, this is Tomatin’s first dedicated ‘Design’ win at this prestigious ceremony.

Tomatin’s continued winning streak follows the distillery’s time spent rediscovering their brand identity. After undergoing a complete rebrand in 2016, the product design is truly representative of the people, place and of the quality spirit Tomatin produce.

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 £30 – £10,000). Tomatin is one of the fastest growing whisky brands in the UK and recently announced that it is officially the fastest growing top ten single malt whisky in the USA. Tomatin recently reported its turnover increased by almost 25% during the company’s most recent financial year (Dec 2016 – Dec 2017). Tomatin won Distiller of the Year 2016 and Brand Innovator of the Year 2017 at the Icons of Whisky Scotland Awards.

FULL LIST OF AWARDS 

Tomatin Core Range

Gold Medal                          – Tomatin Legacy Single Malt

Double Gold Medal            – Tomatin 12 Year Old Single Malt

Gold Medal                          – Tomatin Cask Strength Single Malt

Double Gold Medal            – Tomatin 14 Year Old Single Malt

Double Gold Medal            – Tomatin 18 Year Old Single Malt

Gold Medal                          – Tomatin 30 Year Old Single Malt

Double Gold Medal            – Tomatin 36 Year Old Single Malt 

Tomatin Travel Retail

Double Gold Medal            – Tomatin 8 Year Old Bourbon Single Malt Travel Retail

Double Gold Medal            – Tomatin 40 Year Old Single Malt Travel Retail

Gold Medal                          – Tomatin 15 Year Old American Oak Single Malt Travel Retail

Tomatin US Exclusive

Double Gold Medal            – Tomatin 21 Year Old Single Malt (North America Exclusive

Distell malts portfolio secures 11 accolades at San Francisco World Spirits Competition

Leading spirits producer, Distell has scooped 11 awards at the 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC). This follows triumph at the Icons of Whisky Awards, the World Whiskies Awards and the Òran Mór Whisky Awards, receiving widespread recognition across its malt whisky portfolio.

Overall, eleven of Distell’s malts were recognised at the annual SFWSC event including four Double Gold, four Gold and three Silver accolades.

Located in the most northerly point of Islay, Bunnahabhain won five awards including a Double Gold for its Stiùireadair for the second year in a row. The Stiùireadair single malt is the latest addition to the range and pays homage to the distillery’s shoreline showcasing the coastal nature of the liquid.

Double Gold honours were also awarded to Ledaig 10 Year Old, as well as Deanston 12 Year Old and 18 Year Old.

These latest wins follow a successful period for the business as it was crowned ‘Overall Distiller of the Year’ at the Icons of Whisky Awards on 28 March. Distell also won 13 awards at the World Whiskies Awards and three awards at the Òran Mór Whisky Awards on the same night.

Derek Scott, Brand Director for Malts at Distell International, said: 

“We are passionate about our malts portfolio and are continually working to provide exceptional whisky for new and loyal audiences alike.

“SFWSC is one of the most respected and influential spirits competitions in the world, it is judged by the industry’s top experts, so winning is high praise indeed. We are immensely proud to have so many of our malts recognised on this global stage.”

Almost 3,000 entries were received, the largest amount in the history of the competition, and the whiskies were blind-tasted by experts from across the globe. The full results were announced in San Francisco on 15 April 2019.

Distell’s full results at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition were:

Double Gold

Bunnahabhain Stiùireadair Single Malt Scotch, Islay, Scotland [46.3%]

Ledaig 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch, Islands, Scotland [46.3%]

Deanston 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch, Highlands, Scotland

Deanston 18 Year Old Bourbon Cask Finish Single Malt, Highlands, Scotland [46.3%]

Gold

Bunnahabhain 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch, Islay, Scotland [46.3%]

Bunnahabhain 25 Year Old Single Malt Scotch, Islay, Scotland [46.3%]

Bunnahabhain Toiteach A Dhà Single Malt Scotch, Islay, Scotland [46.3%]

Black Bottle Blended Scotch, Scotland [40%]

Silver

Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch, Islay, Scotland [46.3%]

Deanston Virgin Oak Single Malt Scotch, Highlands, Scotland [46.3%]

Deanston 15 Year Old Organic Single Malt Scotch, Highlands, Scotland [46.3%]

Notes: 

About Distell: 

• Distell is Africa’s leading producer of wines, spirits, ciders, scotch whisky and ready-to-drinks (RTDs) with a portfolio of close on 100 brands.
• Within the portfolio, Distell owns four single malts and a number of scotch brands produced across three distillery sites.
• The three distilleries include: Bunnahabhain on the Isle of Islay; Deanston in Doune, Perthshire and Tobermory based on the Isle of Mull.
• With a global network of offices and distribution partners, the company employs nearly 5000 people worldwide and has an annual turnover of R14.2 billion. (£1.09 billion)
• In Scotland, the company’s operations are based in East Kilbride where it has a bottling hall, with blending and warehousing facilities at Airdrie, both near Glasgow.
• Distell is the 2015 “Distiller of the Year” award winner at the International Wine and Spirit Competition.
• Bunnahabhain Distillery was named the 2016 Tasting Panel Magazine Distillery of the Year at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC).

For more visit: www.distell.co.za

Arran 21YO Single Cask

ARRAN 1997 21YO CASK #841 – THE GREEN WELLY STOP EXCLUSIVE

A stunning release which comes on the back of the first ever official release of 21YO from Arran, this is Cask Strength and Single Cask. An exclusive bottling for The Green Welly Stop from Arran Distillery. Cask No. 841. Cask Type: Sherry Butt. Distilled: 9th of June 1997. Bottled: 5th of September 2018. Non chill filtered, natural colour. 531 bottles available.

Order Now »

This single cask expression from The Balvenie distillery is part of the DCS Compendium Chapter 4 release. Distilled on 1st July 1999 and filled to a refill American oak hogshead to mature for the next 18 years, Malt Master David C Stewart said this expression “is very special for me personally as it’s the 25th celebration as The Balvenie Malt Master.” The nose has fragrant floral notes with fruity pineapple and vanilla. The palate brings more fresh fruit and sweet toffee with maple syrup. The finish is rich and creamy with a warming spice note.

€1,399.00 – Buy Now

Orders Shipped worldwide

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 248: Auchentoshan The Bartender’s Malt Saint Petersburg Edition

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, tries an Auchentoshan for… Russia! It is not an easy feat to find this edition of the Auchentoshan Bartender’s Malt, for it was only launched in Russia and is actually single sherry butt #134. This 12 year old malt – the Saint Petersburg Edition – is bottled at 47%. The cask was selected by bartender Kirill Ivashkov. It was a gift from Kit Yalta – brand ambassador from Moscow – when he visited Mark in October 2018. Nice detail: Mark helped Kit land that job so many years ago. What goes around, comes around.

https://youtu.be/tMeru2ZLEzk