BLADNOCH DISTILLERY ANNOUNCES DR NICK SAVAGE AS THEIR NEW MASTER DISTILLER

Bladnoch Distillery announced today they have appointed Dr Nick Savage as their new Master Distiller. This appointment comes after the departure of former Master Distiller and Blender Ian MacMillan in January 2019.

Nick has an impressive career in the industry – after being awarded his PhD in engineering – he commenced at Diageo as Technical Lead in Cask Maturation, he then spent time in the Scottish Lowlands working with William Grant & Sons in brewing and distilling. He most recently was Master Distiller for The Macallan where he led the Whisky Mastery team, and played a key role during the major launch of the brand’s new distillery and visitor experience in June 2018. Nick now returns to the Lowlands and joins Bladnoch, three and a half years after Australian businessman David Prior purchased the 200 year old distillery.

Nick said of his decision to join the distillery team: “The vision and ambition shown by David Prior and the team at Bladnoch Distillery, together with the phenomenal efforts since 2015 with the re-generation of the historical site, played a huge part in my decision to join the Bladnoch business. The opportunity also allows me a new challenge in Single Malt Lowland Scotch Whisky from a 200 year old distillery. Combined with the passion and drive that the Bladnoch team have for the ultimate quality, I’m extremely excited to be a part of the amazing future of the brand.”

Bladnoch CEO and owner, David Prior, stated: “It’s a great privilege to welcome Nick Savage to the Bladnoch business. He has an impressive track record with a number of significant whisky companies and brands, most recently as Master Distiller for The Macallan. His youthful, positive and energetic approach will add great value to our team and business, as will his technical and operational skills. With the Visitor Centre opening in mid-June and Nick joining the business we are excited to undertake the final phase in bringing this amazing Lowland Single Malt distillery back to the whisky world.”

Nick will join Bladnoch on 1st July 2019, working with newly appointed Distillery Manager Neil Bulloch and the rest of the Bladnoch team.

Bladnoch Distillery is Scotland’s southernmost distillery, and one of a handful that remain independently owned. Since being purchased in 2015 by Australian entrepreneur David Prior Bladnoch has enjoyed a renaissance, launching their line of award-winning Bladnoch Single Malt Whiskies and Pure Scot, their contemporary Blended Scotch Whisky, in over 30 countries. In 2017, Bladnoch Distillery celebrated its 200 year anniversary making it one of the oldest continuously operating distilleries in Scotland. In June 2019 Bladnoch Distillery’s state-of-the-art visitors centre will open, welcoming visitors to the distillery once again after its significant renovation.

For all Bladnoch Distillery news, please visit https://bladnoch.com/news-media/ and sign up to our mailing list for regular updates here: http://eepurl.com/dsUrDn

With great excitement we would like to announce that we will be hosting two tastings during the Feis Ile this year. Our first offering will be devoted to The Macallan, an exclusive brand loved throughout the world. From Oscuro to a 25 YO Anniversary Malt, it’s sure to be a special evening. Our second offering of the week will be an evening dedicated to some of Islay’s most classic drams.  From historic to legendary, the evening will be a beautiful sensory tribute to the home of the Feis. To purchase tickets, click on the images below which will redirect you to the purchasing platform.

We look forward to seeing you there. 

Discover the taste of Speyside with BenRiach

BENRIACH 21 YEAR OLD

This Speysider has been matured for at least 21 years in four different cask types: bourbon barrels, virgin oak casks, Pedro Ximenez sherry casks and red wine barriques. Whisky from each of these casks has been expertly married together by Master Blender, Rachel Barrie, to create a beautifully balanced single malt. The nose has ripe summer fruits and candied peel with a warming stem ginger note in the background. The palate brings soft vanilla and cinnamon with tangy red fruits emerging alongside citrus aspects. The finish is long and sweet with barley sugar and honeyed malt. 70cl / 46% abv

£139.00 – Buy Now

BENRIACH 2005 WHISKY SHOP EXCLUSIVE

This BenRiach has been bottled exclusively for The Whisky Shop and is packed with the fruity sweetness that is sure to go down well with our customers. Drawn from cask number 5279, this expression is limited to just 553 bottles and bottled at a cask strength of 56% abv. The nose has red liquorice, spearmint, plum pudding, rhubarb crumble, custard and fresh oak. The palate brings rich toffee and spearmint, fruity grapes and raisins mixing with freshly ground white pepper and bitter chocolate. 70 cl / 56%

£84.95 – Buy Now

BENRIACH 10 YEAR OLD CURIOSITAS

A peated malt – unusual for Speyside. BenRiach Curiositas achieves a peat richness through the use of malted barley dried in the traditional way over peat infused kilns. Traditionalists believe that peated malts achieve optimum balance of peat-bittersweet and oak infusion after 10 years of maturation. On the nose it is undoubtedly peaty, but there are fragrant hints of honey. On the palate, the expected smoke and peat flavour is followed by a complex mix of fruit, heather, nuts, oak wood and spices. 70cl / 46%

£47.00 – Buy Now

BENRIACH 12 YEAR OLD SHERRY WOOD

Crafted using three facets of sherry cask maturation, this Speyside single malt from the BenRiach distillery has undergone 12 years of maturation in sherry casks, followed by finishing in Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso sherry casks to give unexpected layers of sweet fruits and toasted oak spice. The nose is fruity and rich, with pear, figs, apricot and mandarin syrup, alongside creme caramel and toasted vanilla. The palate has more sweet fruits with honeyed fig, baked pineapple, sultana, chocolate fondant and nutmeg. The fruits continue in the finish with a long and lingering sherry note. 70cl / 46%

£48.00 – Buy Now

BENRIACH 21 YEAR OLD TEMPORIS

A peated expression from The BenRiach distillery, Temporis (meaning ‘time’ in Latin) recreates the original character of Speyside malts of the 19th century, when the use of peated malt was widespread across the region. This expression is crafted with whisky matured for at least 21 years in a combination of bourbon barrels, virgin oak casks, Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso sherry wood. Sweet pear notes and toasted oak spice combine with honeyed peat and smoked pinewood. The palate is smooth and creamy with rich peat building to smoked cinnamon, star anise and pineapple. The sweet and smoky finish is long and lingering. 70cl / 46%

£149.00 – Buy Now

Ben Nevis Batch #1

10 Year Old cask strength limited edition matured in sherry and bourbon casks. Ben Nevis 10 Year Old 2008 vintage Small Batch Highland single malt Scotch whisky. Limited edition matured in first fill Sherry, Bourbon and Wine casks bottled September 2018. Each bottle is numbered.

Ben Nevis Distillery is a Highland malt whiskey distillery established by John McDonald in 1825 at Inverlochy just north of Fort William and rests at the foot of Ben Nevis, Scotland’s highest mountain. A Coffey’s Still was installed in in 1955 and both malt and grain whiskies were produced simultaneously until 1981. The core range comprises Ben Nevis 10 Year Old, McDonald’s Traditional and single cask bottling are released from time to time. The distillery is owned by Nikka of Japan.

Shop $109.50

The Good Dram Show – Episode 309 ‘Australian Whisky’ 

Welcome to this week’s episode of the show, in which I’ll be looking at a selection of Australian whisky, from the Lark Distillery, Hellyers Road, Mount Uncle Distillery, The New World Distillery and the Old Kempton Distillery.

https://youtu.be/HNp3VHYAosg

Highly Coveted and Extremely Rare, Blade and Bow 22-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Returns with a Limited Re-Release to Commemorate the 84th Anniversary of Stitzel-Weller’s Opening

Masterfully aged at the revered Stitzel-Weller Distillery, the award-winning bourbon is back

LOUISVILLE, April 9, 2019 In celebration of the historic opening of the Stitzel-Weller Distillery 84 years ago, Blade and Bow re-releases its rare and limited 22-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon. An ode to the distinctive distillers who set the standard for crafting exceptional bourbon, this award-winning whiskey is the latest release from the famed distillery and will be available in 12 states along with a select allocation solely for Stitzel-Weller.

At 92 proof and 46% ABV, each drop of the liquid earns its 2017 title in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible as Best Bourbon 10 years and over from multiple barrels. With the perfect blend of smoky, spicy and sweet, whiskey enthusiasts seeking an expression of true mastery are sure to be delighted with every sip.

Beginning with a pronounced nose reminiscent of toasted oak layered with vanilla bean, figs and a light touch of dark caramel, this limited-release bourbon taste is accented with notes of torched sugar and apples baked in honey and spices, said North American Whiskey Educator Doug Kragel.  “It’s the kind of rare whiskey that makes you want to savor every note slowly, because at some point in the future, supply will run out”

Blade and Bow will toast the 22-Year-Old bourbon at its fourth annual A Stitzel-Weller Affair on May 3. Guests will gather for an exquisite supper on the lawn featuring an epicurean collaboration between famed Charleston, SC, culinary entrepreneur Brooks Reitz and beloved local chef Susan Hershberg, complemented by the soulful music of indie-folk band, Mt. Joy.

Embodying the unique artistry that has been produced by Stitzel-Weller’s rich traditions, the rarity of Blade and Bow 22-Year-Old has created a cult-like following, drawing in consumers who are looking to taste a bit of the past. Blade and Bow 22-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey will be available in limited quantities in the following states: California, Texas, Georgia, Colorado, New York, South Carolina, Illinois, Kentucky, Washington, D.C., Tennessee, North Carolina and Virginia. The limited release will be available starting in mid-April. Learn more by following @bladeandbowwhiskey on Instagram.

This remarkable bourbon is best enjoyed slowly and responsibly in order to truly taste the passion that is layered throughout every drop.

About Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Blade and Bow pays homage to the artful passion and renowned craftsmanship of the legendary Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky. Blade and Bow whiskey is currently available in two variants, Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Blade and Bow 22-Year-Old Limited Release Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Blade and Bow seeks to continue the story of Stitzel-Weller by providing whiskey aficionados with an inspired piece of Kentucky history.

PLEASE SIP RESPONSIBLY.

Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 45.5-46% Alc/Vol

©2019 STITZEL-WELLER DISTILLING CO., LOUISVILLE, KY.

About Diageo

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits, beer and wine categories.  These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B, Buchanan’s, and Windsor whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world.  The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO).  For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com.  Visit Diageoa’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

STIRLING GLASSMAKERS LAUNCH REFILLABLE WHISKY ANGEL

A team of glassmakers has launched the perfect gift for whisky lovers – an angel filled with a dram they can drink.

Stirling giftware company Angels’ Share Glass created the refillable angel as an addition to their signature range following customer requests.

Customers told Managing Director Karen Somerville they loved collecting the firm’s glass angels – filled and sealed with the `Angels’ Share’ of whisky – but also wanted drinkable editions.

Mrs Somerville said: “Every time I met customers at whisky festivals and events, they would tell me how much they loved our award-winning angels but wanted one they could open and drink too.

“Instead of saving the dram for the angels, they wanted a taste of the `Angels’ Share’ so we’ve responded to feedback and created Refillable Whisky Angels.

“They will be filled with rarer whisky options and we’re also planning to offer limited editions of whiskies which are not easily accessible to give people something a bit different.” 

The `Angels’ Share’ is the measure of whisky lost to evaporation during the maturing process which, according to distillers’ legend, is taken away by angels.

The new refillable angels are designed by the firm’s Studio Manager and glassmaker Bee Hardy and come filled with different whiskies from several distilleries.

They are the same size as the original sealed Angels but have a cork attached to a ribbon which can be removed so the 25ml of single malt inside can be consumed and refilled.

Ms Hardy said: “We’ve created a decoration with a difference which we expect to be popular with customers.”

Meanwhile, the team are opening up their Bridge of Allan studio to give customers the chance to try their hand at glassblowing.

They can spend either a morning or an afternoon learning the basic techniques of lampwork glassmaking before creating a bauble, angel decoration or drink stirrer.

Ms Hardy said: “This is a rare opportunity to try your hand at a new experience – glassmaking with myself and my colleagues. 

“I’m passionate about the craft and we’re opening our doors so others can discover the joy of glassmaking. 

“It may even lead to the start of a fruitful hobby as well as being a fun day out to impress your friends. 

“No experience is needed although customers must be 16 or over.” 

To order the drinkable Angel, click HERE

To book a glass blowing session click HERE

Notes

Angels’ Share Glass is a family-run business based in Bridge of Allan, near Stirling. The firm was co-founded by Karen Somerville and her father Tom Young MBE – a world-renowned Master Craftsman who has been glassblowing and making lamp-work glassware for 60 years. More information about the company can be found at www.angelsshareglass.com

Order The COMPLETE Game of Thrones Single Malt Collection Today!

Act fast, they won’t be around for long

As the world is gripped by Game Of Thrones fever, we’re delighted to announce we have the complete Game Of Thrones Single Malt Collection available to order.

These definitely won’t be around for long, order today to avoid disappointment!

We ship all over the world
Next day UK delivery available

Game of Thrones Single Malt Collection

Winter is here! With the seventh and final series of Game of Thrones released in 2019, this collection of eight limited edition single malts is a true celebration of the hit HBO series. Each bottle in the collection is inspired by one of the seven Houses of Westeros and The Night’s Watch. Released by Diageo in collaboration with the makers of the series, each of the expressions features a unique design taken from the house sigils.

8x70cl

£398.00 – Order Now  SOLD OUT!

Orders dispatched w/c 3rd June
The collection consists of eight 70cl bottles including:
Cardhu Gold Reserve – House Targaryen – 40% abv
Clynelish Reserve – House Tyrell – 51.2% abv
Dalwhinnie Winter’s Frost – House Stark – 43% abv
Lagavulin 9 Year Old – House Lannister – 46% abv
Royal Lochnagar 12 Year Old – House Baratheon – 40% abv
The Singleton of Glendullan Select – House Tully – 40% abv
Talisker Select Reserve – House Greyjoy – 45.8% abv
Oban Bay Reserve – The Night’s Watch – 43% abv

MALTSTOCK 2019

Namesdropping

Time to drop some names of relaxed people who will be at Maltstock 2019! People you can meet and have a relaxed dram with, from September 7 – 9 at Maltstock! So get relaxed now and order your ticket in our online shop!

Annette, Bob, Klaas, Stan, Teun

Blair Athol 23 Year Old 1995 Sherry Cask

Single cask sherry butt from the Highland distillery bottled in 2019 by Hunter Laing & Co. for the First Editions series. 289 bottles at cask strength, 55.7%. Blair Athol 23 Year Old 1995 vintage Highland single malt Scotch whisky. Single sherry butt #15758 bottled 2019 by Hunter Laing & Co. for the First Editions series. 289 bottles.

Blair Athol Distillery was established in 1798 in Pitlochry and with footprints in four centuries it is one of oldest working malt whisky distilleries in Scotland. Purchased by Arthur Bell & Sons in1933 it is the spiritual ‘home’ of Arthur Bell’s range of blended scotch whisky complete with distillery visitor centre and Blair Athol Distillery tours. Although a large proportion of Blair Athol’s malt whisky cascades into blends, Bell’s to be precise, independent bottlings of Blair Athol single malts feature in the popular Connoisseurs Choice and Signatory Vintage ranges.

Shop – Blair Athol 23 Year Old – £109.58