ralfy review 1082 – Loch Lomond 14yo @ 46%vol:

Sazerac’s Hawk’s Rock Distillery Releases its Inaugural Whiskey:

Garavogue 20-Year-Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey

Blended by Master Blender Helen Mulholland, the first whiskey brand released by Hawk’s Rock Distillery celebrates innovation, exploration and local heritage

County Sligo, Ireland (June 4, 2025) – The Sazerac Company, one of the world’s largest distilled spirits companies, is thrilled to celebrate the release of its inaugural Irish whiskey from Hawk’s Rock Distillery: Garavogue 20 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey. Crafted by Master Blender Helen Mulholland, the first female Master Blender in Irish Whiskey history, this new-to-world whiskey brand embodies Sazerac’s dedication to world class distillation, aging and blending.

Named after the river that flows past the Distillery through Sligo town into the Atlantic Ocean, Garavogue Whiskey is a bridge between past and present, honoring the rich traditions of Irish whiskey while embracing innovation and discovery. Every small-batch release under the Garavogue name will be limited and experimental in nature, exploring different ages, maturation techniques and possibly even different types of Irish whiskey.

For its inaugural and limited release expression, Garavogue 20-Year-Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey offers a rare take on traditional Irish Whiskey with both unexpected and familiar flavors due to its unique maturation involving multiple types of casks. Double-distilled and initially aged for a minimum of 14 years in ex-bourbon American oak casks, the whiskey was then transferred into a variety of unique finishing casks including French Muscat, French Sauternes, Spanish Pedro Ximénez Sherry and Barbadian Rum casks for further maturation. The result is a 94-proof whiskey with aromas of vanilla, warm peach, and spun sugar from the Sauternes cask influence, while floral and raisin notes from the Muscat and Sherry casks emerge on the nose.  On the palate, vanilla and citrus sweetness complement buttery ripe apples, while fresh fruit flavors from the rum cask create a prominent sweet finish.

“The current trend is for whiskey to have a rich sherry finish, but Garavogue is purposefully different,” says Master Blender Helen Mulholland. “We believe that complexity and subtlety can work hand in hand. It is unusual for a whiskey to be blended with this number and variety of casks, but just as the river ebbs and flows, the flavors create a wonderful blend as they weave together in this 20-year-old single malt.”

Release #1 is housed in a distinctive reversed crescent shapeeflecting the Garavogue River’s influence including subtle wave patterns that mirror the motion of water. The label also features imagery and coordinates for the Hazelwood House Windmill – an enduring landmark on the grounds of Hawk’s Rock – in tribute to the historical figures who lived and worked along Garavogue’s banks.

“We hope that Garavogue Whiskey invites Irish Whiskey fans to linger, explore and uncover the hidden stories of Sligo,” remarks Jess Scheerhorn, Vice President at Sazerac. “The Garavogue River shaped this beautiful landscape for millenniums, and Garavogue Irish Whiskey aims to shape new experiences, connections and traditions – one sip at a time.”

Garavogue Whiskey will begin rolling out in limited quantities as of June 2025 at a suggested retail price of $199 (700ML) through Sazerac’s distributor networks across the United States, Ireland, United Kingdom and Duty-Free. A limited supply will also be available for purchase directly via Legacy de Forge, a new Sazerac branded global platform powered by Blockbar for purchasing some of the world’s most coveted bottles. Please visit LegacydeForge.com for more information.

Garavogue Whiskey is the first release from Sazerac’s recently rebranded Hawk’s Rock Distillery, which is named after a prominent outcrop in the Ox Mountains known for inspiring Nobel Prize winning poet William Butler (W.B.) Yeats, who called Sligo his “spiritual home.” In April 2025, Hawk’s Rock owner, Sazerac Company, announced the renaming of Hawk’s Rock Distillery from Lough Gill Distillery, referring to the name change as a reflection of the company vision for the future – blending curiosity, innovation and respect for Sligo’s heritage.

For more information, please visit https://www.hawksrockdistillery.com/.

About Sazerac

With over 400 years of history, Sazerac is one of the world’s largest distilled spirits companies. Now in the fourth generation of the current family ownership, Sazerac strives each day to bring the finest spirits to consumers and communities around the world. Over 500 of the world’s most extraordinary brands are part of the Sazerac portfolio, including Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Eagle Rare, Weller, The Last Drop Distillers, Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, Southern Comfort, Wheatley Vodka, Meyers’s Rum, White X Cognac, Sazerac de Forge Cognac, Paddy’s Irish Whiskey, and many more. Sazerac is also the steward of many fine distilleries internationally, including Buffalo Trace Distillery in Kentucky, United States; Domaine Sazerac de Segonzac in Cognac, France; Paul John Distillery in Goa, India; and Hawk’s Rock Distillery in County Sligo, Ireland. Additional impressive locations can be found in New Orleans, Montréal, London, Cork and Sydney, to name a few. To learn more visit www.sazerac.com.

Exclusive Elijah Craig Single Barrel Bourbon Genesis Bottling Available Starting June 13

GEORGETOWN, KY (Jun 11, 2025) – Georgetown, Kentucky, proudly launches Bourbon Genesis, a new campaign inviting bourbon enthusiasts and history lovers to discover the birthplace of America’s native spirit. This initiative places Georgetown at the heart of Kentucky’s bourbon journey, honoring its legacy as the site where Reverend Elijah Craig first distilled bourbon in 1789.

At the center of this story is Royal Spring Park, nestled in historic downtown Georgetown. Here, Elijah Craig, a fiery Baptist preacher turned pioneering distiller, used the limestone-rich spring water to create a whiskey unlike any other. That same year, Craig became the first to age whiskey in new charred oak barrels, a process that defines bourbon to this day, imparting its signature amber hue and flavors of caramel, vanilla, and spice.

“Bourbon Genesis is more than a campaign, it’s a pilgrimage to where bourbon began,” said Lori Saunders, executive director of the Georgetown/Scott County Tourism Commission.

Georgetown continues to reflect Craig’s spirit of innovation and hospitality, offering visitors a vibrant blend of food, drink, and culture in its walkable downtown.

To kick off the campaign, a group of bourbon influencers visited Georgetown, starting with a private meeting at Local Feed with Chef Justin Thompson, before touring the Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience to select a special barrel of Elijah Craig Bourbon, which was bottled as Bourbon Genesis Single Barrel.

This exclusive Bourbon Genesis bottle, a private barrel pick from Heaven Hill, will debut at the Founders’ Sip event hosted by Maime’s Fine Wine & Gifts in Georgetown on Friday, June 13, 2025, from 6:00–8:00 p.m. Following the release, bottles will be available for purchase at Maime’s. Jeremy Atwood, a Kentucky native and Lead Bourbon Educator at Heaven Hill, will be leading the Founders Sip event. A former non-profit leader, Jeremy holds degrees in History and Theology and now shares his deep love of bourbon and storytelling with guests from around the world. Taste, Select, Repeat members will receive the bottle in their summer subscription.

The Bourbon Genesis barrel was handpicked by a panel of esteemed bourbon voices: Orlando “OJ” Lima, Jack Beguedou, Victor Sizemore, Tom Wilmes, Seth Thompson, Jess Ann Zimlich, Jeremy Chapline, Justin Thompson, and Chad Cole. Notably, Beguedou was named Top Spirits Influencer by the American Distilling Institute in 2024.

Attendees will be among the first to experience the Founders’ Sip and can purchase one bottle of Bourbon Genesis during the event. Suggested retail pricing is $115 per 750 mL and it is 123 proof.  Tickets will be distributed first-come, first-served at the door.

For more information, visit www.bourbongenesis.com

About Visit Georgetown, Kentucky
Georgetown, Kentucky is dedicated to showcasing the rich history, vibrant culture, and unique experiences that make Georgetown a premier travel destination. From bourbon heritage to scenic landscapes, family-friendly experiences and outdoor adventures, Georgetown offers something for everyone.

Iron Gate Spirits Auction June 16-23, 2025 – Browse and Bid.  Only in Canada.

Iron Gate is embracing the summer with over 400 lots of fine and rare spirits in the upcoming Fine Spirits Auction. The catalogue is being lead by Whistlepig’s legendary “Spice Dancer,” the first from The Boss Hog series.  Next, in celebrating our nation’s distilling traditions, are the finest whiskies from Crown Royal’s Monarch, Cask No16, and Nobel Collections;

JP Wiser’s Rare Casks and Collectors Series; first releases of Lot 40 and

the Canadian Chronicle Series from Canadian Club.

Not to be missed is the rare Highland Park 15 year old special release for the Hudson’s Bay.

Oh Canada! Oh yes!

Auction June 16-23, 2025 – Browse and Bid

Glen Scotia Victoriana

Each cask of this Campbeltown Single Malt is selected for its rare character and exceptional maturity. Finished in deep charred oak before bottling straight from the cask, this non chill-filtered expression combines subtle wood and vanilla flavours with a full-bodied spicy fruit aroma.

£89.00

SHOP NOW ❯

An historic powerhouse of whisky-making, Campbeltown has its own festival celebrating the craft of creating the perfect dram, and we’re here to tell you all about it – the Campbeltown Malts Festival 2025. We promised you recommendations of our favourite drams from each of the festival Scotch regions and we are here to deliver! Our wonderful Fort William team have chosen Campbeltown and Glen Scotia Victoriana as their top pick this festival season. Enjoy!

EXPLORE CAMPBELTOWN! >

Free Next Day Delivery for 12 Months For just £14.95 you can enjoy free next day delivery on all your orders for a whole year! Geographic restrictions apply, see full T&Cs. Find out more ❯

Old Particular

Secret Islay 9 Years Old

At Douglas Laing, we don’t chase trends – we chase flavour.

Our Old Particular “Secrets Series” strips away preconceptions with a sleek black bottle and keeps the distillery a mystery – because only one thing matters: taste.

Meet the Secret Islay 9 Years Old – a bold, unapologetic dram from one of Islay’s iconic distilleries.

Expect smouldering peat, charred citrus, and a long, lingering finish of salted toffee. No shortcuts. No chill-filtration. No distractions. Just the Whisky, raw and revealing.

This isn’t Whisky for label-chasers. It’s for flavour fanatics.

Are you in?

SHOP NOW

The Good Dram Show – Episode 596 ‘Woodrow’s of Edinburgh & Curious Whiskies’

Episode 596 – A Curious Woodrow Episode of the Show!

Filmed in The Study Nottingham

Featuring

Woodrow’s of Edinburgh Warehouse Blend (Batch 2) 50%
Woodrow’s of Edinburgh Glen Elgin 2009 (15 year old) 63.6%
Woodrow’s of Edinburgh Arran 1997 (28 year old) 57.8%
www.woodrowswhisky.com

Curious Whiskies Jura 2009 (15 year old) 46%
Curious Whiskies Craigellachie 2009 (15 year old) 46%
Curious Whiskies Dirt Turf Blended Islay Malt Scotch 46%
www.curiouswhiskies.com

Old Perth Launches Limited Edition Amontillado Cask Expression 

  New release puts nut-forward sherry character in the spotlight

June 2025 Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers (MSWD) has unveiled its latest release today from Old Perth – a limited edition Amontillado Sherry Cask Matured Blended Malt, marking a distinctive addition to its sherry-led portfolio.

Bottled at 52.8% ABV, the expression celebrates the nuanced complexity of Amontillado sherry casks and is now available in key markets across the UK, EU and selected international territories (RRP £58).

Crafted from a bespoke blend of Speyside single malts, many sourced from distilleries still using traditional worm tub condensers, the release showcases a markedly different take on sherry cask maturation. While Oloroso and PX casks dominate the category, Amontillado offers a drier, more savoury profile, shaped by dual maturation, first under flor and then oxidatively.

Graeme Mackeddie, Master Blender at Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers, said:

“Amontillado casks offer something rare and compelling – structure, restraint, and this incredible nutty elegance. We wanted to build a whisky that captures that nuance and takes Old Perth in a slightly unexpected, but still unmistakably sherried, direction.”

The blend was initially matured in a mix of American and European oak sherry butts, along with a component drawn from Old Perth’s Solera system. The spirit was then re-racked into first fill Amontillado sherry casks – both butts and hogsheads, for a nearly three-year finishing period at the distiller’s Aberargie warehouse, followed by a final marrying phase in Amontillado wood.

The result is a layered and refined malt with notes of hazelnut, almond, dried apricot and amaretti biscuit, underpinned by subtle oxidative tones and a dry, nut-forward finish. The bottling is non-chill filtered, with a natural colour, and limited to a small batch drawn from nine hogsheads and six sherry butts.

The launch follows a strong showing for the Old Perth range at the 2025 International Wine & Spirit Competition, where the brand secured four medals. Old Perth Cask Strength earned Silver with 92 points, praised for its “velvety texture and warming spice,” while Old Perth 12 Year Old also received a Silver (90 points) for its balance of grilled oranges and syrupy berries. Both The Original and Double Sherry Wood expressions picked up Bronze medals, further reinforcing the brand’s reputation for delivering high-quality, sherried blended malts.

Product Details:

• Name: Old Perth Amontillado
• Style: Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
• Maturation: First Fill Amontillado Sherry Casks (European Oak)
• ABV: 52.8%
• RRP: £58.00
• Availability: UK, EU, and select international markets
• Bottled: Natural Colour, Non-Chill Filtered

For more information, stockist listings or image assets, visit: www.oldperthwhisky.co.uk/stockists

ABOUT MSWD

Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers (MSWD) is an independent, family-owned company based in Perth, Scotland. Rebranded in 2020, MSWD represents five generations of Morrison whisky heritage under one name, with a focus on single malt production, brand development, blending and bottling. Its flagship brands include Aberargie, Old Perth, Mac-Talla, Càrn Mòr and Bruadar.

Whether you’re headed on a well-earned holiday this month or are getting off the beaten track closer to home – we’re keeping the whisky adventures flowing with our newest Outturn. Get ready to raise your hip flask to the summer ahead.

THE UNEXPECTED MEANDER

CASK NO. 121.112

CASK:  1st fill ex-bourbon barrel

AGE:  8 years

TUMBLE INTO TOFFEE

CASK NO. 8.49

CASK:  1st fill PX butt

AGE:  8 years

 (FIRST APPEARANCE FROM
THIS DISTILLERY IN AN OUTTURN FOR
SMWS CANADA)

ANDALUSIAN DAYDREAM

CASK NO. 24.175

CASK:  1st fill oloroso hogshead

AGE:  15 years

CINNAMON CHILLI CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES

CASK NO. 157.2

CASK:  1st fill oloroso butt

AGE:  7 years

(FIRST APPEARANCE FROM
THIS DISTILLERY FOR SMWS CANADA)

HEATHER, HONEYCOMB AND HUMIDORS

CASK NO. 4.354

CASK:  1st fill ex-bourbon barrel

AGE:  13 years

INDUSTRIAL CONFECTIONERY

CASK NO. 66.232

CASK:  Refill rum barrel

AGE:  9 years

BROWSE JUNE OUTTURN HERE

VIEW ALL BOTTLINGS

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada
Suite 160
104 – 1240 Kensington Road NW
Calgary, AB T2N 3P7
403-969-8225
curious@smws.ca
www.smws.ca

Secrets, Stories & Summer Serves

Every summer, Glengoyne enters its Silent Season, a tradition that stretches back generations. While the stills take a well-earned rest and our 106-year-old mill gets its annual care, we’re welcoming visitors for something a little different.

Secrets, Stories & Summer Serves, our exclusive summer experience running from 25th June to 1st August.

Explore the distillery grounds, hear fascinating tales from our past, and uncover the secrets behind one of Scotland’s most beautiful distilleries. Then head to the tasting room to enjoy our 12 and 15 Year Old Highland Single Malts, followed by our signature Honey Bee cocktail.

Whisky, storytelling and a taste of summer.

Slàinte Mhath,

The Glengoyne Team