The Good Dram Show – Episode 292 ‘Glenrothes’ – This week’s episode of the show takes a look at the newly re-vamped Glenrothes range.

https://youtu.be/Pt-cUlVVAxU

TOMATIN GETS INTO THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT WITH FESTIVE FAIR 

Scotch whisky distiller Tomatin has today (Monday 12th November 2018) announced that it is set to get into the festive spirit as it gears up to host its annual Christmas Fair on Saturday 1^st December.

Held within the distillery’s award-winning Visitor Centre between 10am and 4pm, the fair will bring together some of the best independent retailers and specialist brands from across the Highlands, including the local community of Tomatin.

Visitors will be in for a day of festive cheer, with free distillery tours, refreshments and a chance to buy unique Christmas gifts for their friends and family.

Brands showcasing their wares include, Scottish confectionery specialists, Gardiners of Scotland, tartan design studio, Prickly Thistle and, hand crafted whisky barrel furniture experts, Besp-oak.

There will also be a range of food and drink stalls with visitors being able to grab a slice of wood fired pizza or treat themselves to home baking from Cameron’s Tearoom, all before enjoying a festive hot toddy.

Visitors will also be able to take advantage of a 20% discount available across all of Tomatin’s award winning whiskies – making picking up a quick Christmas present a breeze.

New to this year’s event, the local Tomatin community are involved and setting up a number of stalls in the distillery Still House, meaning there’s even more choice than before for visitors. As well as arts and crafts from local independent retailers, a range of fantastic raffle prizes will also be up for grabs with all proceeds going to Tomatin’s charity partner, Maggie’s Centres and the local community’s appointed charity, Alzheimer’s UK.

Allanah Gray, Visitor Centre Manager, said: “We are incredibly excited that our Christmas fair is back this year at Tomatin. After our first fair was such a success, we’re delighted to showcase more of the fantastic produce and goods made by independent retailers from the area, with the inclusion of the local community this year we have everything from artisan chocolates to homemade soaps, right through to handcrafted Whisky barrel furniture – there is something for everyone!”

Tomatin currently ranks in the Top Whisky Malt Brands in the USA and is one of the fastest growing in the UK. Tomatin Distillery lies just 16 miles south of Inverness and 15 miles north of Aviemore on the A9.

For additional information please visit: http://www.tomatin.com/

Notes:

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 £35 – £2,500). Tomatin is one of the fastest growing whisky brands in the UK and ranks within the Top 10 Single Malt brands 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. 

Suppliers in Attendance: 

• Story Chocolates
• Prickly Thistle
• Besp-oak
• Loch Ness Water
• Dean’s of Huntly
• Whisky Frames
• Gardiners Fudge
• Cameron Tearooms
• Cheese & Tomatin Wood Fired Pizza
• AGA Art
• Aunt Marie’s Kitchen
• Carol’s been Cooking
• Zepice Ltd
• Highland Tea Box
• HollanDesign
• Tomatin Creatie Sewing
• Featherglen Artisan Soaps
• Highland Celtic Art
• Mandy’s Guns and Feathers
• Angus Grant Art
• McAnaraks
• Earthgems
• May Buckle
• Highland Candles
• Bruce Bartlett
• Buttons ‘n’ That
• Bounissimo Inverness

November Whisky Auction Ends Soon

Just Whisky’s November auction comes to a close soon. With over 1,400 lots to view and bid on, make sure you don’t miss out!

The auction timer comes to a close on Sunday 18^th at 8pm UK time and you can view the entire auction here:

https://www.just-whisky.co.uk/269-november-2018#/auction-live

Karuizawa 33 Years Old 1981 – Wealth Solution ‘Sumire’ (1 of 6)

An ultra rare bottle of Karuizawa, 1 of only 6 bottles from Wealth Solutions, a respected alternative investment firm based in Poland.

Distilled in 1981 at the legendary closed Japanese distillery, Karuizawa. The whisky was then left to mature for 33 years in an Ex-Sherry cask (# 136) before it was bottled at cask strength in July 2014.

This gem features a stunning gold leaf screen printed label which illustrates Viola Mandshurica or What the Japanese call ‘Sumire’.

Red Hook 24 Years Old Rye – LeNell’s Barrel Proof

Red Hook Rye is a Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey which has been aged for 24 years in Warehouse G and bottled at barrel proof.

Back in 2006 when the first barrel of Red Hook was chosen from warehouse G, never was it imaged that just two years later, they would be facing a major shortage of super-aged straight rye whiskey. Samples were sent to LeNell’s to taste some of the precious limited last barrels (so limited in fact that it was from barrels which had originally fallen under the ricks of the warehouse all those years ago), they had decided the taste of the fallen angels were precious and must be bottled.

The future of LeNell’s is exciting and the possibilities are endless with new spirit being made in the stills and left to mature for some time until it is ready to be bottled and revealed to us all.

This bottle has been imported by Nippon Food GMBH, Switzerland.

 Brora 30 Years Old 1972 – The Whisky Shop

A Whisky Shop Exclusive single cask bottling of Brora 30-year-old, distilled March 1972 and filled by Douglas Laing and co. in February 2003. One of only 220 bottles produced.

 Laphroaig 40 Years Old – Natural Cask Strength

An incredibly sought after bottle of Laphroaig. This 40-year-old whisky was the official release which followed the 1960 40 year old which was exclusive to Oddbins.

In 1960, locally grown barley was malted by hand in the distillery’s own maltings. Using the soft peaty water from the Kilbride Dam and peat from the Glenmachrie Moss in March of that year, this unique whisky was produced and put away in the warehouse beside the sea for its long sleep.

This rare and unique whisky was produced and distilled under the care and attention of the legendary Bessie Williamson. Some people say she was the first genuine lady whisky distiller.

During forty years in the warehouse, a percentage of the contents of the casks has been lost in evaporation. This has been replaced by the salt-laden air of the Laphroaig Bay. To produce such a rich, mellow whisky, in such a harsh climate, is something that can only be wondered at.

 Dalmore 1974 – Matusalem Sherry Finesse

Uniquely drawn from a single majestic Spanish oak, sherry butt which formally held 30 year old Matusalem sherries from Jerez De La Frontera. This vintage “Finesse” has fused the citrus orange character of aged Dalmore with an aromatic spicy and dried fruits complexity rarely found today. This layering of aromas and flavours excites the palate resulting in a harmonious single malt whisky.

Distilled on the 15th April 1974, one of only 948 bottles released.

www.just-whisky.co.uk

‘Tis the season!

The festive season is upon us and there’s only one thing we’d like to find under the tree… a delicious dram! You can find a thousand ways to say ‘Merry Christmas’ at Loch Fyne Whiskies with our selection of gifts, from engraved bottles to whisky box sets and more.

Free standard UK delivery over £99
We ship worldwide too!

Shackleton Blended Malt Engraved

£39.70

2009 Caol Ila 8 Year Old “Signatory” Single Hogshead Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($89.99)

We’ve made it a point this year to buy as much young Caol Ila as possible! Not only is the distillery cranking out some of the finest peated malt anywhere on Islay, but it’s taste extremely delicious even at a very young age. When Signatory showed us this exceptional cask, we knew it would be a struggle to get it to the states at a price that makes sense. Luckily, the new local representation for the brand are old friends and they were able to work out a deal to bring this exceptional cask into stock at a relatively reasonable rate. Of course these Signatory casks don’t compare on paper to our Directly Imported casks from Hunter and Douglas Laing, but they also offer something different than we’ve ever been offered from our friends in Glasgow. This small lot of top tier Caol Ila was filled into fresh bourbon barrels on October 22nd, 2009. It has a freshness and intensity unsurpassed by any similarly priced peater in the shop and beats even the wonderful young Ardbegs in terms of sheer power. A perfect contrast the soft rounded single barrel of Sovereign and while it doesn’t offer the quite the same ridiculously value, it takes the complexity to a whole new level. With that in mind, we think this special whisky still stands out as one of the best peated values in the shop.

Jackson Lee | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 02, 2018

This dram was a bit of a chameleon, every time I put the glass up to my nose it seemed to morph from my previous impressions. A strong, woody smoke was first out of the gates, followed by what was undoubtedly my dentists office (kind of a menthol-y antiseptic). Preserved lemon and orange blossom honey gave it a nice, bright, citrus component with demerara sugar tying it all together. The first sip was dangerous, as were required to spit while tasting at work and I had to fight my instinct to imbibe. With a medium body a sweet, light, smoke flavor tickled the palate as rock candy with flowery notes and an almost maraschino liqueur flavor walked the line between sweet and bitter. A distant smoke lingered in the finish, as if smelling a far off fire.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: October 31, 2018

Fall is the most magical time of year in my book. It always brings with it a new container of Scotch! And that almost always includes a couple of beautiful young peaty whiskies at reasonable prices. This year, there is one of the best side by side comparisons I’ve seen in years. 2 different Caol Ila barrels, one 7 years old, the other 8. One in first fill bourbon casks, the other in sherry. Both well under a hundred bucks. This Signatory barrel is all about the smoke and earth. The vanillans of the bourbon barrel just raise the smoke on a pedestal. The aroma is crystal clear – beach bonfire fueled by soaking wet logs. The palate is richer than expected, giving much more spice than you find in the nose. For the finish, the logs dry out and you get the beautiful warmth of a glowing fire. This will take you from the start of the evening right on through until morning.

Neal Fischer | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: October 30, 2018

It’s eight years old, but boy is this whisky light in color! This Caol Ila’s pale straw color makes it look like a ghost who’s been hiding from sunlight all winter, but it has quite a lot of flavor. The nose presents smoked bacon, BBQ char, saltiness, light cherry, and apricot. The palate boasts chili pepper with medium peat, a soft vanilla character, along with nice brininess and earthiness.

Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: October 27, 2018

This is an excellent selection from a first class independent bottler. The nose is on the subtle side with the smoke aromas inviting and present but not too heavy. In the mouth it is clean and pure with a nice juicy note. Some smoke flavors help add to the experience. There is a long finish. This is a single malt that is ready to drink. Do not be afraid of its young age because each barrel of spirit ages differently and this particular cask is a joy to drink in its youth.

ralfy.com has a BB&R moment with  ralfy review 752 – Ardmore 21yo @ 60.1%vol: (Berry Bros & Rudd)

https://youtu.be/Am9HSxNd–g

JACK DANIEL DISTILLERY LAUNCHES JACK DANIEL’S SINGLE BARREL “HERITAGE BARREL” TENNESSEE WHISKEY

Timeless technique and historic craftsmanship come together for limited edition product available nationwide in October

LYNCHBURG, Tenn. (Oct. 18, 2018) – The Jack Daniel Distillery is celebrating the historic art of barrel-making with a new special edition member of the Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Collection. Limited to just 200 barrels, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel “Heritage Barrel” utilizes the unique barrel toasting techniques of the earliest coopers to create a new whiskey rich in flavor yet steeped in tradition.

Master Distiller Jeff Arnett and his team of whiskey makers selected from hand-crafted “Heritage barrels” slowly heated to achieve a deeper, richer toasted layer before being charred. The whiskey then matured at a lower entry proof in the uppermost reaches of one of the highest elevated barrelhouses in Lynchburg, TN and bottled at 100° proof. The result is a flavorful and rich Tennessee whiskey that has warm notes of vanilla and sweet baking spices with a lingering finish of oak.

“We hold ourselves to the highest standard when crafting and selecting Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel products. The unique barrel toasting behind ‘Heritage Barrel’ creates a flavor you won’t find in any other Single Barrel expression,” said Arnett. “We believe we’ve made a whiskey that would make our earliest coopers and Mr. Jack himself proud.”

Jack Daniel’s is the only major whiskey company in the world to make its own barrels, crafted from American white oak. Today, the Jack Daniel Cooperage can produce more than 1,500 barrels per day. The unique barrels crafted to mature “Heritage Barrel” take a trip back in time to Jack’s humble beginnings and celebrate the vital maturation process that takes Tennessee whiskey from the distillery, to the bottle.

The limited edition bottle will hit shelves in October available in a 750ml size with a suggested retail price of $64.99. 

About Jack Daniel’s

Officially registered by the U.S. Government in 1866 and based in Lynchburg, Tenn., the Jack Daniel Distillery, Lem Motlow, proprietor, is the first registered distillery in the United States and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Jack Daniel’s is the maker of the world-famous Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey, Gentleman Jack Double Mellowed Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Rye, Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Select and Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails.

SAZERAC COMPANY PURCHASES BRANDS FROM DIAGEO 

LOUISVILLE, KY (Nov. 12, 2018) The Sazerac Company, one of America’s oldest family owned, privately held distillers, is purchasing 19 brands from Diageo, a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across the spirits and beer categories.

The brands being purchased by Sazerac are Seagram’s V.O. Seagram’s 83, Seagram’s Five Star, Myers’s, Romana Sambuca, Yukon Jack, Booth’s, Goldschlager, Popov, Relska, The Club, Black Haus, Peligroso, Grind, Piehole, Parrot Bay, Stirrings, Scoresby and John Begg brands.

“We are delighted to acquire these iconic brands from Diageo and are looking forward to working closely with our wholesalers and customers to provide the focus to maximize the full global potential of the brands,” stated Jake Wenz, Sazerac’s chief operating officer.

The sale of the brands is expected to be completed by early 2019.

About the Sazerac Company

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.

The Highly-Anticipated Release from Ardbeg’s “Twenty Something” Series
Ardbeg 22 Year Old “Twenty Something”
Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($549.99)

“It offers an incredibly flavourful, silky quality which is exceptional. I can think of no better way to celebrate those whisky lovers who helped keep Ardbeg alive during its darkest days.”
—Dr. Bill Lumsden, Ardbeg Director of Distilling

At long last, the highly anticipated third release from Ardbeg’s “Twenty Something” series is now available. Arguably the finest of the trio, the 22 Year Old is a masterful single malt that celebrates the revival of a brand that nearly went extinct back in 1996. For those who may not know the story, Ardbeg had fallen on hard times starting in the 1980s and produced only sporadically through to 1997, when they were purchased by Glenmorangie, thus beginning their renaissance. This bottling, which was distilled back in 1996, is one of the last produced in the previous era using the now retired still that currently rests in Ardbeg’s courtyard. In short, the 22 Year Old is a piece of Scotch history and a testament to those who kept the brand alive during its dark years. Matured in ex-Bourbon barrels and bottled at 46.4%, it is an exotic dram that Ardbeg’s distillery manager, Mickey Heads, describes as having “luscious tropical fruits, peppermint tea and sweet vanilla toffee…with mouth-watering sweet smoke.” Ardbeg is always a collector’s favorite, and we expect this rare release to be swept up in no time. Don’t miss out on one of the most coveted whiskies in the market.

Ardbeg 22 Year Old “Twenty Something” Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($549.99)

The Ardbeg distillery has become the darling of the peated whisky world over the last two decades. Things seemed bleak for the distillery in the 1980s. The distillery was basically mothballed from 1981 until 1989. It was only for the strong will and dedication of a small group of dreamers that any whisky was distilled there between 1989 and 1997. That’s the year that the distillery was purchased by Glenmorangie and the complex process of re-launching the line was begun. By 1998 the distillery was running at full steam. Only a few years later and the Ardbeg craze would be in full swing. Those early years saw the release of countless legends, both vintage and experimental, but creating a new whisky line without any stock is not easy. Now Ardbeg is one of our most popular single malts, but finding stock older than 10 years is next to impossible. After building an incredible array of NAS offerings, they’re finally able to offer mature stock from the intermittent ‘90s period. The “Twenty Something” line is drawn from the oldest and rarest Ardbeg still in barrel and represents a level maturity that has not existed on the open market for more than a decade. This is the third iteration of the ultra high-end offering and is probably the best of the three. This highly collectable rarity is already sold out in most of Europe and fetching very high prices on the secondary market. We’ve been afforded a relatively healthy allocation, but it won’t last long and when it’s gone it will be gone forever.