BENRIACH, GLENDRONACH AND GLENGLASSAUGH WHISKY TASTING – THURSDAY 7TH JUNE

Matt Chambers will be coming along to present our next whisky tasting on Thursday 7th June and as a special treat the tasting will feature not one, not two but three distilleries!  Matt is the UK Brand Ambassador for Benriach (from Speyside), Glendronach and Glenglassaugh (both from the Highlands) – each of which have a distinctly different style and were acquired by Brown-Forman in 2016 when they bought the group from Billy Walker and his partners.

The main focus of the tasting will be whisky from Glenglassaugh distillery but there will also be guest appearances of a luscious, sherried Glendronach and an aged Benriach that is the first Benriach to have been developed by talented Master Blender Rachel Barrie, who was brought in by Brown-Forman in 2017 to further develop the profile of the three distilleries.  The Glenglassaugh whiskies will include the fruity and smooth Evolution, a peated expression and some limited editions that have been garnering great reviews recently so, all in all, this promises to be a tasty and interesting line up.

Tickets are £15 per person and will be available to buy online from 1.30pm on Tuesday 8th May.  Please note, no bookings will be taken before this time and because of the high demand for these tickets the maximum number per booking is 4.

N.B. These events get booked out very quickly so make sure you go online to book yours as soon as they are released.  If you do miss out then please contact us to register your interest and we will add you to the reserves list for any returned tickets.

See below for all the details and if you have any queries just contact us.

Sláinte!
Fran and Ken
Arkwrights Whisky and Wines
www.whiskyandwines.com

THE BORDERS DISTILLERY^® – FIRST SINCE 1837

– Distilling Returns to the Scottish Borders After an Absence of Nearly 200 Years –

It was at 10.11am on 6^th March 2018 that new-make spirit started to flow from the copper pot stills at The Borders Distillery in Hawick, a pivotal moment not only for the four founders of the Three Stills Company (TTSC), owners of The Borders Distillery^® but also for distilling in the Scottish Borders.

Tomorrow (Tuesday 1^st May 2018), The Borders Distillery^® will officially open its doors to the public, marking the revival of an industry that had ceased to exist in the region for nearly 200 years – the last-known distillery closed in Kelso in 1837.

In March 2013, Tim Carton, John Fordyce, Tony Roberts and George Tait, founded TTSC aiming to capitalise on the growth of Scotch Whisky sales, particularly in Malt Whisky, and the explosion in demand for gin made in Scotland.   Having all worked at one time or the other at international distillers William Grant & Sons and having spent much of their professional lives in the drinks sector, they knew there was an opportunity to be had in building a new distillery and the opportunity lay in the Scottish Borders.

It was John Fordyce who identified Hawick as a potential location. Having worked for world-leading thread manufacturer COATS plc, he knew that the town not only boasted a plentiful supply of magnificent water but it also, owing to its rich manufacturing heritage, had a skilled workforce that to tap into. This, coupled with the absence of an operational distillery and the fact that the region is the heartland for barley production in the UK, presented a compelling case for the distillery to be built in the Scottish Borders as Tim Carton, CEO explained.

“There were some very convincing arguments for us to look to the Scottish Borders for our distillery,” he said.  “The skilled labour market and textile manufacturing history, particularly in tweed and cashmere, were two big influencing factors, as was ready availability of natural resources and raw materials.”

In November 2015 TTSC announced that it had reached its £10m fundraising target to be able to realise its vision for The Borders Distillery^® and work started a year later on the 1.3-hectare site overlooking the River Teviot in Hawick.

The site houses two large sheds, dating from 1888, and a Tudor Cotswold building, which was constructed by Hawick Urban Electric Company in 1903.  TTSC took the decision to preserve as much of the buildings’ historical features in the redevelopment as they could and, under the guidance of GMA Architects and contractors M & J Ballantyne, signs of this sensitive restoration style are evident throughout.

The random rubble construction walls have been left exposed; the original trusses, wooden sarking and aluminium batons spanning the mash and still halls, have been fully refurbished.  Wherever possible, materials have been salvaged, reused or repurposed: stonework, ironmongery, doors, even slates have all found new homes.

The creation of a sustainable business model that would deliver social, environmental and economic benefits was fundamental to the TTSC management team.

Up to nineteen jobs will be created locally across the business’ core functions and over 65% of the civil budget was spent in the Borders area.  The barley sourced for distilling is entirely grown in the Scottish Borders, while all co-products (draff, spent lees and pot ale) will be used solely in the region. Process water for the distillery is drawn by borehole from the water table and cooling water is taken from the River Teviot, in the same way the town’s textile mills have done for centuries.

The distillery comprises a visitor centre and shop on the ground floor and entertaining/meeting space on the first floor: the open-plan Gallery, furnished with a bar and lounge seating, and the Teviot Room. The still hall is equipped with two wash stills, two spirit stills and a specially commissioned Carter Head still, all manufactured by Forsyths of Rothes.  Operating at full capacity, The Borders Distillery^® can produce up to two million litres of pure alcohol.

It will be a minimum of three years in cask before the first Borders Distillery Single Malt can legally be made available for sale.  TTSC, however, already has two brands in market: Clan Fraser, a blended scotch whisky, and Lower East Side, a blended malt scotch whisky.

Tim Carton added: “It was five years ago that we (the founders) came together to create a business plan that would spearhead the resurrection of an industry that had been lost to this region for generations.  This is a seminal moment for our business. In addition to being the first Scotch Whisky distillery to exist and operate in the Scottish Borders since 1837, we are now in a position to contribute to the growth of this fine industry.  Scotch whisky is again experiencing exciting times with growth fueled by new and more mature markets.”

Scotch Whisky is the world’s number one internationally traded spirit drink and it enjoyed a record-breaking year for exports in 2017. According to official HMRC data, last year Scotch grew in both volume and value (by 1.6% and 8.9% respectively) to a total of £4.36bn – the equivalent of 1.23bn bottles exported globally.

The Borders Distillery^® will open 10am to 4pm Monday to Saturday and guided tours will be held on the hour, every hour, for a ticket price of £12.

The Borders Distillery^® – First Since 1837

www.thebordersdistillery.com

The Borders Distillery^®

Commercial Road

Hawick

TD9 7AQ

T: 01450 374330

 Notes:

TTSC’s investors include the Edinburgh-based investment company Badenoch & Co. whose owner Malcolm Offord, is TTSC Chairman; the Ballande family in France (originating from the Scottish Lowlands and now an international, diversified and pioneering commercial group in France and the Asia Pacific region) and Drake Enterprises (an international investment group headquartered in Switzerland with Scottish ancestry and a background in food retailing, real estate and agribusiness).

Aside from the first rays of rare Scottish sunshine and the yellow daffodils that suddenly bloom on the estate, the first blush of spring at The Glenrothes comes with some familiar arrivals. Over the last few years we’ve welcomed a family of ducks at the distillery. They turn up at the beginning of May to paddle together in the waters of the Rothes Burn and feed from the land—as well as enjoying the bread from our sandwiches that we like to share with them during our breaks from busy whisky making.

To us, the first sighting of our ducks represents a moment to pause and reflect on new beginnings and the days to come as we ramp up production before taking our break during the distillery’s ‘silent season’. Being surrounded by the changing cycles of nature is a constant reminder of our connection to the land and the continuity of the traditions that are such an important part of what we do here.

So let’s all raise a glass together to our feathered friends!

1976 Brother Casks – Last chance to purchase

The few remaining bottles from 1976 Cask #2682 and 1976 Cask #2685 will be available for purchase until May 11th.

These extremely rare and highly collectable Glenrothes single cask malts represent a once in a lifetime opportunity to own an exceptional whisky from our original, but now silent stillhouse. Each purchase comes with a VIP invitation to tour The Glenrothes Distillery with our team, taste some very special whiskies and get behind the scenes at a distillery not open to the general public.

Cask #2682 

43.6 % Vol. 

Lemon peel, Almonds and Cedar wood.

 Buy Now

Bottled at cask strength and natural colour, these exclusive bottles come in a beautiful oak box with a display plinth, coasters and leather bound book telling the story of the year 1976.

Hurry, this offer ends on May 11^th!

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Oldest Known Bottle of Glenfarclas Comes Home

J.& G. Grant were thrilled to welcome home what they believe to be the oldest unopened bottle of Glenfarclas still in existence.  The recently rediscovered bottle is from 1920 – the oldest that we know of, making it a very important addition to the Glenfarclas archive.

On the closure of Gartloch Distillery in 1920, the bottle was presented to its manager Stephen Dowell.  It was kept by Mr Dowell until 1947, then passed to his daughter.  She then passed it to Mr Hugh Taylor, her niece’s husband, back in 1988 – after it was discovered wrapped in a tea towel at the back of the laundry cupboard!  He kept hold of it until recently, when his family contacted Glenfarclas.

The bottle came home during a lunch in April when John Grant was able to inspect it in person for the first time.  A number of features on the bottle meant he had absolutely no doubt about it’s authenticity. In an age when a number of bottles purportedly from that time are turning out to be counterfeit, this one is definitely the real deal. John said “I am delighted to bring this bottle containing whisky from the time of my grandfather back to it’s spiritual home, and as such add another chapter to our archive.”

Visitors to the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival will be able to view the bottle, which will be on display in the Glenfarclas visitor centre alongside the new Festival bottling.  This year’s edition is a 2004 single cask selected by distillery manager Callum Fraser.  From Thursday, 80 bottles per day will be available at the distillery on a first come first served basis.

Saturday, May 12th  12-3PM 

Scotch Tasting:

Ledaig, Bunnahabhain, & Tobermory 

Treat yourself to a traditional scotch tasting! We’ll be showcasing a variety of Scotland’s whisky regions with three very different distilleries – Ledaig, Bunnahabhain, and Tobermory. Distillery representatives and whisky experts will present for questions throughout. If you’ve ever wanted to know more about the home of whisky, this is the tasting for you.

Click Here to RSVP

FIESTA OF FLAVOUR

Festival fever is in the air this month, with an adventurous programme of whisky tastings and events happening in Speyside and Islay. May Outturn marks the occasion with a fiesta of flavour, bringing 21 colourful casks to explore – including our series of festival bottlings with celebratory labels, two from Speyside and four from Islay (look-out for the special stamps throughout the bottling list).

MAY OUTTURN: SOME RARE PEARLS INDEED

These rare bottlings have in some cases not been seen on the Society’s shelf for more than a decade! Seize this opportunity to (re-)discover and explore delicious drams of liquid history, guaranteed to lift your spirits.

NEW 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

This is not just a blog, it is a lifestyle!  Oban & Mull.

By Paul McLean of MCLEANSCOTLAND

Being hatched just along the road fae Oban in Connel, I have a great understanding of the west coast, especially Oban and Mull. Born Connel, babynapped at an early age, I have always had a pull to drag me home. This trip was just one of many.

Setting out from Perth where I now hang out, it is a very scenic two hour or so drive, through wonderful glens, passing lochs, coast and the occasional pub (he laughs), it is very hard not to stop every half hour or so, but – I venture on, all for the sake of tourism you understand. Passing through Crieff, I know of a very good grocer, who also sells cheeses and a bloomin grand selection of whiskies. From here passing by Glenturret Distillery – no calling in today folks, en route to a wee stop for a butty or burger in one of my favourites stops. He also sells banjo burgers (burger with a fried egg, when you bite it, it runs doon your shirt and your hand immediately does the banjo thing!) and a cuppa tea. Rested, fed and watered on I go, doon the glens to my next stop, The Green Welly Shop.  Gifts, food, drinks etc etc and, a good whisky shop with samples given oot, not me, am still driving. But, I do leave with a bottle of Tamdhu 10 year old single malt, a lovely dram and one you should try if not had before, it excells! Wonderful scenery as I turn left at the Glencoe fork in the road, along the Beatles road – it’s long and winding. This takes me to Connel, a stop here at the Falls of Laura, the Oyster Bar, before a few more miles to Oban. Park up and donder aboot on foot. There are two good whisky shops here and aye, both are well known to me and me to them, plus of course the Oban Distillery. A few pubs I regularly haunt – a dram or two in The Tartan Bar, a pint and a dram in Auley’s; even had Charlies home dram here – a JW Black, no bad, check into my accoms and set out for food, usually seafood, one or three places I know well. A good night is assured.

Next morning after breakfast I catch to ferry to Mull – the Isle of. A 45 minute sail, passing my castle; Duart and landing at Craignure. From here along the road towards Tobermory.

I have a date here with Macgochans pub, owned by a friend, great plates of food and a serious collection of whiskies. Of course as you would expect, he has a selection of Tob drams, many bottles of Tobermory and a few Ledaig peaty drams, standing at the bar you get this urge to try em all, but alas, this Budda shaped body cannee take em all, so lets have a Masala finish Tob, heaven in a glass, sorry angels, beat you to it this time – sorry dad. Neil usually has live music on and a special darts board, it calculates the score for you! Great for numpty’s like me. A wander over to the Distillery (two minutes) and chat with the staff, what’s new? Normally I cannee come away without a bottle! Today was no different; Ledaig 18  A wonderfully smoky Single Malt sweet and floral aromas with a richness and warmth of sea salt and smoke, it cuddles me so I had to have it. Un-chillfiltered @ 46.3% ABV.  The one I wanted but couldnee afford was the Tobermory 42yo. This rare, and heavily sherried dark chocolate and coffee liqueur flavours, with a spicy, salty tail astounds the pallet. Distilled in the 1970s, when the distillery’s 41 year closure had finally come to an end, this beautiful 42 Year Old Tobermory Single Malt is the oldest and rarest Tobermory ever released with only 1 cask bottled only 1 cask – oh please someone give me this! Some shopping, in my favourite shop, you can buy a bottle of whisky, a banjo, a book, maps, toys, hammers, nails etc etc even a dinosaur bone! Drinkies then bed. Day three, a drive around the island starting with Calgary, fab driving on wee roads/tracks. A good day out on Mull, a few stops for photos, well many actually, then back to Tobermory for another night, tonight into CafeFish for ma tea, fabulous seafood. That was a good day, rounded off by drinkies in the Mishnish. Day four, away home, same road but going the other way – as you do, still great scenery, home, bags in, cuppa tea, some work then to Christies pub. Now that is what I call a grand weekend!

PAUL  www.mcleanscotland.com

Yellowstone® Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Launches Program Supporting America’s National Parks

Brand partners with National Parks Conservation Association 

LEBANON, KY (May 1, 2018) – Yellowstone Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey has launched a cause marketing program that harkens back to its iconic roots, as the bourbon was originally named after Yellowstone National Park. The brand is partnering with National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA). Since their founding in 1919 – and with their 1.3 million members and supporters – NPCA has been an independent, nonpartisan voice working to strengthen and protect America’s national parks.

“When Yellowstone Bourbon was first launched in 1872, it was given its name to honor Yellowstone National Park, the new national treasure at the time and our first national park,” says Steve Beam, head distiller at Limestone Branch Distillery. “We are thrilled to be able to able to help preserve our national parks one bottle at a time.”

Beginning on May 1, the brand will be donating a portion of its sales proceeds to National Parks Conservation Association, to help ensure the nation’s 417 national park sites are protected for their 330+ million annual guests.

“NPCA is proud to partner with Limestone Branch Distillery, whose history is so richly aligned with one of our most iconic national parks,” said Theresa Pierno, president and CEO for National Parks Conservation Association. “Partnerships like this one are so critical to our work, both in funding our park protection efforts and in introducing new people to national parks. We look forward to coming together with Limestone Branch Distillery to protect these places now – and for generations to come.”

In addition, the brand has also launched an online contest where consumers are encouraged to show their pioneer spirit for the chance to win a trip to Yellowstone National Park, as well as branded outdoor merchandise. The grand prize will allow five winners and guests to enjoy an all-expense paid to Yellowstone National Park in the summer of 2019. The contest runs from May until August of 2018. To enter, simply snap a photo enjoying the great outdoors and submit it at www.yellowstonebourboncontest.com.

About Limestone Branch Distillery

Steve Beam and his brother Paul Beam opened Limestone Branch Distillery in 2011, with the goal of crafting the finest whiskey in small batches, honoring their long family heritage. With a history of distilling on both sides of their family – Beam and Dant – the brothers are seventh-generation distillers. In 2015, by partnering with Luxco, they brought the Yellowstone brand back to the family, just in time to commemorate the brand’s 105^th anniversary. As one of the founding members of the Kentucky Craft Bourbon Trail, Limestone Branch Distillery is located in Lebanon, Ky., in the heart of bourbon country.  The distillery is well-known for its handcrafted products, including Yellowstone Limited Edition Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Yellowstone Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon and Minor Case Straight Rye Whiskey.

For more information on Limestone Branch Distillery and Yellowstone Bourbon, please visit www.limestonebranch.com, www.yellowstonebourbon.com or www.facebook.com/limestone-branch-distillery.

About National Parks Conservation Association

Since 1919, the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association has been the leading voice in safeguarding our national parks. NPCA and its 1.3 million members and supporters work together to protect and preserve our nation’s most iconic and inspirational places for future generations. For more information, visit www.npca.org.

Fèis Ìle 2018 – Boutique-y Tall Ship Quayside Tasting

This is a very special evening of tasting and fun with ‘Captain’ Dave Worthington and The Whisky Lounge team… Aside from an exclusive tasting, your surroundings will be very conducive too, among the sails and boons aboard the Tall Ship Irene! We welcome to the Irene, and to Islay for the first time, Mr. Dave Worthington, legendary ex-blogger of Whisky Discovery fame and now ploughing his furrow as erstwhile UK Brand Ambassador for That Boutique-y Whisky Company! Dave has assured us he is putting together a tasting par excellence, a tour de force – or just some damn fine drams to you and me!

Currently the whiskies you will be tasting are…

A Bowmore 15 Year Old

A Bunnahabhain 35 Year Old

A Caol Ila 6 Year Old

The Williamson 6 Year Old

An Octomore 6 Year Old

The Islay #2 25 Year Old

This is not only a great chance to try some fantastic whiskies, but also an un-missable opportunity to drill down into the inner workings of independent bottlers and find out what really makes this historic part of the whisky industry tick. We’ll be boarding the Irene at Port Ellen Pier at 7pm sharp. You won’t need your sea legs for this one as we will be safely moored at the Port Ellen Ferry pier but you may want waterproofs (if it rains) and grippy shoes for the deck!

Fèis Ìle 2018 – Boutique-y Tall Ship Quayside Tasting

Mon, 28 May 2018 19:00 – 21:00 BST

Fèis Ìle 2018 – Elements Tall Ship Sailing & Tasting

What’s that you say? You can’t drink cask strength whisky at 9am? Well we’re on Islay time people and during the Fèis Ìle, settling into a tasting of cask strength treasures in the morning is very much the norm – we wouldn’t have it any other way. However, this is slightly different in that the added incentive is that you will actually get to sail on the Tall Ship Irene! This is an incredile opportunity to sail the high seas (well around the south of Islay) whilst tasting some incredible whiskies. We haven’t been able to do this for a couple of years but we have secured just two sailings for this year, but for only 9 people so don’t hang about! The tasting itself will be of the latest and yet to be released whiskies from the Elements of Islay, Port Askaig and Single Malts of Scotland range, with the very man who puts them together, Mr Oliver Chilton – Whisky Creator for Speciality Drinks.

Currently, this is what you’ll be tasting.

Port Askaig 8 Year Old
Port Askaig 14 Year Old
Elements of Islay Lg8
Elements of Islay Ar10
Single Malts of Scotland Bowmore 1994 / 22 Year Old
Single Malts of Scotland Laphroaig 1998 / 17 Year Old

This is not only a great chance to try some fantastic pre-releases but also an un-missable opportunity to drill down into the inner workings of independent bottlers and find out what really makes this historic part of the whisky industry tick. We’ll be boarding the Irene at Port Ellen Pier at 9am sharp. Bring your sea legs, waterproofs and anything else you think you’ll need for this voyage. Life jackets will be provided!

Fèis Ìle 2018 – Elements Tall Ship Sailing & Tasting
Tue, 29 May 2018 09:00 – 12:00 BST

Fèis Ìle 2018 – Eddie Tall Ship Sailing & Tasting

A very special one-off event this year… Eddie Ludlow considers himself a friend of Islay. He has been coming to the island for many years and championing its cause and whiskies for many more. For this special event, Eddie has agreed to bring some of his personal stash and if you know him, this is a BIG deal! So prepare yourself for a chilled out tasting of epic proportions… In addition, this experience will be made that much more special by the fact that you will actually get to sail on the Tall Ship Irene! This is an incredile opportunity to sail the high seas (well around the south of Islay) whilst tasting some incredible whiskies. We haven’t been able to do this for a couple of years but we have secured just two sailings for this year, but for only 9 people so don’t hang about!
We’ll be boarding the Irene at Port Ellen Pier at 2pm sharp. Bring your sea legs, waterproofs and anything else you think you’ll need for this voyage. Life jackets will be provided!

Fèis Ìle 2018 – Eddie Tall Ship Sailing & Tasting
Tue, 29 May 2018 14:00 – 17:00 BST

Fèis Ìle 2018 – Elements Tall Ship Tasting

What’s that you say? You can’t drink cask strength whisky at 10am? Well we’re on Islay time people and during the Fèis Ìle 2018, settling into a tasting of cask strength treasures in the morning is very much the norm – we wouldn’t have it any other way. Aside from a very special tasting, your surroundings will be very conducive too, among the sails and boons aboard the Tall Ship Irene! The tasting itself will be of the latest and yet to be released whiskies from the Elements of Islay, Port Askaig and Single Malts of Scotland range, with the very man who puts them together, Mr Oliver Chilton– Whisky Creator for Speciality Drinks.

Currently, this is what you’ll be tasting.

Port Askaig 8 Year Old
Port Askaig 14 Year Old
Elements of Islay Lg8
Elements of Islay Ar10
Single Malts of Scotland Bowmore 1994 / 22 Year Old
Single Malts of Scotland Laphroaig 1998 / 17 Year Old

This is not only a great chance to try some fantastic pre-releases but also an un-misssbale opportunity to drill down into the inner workings of independent bottlers and find out what really makes this historic part of the whisky industry tick. We’ll be boarding the Irene at Port Ellen Pier at 10am sharp. You won’t need your sea legs for this one as we will be safely moored at the Port Ellen Ferry pier but you may want waterproofs (if it rains) and grippy shoes for the deck! Fèis Ìle 2018 – Elements Tall Ship Tasting

Date: Wed May 30 2018
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Fèis Ìle 2018 – Elements Tall Ship Tasting

Fèis Ìle 2018 – Boutique-y Tall Ship Quayside Tasting

This is a very special afternoon of tasting and fun with ‘Captain’ Dave Worthington and The Whisky Lounge team… Aside from an exclusive tasting, your surroundings will be very conducive too, among the sails and boons aboard the Tall Ship Irene! We welcome to the Irene, and to Islay for the first time, Mr. Dave Worthington, legendary ex-blogger of Whisky Discovery fame and now ploughing his furrow as erstwhile UK Brand Ambassador for That Boutique-y Whisky Company! Dave has assured us he is putting together a tasting par excellence, a tour de force – or just some damn fine drams to you and me!

Currently the whiskies you will be tasting are…

A Bowmore 15 Year Old
A Bunnahabhain 35 Year Old
A Caol Ila 6 Year Old
The Williamson 6 Year Old
An Octomore 6 Year Old
The Islay #2 25 Year Old

This is not only a great chance to try some fantastic whiskies, but also an un-missable opportunity to drill down into the inner workings of independent bottlers and find out what really makes this historic part of the whisky industry tick. We’ll be boarding the Irene at Port Ellen Pier at 7pm sharp. You won’t need your sea legs for this one as we will be safely moored at the Port Ellen Ferry pier but you may want waterproofs (if it rains) and grippy shoes for the deck!

Wed, 30 May 2018 15:00 – 17:00 BST

Fèis Ìle 2018 – Boutique-y Tall Ship Quayside Tasting

The Last of The GlenDronach Batch 16

Earlier this year, the 16th installment of The GlenDronach Single Cask Batch release arrived at Loch Fyne, but most of the bottles were snapped up in the blink of an eye! We’ve been able to get a hold of a few more bottles for you, so make sure you act fast to smuggle one of these beauties away for yourself.

Next day delivery available on UK orders
We ship all over the world!