https://youtu.be/MLiVGQG-zuU

I doubt that back in the early 20th century, Ernest Shackleton thought that his name would be adorning a bottle of Scottish whisky. Either way, here it is! Now, this isn’t the super fancy/expensive bottle that is a replica of the liquids that were found in the Antarctic a few years a go, this is more of a homage to the man himself and his constant chase of adventure and life….it’s a shame the whisky isn’t as challenging on the palate as the man was on the world.

Old Pulteney unveils three new Travel Retail exclusive whiskies

We’re delighted to announce the launch of three new Travel Retail exclusive whiskies, each of which will be joining us today as we sail on the world’s largest floating whisky festival, Viking Line, Cinderella Whiskymassa 2018.

Firstly, and in honour of the 10th anniversary of the Viking Line Cinderella Whisky Fair, we’d like to reveal Swedish Travel Retail exclusive Old Pulteney Single Cask 2002 (number 717). This elegant whisky has matured in ex-bourbon American oak barrels. Bright gold in colour, Old Pulteney Single Cask 2002 (717) boasts sweet toffee and chocolate aromas, followed by light citrus fruits and a slight saltiness – adopted from its time maturing near the rugged coast here in Wick. This whisky exudes creamy chocolate flavours, paired with vanilla and coconut to entice the senses. Soft fruits, hints of spice and saltiness follow, with a warming, sweet finish peppered with a signature Old Pulteney tang.

The Single Cask 2002 (717) is neither chill-filtered nor coloured and is bottled at its natural cask strength of 58.2% ABV. It has a RRP of SKE 1299 per bottle. Old Pulteney Single Cask 2002 (717) is now available to guests attending the Cinderella Whisky Fair on the 11th -14th  of January 2018 in Sweden, on each of the three dedicated 24-hour return sailings aboard the Viking Line Cinderella from Stockholm to Mariehamn. In additon to the launch of the Swedish Exclusive Single Cask 2002 (717), and further to overwhelming demand following an exclusive release within Heathrow Airport in 2017, we’re also thrilled to announce the roll out of Old Pulteney 1990 Vintage across Travel Retail outlets globally.

The 1990 Vintage tells a tale of craftsmanship and dedication, dating back over a quarter of a century. This full-bodied spirit began its story in American oak ex-bourbon casks, developing its characteristically complex nature, before moving to Spanish oak where it became richer, darker and adopted a sweetness with hints of spice. The unique expression then experienced a brief spell in casks which previously held heavily peated whisky – providing a unique smoky final flourish to our powerful Maritime Malt.

Polished copper in colour, 1990 Vintage offers an aroma of spice, vanilla, toffee and sweet honey, balanced by a thin veil of warming wood smoke and oak. Bitter orange marmalade and caramel apples soon follow on the nose to create a long-lasting sensory experience for this exquisite dram.

Rich in mouth feel and intense in flavour, the palate opens up with strong praline and sultana sweetness on a thick bed of warm, savoury smoke. Citrus strikes the top note with hints of vanilla lingering in the background, giving a finish which is long and smoky.

The 1990 Vintage is neither chill-filtered nor coloured and is bottled at its natural cask strength of 46% ABV. It has a RRP of £288 per bottle.

Lastly, and most certainly not least, we are pleased to reveal that both our newly released Single Cask 2002 and 1990 Vintage will be joining the crew at Viking Line, Cinderella Whiskymassa 2018 alongside a third new Travel Retail Exclusive, 2006 Vintage. The 2006 Vintage is matured in ex Bourbon American Oak casks for 11 years. Polished copper in colour, the scent is spicy and sweet with notes of vanilla and toffee, balanced by a thin veil of wood smoke and embers. Bitter marmalade and hints of caramel apples soon follow. Rich in texture and with intense flavours, this expression entices the palate with strong chords of pralines and sultanas on a bed of deliciously warm, savoury smoke. Citrus and vanilla notes linger for a long, smoky finish.

The 2006 Vintage is neither chill-filtered nor coloured and is bottled at its natural cask strength of 46% ABV. It has a RRP of £55.00 per bottle.

Just Whisky Auction is now Live

The first auction of 2018 starts with some special lots from Bowmore, Macallan & Yamazaki!

Just Whisky’s January auction just went Live! There are many bottles here to cure those January blues! What better way to spend a chilly evening than sharing a new whisky with friends? As always, bidding ends from 8pm on Sunday (January 21^st).

In among the auction, there are a lot of real gems. As usual, for the full listing just visit our website and click on ‘Live Auction’.

www.just-whisky.co.uk

Thursday, January 18th 2-6PM

Stalk and Barrel

 Hailing from Ontario, Canadian microdistillery Still Waters Distillery takes a handmade ‘grain to glass’ approach to all of their exclusively small batch whiskies. Their Stalk and Barrel whiskey blends and single malts have won numerous accolades both internationally and in their home country, plus Whisky Magazine named Still Waters Distillery ‘Craft Producer of the Year’ in 2016. Not bad for a distillery that’s been open less for a decade!

We’ll be pouring a variety of Still Waters Distillery’s Stalk and Barrel whisky lineup, presented by whisky experts. Pourlist to be revealed as event approaches – RSVP to keep up to date.

Click Here to RSVP

In honor of the upcoming Chinese New Year on February 16^th, The Macallan released a Chinese New Year Limited Edition Gift Box, containing two bottles of Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old.

Some more details:

• This celebratory co-pack honors the Year of the Dog
• Currently available in select retailers for a limited time
• Only 2,500 packs will be available in the U.S.
• Will be available for an MSRP of $130.00
• Tasting notes:

o    Color: Harvest sun

o    Nose: Creamy butterscotch, toffee apple, candied orange, vanilla custard and fresh oak

o    Finish: Oak lingers, warm, sweet and drying

o    Palate: Ginger, nutmeg, citrus, caramel, raisins & resinous

o    Strength: 43% ABV

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 193: Caol Ila 17 Year Old Unpeated Style

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, tries an unpeated Caol Ila. Caol Ila – which means ‘Sound of Islay’ in Gaelic and thus refers to the straight between Islay and the Isle of Jura – has a so-called Unpeated Style on the market since 2008. That is to be taken quite literally. This Caol Ila – which appeared as an 8 years old at first, but is now already at 18 years – is made from unpeated malt. Mark tries the 2015 bottling, the Unpeated Style 17 Year Old.

https://youtu.be/aA649eiNHs8

Isle of Arran Distillers announce Burns Unbroke events

Isle of Arran Distillers, sponsors of Burns Unbroke, a brand new multi-arts Robert Burns Festival have announced a series of masterclasses at the inaugural celebration, and a cocktail reception on the opening night of the Festival.

To be held on the 26^th January, 1^st February, 15^th February and 1^st March, the masterclass tastings will include a selection of expressions from the award-winning Arran Malt range including the Robert Burns Malt – the only whisky officially endorsed by the World Burns Federation.

Under the tutelage of the experienced, friendly staff from the Isle of Arran Distillery Festival goers will have the chance to taste the ‘Arran Waters’ with five drams of the Arran Malt, as well as the delicious Arran liqueur, discovering the inspiration and craft behind each. You will be guaranteed an informal and enjoyable evening.

Running at the Summerhall in Edinburgh for six weeks from the 25^th January 2018, the program for Burns Unbroke will celebrate the plethora of artistic and performing talent in Scotland, and beyond, through the prism offered by new interpretations of the life and work of Robert Burns. The opening night of the Festival take place on Wednesday 24^th January for press.

Invited guests will be welcomed at the evening reception by two bespoke cocktails created for Arran Whisky by Glasgow agency The Drink Cabinet, who specialise in experiential events in the drinks industry. Using Arran Whisky’s Robert Burns Malt, the specialists from The Drinks Cabinet will offer guests the chance to taste two delicious cocktails inspired by the Bard himself, a most fitting way to kick start the Burns Unbroke Festival celebrations.

The Isle of Arran Distillery is a headline sponsor of Burns Unbroke alongside Creative Scotland and Scotland.org.

James MacTaggart, Master Distiller at Isle of Arran Distillery, said: “As the producer of the official Robert Burns Malt, we were delighted to be involved in a festival that shares our passion for the poet.

“At Arran, we regard whisky making as a form of story telling. Each of our expressions take inspiration from the landscape, history and legends of the island we call home.

“We’re really looking forward to sharing these stories with festival goers and, of course, raising a glass to the Bard.”

Sheilagh Tennant, Burns Unbroke Director, says “Just as ‘ freedom an’ whisky gang thegither’, so to does Burns Unbroke and a quality dram.

“The Arran masterclasses will be a great chance for people to learn more about the history and heritage of our national drink, and we are looking forward to enjoying the cocktails inspired by their whisky and Burns himself on our opening night.”

Burns Unbroke open to press and invited guests on Wedneday 24^th January and runs at Summerhall from 25 January – 10 March 2018, with the majority of performance events focussed around the weekend of 26-28 January.

The Arran masterclasses will be held in the Anatomy Lecture Theatre of Summerhall at 6:30pm on four dates; 26^th January, 1^st February, 15^th February and 1^st March 2018. Tickets are priced at £10 which includes five tasting drams and a cream liqueur. The tasting lasts approx. 1hr 30mins. 

Tickets are available here.  

Notes: For more information visit www.arranwhisky.com

Accolades for Isle of Arran Distillery include Winner for: Best New Exporter (2004), Queen’s Award for International Trade (2005), Scottish Distiller of the Year (2007) and Scottish Drinks Producer of the Year (2007.)

Scottish Field Visitor Experience of the Year 2014 & 2015.

Product awards include: Best Whisky Liqueur (2007), ‘Best Single Malt Scotch 12 Years & Under’ for The Arran Malt Amarone Cask Finish (2008) ‘Best Single Malt Scotch 11-15 Years’ for The Arran Malt Sherry Single Cask 1998 (2010) and ‘Best Single Malt Scotch 11-15 Years’ for the Icons of Arran Peacock (2011.) ‘Double Gold Award’ for Arran’s 14 Year Old Single Malt and ‘Gold Award’ for Arran’s 10 Year Old Single Malt at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2012). Double Gold in FiftyBest.com awards (2012). Double Gold Medal for the 12 year-old Cask Strength in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2013). Double Gold for both the 10 year-old and 12 year-old Cask Strength at the China Wine & Spirits Best Value Awards 2014.

January Outturn is a celebration of Scotland’s national poet Rabbie Burns with 7 colourful characters to address the haggis with!

CASK NO. 35.157  REWARD FOR A BRASS BAND

14 years old; 1st fill barrel; 58.2%; Juicy, oak & vanilla

The nose has alluring freshness – nougat, chocolate, dried grass, flowers and honeyed apricot flan – hints of polished wood. The palate displays sweet, juicy top notes (fudge, cinnamon biscuits, raisins, orange zest) and deeper notes of toasted oak and oiled cricket bats.

CASK NO. G9.3  FRUIT, SPICE AND ALL THINGS NICE

16 years old; 2nd fill barrel; 62.6%; Juicy, oak & vanilla

Creamy vanilla and sawdust with cinnamon and nutmeg lead to milk chocolate and oily walnuts with intriguing peppermint freshness. The palate delivered brown sugar, mango and chocolate orange with Caribbean rum. Water accentuated lemon sherbet and a satisfying finish of dark chocolate, apple pie and candied orange.

CASK NO. 73.84  TUG OF WAR IN A MEADOW

15 years old; refill butt; 57.4%; Sweet, fruity & mellow

The frolicsome nose suggests apple strudel in a Spring meadow, but playful spice dominates the palate – cinnamon and nutmeg on apple pie.

CASK NO. 37.89  A COSY SLIPPER SIPPER

17 years old; 1st fill French oak hogshead; 53.9%; Deep, rich & dried fruits

Muscovado sugar combined with cinnamon, nutmeg and roasted sweet chestnuts. Then figs, dates and porcini mushrooms came to the fore with blood oranges and spiced rhubarb and ginger tart. Sweetness turned to fudge with heather honey before finishing with dark chocolate. Previously matured in an ex-bourbon hogshead.

CASK NO. 7.167  CHOCOLATE PRALINES IN AN OAK BOX

26 years old; 1st fill American oak PX hogshead; 54%; Spicy & sweet

Old dunnage warehouse with suggestions of soft fudge, nougat, toffee and dark chocolate pralines. Fruit followed with roasted peach and demerara sugar, overripe strawberries, gooseberries and rum soaked cherries before chili chocolate, freshly ground coffee and spiced orange chocolate covered marzipan. Previously matured in an ex-bourbon hogshead.

CASK NO. 10.117  SMOKY, SALTY, SWEET PORRIDGE

9 years old; refill barrel; 61.2%; Peated

Neat, plenty of smoke and tar on the nose with an unusual porridge to taste. Water calmed tempers with an underlying sweetness revealed.

CASK NO. 66.99  PINE-SMOKED SALMON AND BURNING HEATHER

8 years old; custom virgin oak barrel; 60%; Peated

Plumes of incense and high intensity smoke. Dried raspberries, a sprig of scorched heather and peppery pine-smoked salmon. Previously matured in a bourbon barrel.

SMWS Canada

Hidden Treasures of Paris

While our customers are familiar with our 20 shops across the UK, many are still in the dark about our Paris boutique! Opened just under two years ago, the shop in Place de la Madeleine is home to some wonderful treasures, including whiskies no longer available – or never available – in our UK stores!

The best part for our British customers is that the French website offers international shipping so there’s no need to book your Eurostar ticket to get hold of the whisky you want! You needn’t speak French to shop here either, just click ‘Translate this page’ when prompted by your browser. C’est très simple!

Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost & Rare: Special Release with Brora & Rare

The Johnnie Walker Blue Label reserves contain a small number of very precious casks from Ghost Distilleries – iconic stills that have ceased production. Master Blender Jim Beveridge has hand-selected some of the most interesting parcels from this library of liquids, skilfully marrying them together with the other rare malt and grain whiskies in the Blue Label recipe to create an extraordinary blend.

With a highly limited release worldwide, this first special edition is Brora & Rare, an 8 whisky Blue Label blend with single malt from the now silent Brora at its heart. Bottled at the higher strength of 46% abv.

€299 Buy Now Out of stock on our UK website

Bunnahabhain 2004 Moine Brandy Finish

A limited edition release from Islay’s Bunnahabhain distillery, this single malt has spent 9 years in sherry casks before being finished for an additional 3 years in Brandy casks.

Limited to just 4,152 bottles worldwide, this special edition from Bunnahabhain was distilled in 2004 from peated malt barley (unusually for this distillery) and is presented at a cask strength of 55.7% abv.

€99 Buy Now Not available on our UK website

Knockando 21 Year Old Gift Pack

Distilled at Speyside’s Knockando distillery (not to be confused with Knockdhu distillery who produce anCnoc), this 21 year old single malt is rich in hazelnut, brown sugar, and stewed fruits, with some fantastic wood notes that only a whisky of this age can provide.

Presented at a strength of 43% abv in a stunning gift pack with two glasses, this Speyside single malt is the perfect post-Christmas indulgence.

€69 Buy Now Not available on our UK website

Tomatin 2005 The Whisky Shop Paris Exclusive

This single cask expression from the Tomatin distillery in the Scottish Highlands was distilled in 2005. Filled to a first-fill bourbon cask, number 2679, before being hand-selected and bottled exclusively for The Whisky Shop Paris in 2017.

Bottled at a natural cask strength of 59% abv, only 200 bottles have been produced, each one bearing a unique motif designed for The Whisky Shop Paris.

€99 Buy Now Exclusive to our Paris shop

Port Dundas 52 Year old 2017 Special Release

One of Diageo’s 2017 Special Releases, this Lowland single grain whisky was distilled at Port Dundas in Glasgow in 1964. Matured for more than half a century in refill American oak hogsheads, this is the oldest Special Release to date, with only 752 bottles available worldwide at a strength of 44.6% abv.

Rich butterscotch and sugar-dusted fruit on the nose, developing into vanilla toffee and sweet oak. The palate is creamy and sweet with honey, golden syrup, spiced pastry and dried fruit. The finish is long and warming, with oak and lingering peach.

€865 Buy Now Out of stock on our UK website

2008 Aultmore 9 Year Old K&L Exclusive “Sovereign” Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (750ml) SKU #1330625

Aultmore isn’t one of Scotland’s most recognizable whisky names, but ever since Bacardi’s move to establish the Dewar’s distilleries as veritable single malt brands, names like Craigellachie, Royal Brackla, Aberfeldy and Aultmore are moving more to the forefront on the global stage. Originally founded in 1896, Aultmore was sold by Diageo to Bacardi over 100 years later as part of the big Bombay gin deal, resulting in a rarely seen 12 year old edition half a decade later. Located in the Speyside region, the distillery’s sherried malts are often described as having flavors of “milky coffee” and that’s most definitely the case with this heavily-sherried 9 year old expression. Coffee in both its color and its aromas, the nose is pungent with heavily-roasted aromas and savory Oloroso rancio. Don’t be confused by the color, however, because despite its dark hue this is no supple, sweetly-flavored Sherry bomb. In fact, it’s a robust malt, dry on the finish and almost savory in its profile. The mid-palate is loaded with toasted almonds, tobacco, and bitter orange, but the finish is short and simple. While many of our casks are meant to be pondered and savored, this 9 year old Aultmore is very much to the point. It’s a cask strength, sherry-matured edition of everyday quality single malt, priced to drink and enjoy in volume. The high proof is almost unrecognizable with the saturation of the sherry and its very much drinkable at full strength.

$49.99