Norfolk distillery to make history with launch of first English whisky in century

Award-winning Norfolk business The English Whisky Co. is offering customers a chance to own a little bit of history this Christmas by releasing the first 10-year-old English whisky for over a century.

A very limited number of bottles of the single malt, taken from one of the first batch of casks laid down at St George’s Distillery in Roudham, are now being made available by England’s oldest registered whisky distiller.

It’s the result of the vision and determination of the late James Nelstrop, the founder of the business who opened the distillery in 2006. He, working alongside St George’s Distillery’s original Master Distiller Iain Henderson, went on to create the business’s first barrels of English whisky.

James’ son Andrew, owner and managing director of The English Whisky Co., said: “After a seemingly endless wait – we finally have a 10-year-old single malt whisky to share with you all.

“This is one of the ultra-rare casks from the Founder’s Private Cellar range and was chosen because it represents the quality of whiskies we expect in the future. The cask used for the 10-year-old is one of the earliest casks laid down at the distillery and is a wonderful example of the pioneering work my father and the distillery’s team have undertaken here.

“The whole team are immensely proud to see this whisky finally bottled and ready to be sent to our customers.

“The 10-year-old is presented in a beautiful piano finished box and each bottle is numbered and comes with a numbered certificate.”

The release of the historic single malt comes at the end of a tremendously successful year for The English Whisky Co. It has won numerous awards, including Gold and Silver in the San Francisco Spirits Competition, and three Liquid Golds in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible – which also named the Norfolk distiller’s single-grain whisky Parched as the Best European Single Cask Whisky.

There were also celebrations in November with the launch of the distillery’s new £400,000 restaurant and coffee house The Kitchen.

“Releasing the 10-year-old certainly is a wonderful end to an exciting 2017,” added Andrew. “We have been overwhelmed by the reaction to our products – the awards are an extraordinary achievement for a non-mainstream whisky distillery.”

The English Whisky Co. have also taken this opportunity to join forces with Amathus PLC, who will look after the UK distribution of all The English products going forward.

Phil Duffy, Head of Spirits for Amathus, said: “The English Whisky Co. is an incredible addition to the Amathus portfolio and we feel honoured to have them on board. With the increasing popularity of whisky, it is inevitable the collection will be equally well received by on-trade and off-trade customers.

“The release of The English Whisky Co.’s 10-year-old English Single Malt is an important landmark in the development of modern distillation in England, and having tasted the range of whiskies they are producing we’re looking forward to exciting times ahead.”

For further information about The English Whisky Co. and its products, call St George’s Distillery on 01953 717939 or visit www.englishwhisky.co.uk

NOTES: 

The Founder’s Private Cellar is a collection of casks that belong to the founding family. These casks are made up of one-off’s and extraordinary examples of current products. There are very few of these casks, which is why the Distillery only release two or three a year.

Impressive, Can’t Miss 20 Year Scotches Aficionados Will Adore

With the gift giving season just around the corner, we’re rolling out a pair of 20 Year Islay bottlings that are sure to impress the Scotch lover in your life. Bowmore and Caol Ila are two of the more recognizable names in the world of Scotch, each known for their own distinctive style and approach. These single barrel bottlings were hand-selected by our spirits team and are priced at a fraction of what you’ll find elsewhere. But the remarkable price is only part of the story here, as this pair count among the best we’ve had from these illustrious distillers.

The Bowmore leaves you awestruck with its potency, richness, and depth. The Caol Ila for its part offers a magical infusion of smoke, maritime notes, sweet vanilla, and orchard fruit. Both deliver impeccable balance and charm from the very first sip to the last. Perfect for gift giving (or as a special treat to yourself), these limited production bottlings are welcome additions to any collection.

1997 Bowmore 20 Year Old “Old Particular” K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($149.99)

There are two things that are consistent about Bowmore: the whisky is almost always awe-inspiring and rare editions will most often cost you a pretty penny. The stalwart of Islay is the spiritual home of smoky whisky, known equally for its grace under a peat fire. The Bowmore 25, one of the distillery’s most magical expressions, routinely hovers between the $400 -$500 price point on the open market, but for this holiday season we set out to find a more affordable version for our customers who want something special, but not quite that expensive. This cask strength 55.7% 20 year old single barrel edition, while lacking any sherry influence, still manages to offer an incredible amount of sweetness from the refill oak hogshead, coupling with the clean flavors of malted barley and vanilla. The richness overtakes the palate initially, which is rare in an Islay whisky with this much smoke, dominating the flavor profile right off the bat. The peat and campfire notes don’t begin until almost halfway through the process, combining sea salt and maritime elements with caramel and ash on the finish. There’s plenty of Islay influence here, but it’s beautifully balanced by the whisky’s inherent maltiness. In a nutshell, it’s textbook Bowmore with maturity and power for a fantastic price. It tastes exactly the way the distillery itself smells when you enter it, haunting the senses with equal parts malt and smoke. Our cask is a chance at true single malt royalty for a reasonable entry fee.

David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 03, 2017

I’ve tasted old Bowmore whiskies with heavy peat, heavy sherry, heavy smoke, and heavy funk, but I’ve never tasted one with this much sweet malt and vanilla. That’s not to say this edition goes easy on the smoke, however, because there’s definitely plenty of phenolic goodness to light the way home on the finish. This 20 year cask is maritime whisky at its finest. It reminds me of walking the streets in Bowmore near the distillery for the first time years ago, grabbing a plate of fresh oysters at the Harbour Inn across the street, then ducking into Duffie’s for a quick dram. In a sense, it’s a nostalgic whisky. It reminds me of what got me into whisky in the first place, a sense of wonder and complexity at how a golden liquid like this could taste so damn good. If you’re in search of that feeling, that sense of excitement that may have been lacking from your single malt consumption as of late, I invite you to find that feeling again in this bottle.

Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 03, 2017

What I like about the Bowmore offerings is that they are balanced and nuanced. This single cask is no exception. It begins with nice smoke and sea aromas that are not heavy or over-powering. In the mouth this Bowmore is concentrated and complex, with rich and round flavors and hints of smoke coming through. There is a nice long finish. I tasted this with a splash of water.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 02, 2017

Getting single casks from major distilleries like Bowmore just makes me so happy. It’s a unique way to look at the components of a particular distillery and dive into what makes them so special. This 20 year old Bowmore is no exception. The nose is exquisite. It’s loaded with sea spray, sweet fruits, and extinguished campfire. I feel like I can reach out and touch the wet malt on the floor just as the dry smoky air starts to fill the room. It’s clean and pure, powerful whisky. The barley song is loud and clear. All of the pieces are there to be examined, yet harmoniously balanced into a whole single experience. This whisky perfectly shows why single malts are so compelling. They are a fascinating way to watch the whole movie, frame by frame, as they age.

Gary Westby | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 02, 2017

This fantastic refill hogshead of Bowmore has all the complexity that one would expect from a 20 year old Islay, balanced by fresh sea air. This is not a heavy dram, but rather an expansive one, and has the rare peacock’s tail finish that I prize in the finest of drinks. It seems to expand after each sip, with the flavor coming on stronger after each sip. I like this best diluted down to about 40%, so I’ll get almost a liter of pleasure out of my bottle!

Alex Schroeder | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 02, 2017

I’m a huge fan of the Bowmore whiskeys, mostly because they display their Islay characteristics with subtlety and grace. The peat is always a soft undertone to the malty complexity. This single cask from Old Particular is faithful to that mission. Flavors of toasted cereals, orange citrus oil, vanilla and briny smoke are robust and sweet on the palate, with incredible integration. Normally sensitive to higher alcohol levels, at 55.7% abv this was very enjoyable neat for me. If you enjoy these Old Particular single cask offerings, this is definitely a winner.

1996 Caol Ila 20 Year Old “Old Particular” K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (750ml) ($129.99)

Caol Ila’s whisky can be as transitive and unpredictable as the Islay weather itself; sometimes it’s light and breezy, while other times powerful and thunderous in its character. At cask strength, the salt, smoke, and peat aromas often leap out of the glass, but when tempered the creaminess and fruitiness of the spirit itself is allowed to shine, fat and unctuous in its texture. With this cask of 20 year old Caol Ila, we have the best of both worlds: a full proof, no-water-added single barrel whisky that has naturally proofed itself down to 46% after two decades in wood. The nose is an absolute dream: sweetly-tinged smoke, burning embers, with faint aromas of peach and apricot in the background. The palate is simply perfect: sweet vanilla intermixed with peat, salt, and ash, but always with a roundness of texture that’s a product of the distillery’s wide-necked pot stills. It’s a perfect Caol Ila specimen, highlighting the strengths of the Islay distillery’s personality, each with equal concentration and intensity, all in harmony and balance.

David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 15, 2017

One of my all time favorite whiskies was the old distillery edition of the Caol Ila 18 – a beautiful rendition of the Islay single malt that packed equal weight and richness of texture with all that peaty goodness. It wasn’t a cask strength edition, which is what really made the difference for me. If a distillery can manage to find the sweet spot with water, I’m all for reduced spirits in bottle. The beauty of this 20 year old Caol Ila is that it’s at cask strength, but has naturally reduced itself to the perfect 46% ABV (exactly where many distilleries will reduce to). The result is the closest thing I’ve ever tasted to that legendary 18 year bottle that is now just a memory. The nose is simply haunting; an enticing combination of vanilla, creme brulee, and campfire embers. The whisky rolls over your tongue with creaminess and texture, but it leaves a trail of peat smoke in its wake. If you want the perfect Islay whisky, this is it. It doesn’t get much better than this. Buy three if you can afford it.

Andrew Stevens | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 22, 2017

If you are a fan of Islay whisky just buy this, seriously this is just absolutely beautiful Islay at a wonderful age. I have said on more than one occasion that Caol Ila may be my favorite Scotch once it has had a chance to age because it just always seems that somewhere right around the 20 year mark this whisky just all comes together and sings. This bottling is no exception and the price is fantastic for what you are getting. Light fruit, honey, ash and smoke on the nose lead to an incredibly balanced palate. Here an immediate strong core of just doused campfire smoke carried the young sweet fruit, honey, and seaside notes effortlessly. The balance is amazing and the finish is surprisingly soft and mild. Just delightful!

Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 22, 2017

This cask of Caol Ila was a lucky find because it has so much to offer. There are pleasant smoke aromas that should please any fan of single malts from Islay. My first thought when I tasted it was that this cask is really something special. There is such a nice mixture of smoke, sea-like flavors and malt, and it is concentrated and intense. I tasted this with no additional water because it was 46% ABV when bottled which probably helps explain the lovely concentrated flavor.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 22, 2017

It’s my favorite time of year here at K&L. Not only are we hitting our stride in the busy season for wine, but it’s finally whisky season. I wait all year to see what David has hidden up his sleeve. As the market for fine malts gets tighter and tighter we still manage to procure things like this. 20 glorious years in barrel has brought the full proof down, integrated the smoke and salt, and let the barley shine through. The end result is one of the most approachable and lovely Islay whiskys I’ve tasted this year. The big brash smoke of Caol Ila’s youth has been tempered with age into an assertive and confident dram, and the salt air of Islay permeates the glass. Fresh fruits of a distant land waft in and out. The palate is smooth and lingering. There is a touch of sweetness on the back end and a little piquant spice. This is a no brainer for the whisky lover in your life during the holidays…even if that whisky lover happens to be yourself.

Alex Schroeder | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 16, 2017

This might be the deal of the holiday season in Scotch whiskeys. After tasting it, I’m almost tempted to use the word perfect to describe it. It showcases the beautiful Islay brininess and smoke as a subtle undertone to the rich, sweet malt profile. The flavor punch from the full strength, single cask is incredible, balanced, and fully integrated. Definitely my top pick for holiday Scotch.

New Bottle Your Own Cask – the perfect Christmas Gift?

The Famous Grouse Experience has announced that its latest limited edition Bottle Your Own Cask is to be named after one of its famous feline residents: Glen. The Bottle Your Own series is hand-picked as an exceptional cask from the Glenturret Distillery. These are extremely collectable editions and the bottles from these hand selected casks are only available to purchase at The Glenturret Distillery Shop.

Read the full story here

Christmas Whisky Hampers

Our distillery shop is full of gifts for the festive season. Why not come along and browse our unique selection of Festive Hampers in store now? The Famous Festive Hamper comes with an assortment of Famous Grouse goodies including a personalised Famous Grouse bottle with your own choice of message. Our Glenturret Hamper is also available plus customers can make up their own hampers from a wide selection of gifts from our Famous Shop.

Tasting Experience

If you are looking for something to do this Festive Season why not visit the distillery and enjoy one of our Tasting Experiences? After a tour of our hand crafted distillery, where we will take you through the traditional art of making our Glenturret single malt whisky you can choose between our Famous and Finest whisky tastings. These bespoke tours offer a unique insight into the wonderful world of Scotch whisky and will be sure to delight you this festive season with a few warming drams! You can book your tour here

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 187: Auchentoshan Solera 

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, tries the Auchentoshan Solera. Introduced in 2012 in the duty free range, the Auchentoshan Solera is a triple distilled Lowlander that cannot hide its Pedro Ximenez sherry cask finish. It offers up a nose and palate that exhibits an incredible complexity, making this liquid dessert the near perfect dram.

https://youtu.be/O203fHJiS5w

Gordon Macphail Connoisseur’s Choice Caol Ila 2004

We are big fans of Caol Ila at KWM. To quote my friend Kelly Carpenter, a great friend of the store, Caol Ila “is one of the most consistently good Scotch whiskies”. Any opportunity to feature the distillery and its whisky in the KWM Whisky Advent Calendar is a welcome one. We didn’t have a Caol Ila last year, but we did feature a Caol ila from Gordon Macphail in the 2015 edition on Day 18.

Our Day 5 whisky, like that from 2 years ago, is a Gordon Macphail Connoisseurs Choice Caol Ila. In this case a 2004 vintage. Unlike most independent bottlers, Gordon Macphail fills their own casks, rather than simply acquiring them on the open market. The family firm, now in its 4^th generation has a wood policy that is among the best of any whisky firm in Scotland. In the last two years we have selected and bottled 4 Kensington Wine Market exclusive casks of Caol Ila from G&M. Every time they send us a flight of samples to select a cask, we struggle to select just one…

Caol Ila is Scots Gaelic for the “Sound of Islay”, the body of water separating Islay from Jura. Caol Ila, the largest of Islay’s eight operating distilleries has spectacular view of the Sound and the island beyond. But even though the view from the still room is second to no other in Scotland, Caol Ila has been modernized and expanded so many times that it is without question the island’s least interesting distillery to tour. Established in 1842 the distillery changed hands many times over the following century until it was acquired by Distillers Company Limited, one of the forbearers of industry giant Diageo, in 1927. The distillery has run ever since, with but three short breaks, including the War years, 1942 to 1945 due to wartime barley restrictions. It was also closed between 1972-4 and 2011-2, in both cases for major upgrades to add capacity.

As with past editions of the Kensington Wine Market Whisky Advent Calendar, Gordon Macphail whiskies will be featured on a number of occasions this year. We will dig more into their history in the posts ahead. For this post we will simply say that they have a well-deserved reputation for the quality of their whisky and their unrivaled depth of maturing stocks of Scotch whisky. No one has bottled older whiskies than the 75 year old and three 70 year olds that the firm has released in the last 5 years.

About the Connoisseurs Choice line (Courtesy Gordon Macphail): “In the 1960s George Urquhart, one of the first of four generations of the Urquhart family to shape the future of Gordon & MacPhail, pioneered a range of single malt Scotch whiskies, which he selected, matured, and bottled. In doing so, he effectively invented a category in a market previously focused entirely on blended whiskies. The ‘Connoisseurs Choice’ range broke innovative new ground, giving a platform to many of Scotland’s single malt distilleries from across all regions, some of which had never before been bottled as a single malt. Over the past five decades, we have maintained our belief that every distillery has a personality of its own. The collection of whiskies in the ‘Connoisseurs Choice’ range is constantly evolving, aiming always to highlight the unique characteristics of the individual distilleries.”

We love the fact that the Connoisseurs Choice range is bottled at 46% without added colouring. While this 2004 Caol Ila is not presently available in the market, Kensington Wine Market has a pair of store exclusive Caol Ila casks available at the time of writing. There is G&M Caol Ila 2007 KWM Cask, a 10 year old Refill Ex-Bourbon cask bottled at 58.6%, $122; and the 14 year old G&M Caol Ila 2002 KWM Cask, bottled at 52.5% from a First Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel, $145.

Connoisseur’s Choice Caol Ila 2004 – 46% – First & 2^nd Fill Ex-Bourbon – Andrew’s Tasting Note: “Nose: classic young Caol Ila, sweet, meaty and malty with a whiff of smoke; juicy orange and melon, chewy bacon dipped in maple syrup and vanilla icing. Palate: creamy, round, coating and malty; wow, layered, it creeps up on you; scallops cooked in butter and more chewy bacon dipped in maple syrup with a side of orange juice; we can’t completely ignore the savoury smoke, it is there but hidden under the more decadent tones. Finish: the smoke is more assertive on the finish as the sweet syrup and punchy orange notes pull back; still creamy and malty. Comment: damn this is great Caol Ila, but we didn’t bring it in because of our aforementioned casks… we’ll have to rectify that! – $TBA

BOWMORE® ISLAY SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY RELEASES

BOWMORE® 1966 50 YEARS OLD

FROM ONE OF THE WORLD’S OLDEST SCOTCH MATURATION WAREHOUSES 

The Third Edition From The Bowmore®

50 Years Old VAULT LEGENDS COLLECTION Debuts As The Rarest Expression Yet

Islay, Scotland (November 28, 2017) –  Bowmore® Islay Single Malt Whisky, the oldest licensed distillery on Scotland’s isle of Islay, announces the global release of BOWMORE® 1966 50 YEARS OLD, a rare and refined whisky from a golden year in Bowmore’s heritage. Only one cask of this remarkable spirit was set aside in 1966 – the same year that Bowmore Single Malt Scotch was first officially bottled. It has spent 50 years aging in Bowmore’s No. 1 Vaults, one of the world’s oldest Scotch maturation warehouses. Only 74 bottles of this rare whisky have been produced for the world and this December, a portion of those will be available in the U.S. It is the third edition in the Bowmore 50 Years Old VAULT LEGENDS COLLECTION with a suggested retail price of $30,000 (750ml/41.5% ABV).

Bowmore 1966 50 Years Old celebrates a unique year for the Islay distillery. It was distilled in 1966 – the same year that Bowmore Single Malt Scotch Whisky was first officially bottled and this cask gem was nurtured over the years by legendary Bowmore Distillery Manager Eddie MacAffer, who joined Bowmore distillery that very same year.

David Turner, Bowmore Distillery Manager, comments: “To this day Eddie MacAffer is renowned at the Bowmore distillery for his passion and knowledge, which he so proudly showcased throughout his 50 years at the distillery. I am honored to celebrate such a pivotal year in Bowmore’s history and launch this incredible whisky, which was not only nurtured by Eddie himself but also created the very year Eddie joined us. The Bowmore 1966 50 Years Old demonstrates the rewards of our meticulous aging process and proves the unparalleled quality of the whiskies coming from our passionate and dedicated distillery team. This single malt whisky is set to be treasured among Bowmore fans and will undoubtedly build upon Bowmore’s legendary collectors status.”

This remarkably rare limited edition bottling has, over its 50-year maturation in the No. 1 Vaults, unlocked the exotic fruit tastes distinctive of 1960s Bowmore whiskies that have been savored by connoisseurs worldwide and are renowned in some of the most collectible Bowmore expressions.

Bowmore 1966 50 Years Old is the third expression to debut from the Bowmore 50 Year Old VAULT LEGENDS COLLECTION, a series honoring the rare single malts that were first distilled and began aging in the No. 1 Vaults during the 1960s, an era known for producing some of Bowmore’s most collectible bottlings. Bowmore 1961 50 Years Old was introduced in December 2016 in the U.S. and Black Bowmore 1964 50 Years Old was introduced in June 2017 in the U.S., and demand for both has been extraordinary. 

THE 1966 BOWMORE BOTTLE AND WOOD CASE

Sitting at the pinnacle of Bowmore’s portfolio, Bowmore 1966 50 Years Old is presented in a handmade crystal decanter boasting sterling silver adornments and is housed in a hand crafted cabinet made from quality Scottish oak. At the center of the each cabinet lies five hand laid silver tree rings depicting the five decades of the rare vintage’s maturation. The characterful nature of the Scottish oak means each individual bottling will be entirely unique with no two bottles being the same, echoing the rare and unique features of the Bowmore 1966 50 Years Old.

TASTING NOTES

This exceptional expression has been aged for 50 years in a single ex-bourbon hogshead cask, developing a complex flavor and beautiful golden amber hue. On the nose, Bowmore 1966 50 Years Old offers elegant bursts of lychee, pineapple, and watermelon, developing into light floral notes and a dry finish on the palate. It is perfectly balanced with a silky whisper of smooth syrup. 

ABOUT BOWMORE®

Founded in 1779, Bowmore is the oldest licensed distillery on Islay, one of the Scottish isles which make up the region known as the ‘Islands’ in the lexicon of Whisky. The other regions are the Highlands, Speyside and the Lowlands. Islay malts are famous for their characteristic smokiness and Bowmore is no exception; the malt is carefully smoked in a peat-fired kiln, using skills handed down from generation to generation to craft a perfectly balanced Single Malt.

Bowmore adheres to traditional production methods which helps to shape the character of its single malts. Today, it prides itself as one of the rare distilleries which still produces its own floor malted barley, hand-turned by a traditional wooden malt shovel and hand drawn machinery. Water for the whiskies is specially drawn from the Laggan River, with its peaty overtones, the same Islay peat that fires the malt-drying kiln.

Bowmore Distillery’s proximity to the sea is also vital in determining the final character of its spirit. The legendary Bowmore No. 1 Vaults, one of the world’s oldest Scotch maturation warehouses, is where some of the whiskies spend their long lives resting quietly in the cool, dark, damp cellars below sea level, oblivious to the waves thrashing the vault’s sea-facing wall. They mature in oak casks, previously used for bourbon and sherry, gradually developing rich and mellow flavors. It is this combination of peat, barley, sea breeze, water, wood, people and tradition that together create the perfectly balanced warm and smoky character of Bowmore Single Malt Scotch Whiskies.

Bowmore domestic product range: Bowmore 12 Years Old, 15 Years Old, 18 Years Old and 25 Years Old.

http://www.bowmore.com/; Facebook | Twitter | Instagram: BOWMORE 

About Beam Suntory Inc.

As the world’s third largest premium spirits company, Beam Suntory is Crafting the Spirits Brands that Stir the World.  Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including the iconic Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark bourbon brands and Suntory whisky Kakubin, as well as world renowned premium brands including Knob Creek bourbon, Yamazaki, Hakushu and Hibiki Japanese whiskies, Teacher’s, Laphroaig, and Bowmore Scotch whiskies, Canadian Club whisky, Courvoisier cognac, Hornitos and Sauza tequila, EFFEN and Pinnacle vodka, Sipsmith gin, and Midori liqueur.

Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and commitment to Growing for Good.  Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan.  For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com and www.drinksmart.com.

New Releases

The striding man is back with some fantastic limited editions from Johnnie Walker Blue Label – from the Ghost & Rare series featuring incredibly rare whisky from closed distilleries to the Year of the Dog edition celebrating Chinese New Year, each one is only available while stocks last!

Next day UK delivery available International Shipping

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 to create an extraordinary blend.

With a highly limited release worldwide, this first special editon 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.

Featuring rare expressions from the operational distilleries of Royal Lochnagar, Clynelish, Glenkinchie, Glenlossie and Cameronbridge, this blended Scotch is smooth with the fruity sweetness of pineapple, rich notes of hazelnut and dark chocolate, and a subtle smoky finish.

£219.99 Pre-Order Now

Orders will be dispatched w/c 4th December

Highland Park The Dark

This 17 year old limited edition from Orkney’s Highland Park distillery has been created in honour of the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, celebrated each December on the island. Matured in European oak sherry-seasoned casks and presented at a cask strength of 52.9% abv, only 28,000 bottles have been produced.

£190 Pre-Order Now

Orders will be dispatched week beginning 4th December

Ralfy overcomes a major blooper and carries on with Ralfy Review 701 – Antiquary 35yo Blended Scotch @ 46% vol:

Whisky Advent 2017 Day 4 – Gretzky Red Cask Whisky

Like many other experts in the liquor business, it is fair to say that at best we are suspicious of celebrity endorsed products. We don’t care whether David Beckham, George Clooney or Drake actually owns or rents their celebrity to promote a product, we are only concerned with one question, is it good? Entering into that fray is the Wayne Gretzky Red Cask Canadian whisky. Kensington Wine Market 2017 Whisky Advent’s Day 4 offering.

Full disclosure, we hadn’t originally intended to include this whisky in our Calendar, but another planned product fell through with very little notice. After carefully considering the limited other options available we settled on the Wayne Gretzky 99 Red Cask Whisky. Beginning with very low expectations were more than a little surprised by it when it launched a year. If we have but one regret, it is that 50mls of the whisky were filled into plastic bottles… why?

We will leave to the side the fact that Wayne Gretzky, “The Great One”, captained the mortal enemy of our beloved Calgary Flames. When the whisky first landed in Alberta we were curious, but also skeptical. It is fair to say our expectations, mine especially, were very low, especially considering they didn’t make the whisky themselves. There was a lot of excitement around the launch so we brought some in to the store, and opened a bottle to give it a try. In short the whisky it turned out was considerably better than expected. I was not blown away but for $42 (when it launched) it was pretty good.

The origins of this whisky and its exact nature are curious to say the least. Although the Gretzky name has been hawking wine for many years now, the release of Gretzky 99 Red Cask Whisky caught us completely by surprise. The official description is that it is made from local grains distilled individually before blending and finishing in ex-red wine casks from the Gretzky Estate Winery. Some online sites suggest that it is composed of rye, corn and malted barley.

It will be a few years until the Gretzky Estates Winery and Distillery have whisky of their own to bottle. Ground was only broken on the facility in 2015, and its grand opening was just a few months ago. They have hired a Heriot Watt trained distiller with industry experience in Europe and Canada.

Wayne Gretzky 99 Red Cask Whisky – 40% – Blended Canadian Whisky from a Mixed Mashbill – Matured in Ex-Bourbon and Finished in Red Wine Barrels – Andrew’s Tasting Note: “Nose: very fruity, spicy and earthy; big orange (think toned down Grand Marnier), mixed berry compote and salted caramel; very rum-like, some earthy leather and wine tones. Palate: soft, fruity, light, and still very rum-like; gently spicy and earthy; double caramel pop-corn, more Grand Marnier (though not as sweet one the palate), mixed berry compote and salted caramel. Finish: medium-shorty, fruity and smooth; very balanced. Comment: clearly corn driven, the whisky has no rough edges; not mind-blowing, but it is very good especially for the price.” – $45 (750ml)

Stay tuned for Kensington Wine Market 2017 Whisky Advent Day 5!