GIVE A GIFT AS UNIQUE AS THEY ARE THIS CHRISTMAS

Treat your loved one to one of the finest, most unique single malt whiskies with Lore, Select and 27 Year Old from Laphroaig

The award-winning, heavily-peated Single Malt Scotch whisky has been dividing opinions since 1815. It is not your everyday whisky for everyday people so this Christmas, get into the spirit and give the gift of history with three unique bottlings from the world’s No.1 Islay single malt.

HISTORY AT HEART

Laphroaig Select’s unique character is derived from the special selection of casks chosen for maturation. The heart of the spirit is drawn from a final maturation in new American Oak casks, rarely used for Scotch whisky.

Representing a subtle blending of peat, oak and sweetness, Laphroaig Distillery Manager John Campbell has selected the spirit from Laphroaig Quarter Cask, PX Cask, Triple Wood (European Oak casks) and a final addition of 10 Year Old to create San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2017 silver medal award winning Laphroaig Select.

Sparkling gold in colour, on the nose Laphroaig Select is reminiscent of burning embers of peat in a crofter’s fireplace with hints of coconut and banana. Full bodied, the whisky offers deep, complex and smoky flavours on the palate with a surprising gentle sweetness and a dry, spicy, finish, making it a great foil to smoked salmon, rich mince pies beside the fire or strong blue cheese this festive season.

For something extra special, give your loved one a limited edition Laphroaig Select gift pack including two bespoke Laphroaig nosing glasses alongside a full-sized bottle.

Laphroaig Select and the Laphroaig Select gift set are available in selected whisky specialists and retailers. RRP £35

THE RICHEST OF THE RICH

A double-gold medal award winner at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2017, Laphroaig Lore is shaped by Laphroaig Distillery Manager John Campbell, and drawn from 5 different casks including first-fill Bourbon barrels, new American Oak quarter casks, refill Laphroaig and Oloroso Sherry butts to create a rich Laphroaig like no other.

As the name suggests, this offering from Laphroaig is inspired by the knowledge and traditions passed down from generation to generation of its distillery managers, blenders and craftsmen.

Deep mahogany in colour, on the nose Laphroaig Lore is rich and smoky with seaside minerals, a hint of ash and bitter chocolate drops. Vanilla follows with chestnuts and a hit of fudge with malty sweetness – flavours reminiscent of Christmas treats. This develops into reach peat and a spicy chilli bite on the palate with a long, sweet aftertaste. A special gift from our family to yours, Laphroaig Lore will match well with a variety of foods over the festive season – it’s the perfect dram to sip alongside (or even pour over) your Christmas pudding, dark chocolate, or game meats.

Laphroaig Lore is available in selected whisky specialists and retailers. RRP £84

OLDER AND WISER

In 2015, to celebrate its 200th anniversary, Laphroaig launched a 32 Year Old exclusive – the highest aged whisky it had released in over 8 years. This formed the start of a super premium series which the limited release 27 Year Old Double Matured Laphroaig continues.

To make this exquisite liquid, mature Laphroaig previously aged in hogsheads was transferred into first-fill ex-bourbon barrels and refill quarter casks. Patiently aged in the famous Warehouse No. 1, these casks were then specially selected for a final maturation and bottled at cask strength.

Burnished gold in colour, on the nose Laphroaig 27 Year Old offers ripe tropical fruit, toasted nuts, vanilla cream and fresh leather, which develops into smoke on the palate tempered by limes and stone fruit, giving way to sea salt and mild spice on the finish. Or in Distillery Manager John Campbell’s opinion it is like “dreams of stewed fruit and old potato sacks in the baking sun woken with carbolic soap. Ahh, lemony fresh!” Presented in a white wooden box with hand-carved images of the Laphroaig distillery inside, this exceptional bottling is perfect for that special someone and is the ideal dram to round-off your Christmas feast.

Laphroaig 27 Year Old is available in selected whisky specialists and retailers. RRP £425

John Campbell, Distillery Manager comments: “Christmas is about sharing what you love with who you love. These three bottlings showcase our passion for making exceptional whiskies and offer Laphroaig lovers something extra special this festive season.”

To find out more information about Laphroaig or how to become a Friend of Laphroaig, please visit www.laphroaig.com. Please enjoy our brand responsibly www.drinkaware.co.uk

www.facebook.com/laphroaig

twitter.com/laphroaig

instagram.com/laphroaig

www.laphroaig.com/opinions

Notes

Awards:

ISC 2017 | Silver for Laphroaig 10 Year Old

ISC 2017 | Silver for Laphroaig Triple Wood

ISC 2017 | Silver for Laphroaig Select

ISC 2017 | Silver for Laphroaig Quarter Cask

ISC 2017 | Silver for Laphroaig Lore

ISC 2017 | Silver for Laphroaig PX

San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2017 | Double gold for Laphraoig Lore

San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2017 | Gold for Laphraoig 10 Year Old

San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2017 | Silver for Select

IWSC 2017 | Gold for Laphroaig Quarter Cask

IWSC 2017 | Gold for Laphroaig The 1815 Legacy Edition

IWSC 2017 | Silver for Laphroaig 10 Year Old

IWSC 2017 | Silver for Laphroaig Four Oak

IWSC 2017 | Silver for Laphroaig Lore

IWSC 2017 | Silver for Laphroaig Select

IWSC 2017 | Silver for Laphroaig Triple Wood

ABOUT LAPHROAIG®

Laphroaig® is one of only a few distilleries that still uses traditional malting floors and dries and infuses its own malt with the thick blue smoke from old peat-fired kilns. People experience whisky in very different ways. It’s what makes us human and what makes Laphroaig® so special. The award-winning heavily peated Single Malt Scotch whisky has been dividing opinions since 1815. With its pungent, earthy aroma of peat smoke, the sweet nuttiness of the barley and the heathery perfume of the Kilbride stream, Laphroaig® is an unapologetically bold and rich and Single Malt. It’s this complex and sometimes polarising range of flavours that has garnered a loyal and passionate following of whisky enthusiasts and continues to divide opinions around the world.

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.

Sleigh bells are ringing and you’re busy worrying over what to get your colleagues, friends, family (and the man next door that lends you his snow shovel) for Christmas.

Yes, it is indeed that time of year again. Worry not, friends, we have it covered! Take a breath and have a read of this whilst savouring a mince pie and a tipple…or two.

We know that picking the perfect scotch whiskey gift can be tricky at the best of times. For a gift to be opened in front of friends and family, best get this one right.

Here at TheWhiskyBarrel.com we have the perfect selection of single malt scotch and Irish whiskey gifts.  And to make things even easier for you we have a great selection of new gift wrapping especially for those special Christmas gifts.

Go on then, best get at it, there’s no time like the present (pun intended!).

In a hurry? Jump to our list of Top 10 Whiskies, Gins and Rums for Christmas, visit our Christmas 2017 page here.

Shipping Dates

Now, at the time of writing, you still have plenty of time to order. However, we know some of you like the thrill of a last-minute Christmas buy. Keep a note of our last shipping dates for Christmas to make sure your whiskey gift is delivered on time, especially if you’re sending overseas.

Final Dates for Christmas Shipping 2017

Christmas Whiskey Gift Wrapping

As well as our usual selection of high quality wrapping paper, we now have two extra special Christmas wrapping papers available to add a bit of sparkle this season. Simply choose the gift wrapping you want and add a message in the basket. Christmas whiskey gifts all wrapped up at TheWhiskyBarrel.com.

Speyside Whiskey Gifts

Under £50 –Aberfeldy 2003 Connoisseur’s Choice 43% –  2017 bottling matured in first fill sherry hogshead by Gordon & MacPhail

Something Special – Glenrothes 1976 UK Single Cask #2677 – 39 year old very special limited release from The Glenrothes Distillery

TWB Favourite – Craigellachie 21 year old 1995 Old Malt Cask – nice fruity sherry bomb from Hunter Laing & Co

Highland Whiskey Gifts

Under £50: Edradour 10 year old  – lovely, easy drinker from Edradour Distillery.

Something Special: Clynelish, 20 year old, 1996, Old and Rare – fabulous whiskey and a single cask from Hunter Laing & Co.

TWB Favourite: Glen Garioch 24 year old 1992 Berry’s Own Cask #3059 –  one of our top underrated distilleries. A great dram.

Islay Whiskey Gifts

Under £50: Caol Ila Creative Whisky Single Cask Exclusives 50% – No age or vintage but a fine young Caol Ila

Something Special: Laphroaig 27 year old, 2017 Release – limited release with 1988 and 1989 vintage whiskey.

TWB Favourite: Bunnahabhain 29 year old 1987 ‘ The Viceroy’s Elixir’ Wemyss – not just our favourite. Popular big sherry Islay Bunna!

Campbeltown Whiskey Gifts

Under £50: Glengyle, Kilkerran 12 year old – superb whiskey from the Springbank group and great value. Firm favourite.

Something Special: Springbank 21 year old 1995 Magnum Old & Rare – yup 1.5 litres of Springbank. Yup.

TWB Favourite: Springbank 15 year old – We think this is simply one of the best whiskies on the market and at a superb price.

Island Whiskey Gifts

Under £50: Abhainn Dearg Spirit of Lewis 46% – not technically whiskey as under 3 years. But a taste of one of Scotland’s most exciting rugged distilleries.

Something Special: Arran 21st Anniversary Limited Edition, 52.6% – 21 years of this distillery celebrated in this limited release.

TWB Favourite: Talisker 7 year old, 2009 Old Malt Cask – our firm favourite young whiskey. Awesome.

Lowland Whiskey Gifts

Under £50: Tullibardine 225 Sauternes – Double matured in Chateau Suduiraut Sauternes casks. They call themselves Highland but we’re putting this lowland!

Something Special: Littlemill 27 year old 1988 Magnum Old & Rare. Again, yup! 1.5 litres of Lost Distillery Littlemill.

TWB Favourite: Bladnoch 1993 Connoisseur’s Choice (2016) – another recenlty re-opened distillery. This bottle offers old stock.

Irish and American Whiskey Gifts

Under £50:  – Elijah Craig Small Batch – recent replacement for the 12 year old. Fine American Bourbon Whiskey

Something Special: Buffalo Trace E.H. Taylor Single Barrel  – this one’s colleague just won The Whisky Bible World Whisky of the Year. Pedigree.

TWB Favourite: Irish Cooley 13 year old 2003 TWB 10th Anniversary Exclusive – one of our celebration whiskies. Something different and very good!

Relish and Whisky Magazine’s Muskoka Tasting

Whisky is to Scotland what maple syrup is to Canada, with a little bit of rebel thrown in for good measure. So there’s no better pairing for a whisky tasting than a rousing tale of adventure on Scotland’s Spey River accompanied by delicious Canadian cuisine.

Join Relish and Whisky magazine for an intimate evening showcasing some of your favourite spirits at Huntsville’s Hidden Valley Resort, with more than 30 whiskies from around the world: Aberlour, The Balvenie, Canadian Club, The Glenlivet, Gooderham & Worts, Highland Park, Jim Beam, J.P. Wiser’s, Knob Creek, Lot No40, The Macallan, Maker’s Mark and The Original Kavi Reserve.

Sample whisky, Scotch and cocktails poured by award-winning ambassadors, including Trish Harcus, Frank Biskupek, Matt Jones, Spencer Gooderham, Ray Daniel, Jamie Johnson, Cameron Millar and Jackie Demarco, along with a taste of the outdoors from local craft brewery Lake of Bays Brewing Company and paired with a fine selection of hors d’oeuvres from Chef Ashley Stenabaugh.

Then settle in with the friendly staff from local outdoor adventure store Algonquin Outfitters and be regaled by author and award-winning filmmaker Kevin Callan as he recounts paddling down Scotland’s Spey River where, between running rapids and camping out below the snow-capped mountains, he stopped now and then for a wee dram of whisky at some of the local distilleries.

If you’ve never heard a good tale from Kevin, a regular on CBC radio and a columnist for Explore magazine, you’re in for a treat. Relish and Whisky Magazine’s Muskoka Tasting will be hosted at Hidden Valley Resort in Huntsville on December 15 from 6-10 p.m. Participants must be 19 years or older. To ensure everyone has a good time, please drink responsibly – excessive consumption or intoxication won’t be tolerated. Room reservations are available at the resort for those who don’t want to arrange for a designated driver.

Only 150 tickets will be sold at just $75 per person. Be bold and get yours now, or risk disappointment.  For more information and to order tickets, visit www.qcrelishandwhisky.ca.

Thursday, November 16th 5-7PM:

Glen Scotia & Loch Lomond 

Treat yourself to a traditional whisky tasting! From 5-7 PM, whiskey expert Sam Gulley will present new releases and rare favorites by both distilleries. Both established in the 19th century, Glen Scotia and Loch Lomond have contributed a wealth of great drams to the whisky world – we’re very excited to see what whiskies will appear at this event!

Pourlist to be revealed as event approaches- RSVP to keep up-to-date.

Click Here to RSVP

George Dickel “K&L Exclusive” 9 Year Old Single Barrel #L7233K1008 Tennessee Whiskey (750ml) $44.99 View

George Dickel “K&L Exclusive” 9 Year Old Single Barrel #L7234K1004 Tennessee Whiskey (750ml) $44.99 View

Aberlour 16 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml)  $59.99 View

Lagavulin “2016 Edition” 12 Year Old Natural Cask Strength Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) (Previously $130) $99.99 View

Russell’s Reserve K&L Exclusive Single Barrel #089 Kentucky Bourbon (750ml)$64.99 View

Aberlour “A’Bunadh” Cask Strength Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml)  $68.99 View

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

Port Ellen 35 Year Old 14th Edition Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (750ml) (Elsewhere $3500) $2,499.99 View

PREMIUM SCOTCH WHISKY GLEN GRANT LAUNCHES IN CANADA

CAMPARI CANADA RELEASES GLEN GRANT 12-YEAR-OLD AND 18-YEAR-OLD FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ONTARIO, BRITISH COLUMBIA, ALBERTA AND MANITOBA

TORONTO, ON (October 31, 2017) – Campari Canada is launching Glen Grant, an internationally-renowned player within the premium Scotch whisky category. The 12-Year-Old and 18-Year-Old are currently available in Alberta and will be rolling out in liquor stores in Ontario, British Columbia and Manitoba in November. The 12-Year-Old features a clear bronze label, while the 18-Year-Old features a rich blue label and bottle neck and is enclosed in a frosted blue gift box with silver hues.

Established in the 1840s, brothers John and James Grant used their entrepreneurial spirit, skill and dedication in Speyside, Scotland, to produce what would become one of the world’s most famous single malt Scotch whiskies at the Glen Grant Distillery. While Gruppo Campari acquired the brand in 2006, in 2017, Campari Canada identified an opportunity to further its category growth by expanding the company’s premium spirits portfolio with the addition of Glen Grant.

“We are thrilled to introduce such a highly-regarded Scotch whisky into the Canadian market,” said Alyssa De Bartolo, Brand Manager, Premium Spirits, Campari Canada. “In launching Glen Grant, we hope to appeal to the tastes and demands of consumers for premium spirits with this flavourful single malt whisky.”

Recently, the Glen Grant 18-Year-Old received accolades in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2018, earning awards in the categories of ‘Scotch Whisky of the Year’, and ‘Single Malt of the Year’ for the second year in a row. The Glen Grant 12-Year-Old has won Double Gold at the San Francisco Wine and Spirits Competition in 2017 for ‘Best 12-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch’ and a Gold in the 2016 International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC); allowing it to rightfully be considered an accredited Single Malt.

Glen Grant’s whiskies are known for their bright, clear golden colour and seductively smooth, fruity, rich taste. Barley, yeast and water are the only ingredients required in its production. Best-in-class Bourbon and Sherry oak casks are meticulously chosen for a slow aging process which gives Glen Grant its unique colour and rich fruity, nutty flavour.

Notes:

*Product availability and pricing may vary depending on region.

• Glen Grant 12-Year-Old – 43% ABV; Ontario, $69.95; British Columbia, $67.99; Alberta, $59.99; Manitoba, $68.99.

• Glen Grant 18-Year-Old – 43% ABV; pricing from $189.95, British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario.

Tasting Notes:

• 12-Year-Old: With a bright, golden colour and pleasant aromas of orchard fruit, almond and citrus, this exceptional whisky delights the palate with exquisite and delicate notes of apple pie crust and caramel, finishing with lingering fruit and subtle hints of spice.

• 18-Year-Old: Offers a radiant golden colour and seductive floral and oaky aroma. Deeply layered and complex, this rich and vibrant whisky delivers beautifully intricate flavours of malted caramel, vanilla, and raisins. It lingers with a long, sweet, and pleasantly spicy finish.

About Gruppo Campari:

Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A., together with its affiliates (‘Gruppo Campari’), is a major player in the global beverage sector, trading in over 190 nations around the world with leading positions in Europe and the Americas. The Group’s portfolio includes over 50 premium and super premium brands. Internationally-renowned brands include Aperol, Appleton Estate, Campari, Cinzano, Grand Marnier, SKYY Vodka and Wild Turkey. In 2014, The Group acquired Forty Creek Distillery Ltd., a Canadian spirits company with a portfolio of brands including whisky, vodka, brandy, rum and liqueurs. Internationally-recognized for its superior taste and quality, the multi-award winning Forty Creek Whisky serves as both the fastest growing brand in its category across North America and Canada’s first successfully launched whisky brand in over 70 years. Headquartered in Sesto San Giovanni, Italy, Campari owns 18 plants worldwide and has its own distribution network in 20 countries. The Group employs around 4,000 people. The shares of the parent company, Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A. (Reuters CPRI.MI – Bloomberg CPR IM), are listed on the Italian Stock Exchange since 2001. For more information: http://www.camparigroup.com. Please enjoy our brands responsibly.

What is a closed distillery?

Ever since the early days of whisky production, distilleries have appeared and disappeared. Some failed, some merged, some literally exploded, and the Scottish landscape is littered with the remains of historical distilling. However, October was a busy month for the lost distilleries of Scotland.

Port Ellen in its heyday. Not much of it’s left these days…for now

It’s not every day that it’s announced that a closed distillery is to reopen, but two on the same day is unheard of. At the beginning of October, Diageo announced that it was going to reopen Brora and Port Ellen, both closed for more than 30 years. Not to be outdone, the very next day, Ian Macleod, owner of Glenoyne and Tamdhu, announced its news: Rosebank distillery, closed since 1993, was also going to reopen.

Why do distilleries close?

While we whisky lovers often take a more romantic view, whisky distilleries are, in the end, businesses. Unfortunately, this means that business decisions are made and distilleries close. Sometimes, as was more often the case in the more distant past, companies went bankrupt or couldn’t afford to keep distilleries open. However, more recently there have been more pragmatic decisions – when the whisky industry isn’t doing so well, companies who own multiple distilleries have closed some of them.

Brora in the 1930s. Most of it is still there

This is what happened in the case of Port Ellen, Brora and Rosebank. In 1983, the year that Port Ellen and Brora closed, and a decade later in the case of Rosebank, many distilleries across Scotland stopped production. The demand for whisky had fallen and the producers needed to save money. The Distillers Company Ltd, owners of all three distilleries, decided that they were surplus to requirements and closed them all – Caol Ila produced similar whisky to Port Ellen, Clynelish produced enough whisky without the assistance of Brora (which was right next door), and Glenkinchie fulfilled the company’s needs for the light Lowland whisky that Rosebank has become well known for.

At the time, single malts weren’t as popular and the closures didn’t cause much of an outcry. However, years later, whisky from all three distilleries is now held in high regard and changes hands for thousands of pounds a bottle.

Why do whiskies from closed distilleries cost so much?

A simple question with many answers. The easiest is just rarity: the closed distilleries aren’t making whisky any more, and as people drink it, there’s less of it available each day. Whether it’s old bottles, filled years ago, or casks of whisky, there won’t be any more once it’s gone.

Rosebank is now mostly offices and apartments, but some of the original buildings still remain

Also, the whiskies that are still in casks are getting older. With that, the price is rising thanks to not only the angels taking their share but also the usual year-by-year costs of nurturing a cask to maturity.

Thankfully, while the owners (and former owners) of closed distilleries often don’t have much stock left, the independents are helping to fill the gaps. Gordon & MacPhail, Signatory, Douglas Laing and Hunter Laing all have great stocks from lost distilleries. Whether you want a bottle of recently closed Imperial, long-lost Dallas Dhu or super-rare Kinclaith, the independents have you covered.

New Limited Editions

If you’re looking for something a bit different, you can be sure to find it at The Whisky Shop. This week we have new limited releases from India’s Amrut distillery and a special limited edition Johnnie Walker Blue Label, created in collaboration with designer Tom Dixon.

Next day UK delivery available International Shipping

Johnnie Walker Blue Label Capsule Series: Tom Dixon

This limited edition of the famed Johnnie Walker Blue Label is a collaboration between Master Blender, Jim Beveridge, and critically acclaimed British designer, Tom Dixon OBE. Inspired by the rarity, craft and heritage of Scotch whisky, the copper accents are characteristic of Dixon’s designs and are evocative of the copper pot stills used in distillation.

Blue Label is the pinnacle of the Johnnie Walker range, with just one in ten thousand casks of the rarest whiskies selected by Beveridge to craft this unrivalled masterpiece.

£190 Pre-Order Now

Orders will be dispatched w/c 13th November

Amrut Greedy Angels 8 Year Old

One of the oldest expressions bottled by the Amrut distillery, this Indian single malt has been matured in bourbon casks for 8 years. Named for the higher Angels’ Share that occurs due to the tropical climate, this expression of Greedy Angels is reminiscent of the first in the series, released in 2012.

Blending maturity and freshness, this Indian single malt has vanilla mingling with exotic flowers and spices. Bottled at 50% abv, only 600 bottles have been released to the European market.

£270 Buy Now

Amrut Double Cask 3rd Edition

This single malt from Amrut distillery is produced entirely from peated Scottish barley, maturing in the tropical climate of the Karnataka region in India. This third edition is a combination of liquid from bourbon cask #3189 and port cask #2715, resulting in a smoky, spicy and fruity palate with a soft and creamy character.

£185 Buy Now

It has taken me on a scotch journey I never knew existed.” 

This season, give yourself the gift of a rare selection of 25 whiskies, hand-picked to give you the experience of how unique and complex whisky can be. The Scotch Whisky Advent Calendar features 25+ year old drams, single-barrel releases, and long sought after distilleries sure to delight and surprise any whisky lover. The majority of the scotch whiskies in this calendar have never been seen before and will not be seen again. They are the rarest of the rare, exclusive to our calendar and you! Due to the popularity of this item we’ve opened online pre-orders.

Pre-order before it hits store shelves and beat the holiday rush! 

Click Here for Info and Pre-Orders