Billy Walker- GlenDronach No More; Glenallachie to the Fore

Billy is back; Glenallachie Distillery. Billy Walker, the main man behind the revival of GlenDronach, BenRiach and Glenglassaugh Distilleries. In 2004, Billy and two other investors purchased BenRiach Distillery under their BenRiach Distillery Company.  2008 came along and they purchased The GlenDronach Distillery. Finally in 2013, Glenglassaugh Distillery added. Now as you know, these distilleries, GlenDronach in particular, have established themselves among the scotch whiskey elite. GlenDronach Distillery’s reputation as a sherry cask matured scotch producer with the highly acclaimed and sought after Single Cask releases has soared in the past 5 year or so. Also, with American company Brown-Forman stepping in with a tasty £285m offer in 2016,  the figures show the level Billy and his team reached with their whisky production. But what next?

Billy Walker and Glenallachie Distillery

For these 3 distilleries, life will go on. But what route they go down remains to be seen. And with a smaller release of single casks vintages in the latest batch (#15) in May this year, are they heading down a different, more brand led path with GlenDronach? Who knows. However, last week brought exciting news. Billy and a small consortium purchased Glenallachie Distillery from Chivas Brothers; the Scotch Whiskey arm of the gigantic French Pernod Ricard drinks company. There had been a rumour in the air that Billy was keen for a new project but few would have guessed on Glenallachie Distillery. Built in 1967 this is a relatively new Scottish whiskey distillery and has a less than glamorous history. Mothballed for half the 1980s, in 1989 it restarted and the number of stills doubled to 4, to meet the demand for blended whiskey. This is not a renowned single malt whiskey distillery. It’s history is largely as a factory of production. With Billy Walker now at Glenallachie, its future looks bright and certainly interesting.

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Friday, July 21st: 5-7PM

The Macallan

Established in Speyside in 1824, Macallan has produced some of the most highly-sought after whiskies in the world. We’ll be pouring a variety of new and rare releases, with distillery representatives and our own in-store whisky experts present for all your whisky questions. Pour list will be revealed as the event approaches – be sure to follow The Whisky Shop on facebook to stay up to date!

Click Here to RSVP

Production Operative/Assistant Distiller

JOB DESCRIPTION

This position offers a fantastic opportunity to join a thriving craft distillery which is quickly establishing itself as one of the finest examples of craft distilling in the UK since opening in 2014. The successful candidate will be working as part of a small team and will be heavily involved in a range of tasks including:

·         Production of a variety of spirits (whisky, gin, apple brandy and grain whisky) from “grain to glass”.

·         Warehouse work·

·         Cleaning and maintenance.

The company are seeking someone who is hardworking, confident and has a drive to succeed in the distilling industry. The nature of the position requires a significant amount of hands-on physical work as well as associated tasks such as record keeping which require close attention to detail and accuracy. As our distillery is located in the Cotswolds countryside your own transport would be essential.

HOURS

40 hours per week shift rota, 7 days per week operation (must be flexible in order to meet business requirements which will include weekend work, evening work and early starts).

QUALIFICATIONS

·         Previous employment in a production environment or retail/hospitality management is desirable.

·         GCSE grade A-D in maths and science desirable.

·         DQC for 7.5T lorry desirable.

SKILLS AND QUALITIES

·         Can-do attitude with an ability to multi-task.

·         Hardworking and enthusiastic.

·         Reliable.

·         Excellent communication skills.

SALARY

·         Competitive salary.

·         Staff Discount.

·         ·Childcare Voucher Scheme.

If it sounds like the job for you, please EMAIL jobs@cotswoldsdistillery.com with your CV and a covering letter. Thanks!

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

While we review each application on an individual basis, due to the high number of applicants we cannot guarantee that we will be able to reply to each candidate. Therefore, if you have not been invited for interview within two weeks of the closing date, please assume your application has not been successful.

BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY FORGES AHEAD

WITH EXPANSION PLANS AS PART OF $200M INVESTMENT 

Bourbon Inventory Still Tight; Things Looking Up Long Term 

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (July 11, 2017) Buffalo Trace Distillery is barreling ahead with its expansion plans announced last year, all in response to the continued rise in the popularity of bourbon whiskey. More than $200 million is being spent at this National Historic Landmark Distillery, as new barrel warehouses are built and the bottling operation is relocated to make room for distillery expansion with new cookers and fermenters.

Already, Buffalo Trace is finishing up the conversion of two former office buildings back into barrel warehouses, with warehouses “R” and “S” being filled with barrels to age now, and warehouses “T” and “U” completed last year. The two buildings hold a combined 200,000 barrels of aging whiskey, but this is still not enough to meet the growing demand for Buffalo Trace.

             In addition to repurposing warehouses, Buffalo Trace is also building new barrel warehouses on the additional 200 acres of farmland it purchased a few years ago. These are the first new barrel warehouses with significant capacity that Buffalo Trace Distillery has built since 1951.  Ground has already been broken on the first warehouse, which will hold more than 55,000 barrels, and completion is expected by the end of this year, with the first barrels planned to be rolled in early 2018. After that, a new warehouse will be built every four months for the next several years. These new warehouses will each cost about $7 million to build and another $21 million to fill with barrels, making this expansion a significant investment.

            All that bourbon needs someplace to be bottled, which is why Buffalo Trace is moving its existing bottling operation into its old Distribution Center, located near the visitor parking lot. The new bottling hall will be more efficient, flexible, and improve overall quality. The move is expected to be complete by the end of 2018.

            Once the bottling hall moves, the Distillery will install larger cookers and additional fermenters for more bourbon production.  Already this summer, bourbon production is scheduled to run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for the first time in known history.  “This year we plan to match the all-time high of barrel production here at Buffalo Trace, set in 1973,” said Harlen Wheatley, master distiller. “Next year we’ll exceed that and set new production records.”

            While Buffalo Trace is preparing for the future, current bourbon inventory remains tight on its flagship bourbon. This shortage will continue for the next few years as demand continues to increase. Brands such as Eagle Rare, W.L. Weller and Blanton’s Single Barrel will see moderate growth. “While we have steadily increased bourbon production over the years, demand for our brands continues to outpace supply,” said Kris Comstock, senior marketing director. “Growth will be modest over the next few years, dictated by the number of barrels filled years ago. Most will be sold in the United States where demand continues to rise.”

            Bourbon allocations will continue, as they have for the past few years. Buffalo Trace will continue bourbon allocations monthly across the U.S. to ensure each state receives some every month. “We will not comprise taste nor quality, so rather than empty barrels prematurely, we’ll continue to wait for barrels to mature and allocate bourbon when it’s ready, while increasing production for the future,” added Comstock.

            Buffalo Trace Distillery would like to stress that while the bourbon shortages are prevalent on all of its brands, they speak only for themselves, not for the entire bourbon industry.  The overall whiskey category globally is up 4%, and in the U.S. whiskey growth is up 6.5%, according to International Wine and Spirits Research (IWSR).  However, nearly all the bourbon brands made at Buffalo Trace Distillery are experiencing double digit growth despite allocations.

Although Buffalo Trace is moving forward aggressively with expansion plans, allocations will continue, with no foreseeable end in sight.  Buffalo Trace Distillery would like to thank its customers for their continued support as they endeavor to make more bourbon, but good whiskey takes time and Mother Nature cannot be rushed!

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1773 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee.  Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark as well as is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won 17 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. It was named “Brand Innovator of the Year” by Whisky Magazine at its Icons of Whisky America Awards 2015.  Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 300 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com.

Young whisky brand, R&B Distillers has now appointed the very first whisky distiller for the forthcoming Isle of Raasay Distillery which will open in September 2017.

The search for Raasay’s first distiller commenced in January 2017 and has spread far and wide, receiving applications from around the globe. The brand is now delighted to announce that the appointment of Iain Robertson as the first distiller.

Iain is a recent Honours graduate of the Heriot Watt Brewing and Distilling school. During his studies, he took a placement at North British grain distillery and worked at Edinburgh’s The Scotch Whisky Experience as one of their highly knowledgeable tour guides. Iain is not only formally educated in the art and science of distilling but is innovative and enthusiastic about respectfully pushing the boundaries of the spirit. Iain will be relocating to the small island of Raasay to join the team.

It’s a big in the K&L spirits department as we’ve just received our annual allocation of what is by far America’s best and most coveted single malt release: the Westland Garryana, made with whisky aged in Oregon Garryana oak barrels for a robust and unique flavor. I was a huge fan of the initial release last year and I’m just as enthused with this year’s release. But I think distiller Matt Hofmann’s words below summarize the creativity of this project better than I can:

We’re compelled to look out so we might see possibilities others don’t recognize. But seeing opportunity is not enough. You have to have the wherewithal to do something about it. During the trip, we explored one of the few remaining natural Garry Oak savannas in the Pacific Northwest. It was coated with lush mosses draping the otherwise bare limbs in the middle of winter. The oaks provided a juxtaposition of a life frozen in time and a world moving steadily forward. Again, we removed ourselves from the moment, wondering in amazement at our place in the world of whiskey, exploring physically at the edge of the earth and figuratively at the cutting edge of single malt philosophy. We, like our whiskies, are products of our time and place. While we look forward to the future we’re building with our new partners in this industry we cannot deny that what we live for now in the present is the exploration, the journey. This latest edition is another step forward along a path that winds all across the Pacific Northwest in search of insight.

I got the pleasure of dining with Matt this past Monday and talking in depth about not only the Garryana project, but also the future of whiskymaking for the distillery. These guys are just on another level, and now that they’ve partnered with Bruichladdich under the Remy umbrella, I think the sky is the limit. For those interested in great whisky, I’d compel you to exercise our one bottle allocation for the 2017 Garryana. For those who are fascinated by terroir in whisky and unique expressions of our American continent, then this is a must buy:

Westland “Garryana 2.1” Limited Edition Single Malt Whisky (750ml) ($139.99) – The second release of Garryana is a more restrained and focused expression of what the gang at Westland Distillery hoped to showcase with their native oak project. Whereas the initial release was a big, bold, and brash expression, full of spice and a bit of smoke, this year’s edition dials back the peat and lets the oak have center stage. With 21% of the blend coming from Oregon Garryana barrels, the impact of that influence is allowed to better integrate into harmony with the remaining 52% of ex-Bourbon-aged malt, along with the 27% virgin oak matured whisky. Still present is the BBQ smoke, the molasses, the coffee bean, and robust flavor that highlighted last year’s release, but this time around its under complete control, bent and shaped into precisely the right proportions. Many of us here at K&L thought the 2016 Garryana was one of the best whiskies of last year, and seeing that this year’s total production was a measly 2600 bottles, we recommend jumping on the one bottle we’re allowing customers to buy. Westland has proven again and again that they are America’s premier single malt distillery. The 2017 release of Garryana should put any last doubts to bed.

In honour of Canada 150, Pat Dunlop at thewhiskymafia.com shares his 10 favourite Canadian whiskies!

July 1, 2017 marked the 150th anniversary of Canada’s confederation as a nation, a fact that if you’re not Canadian may well have escaped you (and if you are Canadian, it’s been hammered into each of our minds relentlessly since at least January of this year). As a proud son of Canada, I think now is perhaps the perfect time to highlight my affection for one of our great and lasting contributions to the world at large, Canadian whisky. Click here to read the remainder of the article

Ralfy savours the single cask event with Ralfy Review 667 – Edradour Single Cask 15yo @ 54.7%vol (No 1406)

The DVC Exclusive The Ritz London, Photo Credit David Parry

2017 DISTILLERY EXCLUSIVE NOW AVAILABLE FROM THE DALMORE

Luxury single malt whisky maker The Dalmore has released its limited edition distillery bottling for 2017.

Available exclusively from the renowned The Dalmore Distillery in the Scottish Highlands, The Distillery Exclusive Vintage 2000 combines the depth and complexity of The Dalmore’s unique new make spirit with sweetness gifted from the soft character of Californian Merlot.

Released during Master Distiller Richard Paterson’s 50^th year in the whisky industry, the Distillery Exclusive is a showcase of Richard’s craftsmanship and, in particular, his pioneering approach to the art of maturation and cask finishing.

Having matured in American White Oak ex-bourbon barrels, The Distillery Exclusive Vintage 2000 has been finished in hand selected Californian Merlot Barriques for five years before bottling.

The Dalmore distillery was founded in 1839 and, through its unbroken chain of exceptional whisky creators, has defined the luxury single malt whisky category ever since. Since taking the reins as Master Distiller nearly 50 years ago, Richard Paterson has been the pioneering force behind The Dalmore, responsible for creating some of the world’s most coveted and iconic whiskies. Richard has achieved a number of world firsts, including the six-cask matured The Dalmore King Alexander III and releasing the first ever five red wine finished whisky, The Dalmore Quintessence.

Richard Paterson, Master Distiller commented: “The Dalmore Distillery, located on the picturesque shore of the Cromarty Firth in the Scottish Highlands, is my go-to place for inspiration and reflection. It is here that I first considered how best to combine one of my favourite red wines with the distillery’s deep and complex new make spirit.

“The Dalmore Distillery Exclusive Vintage 2000 is the result of these efforts, offering a harmonious balance between the sweet notes of the Californian Merlot and the signature flavours of our own Dalmore house style. Bottled at natural strength and with notes of chocolate truffle, coffee and black toffee, this year’s exclusive distillery release is a treat worth snapping up for any visitors to our distillery.”

Up to 270 bottles will be available to purchase, priced at £200. The Dalmore Distillery Exclusive Vintage 2000 (52% ABV) is available from The Dalmore Distillery at Alness, Ross-shire, Scotland, IV17 0UT.     

The DVC Exclusive The Ritz London, Photo Credit David Parry

Notes:

Tasting Notes:

Colour:                 Deep mahogany gold shimmering with ruby highlights

Aroma:                 Succulent Black Forest fruits, fleshy Victoria plum and sweet apricots

Palate:                  Morello cherries, blueberry pie, cinnamon and soft chewy liquorice

Finish:                  Chocolate truffles, coffee and black toffee

ABV:                      52% 

The Dalmore

The Dalmore is the definitive luxury malt, since 1839.

Founded by Sir Alexander Matheson, a restless entrepreneur and international businessman, The Dalmore was born with a different purpose, to go above and beyond to create luxurious single malt whisky unlike any other.

An unbroken chain of exceptional whisky makers have been fulfilling Sir Alexander’s vision ever since, pioneering multi cask maturation over 100 years before this was commonly adopted by others in the industry.

Richard Paterson has been Master Distiller at The Dalmore for nearly 50 years.  The whiskies he has created during his tenure have help Richard to achieve global celebrity status.  He is the man who, with The Dalmore, created the category of super luxury single malt, a category he continues to define to this very day.

About The Dalmore Distillery & Visitor Centre Located on the shores of the Cromarty Firth in the Highlands of Scotland, the Dalmore distillery is home to some of the oldest whisky stocks in the world. Those that visit receive a rare insight into the skill, expertise and craft required to produce The Dalmore.

Distillery tours are available year round by booking only which ensures that the team are able to cater to the needs of each group. Enquiries should be made by visiting www.thedalmore.com or calling 01349 882 362.

New Scotch Whiskey from North Star Spirits Ltd

North Start Spirits are one of the newcomers on the indy whisky scene. Based in Glasgow and overseen by Iain Croucher, there is plenty of experience having been part of the long established A.D. Rattray group. Now he is going it alone with his own Independent bottling company North Star Spirits Ltd. Having set up in 2016, the first batch of releases has already been and gone to much praise and a ‘take a second look’ at this kind of vibe from many scotch enthusiasts.

Recently the second batch of releases, a variety if single casks malts and grains along with single cask bourbon and special blended malt release hit the market and was snapped up quickly. Here at The Whisky Barrel we have managed to get our hands on some of this highly anticipated scotch whiskey, all bottled in May 2017. So let’s see what’s in store…

Let’s See the Scotch

Usually we love to accompany new whiskies like this with a wee tasting as well to get an idea for ourselves what’s happening in the bottle. Alas, this batch of new whiskies have been so popular we missed the boat on samples. However, as you’ll see from the distilleries, ages and vintages of these bottles, they are not to be sniffed at. The labels are quite eye catching too. Crisp, modern and ‘on trend’ with the expanding younger demographic of scotch drinkers. The name and design evokes the obvious connotations of star gazing. The notion of sitting round a fire, chatting, looking up at the stars, scotch in hand. Isn’t that just what whisky should be about?

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