IRISH DISTILLERS’ PRESTIGE WHISKEY RANGE IMPRESSES JUDGES AT ULTIMATE SPIRITS CHALLENGE 2017 

• Yellow Spot Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey scored 99/100 – the joint highest score by any whisk(e)y in any category for 2017
• Highest score for an Irish whiskey since Redbreast 21 scored 100/100 in 2014
• Eight of Irish Distillers’ single pot still Irish whiskey entrants scored 95 or above
• Top six highest scoring Irish whiskeys are all crafted by Irish Distillers   

Yellow Spot Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey has been awarded an almost perfect 99/100 score at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2017 – one of the leading US based spirits awards. Yellow Spot was recognised by the judges for its quintessential single pot still character and is the highest scoring Irish whiskey in any category since Redbreast 21 was awarded 100 points in 2014.

Irish Distillers’ Prestige whiskey range was awarded eight scores of 95/100 or above, from nine entrants, demonstrating the unrivalled quality and craftsmanship of the whiskeys from the Midleton Distillery. For a full set of Ultimate Spirits Challenge results from the Redbreast, Spot and Powers ranges see below:

• Yellow Spot 12 Year Old (Chairman’s Trophy) – 99/100
• Redbreast 15 Year Old – 98/100
• Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength 12 Years Old – 97/100
• Redbreast Lustau Edition – 97/100
• Redbreast 21 Year Old – 97/100
• Green Spot Chateau Leoville Barton – 96/100
• Powers John’s Lane Release 12 Year Old – 95/100
• Redbreast 12 Year Old – 95/100

• Green Spot – 89/10

Lorna Kavanagh, Senior Brand Manager for Redbreast & Spot Range at Irish Distillers, said: “The Irish Distillers Prestige range has once again demonstrated its enduring class at a global spirits tasting competition. In particular, we are delighted that Yellow Spot scored a fantastic 99 out of 100, but we would also like to recognise Redbreast, which has cemented its position as the most awarded Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey in the world. The Ultimate Spirits Challenge signals the start of the awards season and we look forward to supporting the range throughout 2017.”

About Irish Distillers

Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard is Ireland’s leading supplier of spirits and wines and producer of the world’s most well-known and successful Irish Whiskeys. Led by Jameson, our brands are driving the global renaissance of Irish Whiskey. Jameson is the world’s fastest-growing Irish Whiskey, experiencing 27 years of consecutive growth and hitting sales of 5.7m cases in 2016. Our brands are exported to 130+ markets, with over 60 of those experiencing double- or triple-digit growth.

Irish Distillers was formed in 1966, when a merger took place between John Powers & Son, John Jameson & Son and Cork Distilleries Company. In 1988 Irish Distillers joined Pernod Ricard, gaining access to unprecedented levels of investment and an extensive global distribution network. In 2015, we completed a €220m investment which doubled our production and bottling capacity to meet global demand for our products.

We employ over 600 people across our operations in Cork and Dublin. 

About Pernod Ricard

Pernod Ricard is the world’s n°2 in wines and spirits with consolidated Sales of € 8,682 million in FY16. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has undergone sustained development, based on both organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard holds one of the most prestigious brand portfolios in the sector: Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish Whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Kahlúa and Malibu liqueurs, Mumm and Perrier‐ Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo, Graffigna and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard employs a workforce of approximately 18,000 people and operates through a decentralised organisation, with 6 “Brand Companies” and 85 “Market Companies” established in each key market. Pernod Ricard is strongly committed to a sustainable development policy and encourages responsible consumption. Pernod Ricard’s strategy and ambition are based on 3 key values that guide its expansion: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust and a strong sense of ethics. Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN code: FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 index.

www.pernod-ricard.com

Whisky casks – all you need to know

It’s agreed that whisky gets much of its flavour from the wood it’s aged in. Many different types are used, but what do they add? This was the subject of a recent shop tasting hosted by senior assistant manager Chris Bolton. Here the key points about whisky maturation:

• the number of times the cask has been used – the more times, the less flavour will be imparted,
• the size of the cask – the greater the surface-area-to-volume ratio, the more flavour the whisky will get,
• the length of time in the cask – more time means more flavour extraction,
• the intensity of the spirit – a lighter style will get more influence from the wood than a heavier one.

We tasted six whiskies, each aged in a different type of cask

COMMON types of whisky cask

Bourbon

Bourbon barrels are the most common cask used for Scotch whisky. Why? It’s all down to supply and demand. By law bourbon must be aged in new casks, meaning that after their first use they are generally surplus to requirements. They are also cheap compared with other types of cask, which leads to high demand from Scotland (and other distilleries around the world). The example used for the tasting was our exclusive Balblair 1997 from Gordon & MacPhail, which showed the classic sweet, fruity style that bourbon casks impart along with the trademark notes of coconut and vanilla.

Sherry

Sherry casks (usually around 500 litres) are very popular, but are very expensive (up to 10 times the cost of a bourbon barrel), so many distilleries choose not to (or cannot afford to) use them on a regular basis. Casks used for all the main styles of sherry are used for ageing whisky, with the sweet Pedro Ximénez and rich oloroso the most common. We tried two sherried whiskies on the night: a refill butt from Signatory of Clynelish 1995 and Lagavulin 1995 Distillers Edition, which is finished in Pedro Ximénez (PX) sherry casks. Theses added notes of chocolate, orange and dried fruits, with the smokiness of the Lagavulin adding an extra dimension.

Port

The most common port casks used for whisky used to hold ruby port, although tawny or white are also used, the latter adding both richness and a refreshing dryness. Casks used for the red styles of port add notes of strawberry and raspberry. The example we tried was Benriach 21 Year Old Tawny Port Finish, from one of Chris’ favourite distilleries. It showed wonderful balance between dry spicy flavours – clove and nutmeg – and red fruits.

Rum

A lesser-seen type (and very rarely seen for full maturation), rum casks add a whack of tropical fruit and lots of sweetness to whisky. We were treated to Glenfiddich 21 Year Old, finished for around four months. This has proved a very popular release since its relaunch at the start of the decade, and with exceptional complexity and enticing notes of green apple, pear, mango, fudge and crème brûlée, it’s easy to see why.

Wine

Wine casks vary from dry to sweet, with both red and white used. Sauternes casks add sweetness and notes honeyed fruit, whereas dry white wine, especially Chardonnay casks, will add butteriness and a mouth-coating texture. Due to the tannin in red wine, these casks impart dryness and fruity notes. We tasted Glen Garioch 1998, aged for 15 years in red-Bordeaux casks. This displayed lovely integration between the red fruit (cherry and strawberry) and dry, earthy, smoke, with an underlying notes of grape.

Wine barriques are one of the many types of cask used to age whisky

Other casks USED TO AGE WHISKY

Madeira

A fortified wine from the eponymous island, these casks add extra spice and dark-fruit notes, along with dryness or sweetness depending on the style of Madeira. This year has seen a prominent release with the eighth edition of Glenmorangie’s Private Edition series: Bacalta, which was finished in sweet Malmsey Madeira casks.

Marsala

Ongoing releases of Marsala-matured whiskies are rare, in fact we only have one in stock, the limited-edition Ledaig 19 Year Old. This rich, fortified wine from Sicily can be dry or sweet, in both cases adding extra complexity and extra spice.

New (virgin) oak

Very seldom used for full maturation, as it imparts powerful, spicy flavours which can overwhelm the spirit, it is useful for finishing, where the extra toast can add a layer of complexity, especially to longer-aged whiskies. An example of this is the newly release Bladnoch Talia 25 Year Old.

Cognac

One of the rarer cask types, Cognac casks are made from French Limouisin oak and add aromatics and perfumed fruit. One example of this is Bruichladdich’s excellent Cuvée 640 Eroica.

Many other cask types are used for ageing whisky. Some of them work – the recently launched Glenfiddich Experimental Series IPA Cask was finished in beer casks, resulting in a deliciously floral and fruity whisky – and some should never be tried again. I like a salty tang to my whisky, but Fishky, finished in herring casks, was the worst whisky I’ve ever tasted! Why not try a range of whiskies aged in different casks for yourself and see which style suits you?

Springbank Society

Hi folks, hope your week has started well.

When I said you would hear from me a lot over the next couple of months, I wasn’t lying. Today I write to make sure you have all seen the announcement that was made on the Kilkerran facebook page just over an hour ago. There is a new release from Mitchell’s Glengyle coming soon. —– Coming Soon – Kilkerran 8yo Cask Strength

From next Wednesday (12th April 2017) our Kilkerran 8yo Cask Strength will be available to purchase in the UK.

Nose – The aroma from the lightly peated barley is apparent from the off and some of the green apples which are becoming a feature of Kilkerran are also present. This whisky is like a favourite dessert, rhubarb crumble, with scents of stewed rhubarb, vanilla and all butter shortbread.

Palate – There’s an earthiness and saltiness, exactly what you want to taste in a Campbeltown dram. This is combined with icing sugar and puff candy which gives a sweetness to the whisky, along with milk chocolate and walnut flavours.

Finish – The peat remains, along with a sootiness, pencil shavings and a liquorice-influenced maltiness.

The KK 8yo CS will retail at around £47.50 and release dates in countries/markets outside of the UK will vary. And don’t worry, I will be in touch again very soon.

Sláinte

Nathan  (please contact Nathan at society@springbank.scot to join the Society)

For the Springbank Society

Karuizawa Auction is Live!

We are delighted to announce that our exclusive auction of the world’s largest known collection of Karuizawa is now live!

With 290 individual bottles going under the hammer, the auction will include close to every expression created by the renowned Japanese distillery.

This is an incredible opportunity to own a piece of whisky history. Take a look at just a few highlights below before heading over to our website to see the full listing!

Karuizawa 1960 Single Cask 52 Year Old #5627 / The Archer

Distilled in 1960 and matured in a single ex-sherry cask that yielded only 41 bottles, each one has been individually named and adorned with a matching carved netsuke figure. Presented within a finely crafted wooden case modelled on a traditional Japanese puzzle-box, this is an awe-inspiring whisky!

The Noh Cask Series

An extremely sought after range named after the ancient form of Japanese theatre. Each striking label features a different character and all were released in very limited numbers. Truly stunning bottles!

Karuizawa 1984 Single Cask #2961/Partners’ Reserve Dinner Bottling

A fantastic rarity, one of only 12 bottles gifted to attendees of a dinner party thrown by Number One Drinks Company. Containing 1984 vintage Karuizawa from single cask #2961 and bottled in 2012. The chance to purchase this bottle may never come around again, don’t miss out on this one!

The Geisha Series

A beautiful series, each bearing a label depicting the iconic Geisha figure. Featuring vintages from across 4 decades the range encompasses some of the finest whisky produced by the distillery.

Karuizawa 1963 Single Cask 50 Year Old #5132

Distilled in 1963 this 50 year old is the second oldest vintage in the auction. Produced from a single sherry cask it is one of only 131 released. Both crystal bottle and dark wood case are exquisitely decorated with cherry blossom, an image synonymous with Japan, which symbolises the fragility and beauty of life.

Honor Sumo Collection

3 single cask bottlings dedicated to the martial art of Sumo. Distilled in 1981, 1982 and 1983 the collection comes with matching presentation case. A fantastic collection and visually a lot of fun!

There is no registration fee, our commission structure is very competitive and we offer worldwide shipping. For our terms and conditions please click here.

Happy bidding!

The Lost Distillery Company

In the last century, almost one hundred of Scotland’s malt whisky distilleries have been closed or destroyed. This accounts for nearly half of all distilleries that have ever existed in Scotland. Global economic downturn, over-production, world wars and prohibition have all contributed to the loss of so many distilleries. As a result of all of these factors, many unique and venerable brands have been lost to the world. Until Now…

The Lost Distillery Company creates present day expressions of these lost whisky legends.

The Lost Distillery Co. Auchnagie

Auchnagie was one of several small farm distilleries in Ballinluig, Perthshire. Founded by James Duff in 1812, the distillery had a varied existence with a number of owners before it fell into the hands of John Dewar & Son who dismantled it in 1912.

£49.99 Buy Now

The Lost Distillery Co. Gerston

Part of The Lost Distillery Co.’s Classic Selection, the Gerston distillery in Caithness operated between 1796-1882, supplying its whisky to such famous customers as the Duke of Wellington and Sir Robert Peel.

£49.99 Buy Now

The Lost Distillery Co. Jericho

The Jericho distillery was established in 1822 by William Smith in Aberdeenshire. An early adopter of sherry cask maturation, Jericho was advertised as a drink for the discerning gentleman before it was renamed Benachie after the nearby mountain. Its isolated location finally led to the distillery’s closure in 1913.

£49.99 Buy Now

The Lost Distillery Co. Lossit

The Lossit distillery on Islay was founded in 1817 by Malcolm McNeill, one of the leading farmer-distillers of his age. As the biggest producer of whisky on Islay in the industry’s formative years, Lossit lasted for half a century before closure in 1867.

£49.99 Buy Now

Spring Rare & Collectable Whisky Sale

From Stewart;

“This sale we have a fine selection of Whisky from Laphroaig for all you smokeheads out there, including the fabulous 1976 and 1977 Vintages.  Other highlights are some fantastic Bowmore bottlings such as the 30 Year Old Sea Dragon, the 25 Year Old “The Gulls” and the 25 Year Old 1969 Vintage. We have some nice Rosebanks too and a good run of Macallan 18 Year Old from 1967 to 1979 plus a bottle of Macallan 1961 100 Proof.”

This auction will consist of approximately 300 lots of rare and collectable whisky. Viewing is by Appointment Contact 0141 225 8181 for bookings. Entries are continually accepted for future auctions. For more information please contact Stewart on either StewartS@mulberrybankauctions.com or call 0141 225 8181

The Spring Auction

Ralfy visits the special-edition Distillery bottles with Ralfy Review 639 – Aberlour Distillery Only Cask 2303

ITS OFFICIAL THE WORLD’S BEST SINGLE MALT IS CRAIGELLACHIE  

Glasgow, Scotland, 3^rd April 2017 – John Dewar & Sons Ltd are delighted to announce CRAIGELLACHIE® 31 Years Old has been awarded the World’s Best Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards 2017 presented by Whisky Magazine, the leading authority on the subject.

Last night, the annual awards ceremony took place at the Waldorf Hotel in London, The WWA is one of leading award programmes in the whisky industry. An esteemed panel of internationally recognised whisky experts deemed Craigellachie 31 Years Old as THE best single malt whisky in the world, beating off competition from hundreds of entries from across the world.

Craigellachie Single Malt launched initially in September 2014 making this a highly notable accolade for a whisky which has only been available in market for less than three years.

Georgie Bell, Global Malts Ambassador comments “Since launching, Craigellachie has built up a huge reputation in the on-trade and with whisky connoisseurs – its sought out and admired – and the accolade is true testimony to this.”

Adding “It shows how far the Craigellachie brand has come in the last three years, and how from a production, maturation and blending perspective we really are second to none”

Stephanie MacLeod, Malts Master and Master Blender for John Dewars & Sons describes Craigellachie 31 Years Old as being “Beautifully balanced, smooth and rich, a swirl of smoke and sulphur accentuate the sumptuous fruits of kiwi and pineapple.  The tang of old, leather bound books and tobacco emerge, with a hint of meatiness of a beef consommé.”

This prestigious award follows on from the outstanding success of Craigellachie 23 Years Old being crowned as ‘Best in Show’ at the San Francisco World’s Spirits Competition in 2015, America’s most respected and influential international spirits event.

For more information about Craigellachie, visit www.craigellachie.com

About John Dewar & Sons Ltd.

John Dewar & Sons Ltd. employs 300 people at seven locations throughout Scotland. The Company currently operates whisky distilleries in Aberfeldy, Macduff, Aultmore, Craigellachie and Nairn with ageing, blending, bottling and packaging facilities in Glasgow and additional maturation facilities in Poniel in Central Scotland.

The single malt brand of Craigellachie is part of the portfolio of Bacardi Limited, headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited.

A blend of single malt and grain whiskeys matured in ex-bourbon American oak – with a high percentage of first-fill – Roe & Co. was developed by Diageo Master Blender, Caroline Martin, in a process that took over two years.

Fragrant and rounded with notes of soft spice, mellow spun sugar and warm woody vanilla. The balance is immediately evident on the palate with a velvety texture, sweet spiced pears and vanilla, while a gentle creaminess lingers in the finish.

£30 Pre-Order Now

Orders will be dispatched w/c 10th April

Launching -“Find Rare Whisky”  at the Nth 2017 Experience. The online portal to purchase Legendary bottles of Whisky and an unequalled choice of the finest, rarest and collectible Whiskies in the World.

www.findrarewhisky.com