Haig Club Leicester City Engraved Edition

Raise a glass in celebration of Leicester City FC’s outstanding English Premiership 2015/16 triumph with this specially engraved bottle of Haig Club, complete with free branded tumbler! Engraved with a special edition commemorative message reading, ‘Congratulations Leicester City Premier League Champions 2015/2016‘, the classic blue Haig Club bottle is an ideal tribute to football’s latest unlikely heroes.

£45 Click to Buy

A Fond Farewell: Jura Distillery Manager Willie Cochrane Retires 

Diurachs raise a glass to one of whisky’s most celebrated characters 

Jura Single Malt Whisky today, 16 May, raises a glass to much-loved Distillery Manager, Willie Cochrane, as he retires after an incredible 39 year career.

He hands over the reins to Graham Logan, a former Jura Mash/Stillman who has worked at Willie’s side for over two decades, helping Jura become the thriving success it is today.

Willie has been a ‘Diurach’ – the Gaelic term for the community in Jura – since 1977, when he arrived on the island planning to stay for just a year.  Initially he had little knowledge of whisky, but his passion was ignited and he proved his talent for crafting extraordinary single malts by working his way up from Mash/ Stillman to Distillery Manager 11 years ago.

He became a celebrated part of the very fabric of Jura, renowned in the industry for his friendliness and his expertise, earning prestigious titles for the whisky*.  A true ambassador for the brand, Willie has welcomed thousands of visitors from across the globe to the distillery, guiding them through the quality craftsmanship and dedication that goes into producing each cask of Jura.

Willie Cochrane said: “Jura is just as important to me now, as it has been for the last 39 years. I’ll find it hard to walk away completely, so I’ll still be involved in promoting the whisky from time to time.  Definitely not a quiet retirement but one I’m very excited about, especially as I’ll have more time for the grandchildren, and to take holidays abroad with my wife! 

“Graham and I have worked together for years and I know he’s the right man for the job.  I’ll sleep well at night knowing the distillery is in capable hands, with someone who loves Jura just as much as I do.”

Graham has followed the same path as his mentor, starting out as a Mash/Stillman 25 years ago before working his way up to Distillery Manager. He first set eyes on Jura aboard the deck of the HMS Liverpool, while passing by in his previous role as a marine engineering mechanic in the Royal Navy – little did he know that his Father had accepted a job on Jura and he’d soon be calling it home.  Six years later, Graham swapped life at sea for the ‘water of life’ when a job came up at the distillery.

Together, Willie and Graham have overseen a number of limited edition bottlings, such as Camas An Staca and Tastival 2015.

Graham Logan said: “Willie Cochrane will be a hard act to follow – he is something of a legend and rightly so.  Willie played a huge part in making the distillery the success it is today and has been an asset to the quality of the whisky that we produce.  I hope to be able to put my own stamp on the distillery, while maintaining the same level of craftsmanship and, overseeing some fantastic new bottlings.”

www.jurawhisky.com 

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Instagram: jura_whisky 

NOTES                                                                                                   

About Jura:  

Jura is an island nestled off the West Coast of Scotland. With only one road, one pub, one distillery and 200 people, Jura is as beautiful as it is remote.

The distillery was established in 1810 and reborn in 1963 to revive the community.

Inspired by our history and our island home, we create single malt with a true passion for the craft of whisky making.

There are four classic bottlings in the Jura Collection, which sit within a unique sweet or smoky flavour profile: the light and delicate Origin 10 and the rich and full bodied Diurachs’ Own 16 year old each have a sweet edge, while Superstition and Prophecy are lightly and heavily peated respectively.

* Jura Malt Whisky is the proud collector of many awards and accolades for its unique taste. Here are just a few of them:

ORIGIN

Silver at International Wine & Spirits Challenge 2015

Silver at Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Challenge 2015

DIURACHS’ OWN

Silver at International Spirits Challenge 2015

Silver at International Wine & Spirits Challenge 2015

Gold at Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Challenge 2015

SUPERSTITION

Silver at International Spirits Challenge 2015

Silver at International Wine & Spirits Challenge 2015

Gold at Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Challenge 2015

PROPHECY

Silver at International Spirits Challenge 2015

Silver at International Wine & Spirits Challenge 2015

21 YEAR OLD

Silver at International Wine & Spirits Challenge 2015

Gold at Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Challenge 2015

30 YEAR OLD

Silver at International Wine & Spirits Challenge 2015

Gold at Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Challenge 2015

GLENMORANGIE SIGNET CROWNED WHISKY OF THE YEAR AT THE 2016 INTERNATIONAL WHISKY COMPETITION

CHICAGO, IL (MAY 16 2016) — The International Whisky Competition just released its results for this year’s blind tasting judging event. The highest recognition, Whisky of the Year, was awarded to Glenmorangie Signet which scored a phenomenal 97 points.

“We congratulate Dr Bill Lumsden, Master Distiller at Glenmorangie, and his team, for crafting such an elegant whisky, beautifully made and very complex.” said Sébastien Gavillet, Head of Tasting Panel for the International Whisky Competition.

The 7th edition of the International Whisky Competition took place in Chicago over three days,from April 20 to 22 and received over 160 entries. A world-class tasting panel made of whisky, spirit, beer and wine experts blind tasted each whisky on an individual basis for 5 minutes. Each whisky was scored using a comprehensive 100-point scale system developed by Sébastien Gavillet, IWC Head of Tasting Panel and author of Discovering and Mastering Single Malt Scotch Whisky. This process makes the International Whisky Competition one of the most professional competitions of its kind in the world. No whisky scored below 71.

The Glenmorangie Distillery will receive the Golden Barrel Trophy for winning the Whisky of the Year during a ceremony to be held this summer in Tain, Scotland.

Full results and awards are available here: www.whiskycompetition.com/2016-results/

About the International Whisky Competition™

The International Whisky Competition brings whiskies from around the world to be blind tasted and rated by a professional tasting panel using the most comprehensive tasting method available with 15 different criteria. These criteria are required to produce the tasting notes as well as aroma and flavor profiles for the International Whisky Guide. Unlike other competitions, the judges on its tasting panel are presented with one whisky at a time, to ensure each whisky gets the proper attention. It is the only competition in the spirits world to deliver unique medals designed to promote each of the winning whiskies. Only 3 medals (Gold, Silver & Bronze) are awarded per category. The Whisky of the Year (highest score during the competition) gets rewarded with the Golden Barrel Trophy, currently held by Diageo at The Archive in Scotland for last year’s John Walker & Sons King George V.

For more information about the International Whisky Guide and the International Whisky Competition, please visit whiskycompetition.com or contact Sylvain Allard, Managing Director, at s.allard@whiskycompetition.com

 Fort McMurray Compass Box Tasting 

Thursday June 2, 7PM, $75, Hosted by Chris Maybin, Proceeds to the Red Cross 

Compass Box Brand Ambassador Chris Maybin is swinging through Calgary early next month, and that seemed like a perfect opportunity to put on a tasting for a good cause. We have partnered with Compass Box, Authentic Wine & Spirits and Peasant Cheese to put on a special Compass Box event, the proceeds of which will go to the Red Cross Fort McMurray Fire Relief. Authentic and Compass Box are supplying the whisky, so 100% of the ticket price will go to the Red Cross. We have a great range, and Crystal, owner of Peasant Cheese will be doing special pairings with each whisky. Our range will consist of eight whiskies including the new Flaming Heart, This is Not a Luxury Whisky and the two soon to arrive new releases: Compass Box Enlightenment and Compass Box The Circus.  

The price to attend the event is $75+GST, 100% of which will be donated to the Red Cross. It is limited to just 20 participants. Call 403-283-8000 to register or visit our website.

THREE RARE WHISKIES FEATURE IN BONHAMS MAY WHISKY SALE

A rare bottle of Gordon & MacPhail Generations Mortlach-70 year old, estimated £15,000-18,000

A rare bottle of Gordon & MacPhail Generations Mortlach-70 year old leads Bonhams Whisky sale in Edinburgh on 8 June. It is estimated at £15,000-18,000.

Described by renowned whisky writer Charles Maclean as “a delicate, fresh, vital, fruity whisky, but with unusual attributes of waxiness and smokieness,” the Mortlach-70 year old was issued in a limited edition of 54 of which this is number 53. Distilled in 1938 at Mortlach Distillery, Dufftown, matured at the distillery and later at the bonded warehouses of Gordon & MacPhail, the whisky comes in a hand blown glass decanter with sterling silver stopper and cradle.

The Macallan Millennium Decanter-50 year old-1949 is estimated at £12,000-14,000

Other rarities in the sale include:

The Macallan Millennium Decanter-50 year old-1949, bottled in May 1999.  The Caithness Glass decanter with engraved copper collar comes in a fitted oak presentation case and is estimated at £12,000-14,000.

The Dalmore Candela-50 year old, which comes in a crystal decanter and is numbered 30 of 77, is also estimated at £12,000-14,000.  The whisky is blended from maturing stocks dating from 1868, 1878, 1909, 1922, 1939 and 1951. No other single Highland malt whisky can claim such a pedigree and experts are predicting that it will become one of the most collectible of all whiskies.

The Dalmore Candela-50 year old is estimated at £12,000-14,000

Bonhams Whisky specialist Martin Green said, “It’s unusual to have three such important whiskies in the same sale. I’m particularly excited about the Damore Candela 50 year old. This whisky has a legendary reputation among collectors for its complexity and subtlety. It is set to become one of the greatest of whiskies and I expect a lot of interest.”

One of the most intriguing lots in the sale is an early 20th century bottle of Johnnie Walker Old Highland Whisky estimated at £3,500-4,500. The vendor confirms that it was bought originally by his wife’s grandfather, a publican who was the first man to open a full restaurant in a pub.  In doing so, he anticipated the trend for gastro pubs by several decades. His pub/restaurant in Notting Hill was so highly regarded it was included in Egon Ronay’s celebrated restaurant guide.

-Enquiries

For further information and images call Andrew Currie on +44 (0) 20 7468 5871, or email andrew.currie@bonhams.com or press@bonhams.com.

NOTES

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. Today, the auction house offers more sales than any of its rivals. The main salerooms are in London, New York and Hong Kong. Sales are also held in the UK in Knightsbridge and Edinburgh; in the US, in San Francisco and Los Angeles; in Europe, in Paris and Stuttgart and in Sydney, Australia. Bonhams also has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 60 specialist areas. For a full listing of forthcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit bonhams.com.

Whisky Ramblings Via Video #131

Mark Dermul, Belgian Whisky blogger, releases his own whisky under the MMM label. MMM stands for Mark & Manny’s Malts and is the newest whisky adventure by Mark Dermul and Imanuel (Manny) Dijk (you may remember them from the Save Lars Whisky releases). They want to continue bringing excellent, but affordable single malts to the market, but with a twist: very limited releases of only 50 bottles. This is their inaugural release: a young and feisty sherry matured cask strength Craigellachie. 

https://youtu.be/8XLF4XBdoA0

Photo Credit Rob McDougall

A FLAVOUR OF THE FUTURE – INGENIOUS NEW-LOOK WHISKY DISTILLERY LAUNCHED IN FIFE

Technology and innovation is key to InchDairnie Distillery’s quest for flavour

InchDairnie Distillery, an ingenious new-look malt whisky distillery, was unveiled today, Tuesday 17^th May, in Fife, Scotland.

From its striking contemporary architecture and deep grey colour, to a meticulously designed whisky-making process based on five flavour innovations, InchDairnie Distillery is taking a bold, forward-thinking approach to producing Scotch malt whisky, while remaining respectful of tradition.

Founded by whisky industry veteran, Ian Palmer, the distillery is located in the outskirts of Kinglassie, Fife. The build took around 18 months and it will produce two million litres of whisky in its first year and as such, it steps away from the recent surge in ‘micro’ distilleries.

The distillery, which has created 10 new jobs, uses numerous energy-efficient production methods, all designed to enhance its quest to innovate with flavour, and allowing InchDairnie to reduce waste and save energy.

Over the coming years, InchDairnie Distillery will focus on laying down stock for the future and the creation of its first InchDairnie Single Malt Scotch whisky, which is expected to be available to consumers around 2029. In addition, the distillery will make a malt for blending to sell to other distillers such as its strategic partner MacDuff International.

“We are fortunate not to be under any commercial pressure to release our whisky so we will wait until the whisky is at its absolute best, which could be in 10, 12 or 15 years time, only time will tell.” said Ian Palmer.

Five flavour innovations*

The distillery building is contemporary both inside and out; its dark colour and sharp, angular design is symbolic of its forward-thinking approach to traditional whisky-making.

Inside, the distillery incorporates five flavour innovations that, when combined, create a completely unique flavour:

1. Seasonal barley – the rare use of winter barley, as well as more traditional spring barley
2. Mash conversion techniques – using an unconventional mash filter and hammer mill, a combination which is very rare in Scottish distilling
3. Unique yeast recipe – the blend of yeast strains used is unique to InchDairnie Distillery
4. High gravity fermentation – higher than normal gravities allow for a more flavoursome spirit
5. Bespoke stills with double condensers – distinct still shape and double condensers ensures more copper contact and helps create a unique flavour profile. It’s believed to be the only distillery to use double condensers.

* More information on the five flavour innovations is available on request

House style

InchDairnie Distillery uses local Fife barley and water in creating what will be a full-bodied and complex whisky with a slightly sweet edge, in contrast to the traditional ‘Lowland’ style.

InchDairnie Distillery has been developed by Palmer, who has almost 40 years’ experience in the whisky industry: “InchDairnie is the culmination of a dream and everything I’ve learnt about whisky-making over the last four decades.

“I’m hugely respectful of whisky-making traditions, but at InchDairnie our vision is to use technical expertise to capture and nurture all of the flavours from the whisky-making process.

“That’s why, alongside traditional ingredients such as water, malted barley and yeast, technology and innovation will be important ingredients in our whisky. The contemporary look of the distillery is designed to reflect our approach.

“A great deal of our time and investment has been focused on ensuring that every piece of equipment and every step of the whisky-making process has been thoroughly researched and fine-tuned to create the best possible spirit.”

The distillery will be focusing on making whisky over the next few years, so there are no plans for a visitor centre.

Photo Credit Rob McDougall

Notes

• InchDairnie is operated by John Fergus & Co. Ltd
• John Fergus & was founded in 2011 by Ian Palmer and he is the managing director at John Fergus & Co Ltd.
• InchDairnie has been supported from a technical point of view by the Mauri Yeast, Tatlock and Thomson, Speyside Cooperage and the company’s malt supplier Muntons.

New Nikka whiskies – power of three

When Jim Murray named Yamazaki Sherry Cask 2013 his 2015 World Whisky of the Year, no-one could have foreseen the unprecedented demand Japanese whisky would experience over the following years. It’s been almost a year since Nikka’s announcement that due to lack of mature stocks, it would be discontinuing all its single malts with age statements. We don’t know how long it will be before they’re back, but European brand ambassador Sayumi Oyama told us she hopes it will be within a decade.

In the meantime, three new replacement whiskies have been released and are now here. There’s a pair of new NAS single malts, from Miyagikyo and Yoichi, along with a blend: The Nikka 12 Year Old. The 12yo can carry an age statement as there are enough stocks of aged grain and only a smaller amount of malt is needed for this ongoing release. Let’s give them a try:

The Nikka 12 Year Old, 43%

Tasting Notes by Stuart P

Nose: Punchy and spicy, with green peppercorns battling it out with red fruits, butterscotch and nutmeg. Precise and poised.

Palate: Rich, clean fruit – greengages and Granny Smith apples. Vibrant fruit-cake notes with a hint of toffee and sweet spice to smooth things out.

Finish: Very fresh despite the richness, this is a class act. Refreshing and moreish.

Comment: Beautifully balanced between tempting sweetness and refreshing fruit. Lovely stuff.

Nikka Miyagikyo Single Malt, 45%

Tasting Notes by Rocky L

Nose: Light and elegant nose of fruity banana and pear intertwined with spicy liquorice and cinnamon.

Palate: Creamy texture, malty and spicy in character with nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, coffee, milk chocolate and stewed pear.

Finish: Medium in length with spicy nutmeg and cinnamon.

Comment: The use of sherry casks is evident on the palate but the whisky still retains an elegance and spiciness that makes it very moreish.

Nikka Yoichi Single Malt, 45%

Tasting Notes by Rocky L

Nose: Very complex nose – lots going on here! Maritime character with fruity, spicy and floral notes; sea spray at first whiff is joined by lemon, allspice, hints of violet and an underlying smokiness.

Palate: Rich and creamy in texture. There’s a smoky warmth, with notes of brine, mllk chocolate, hazelnut, lemon and apple.

Finish: Medium-to-long length with the fruitiness slowly dissipating to leave drying smoke.

Comment: This is superb with incredible complexity of flavour, yet still retaining the distillery’s classic maritime and smoky character. Dare I say Japan’s answer to Talisker?

Apart from the recent awards and press coverage, another reason that Japanese whisky has seen a huge surge in demand is those that have discovered have been impressed with the high quality; this new trio is no different. The Miyagikyo is elegant yet rich with a sherried character that fans of Scotch will recognise; the Yoichi is proof that it’s not just Scotland that can make good smoky whisky; and The Nikka 12 debunks the common misconception that blends are not rich or complex whiskies. All three are now available on The Whisky Exchange website.

Founders Private Cellar for £175.00

This whisky slept for the first half of it’s life in a bourbon cask before moving to a virgin oak cask no.365. An unusual scenario that has resulted in a magnificent whisky.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Freshly baked treacle tart and milk chocolate digestive biscuits. Vanilla, stewed pears and bananas. Woody with hints of honeysuckle, soft leather and liquorice.

Taste: Milk chocolate and vanilla. A hint of golden syrup. Very fruity with an almost herbal note of fresh sage. A lovely long, dry and spicy finish. These are numbered bottles with 285 produced in total.

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Glenlivet 34 Year Old 1981 Signatory Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky