The Whisky Cellar Girvan 

34 Years Old

This single-grain whisky was distilled in December 1989 at the Girvan Distillery, one of the largest distilleries in Scotland, located in Ayrshire. It was aged for 34 years in a single-refill bourbon barrel. Expect notes of sweet Bosc pears, coconut, grilled pineapple, demerara sugar, grapefruit and oak spice – a true holiday.  Bottled by The Whisky Cellar at natural cask strength, without chill filtration or artificial colouring.

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FREE USA SHIPPING ON ALL ORDERS

OVER £400

Until 31th December

Need an excuse to stock up? 🎁 Starting next week, we’re offering free USA shipping on orders over £400 from Nov 11th – Dec 31st!

Check out these gems—recently reviewed and still in stock—and grab them with free shipping while it lasts. Just use code HOLIDAYSHIP at checkout, and start planning that festive stash!

Chivas Regal Brings A Smooth And Smoky Twist To Its Extra Range With New Extra Smoky Cask Selection

Chivas Regal Extra Smoky Cask Selection is the latest expression to be released from the iconic blended Scotch, combining the richness of the traditional Chivas Regal house style with the gentle taste of smooth smoke. Launching exclusively in Turkey before being rolled out globally, this new blend has been selectively finished in smoky whisky casks previously housing peated whisky, bringing additional depth and flavour to the renowned Chivas Regal Extra range.

Smoky casks have always been an integral part of the Chivas Regal blend, but previously these notes were very subtle on the palate. Chivas Regal Extra Smoky Cask Selection takes these notes to a new level, further elevating the smoky flavours and delivering a more distinctive smoky character to the smooth, deep flavours of the blend. The new expression features rich notes of spiced apples and roasted chestnuts on the nose, with fresh cranberries, sweet caramel, and gingerbread on the palate – finished with star anise and a warming touch of bonfire smoke.

Sandy Hyslop, Chivas Regal Master Blender, comments:

“With a focus on quality and a spirit of innovation, we are always seeking to elevate the experience for the modern whisky drinker – and Chivas Regal Extra Smoky Cask Selection does just that. By driving the idea of adding ‘extra’ flavour to our whiskies through new and exciting extra cask finishes, we are responding to consumer demand and exploring new flavour profiles in Scotch. The deep and rich notes in our latest expression bring a new and sophisticated edge to the Chivas Regal Extra range, offering whisky lovers a smooth and smoky tasting experience.”

The primary focus on flavour within the Chivas Regal Extra range sets it apart from other products in the Chivas Regal portfolio, reflecting the adventurous tastes of today’s drinkers. The launch of Chivas Regal Extra Smoky Cask Selection is supported by a range of easy-to-make-at-home cocktail recipes including Smoky Espresso and Smoky Basil Smash, providing consumers with a modern Scotch whisky taste experience. These innovative cocktails are crafted to enhance the versatility of the smoky blend, offering whisky enthusiasts a fresh and exciting way to experience Chivas Regal. Whether it’s a smoky twist on a classic cocktail or a completely new creation, these serves make it simple for consumers to explore and enjoy the distinct character of Chivas Regal Extra Smoky Cask Selection in a unique way. This initiative not only caters to the growing consumer demand for new flavour profiles in Scotch but also opens up new and engaging drinks experiences, making sophisticated whisky cocktails accessible to all.

The packaging of Chivas Regal Extra Smoky Cask Selection is specifically designed to reflect the smoky hues of the blend, featuring charcoal colouring and golden flowing lines throughout. These elements are intertwined with the classic Chivas Regal shield and crossed spears, symbolising protection and loyalty, reflecting the brotherhood of James and John Chivas, whose entrepreneurial spirit set the groundwork for the world’s first luxury whisky.

Chivas Regal Extra Smoky Cask Selection joins four other unique expressions in the Chivas Regal Extra range, each carefully crafted with a distinct flavour profile imparted from casks such as Irish Whiskey, Tequila, Rum and Oloroso Sherry.

Chivas Regal Extra Smoky Cask Selection launches exclusively in Turkey this November before being rolled out globally.  For more information, and to stay up to date with all the latest Chivas news, visit www.Chivas.com or follow us on X  @ChivasRegal

The winter winds are blowing cold and hard across Harris but we’re still feeling the warm glow from last week’s Scottish Whisky Distillery Of The Year award. Once again, we thank you for following our story and sharing in the success as you help our purpose-driven island enterprise succeed with every bottle you buy.

The fuzzy feelings continue as the festive season rolls on, especially with the Christmas lights in our village being lit and the distillery halls being brightly decked, both inside and out. Behind the scenes work continues and our Outer Hebridean island elves are busy bringing bottles of The Hearach whisky good (grown up) girls and boys across the world.

If you’re nearby, come in from the cold and enjoy a blazing fire, mulled gin and mince pies while you shop at the distillery. And, if you’re further afield let us deliver to your door with free shipping throughout December alongside complimentary gift messaging on selected gift sets. The last order date this year is the 17th!

Scroll on for more news, and have a great weekend from all of us here in Harris!

Le gach deagh dhùrachd,

Mike Donald, Chief Storyteller

VISIT OUR ONLINE STORE

FIND OUR WHISKY NEAR YOU

We recently gave a warm Harris welcome to the team from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society as they travelled to our distillery to fill three special casks for future collaborations.

They also brought with them their iconic green bottles to hold the first of their trio of SMWS limited single cask releases made with our island spirit.

On December 2nd this Distillery 163 – “Smokin’!” bottling went on sale to members (and sold out) and their ever-interesting tasting notes were:

“Descriptors for the aroma came fast and furious – gravadlax sauce, beech-smoked trout, black peppercorn-infused rye whisky and homemade sweet ploughman’s pickle. The taste was like smoked brisket pastrami prepared in a brine of pink curing salt, sugar and spices, alongside mild goat’s cheese on Jamaican gingerbread – intrigued? You should be! And what a change after the addition of water. Initially we stayed in the Caribbean with a warm Jamaican-style coffee and walnut cake followed by the sweet scent of cherry wood-smoked marshmallows. On the palate, we now found a mixture between a smoked battenberg cake and tiramisu with smoked cocoa powder.”

We’ll share a short film in the coming weeks but meantime, please read about their visit, our proud partnership, and the successes of our distillery’s purpose-led enterprise via the link below…

READ “HERE’S TO HARRIS”

Don’t just take our word for it, whisky writers and reviewers love our dram as much as we do.

“Surprisingly smoky, deep, nicotine and marmalade evoking, complete work, subject to first-fill Bourbon, Oloroso and Fino. Spoiler alert: it’s tremendous.”  – Douglas Blyde, Evening Standard

“It’s an absolute cracker: coastal, saline, wonderfully smoky and sweet all at the same time.” – Neil Ridley, whisky writer

“Soft vanilla fudge, faintly floral and with a texture as soft as a Gaelic song – very moreish!” – Charlie MacLean, whisky legend.

Elegant, complex and full of character, it’s also safe to say our first historic single malt is designed for drinking. Share a bottle with friends and family this season…

ORDER THE HEARACH SINGLE MALT

The second expression of our whisky-making brings plenty of warmth to the proceedings this season, thanks to its connections to southern Spain. The Oloroso First Fill Cask Matured single malt draws wonderfully rich, bold, and aromatic flavours from sherry butts sourced from this special region of Andalusia.

The results bring a fine array of winter spices and woodsmoke to the dram, alongside festive notes like cloves, dried oranges and white chocolate. If you’re looking for something which captures a sense of an island Christmas, the one’s for you and yours…

ORDER THE HEARACH OLOROSO CASK

On the 18th of December, at Drinkmonger in Bruntsfield, Edinburgh, at 7.45pm, we’ll be hosting a relaxed and informal ‘mini-festival’ to celebrate this very busy year and to launch Whiskyland Chapter Seven, a beautiful 2nd fill sherry hogshead of 1994 Springbank.

This won’t be a typical sit-down tasting, instead, we’ll have a range of recent (and possibly quite long sold out) Decadent Drinks bottlings available to taste on stands and we’ll have the new Springbank and our Equinox & Solstice Winter Edition available to taste too.

Those two bottlings will also be available to buy from Drinkmonger, for the first time, before they go on public sale a few days later.

It also means you won’t have to listen to Angus waffling on at length about all manner of nonsense (well, you might have to listen to a bit of that). So, if you are going to be in the neighbourhood, then buy a ticket, come along, taste some delicious drinks and help us celebrate the closing of a very busy and fun year.

GET YOUR TICKET NOW

Our Ultimate Whisky Gift Guide 2024

Searching for the ideal gift for the whisky lover in your life? Look no further. Our Ultimate Whisky Gift Guide 2024 has everything you need—from thoughtful tokens to show-stopping masterpieces.

Explore by budget:

• Whisky Gifts Under £50: Bold flavours, perfect for whisky explorers.
• Whisky Wonders Under £100: Unique finishes that impress every time.
• Luxury Gifts Under £150: Sophistication and depth for connoisseurs.
• The Ultimate Gifts Over £150: Rare, aged whiskies for unforgettable moments.

From accessible treasures to indulgent masterpieces, you’re guaranteed to find a bottle they’ll love.

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Woodrow’s Blended Highland Malt 30 Years Old 

1994 Warehouse Reserve

 This exquisite blended malt combines four single malts from the Highland region of Scotland. They were vatted together in 1994 and put to rest in a sherry cask, where they matured together for 30 years. The end result is a citrusy malt with notes of berry fruits and wax It was bottled without chill-filtration or artificial colouring.

£160.00

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THE REVIEW

Living Souls 18YO Tobermory/Ledaig, 41%.

I don’t think I’ve ever tried a combination of Tobermory and Ledaig in the same bottle before. Folks of Tobermory distillery should be paying strong attention to this bottle. This wasn’t the most complex whisky of the Living Souls releases that I’ve tried, but what it did, it did very well. The combination of sharp green apple, cheddar cheese, Parmesan and a little hint of something soft and sweet has really brought this profile together as a wonderful dessert alternative liquid.

To be fair, this is cheaper than most standard, older releases of Tobermory and Ledaig, maybe with the exception of Ledaig 18YO. However, despite this being a joint scare with the 40YO release, it is still a wonderful example of west coast distillery style, and a showcase of how both single malts from one distillery can be radically different, yet complimentary.

Prize Whisky: The Newly Launched Stocking Filler Whisky Lovers Will Adore This Festive Season

Perth, Scotland – Just in time for the festive season, Prize Whisky is making its debut as the ultimate stocking filler for whisky enthusiasts. Combining the thrill of discovery with a taste of Scotland’s finest, this newly launched blind whisky-tasting experience is the perfect gift for anyone with a passion for single malts.

Each beautifully designed pouch contains a mystery Scottish single malt whisky, carefully selected to challenge the senses and inspire whisky lovers of all levels. Whether it’s for a seasoned connoisseur or someone just beginning their whisky journey, Prize Whisky offers an experience unlike any other.

Adding even more excitement, every pack includes multiple chances to win exceptional rare and old bottles of whisky, the first guaranteed prize being the Glengoyne 25 yr old but with plans to increase the value of the prize pool in line with the amount of entries received. Simply enter the unique pack code on the Prize Whisky website, answer a series of questions related to your mystery whisky, and gain entries for every correct answer. The perfect gift could turn into the ultimate win.

Why Prize Whisky Makes the Perfect Gift

New and Unique: Launched just in time for Christmas, this innovative whisky-tasting experience is guaranteed to be something they have never had before.

Mystery Meets Mastery: Each pouch contains a different single malt scotch whisky, keeping the contents a surprise until tasted.

A Gift That Keeps Giving: With multiple chances to win, the excitement continues long after Christmas with the grand prize winner being announced in January.

Expertly Curated: Selected from Scotland’s finest distilleries, each whisky highlights the diversity and richness of single malts.

Perfectly Packaged: Compact and stylish, the pouches are designed to fit neatly into any stocking.

“Whisky lovers are notoriously hard to buy presents for; they all have too many whisky glasses and multiple sacks of unused whisky stones in the freezer, so with Prize Whisky, we’re delivering a unique experience that combines discovery, fun, and the chance to win incredible prizes,” said Michael Howe, founder of Prize Whisky. “As a newly launched product, it’s exciting to bring something fresh to the whisky community this Christmas.”

Prize Whisky is available for purchase now at www.prizewhisky.com, with shipping across the UK in time for Christmas if ordered by 2pm on the 20th. Each pouch is affordably priced at £10, including P&P, making it an ideal stocking filler for any whisky lover.

This Christmas, celebrate the season of giving with Prize Whisky—a brand-new gift that offers mystery, flavour, and the promise of unforgettable prizes.

Elijah Craig Debuts New Holiday “Craig Nog,” Elevated Eggnog Cocktail Made for Elijah Craig Bourbon

The Father of Bourbon is inspiring a new holiday tradition by making Craig Nog available to order direct to your door this December

BARDSTOWN, Ky., December 3, 2024 – Elijah Craig, a leading family of premium American Whiskeys, is putting an elevated twist on a beloved holiday tradition with the launch of “Craig Nog,” a new limited-edition, luxury eggnog cocktail designed for its award-winning Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon. Craig Nog takes the nostalgic flavors of eggnog and raises the bar with superior ingredients like Madagascar Vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice, and is topped with gold glitter adorned star anise and a Bourbon barrel aged stir stick. The decadent ingredients are anchored by the proof and bold flavor of Elijah Craig Bourbon to create a deliciously well-balanced holiday cocktail.

The Craig Nog cocktail kit, available to order nationwide, provides an opportunity to slow down and enjoy the season while handcrafting your new signature holiday drink at home. It also makes the perfect gift! Each cocktail kit features a 375ml bottle of Elijah Criag Small Batch Bourbon, premeasured portions of each of the Craig Nog eggnog ingredients and a limited-edition etched Elijah Craig pitcher, the perfect keepsake for remaking your Craig Nog for seasons to come. Enjoy Craig Nog while hanging ornaments, opening presents or cheersing to the New Year.

Throughout December, those based in New York City and Chicago can also enjoy Craig Nog in prebatched and ready to enjoy cans by ordering through the Doordash app or website. Each order will be delivered in a limited-edition Craig Nog tote bag, perfect for transporting Craig Nog to and from holiday gatherings.

“One of my fondest holiday memories is of my grandmother whipping up a batch of her famous eggnog– the adults would always spike their cup with a little Kentucky love! While nostalgia inspired the creation of Craig Nog, we wanted to breathe new life into the beverage. The complexity of flavors found in Elijah Craig Bourbon were the perfect upgrade to begin with,” said Lynn House, National Spirits Specialist and Portfolio Mixologist at Elijah Craig Bourbon.

“Elijah Craig was the first distiller to age his whiskey in new charred oak barrels starting in the late 1700s, right around the time that eggnog as we know it was first invented. With the launch of Craig Nog, we’re bringing two iconic flavors together to elevate holiday drinking while maintaining the integrity of a tradition so many of us hold near and dear,” continued House.

Often fortified with brandy, eggnog is a popular seasonal beverage dating back hundreds of years that has firmly planted its roots in American culture. In the U.S., we consume more eggnog than any other country in the world, drinking more than 15 million gallons, or 240 million cups annually*. Elijah Craig recognized eggnog is easily elevated with the introduction of Bourbon as the spirit adds a welcomed punch of refined flavor. The brand created Craig Nog to redefine eggnog as a premium holiday beverage suitable for both Bourbon aficionados and Bourbon explorers who are newer to the spirit – inspiring a new holiday drinking tradition this year.

Craig Nog is available for preorder beginning December 3. If you’re 21+, visit www.elijahcraig.com/CraigNog to learn more and order Craig Nog direct to your door. For more holiday inspiration follow @ElijahCraig on Instagram.

ABOUT ELIJAH CRAIG BOURBON: Known as “The Father of Bourbon,” Elijah Craig is credited with being the first distiller to age his wares in charred oak barrels to make Bourbon. The clear, unaged corn whiskey became transformed into a bold amber liquid with a distinctively smooth flavor that makes Bourbon what it is today. Elijah Craig’s community impact continues through Elijah Craig Old Fashioned Week, providing total donations of half a million to date to organizations supporting the hospitality industry. Produced by Heaven Hill Distillery, the nation’s largest independent, family-owned and led distillery and the world’s second-largest holder of Kentucky Bourbon, the Elijah Craig lineup includes: Elijah Craig Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Elijah Craig Straight Rye Whiskey, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Elijah Craig Toasted Rye Whiskey, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, and Elijah Craig 18-Year-Old Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Elijah Craig’s accolades have included Whisky Advocate’s Whisky of the Year, Best Small Batch Bourbon and Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and World’s Best Small Batch Bourbon and Best Kentucky Small Batch Bourbon at Whisky Magazine’s 2023 World Whiskies Awards. For more information, please visit www.elijahcraig.com.