OLD ORKNEY MALT – 21 YEAR OLD

Our third official Old Orkney bottling. This 21 year old is composed of equal parts 1999 from an ex-bodega sherry butt, with 2003 from a plain oak refill hogshead. That mix was married for around six months in a 2nd fill sherry butt to allow it to harmonise and to emphasise the sherry aspects of its character.

This is rugged, old school, sherry-driven and intricately peaty Highland Park. A gorgeous old Orcadian dram! We decided this was pretty special and as such opted to put it in our lovely Whiskyland Cognac glass – just to add an extra wee flourish.

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ralfy review 1056 – Benromach 2013 Vintage @59.7%vol:

Multi-award-winning Scotch whisky distillery picks up another accolade to end the year

Loch Lomond Whiskies has been awarded the highly coveted Scotch Whisky Producer of the Year trophy at this year’s International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC), bringing Loch Lomond Group’s tally of prestigious award wins to more than 100 in the past 12 months.

Founded in 1969, the IWSC champions the best wine and spirits producers from around the world.

The renowned accolade was presented only weeks after Loch Lomond Distillery took home 16 awards at the San Franscico World Spirts Competition 2024, including a rare platinum award for Loch Lomond Inchmoan 12 Year Old single malt whisky, and double gold awards for seven whiskies across the range, including Loch Lomond Classic, Loch Lomond 10 Year Old and Loch Lomond 18 Year Old.

IWSC judges praised the distillery for its holistic approach, noting that “Loch Lomond is the whole package with excellent whisky, and the clear work to push the brand to the next level.”

The presentation of the 2024 Scotch Whisky Producer of the Year trophy follows multiple IWSC category wins for Loch Lomond Whiskies, with its 12 Year Old Inchmurrin single malt winning ‘Best in Class for Scotch Whisky Under 15 Years Old’.

The dual IWSC and SFWSC success follows two previous award wins for Loch Lomond’s 18 Year Old, which was named top Scotch in the Gentleman’s Journal Drinks Awards 2024 and The Whisky Exchange’s Whisky of the Year 2024.

Loch Lomond Distillery’s raft of prominent accolades is testament to the exceptional quality of its whiskies and demonstrates the significant momentum behind the independent distiller which continues to gain success on the global stage.

According to the latest IWSR 2023 Scotch Whisky report, Loch Lomond is the world’s fastest-growing top 25 malt whisky brand, a title the distillery has now achieved twice in the past three years.

Michael Henry, Master Blender at Loch Lomond Group, owners of Loch Lomond Whiskies, said:

“To close the year with another prestigious award win is wonderful – a real highlight of our year.

“The capabilities of our distillery are unmatched in Scotland. The combination of traditional swan neck stills and our unique straight neck stills, in addition to our own onsite cooperage, give us much greater control over the distillation and maturation process, allowing us to explore flavour in a distinctive way.

“We’ve always been bold in our approach to whisky-making. While we respect tradition, we’re not afraid to push boundaries. The recognition we’re receiving from top spirits experts only reinforces our belief that we’re on the right path as one of the most exciting distillers around. We are looking forward to continuing this into 2025 and beyond.”

First opened in 1965, Loch Lomond Distillery has quietly been crafting whisky on the banks of its namesake loch for more than 60 years. In the last decade, investment in innovation and marketing has driven extraordinary growth in global markets, with its diverse portfolio of whiskies now enjoyed by millions of customers worldwide.

For more information about Loch Lomond Whiskies, please visit: www.lochlomondwhiskies.com

About the Loch Lomond Group

• Loch Lomond Group is an independent distiller based in Alexandria and is home to several award-winning brands that are sold in more than 125 countries worldwide.
• Loch Lomond distillery has been producing the finest single malt whiskies since 1814.
• Images and interviews with key staff from the Group are available upon request. lochlomondgroup.com

The full list of Loch Lomond Distillery’s 2024 accolades includes:

San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2024

• Loch Lomond Whiskies (16 Awards)
  • 1 x Platinum Award
  • 7 x Double Gold
  • 4 x Gold
  • 4 x Silver
• Cask 21/546-6 Exclusive Cask – 1st Fill Bordeaux Hogshead – Best Single Cask Scotch

IWSC 2024

• Loch Lomond Inchmurrin 12 Year Old – Best Single Malt 15 Years and Under
• Loch Lomond Perfectly Balanced 12 Year Old – Gold Outstanding (98/100)
• Loch Lomond 10 Year Old – Gold Outstanding (95/100)
• Loch Lomond Distillery 2024 Scotch Whisky Producer trophy

On November 28th, the Isle of Harris Distillery team celebrated some wonderful successes at the Scottish Whisky Awards 2024 in Glasgow.

We were delighted to receive awards for Newcomer of the Year and Product Launch of the Year for our inaugural single malt The Hearach, and take home the crowning achievement of the evening, the title Scottish Whisky Distillery of the Year for 2024.

The distillery was commended for leading with vision, and a commitment to community and local partnerships with a culture of ‘people first’.

“Winning these prestigious awards is a truly special moment for us. The Hearach has been a long time in the making, and to see it so well received by industry experts is a testament to the dedication and craftsmanship of our incredible team. Each bottle reflects the unique character and spirit of Harris—our island, our people, and our heritage. These accolades inspire us to continue creating exceptional single malts that share the story of this remarkable place with whisky lovers around the world.”

Simon Erlanger, Managing Director.

The Isle of Harris Distillery extends its heartfelt gratitude to the Scottish Whisky Awards for this recognition and to loyal supporters like you who have embraced the work we do.

On behalf of the team, thank you for being part of our story and success, and have a great weekend from all of us here in Harris!

Le gach deagh dhùrachd,

Mike Donald, Chief Storyteller

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AMONTILLADO CASK MATURED

The Amontillado Edition marks the midway point of our Springbank Sherry Series.

The 3rd of five annual releases, with staggered maturations in different types of sherry cask from the richest Pedro Ximenez to the lighter Manzanilla which will conclude the range in 2026.

UK RRP £90 – £95

 There is an earthy, mustiness on the nose, along with notes of hazelnut, maraschino cherries and blood orange.

PALATE

Notes of cured meats, gorse and tobacco box are balanced with sweet hints of coconut and treacle.

FINISH

A dry finish with notes of wood shavings and tarragon.

One second whisky expression connects us to the hot and dusty hills of Huelva, where the men and women of sherry-makers José y Miguel Martín ‘cooper’ casks with age-old craft and care before they are filled by their wineries in Jerez.

Their Oloroso sherry is a dry, dark and nutty wine and its influence in turn imparts an unmistakably bold richness to our spirit when the casks begin maturing our island whisky far from their original home.
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“Initially there are aromas of cinnamon, orange peel, and cloves, and there are green notes of mixed herbs and the creaminess of white chocolate. When sipped, I can taste wood smoke and walnuts shells. The dram develops with a herbal hint of dried thyme closely followed by burnt oranges. Spices then come through, like vanilla pods and a subtle sense of cloves, before a long leather and liquorice finish.” 

Harrison Wood, Drinishader, Assistant Blender

WINTER SPICES – GREEN HERBS – WHITE CHOCOLATE – WALNUT – WOODSMOKE – DRIED ORANGES – LIQUORICE

£75.00
Includes Presentation Box & Free Delivery

ORDER A BOTTLE OF THE HEARACH OLOROSO

Living Souls 19YO ‘Kildalton’ Blended Malt, 42%

https://youtu.be/SH2YDccBbkc

Finally! An older Islay whisky that isn’t trying to destroy my wallet through terrible packaging and ‘allocated’ availability. This was an absolute delight upon the first smell and sip. A combination of Kildalton distilleries from the southern portion of Islay, I’d put strong money on Laphroaig being the backbone of this, unsure if Lagavulin or Ardneg are filling out the gaps in between.

I am honestly blown away by the layers of scents and flavours that are sitting within this glass of whisky. It is decadent with cherry, amaretto, almonds, smoke, white chocolate, hazelnuts, and just a delight at every single sensory corner.

I have to say fair play to the folks at Living Souls. This collection of four whiskies are some of the best releases I’ve tried in the past few years. Rare is it you get whiskies of this age that deliver on every aspect of the overall package. It’s simply incredible.

Hidden Barn Releases 3rd Annual Madeira Finished Bourbon

Limited Edition Blend Named “Perfect Harmony” Due to its Balance  

SPARTA, KY (Nov. 19, 2024) – Hidden Barn Bourbon is releasing its 2024 Madeira finished bourbon, aged for six years and then finished for seven months in Madeira casks.  Master Distiller Royce Neeley and Master Blender Jackie Zykan named this year’s release Perfect Harmony, due to the balance between the bourbon and the residual Madeira left in the oak barrel.  

Perfect Harmony is created using six-year-old bourbon distilled by Neeley using its mash bill of 70 percent corn, 20 percent rye and 10 percent malted barley, transferred to age in first-use Madeira barrels for an additional seven months, and then open-air vatted for several days allowing oxidation to occur and the entire batch to open up, contributing to the balance.  Then Zykan went to work, blending eight barrels to create Perfect Harmony.  

“It’s rare for a blender to create a blend and know instantly when we’ve hit the mark on what we’re trying to achieve. Very often we think about making tweaks here or there to see what will happen,” said Zykan.  “But this year’s Madeira blend is spot on, with the perfect balance of what I was trying to achieve – the right combination between the oak and Madeira make it come full circle.”  

Zykan’s tasting notes for Perfect Harmony describe it as having toffee, overripe red fruits, apple pie and oxidized rose on the nose.  The palate is gorgeously dense and creamy, with full-bodied vanilla and a hint of raisin.  The finish balances out the sweet viscosity with a slightly dry mint tone and notes of nutmeg and cardamom.  

Suggested retail pricing for the Hidden Barn Perfect Harmony Madeira Finished Bourbon is $89.99. This is the third in the Maderia finish series.  It is available for sale at the Neeley Family Distillery in Sparta, Ky, online, and at retail in Kentucky, Indiana, New York, California, Georgia, Colorado, Nevada, and New Mexico.  

About Hidden Barn Bourbon

Hidden Barn’s name harkens back to the local communities who painted their barns black in solidarity with distillers during Prohibition.  This sense of community is continued today through the passion for quality whiskey and camaraderie shared by its three partners, Jackie Zykan, Royce Neeley and Nate Winegar.  Together, the three friends bring their own strengths – a superior palate, distilling prowess, and a powerhouse connector to form Hidden Barn Bourbon.  Previous Hidden Barn Series releases have earned Best of Class in the Small Batch Bourbon Up to 5 years by The Tasting Alliance, Double Golds at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2023 and 2024, and Best Small Batch, 1st Place at the 2023 New Orleans Bourbon Festival.  Hidden Barn Bourbon is owned by Neeley Family Distillery.   The brand is available online and in select states. For more information visit hiddenbarnwhiskey.com

Overholt Whiskey Announces Chore Coat Collaboration!

Coming to you with some very exciting news from Overholt Whiskey – today, we are launching The Overholt™ Chore Coat, an exclusive, limited-edition garment, in collaboration with SEEKER Los Angeles.

Overholt is the longest-standing American Whiskey brand maintained continuously since 1810 and has always been supported by trade, which is why we developed this chore coat specifically with, noting the functionality, quality, and style needed by those managing the bar. The Chore Coat has subtle customization that nods to the brand and its founder, Abe Overholt.

Each coat is proudly made in Los Angeles by local artisans, combining rich tradition with contemporary design – just like Overholt – each coat is individually numbered.

The Overholt™ Chore Coast retails for $229 and is available for purchase on the SEEKER website. Did we mention this makes an excellent holiday gift…can’t beat a dram of Overholt in an Overholt chore coat!