Welcome to WhiskyIntelligence.com where we'll be gathering information on the whisky industry and scotch whisky news in the form of press releases, newsletters, events, tasting notes and comments.
Tamnavulin, the world’s fastest-growing single malt, unveils Port Cask Edition
The Single Malt known for its signature Speyside flavour and double cask maturation announces a new addition to its range
Tamnavulin Distillery, celebrated for its quintessential Speyside character and distinctive double cask maturation, is adding a Port Cask Edition to its core range.
As with every expression from Tamnavulin, the whisky undergoes a meticulous ageing process in two distinct casks, to create a whisky that is irresistibly sweet, velvety smooth, and teeming with complex flavours.
The journey of this remarkable new whisky begins in the heart of Speyside, where Tamnavulin’s new make spirit develops vibrant notes of ripe orchard fruits. The first maturation in American oak ex-Bourbon barrels crafts a rich and layered foundation, imparting delicate flavours of sweet biscuit, creamy vanilla, and subtle hints of apple and pear.
The whisky is then masterfully finished in a second cask, which has already led a life nurturing a fine Tawny Port wine. These casks have been carefully selected from Portugal’s celebrated Douro Valley, imparting a rich sweetness to the whisky through the cask over time as the spirit matures. The result is an accessible yet opulent and sophisticated expression that embodies the craftsmanship of Tamnavulin.
Building on the success of its acclaimed Wine Cask Editions, Tamnavulin’s master whisky makers, led by Kirsty Hodge, sought to find a partner to complement and elevate the characteristics of the distillery, leading them to the home of Port. The result? A breathtaking whisky that delivers a sensationally balanced expression with intricate layers of rich fruit.
Visually arresting with its deep mahogany hue, this whisky captivates from the very first pour. The nose reveals ripe red berries, plums, and dark chocolate, delicately layered with notes of rose syrup, sweet biscuit, and spiced orange. On the palate, it unfolds into a rich medley of honeyed poached pears, berry compote, dried fruits, and creamy caramel, unveiling a nutty finish.
This versatile whisky shines when savoured neat as well as elevating classic cocktails, or pair with aged Gouda cheese for an indulgent treat.
Tamnavulin Port Cask (ABV 40%) is now available in Tesco and Sainsbury’s and will launching in Asda from 17th October with an RSP of £35.
About Tamnavulin:
Tamnavulin, named after the Gaelic term for ‘Mill on the Hill,’ draws its identity from the 16th-century woollen mill that once graced its historic site. It stands as the embodiment of the quintessential Speyside malt. Established in 1966 in the tranquil village of Tamnavulin, Scotland, the distillery’s journey has been one of both tradition and revival. Though the distillery closed its doors in 1995, it was brought back to life and meticulously restored in 2007. Since then, Tamnavulin has been dedicated to crafting exceptional single malt whisky that captures the true essence of Speyside—sweet, smooth, and fruity.
Nestled in the heart of Speyside, a region renowned for housing over half of Scotland’s malt whisky distilleries, Tamnavulin benefits from an environment perfectly suited for whisky production. Speyside’s unique microclimate, with its temperate conditions, provides the ideal setting for whisky maturation, while the region’s plentiful water sources contribute to the whisky’s purity and character. Inspired by this extraordinary location, Tamnavulin expertly marries time-honoured distilling traditions with cutting-edge techniques to craft its signature double cask matured Speyside malt—offering a single malt experience with twice the flavour and depth.
Tamnavulin Port Cask Edition
ABV: 40%
Cask: American Oak Barrels and Tawny Port Casks
Available in the UK and Sweden in 70cl format from August
RSP: £35 / 329 kr.
Colour: Deep Mahogany
Nose: Ripe red berries, plums, dark chocolate, rose syrup, sweet biscuit and spiced orange.
Taste: Sumptuous notes of honeyed poached pears, berry compote, dried fruits and creamy caramel with a nutty finish
Hidden Barn Bourbon’s “23B” Whiskey Wins Best Small Batch Bourbon, Best of Class at Top Shelf Awards Gala
SPARTA, KY (Oct. 9, 2024) –Hidden Barn Bourbon’s Series 1, Batch 23B has won Best of Class in the Small Batch Bourbon Up to 5 Years category at the Top Shelf Awards Gala, held Oct. 4, 2024. The Top Shelf Awards are run by The Tasting Alliance, under which prestigious awards such as the San Francisco World Spirits Competition are held.
Hidden Barn Bourbon Batch 23B was distilled at Neeley Family Distillery and blended by Jackie Zykan. Batch 23B is a blend of 20 barrels aged five years old using Neeley’s flagship mashbill of 70 percent corn, 20 percent rye and 10 percent malted barley. The judges described 23B as “a perfectly balanced bourbon” and awarded it a score of 98 points at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, held earlier in 2024. Finalists were voted on again to choose Best in Class, and Hidden Barn 23B took the top spot, beating out four other competitors.
Master Distiller Royce Neeley and Hidden Barn Partner Nate Winegar were on hand to receive the award. “The small batch bourbon category is very crowded, especially in the 5 years and under age range. To have our 23B win Best of Class over all the other entrants is such an honor and a testament to Jackie (Zykan’s) blending talent,” said Royce Neeley.
Like all Neeley Family Distillery distillates, this bourbon was double pot distilled after fermenting with wild-crafted Appalachian yeast, a practice of the Neeley Family dating back generations. Batch 23B was bottled at cask strength at 110.1 proof with only sediment filtration.
Suggested retail pricing for the Hidden Barn Series 1, 23B is $74.99. It is available at Neeley Family Distillery gift shop, online and at select retail stores in Kentucky, Indiana, Georgia, New Mexico and Oklahoma.
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 have earned 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
About The Tasting Alliance
The Tasting Alliance Competitions are considered the most influential in the spirits industry and its award programs include the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, New York World Wine & Spirits Competition and the Singapore World Spirits Competition. Each entry is judged double blind by a panel of spirits experts. The medals are a testament to the hard work of the spirits industry’s distillers and producers and are a universally recognized indicator of exceptional quality and craftsmanship.
Today, we celebrate the launch of the 2024 edition of Old Overholt Extra Aged Cask Strength 11YR!This unfiltered, cask-strength American rye delivers a distinct and rich liquid, full of balanced rye spice flavor complimented by notes of vanilla, caramel, and charred oak complexity. It was distilled and barreled in the autumn season of 2012 and laid down in 4 distinct warehouses in Clermont Kentucky to ensure incredible consistency and gentle flavor mellowing over time.
TASTING NOTES
Non-Chill Filtered for a more robust flavor
Color – Golden Tawny
Aroma – Bold, vanilla underpinned with hints of tobacco spice
Taste – Allspice, sweet vanilla and caramel, charred oak
Finish – Pleasant, Full bodied with lingering notes of rye
Old Overholt Extra Aged Cask Strength 11YR is 107.4 proof with an SRP of $99.99 for a 750mL bottle.
We are thrilled to announce the launch of the Harmony Collection Vibrant Oak and the travel exclusive, Guardian Oak. This release is a unique collaboration with Cirque du Soleil celebrating 200 years of The Macallan.
The Macallan Harmony Collection celebrates the possibilities of repurposing natural materials in our packaging and of creating beauty from our own resources.
For this release, we focus on our own area of expertise and mastery which is represented by oak. Oak runs through every facet of The Macallan and our exceptional sherry seasoned oak casks are the single greatest contributor to the outstanding quality, distinctive aromas and flavours of our whisky.
As a member of The Macallan Society, keep an eye on your inbox for an upcoming invitation to purchase this single malt.
Cirque du Soleil’s world-renowned shows inspire change through creativity and art. In perfect harmony, The Macallan and Cirque du Soleil combine their crafts to present this enchanting Collection. This release reveres the marvels of nature and the infinite potential of the imagination.
VIBRANT OAK
The whisky, created by The Macallan Whisky Mastery Team, is matured in a combination of first fill sherry seasoned American oak casks and refill sherry casks. These have been carefully selected to deliver the classic American oak flavours of vanilla, citrus and sweet oak, naturally derived from the cask during maturation, with a medium, sweet finish that delicately lingers.
COLOUR Autumnal Leaf. AROMA Intense vanilla bean accompanied by sweet sherbet and lime zest gives way to fragrant pears nestled in delicate vanilla sponge cake. PALATE Creamy vanilla panna cotta, buttery shortbread, lightly toasted coconut with almond brittle, apple and sweet oak. FINISH Medium, sweet with lingering vanilla. ABV 44.2%
GUARDIAN OAK
Our travel exclusive, Guardian Oak is a reminder of the importance of both the connection with our natural environment and of preserving it. The whisky is matured in a combination of first fill sherry seasoned American oak casks and refill sherry casks. This release will be available from The Macallan Global Boutiques, in key airports and selected duty free locations around the world from January 2025. There will be limited availability worldwide.
A 2001 sherry butt of blended malt, aged for 23 years and bottled at its natural cask strength of 45.1%, after being finished for just over a year in the ex-Ardbeg butt that matured our Islay Sponge III bottling. The finish has had a remarkably gentle effect, and the result is a wonderfully rich, cohesive and rounded, old school sherried malt.
Perfect for winter glugging!
This is a single butt of 2001 blended malt, aged for 23 years and bottled at natural cask strength of 45.1%. We finished it for a year in an ex-Ardbeg refill butt to see what would happen, we’re pretty delighted with the result.
It’s dark, rich, fruity, earthy and tastes like a glass of petrichor and smoked prunes! Exactly the sort of molten comfort blanket you know that you require several bottles of now that winter is barrelling down upon you.
Unless you are reading this during summer of the following year and we still have stock, in which case, this is dark, rich, fruity, earthy and tastes like a glass of petrichor and smoked prunes! Exactly the sort of joyous, convivial everyday dram you need to share gaily with your chums all summer long!
BENROMACH DISTILLERY RELEASES UNPEATED SINGLE MALT AS ULTIMATE CONTRAST TO ITS CORE RANGE
The latest single malt expression from Benromach Distillery challenges drinkers to compare an unpeated variant, released as part of its Contrasts range, to the whiskies in its core range which contain its signature flavour profile – with a subtle wisp of smoke.
Benromach Contrasts Unpeated has been handcrafted using the same traditional methods by the distillery’s skilled team of distillers. But its unpeated nature provides the ultimate contrast and begs the question: ‘which do you prefer?’
The new Contrasts release features unpeated spirit matured for nine years in a mix of bourbon and Sherry casks. It provides sweet and floral aromas on the nose, followed by a fruity palate with underlying liquorice, oak and herbal influences. A medium finish offers fresh menthol and a touch of pepper.
Keith Cruickshank, Distillery Manager at Benromach, said: “With our Contrasts range, we aim to develop whiskies that showcase the handmade skills of our distillers – and this is no exception. But this particular unpeated release provides the very definition of a contrast – so we’d love to hear what whisky drinkers think.”
With an ABV strength of 46%, the whisky is currently available for purchase via independent whisky specialists at a recommended retail price of £60.
For more information on Benromach Distillery or Benromach Contrasts Unpeated, please visit: www.benromach.com
Tasting Notes:
Benromach Contrasts Unpeated
RRP: £60
ABV: 46%
Nose: Sweet with vanilla fudge, malted biscuit and spiced baked apple. Fresh lime, floral notes and ginger intertwine.
Taste: Candied pineapple gives way to red apple, raspberry and raisin. Underlying sweet liquorice and oak lead to subtle herbal influences.
Finish: Medium finish offering fresh menthol and a touch of pepper.
About Benromach Distillery
Originally built in 1898, Benromach Distillery was brought back to life by owners Gordon & MacPhail in 1993.
At Benromach, the team keep things simple: a handful of distillers relying entirely on their expertise and senses to make the finest handmade whisky.
Their processes honour the knowledge and experience used to make Speyside whiskies decades ago, because at Benromach they believe making whisky by hand delivers genuine character.
Gordon & MacPhail is a family-owned premium spirits company based in Elgin, Scotland. Owner of Scotch whisky distilleries, Benromach and The Cairn, Gordon & MacPhail is also a Scotch whisky maturation expert, and the owner of Scottish Gin brand, Red Door.
Diageo, the maker of Guinness, Don Julio Tequila and Smirnoff Vodka today announces a first-of-its-kind 90% paper-based bottle trial for Johnnie Walker Black Label exclusively at Johnnie Walker Princes Street’s 1820 bar, in Edinburgh.
DIAGEO LAUNCHES FIRST 70CL PAPER-BASED BOTTLE ON-TRADE TRIAL FOR JOHNNIE WALKER
Created in partnership with PA Consulting, as part of the Bottle Collective with PA and PulPac, this is Diageo’s first paper-based 70cl bottle trial in the on-trade. The trial begins tomorrow and will assess how bartenders interact with and pour from the bottle, and how the bottle fares in a bar environment. A total of 250 paper-based bottles will be used with the trial expected to run until mid-October. Members of the public will be able to see the bottles in use behind the bar, however they cannot purchase the bottle.
This will be the second paper-based bottle trial from Diageo and PA, following the success of the Baileys paper-based bottle mini format (80ml) trial, using a similar Dry Molded Fiber innovation at the Time Out Festival in Barcelona earlier this year. The design team have taken learnings from the technical aspects of the miniature format, to make a larger and more complex shape for Johnnie Walker. The bottle’s design retains the iconic square shape of Johnnie Walker Black Label, whilst enhancing the premium appeal with unique facets cut into the sides of the bottle and embossing of the Striding Man on the bottle and closure.
Jennifer English, Johnnie Walker Global Brand Director, says: “We are constantly pushing the boundaries of innovation to not only deliver the premium quality and iconic design our customers expect from us, but to do so in a way that reflects our sustainability ambitions.”
“The paper-based bottle trial for Johnnie Walker Black Label marks a significant step forward in our journey. This test allows us to explore new packaging in the high intensity environment of the on-trade. We are pioneering new packaging solutions and shaping the future of the industry.”
The trial bottle is made from 90% paper and a very thin plastic liner. The innovative technology makes the paper-based bottle approximately 60% lighter, with initial external life cycle analysis on the prototype showing an up to 47% potential reduction in carbon emissions (1), compared to the Johnnie Walker Black Label glass bottle equivalent. The bottle closure was developed in collaboration with PulPac, Setop DIAM and PA and is made from a unique combination of cork and similar Dry Molded Fiber paper technology as the bottle. It is only intended for use during the trial and excluded from calculations.
The Johnnie Walker Black Label paper-based bottle for this test is designed considering recyclability among other aspects. The plastic liner is designed to not require consumer or bartender disassembly, as it is not attached or bonded to the outer paper layer, assisting recycling facilities to separate without disrupting the recycling process (2). The stopper used for trial purposes is not recyclable, however alternative solutions are in development. Throughout the trial and further development of the paper-based bottle, the recycling capability will be a key factor for future versions of the bottle as we continue to test, learn and develop.
Jamie Stone, Design and Innovation Expert at PA Consulting, adds: “PA is delighted to have worked with Diageo and PulPac to produce these paper-based bottles for Johnnie Walker Black Label. These bottles break new ground in packaging design and shows the potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions, whilst seeking to maintain the elegance, luxury, and bottle size expected in the premium drinks market.”
“PulPac’s Dry Molded Fiber technology opens up new possibilities for cost-effective, lightweight, less carbon intensive and more sustainable packaging. We look forward to collecting feedback from bartenders and the public following the market trial, so we can test and refine the bottle and technology further.”
Diageo and Johnnie Walker continue to explore paper formats across the wider portfolio as a means to reduce carbon emissions. This includes an ongoing partnership with Pulpex as they continue to develop and internally test their initial concept paper-based bottle, which is currently in feasibility testing.
Beyond paper-based solutions, the brand recently introduced Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ultra, the word’s lightest whisky glass bottle, weighing just 180g without the stopper, the result of years of experimentation and innovation. Featuring a unique teardrop shape, lattice stopper, and bamboo frame to bring luxury and simplicity together. While Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ultra is a design experiment, the insights gained will guide future glass lightweighting initiatives across the Diageo portfolio.
These latest innovations form part of Diageo’s ambition to reduce its carbon footprint by exploring new packaging formats, including the launch of a 70cl aluminium spirits bottle with Baileys, a global licensing agreement with circular economy technology company ecoSPIRITS, and removing the cardboard gift boxes in its premium Scotch portfolio to reduce excess packaging.
LCA report carried out by independent external specialist indicating potential Climate Change (kg CO2 eq.) savings of up to 47% compared to the 70cl glass Johnnie Walker Black Label bottle. Savings to be confirmed as we continue to test, learn, iterate and refine the technology, post the trial and prior to scaled versions.
Dry Molded Fiber bottle prototypes have been shown to be suitable for recycling in standard paper mills through the CEPI test method. We received some positive results from initial tests of prototypes from a large recycler in the UK, ongoing tests with leading waste management companies and recyclers are continuing in UK and other EU markets. Recyclability to be confirmed for future trials and any scaled launch of the bottles, as we continue to test, learn and iterate, if need be and will remain a key design consideration. We’ve answered some of the most common questions in a video on YouTube, watch below to find out more.
About Diageo:
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B and Buchanan’s whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.
Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO). For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.
Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.
About Johnnie Walker:
Johnnie Walker is the world’s number 1 Scotch Whisky brand* (IWSR 2023) and the world’s number one International Spirits Brand* (IWSR 2023 Relative Market Share), enjoyed by people in over 180 countries around the world. Since the time of its founder, John Walker, those who blend its whiskies have pursued flavour and quality above all else.
Today’s range of award-winning whiskies includes Johnnie Walker Red Label, Blonde, Black Label, Double Black, Green Label, Gold Label Reserve, Aged 18 Years, and Blue Label. Together they account for over 22 million cases sold annually (IWSR, 2023). Johnnie Walker is also the number one best-selling Scotch and number one trending Scotch (Drinks International, 2024).
*In value 2023
About PA:
We believe in the power of ingenuity to build a positive human future. As strategies, technologies, and innovation collide, we create opportunity from complexity. Our diverse teams of experts combine innovative thinking and breakthrough technologies to progress further, faster. Our clients adapt and transform, and together we achieve enduring results. We are over 4,000 strategists, innovators, designers, consultants, digital experts, scientists, engineers, and technologists. And we have deep expertise in consumer and manufacturing, defence and security, energy and utilities, financial services, government and public services, health and life sciences, and transport. Our teams operate globally from offices across the UK, Ireland, US, Nordics, and Netherlands. Discover more at paconsulting.com and connect with PA on LinkedIn and X. PA. Bringing Ingenuity to Life.
Our October 2024 Auction is in full swing and it’s a great time to take a closer look at a few of the interesting bottles on offer, including this Bruichladdich 14 Years Old which has an amazing tale behind its conception. In 2005 local fisherman John Baker was fishing 3 miles out when he spotted something that may be a danger to other vessels and called the coastguards, who in turn brought the mystery object to dry land. They quickly discovered it was in fact a mine detecting robot which belonged to the MOD. They contacted the Naval base at Faslane who repeatedly denied losing the vessel! John’s brother-in-law, who was a member of the coastguards, took home the robot and put it in the garden of his house at Port Ellen. However, only two weeks later the MOD confirmed that the vessel was in fact theirs and arranged to retrieve it. Bruichladdich wasted no time in producing this bottling which celebrated the story of the seafaring vessel, which was well received by the locals. Years later, the vessel had become surplus to requirements and was auctioned off, the distillery was alerted to its sale and promptly bought it to proudly place at the courtyard of their distillery in 2016, just in time for their annual open day!
Another fascinating bottle is Macallan Genesis. Released in 2018 to mark the opening of Macallan’s iconic new distillery. Genesis also celebrates the design processes used to build this state-of-the-art, environmentally-friendly building. A highly prized and important bottling in the history of the Macallan Distillery, limited to just 2,500 bottles.
Another top pick from this month’s auction must surely be this bottle of GlenDronach, Distilled in 1968 and then aged for 25 years in ex-Sherry Casks. This particular version was bottled for the US market which was imported by Hiram Walker. One of only 2,000 bottles produced!
Another 25 Year Old bottling of note is this offering from Scapa; the oldest official bottling from the Orkney distillery. Bottle 284 of 2000 produced!
These are only a few of the bottles in our October auction, there are many more to enjoy from your favourite distilleries. To view more wee gems visit clickwhiskyauctions.com. Register to bid. Remember, you’ve got to be in it to win it! Auction ends Sunday 20th October from 8pm BST.
Every year – the most updated whisky book on the market!
This is the 20th anniversary of a book that whisky enthusiasts look forward to every autumn. The main part of the book covers no less than 874 malt whisky distilleries around the world with all the facts updated. New exciting articles by distinguished writers such as Charles Maclean, Ian Wisniewski, Gavin D Smith, Kristiane Sherry, Nick Morgan and Mark Jennings. More than 200 tasting notes, including independent bottlings. New feature! With An Ear To The Ground… a look from the consumer perspective. A listing of more than 150 of the worlds’ greatest whisky shops. The Whisky Year That Was – the most comprehensive summary you´ll find of the news and trends in the industry. An entire chapter about the world´s leading independent bottlers. All the latest info on bottlings and web sites as well as the latest statistics and figures. More than 500 colour photos.
The Malt Whisky Yearbook is the brainchild of editor Ingvar Ronde and was first published in autumn 2005. Since then a new and completely revised edition has been published yearly. What started out as a go-to book for whisky enthusiasts wanting to keep abreast of the ever-changing malt whisky world, soon became a tool also for the whisky industry. Many producers now buy it for their staff (brand ambassadors, tour guides, sales people etc.) to keep them informed about the latest developments.
Ingvar Ronde – Editor Malt Whisky Yearbook and Keeper of the Quaich
ingvar.ronde@magdig.com
Published by MagDig Media Ltd.
Publication date; 1 October 2023
ISBN 978-1-7394492-1-6
Recommended retail price in UK; £15.95
Contact; ingvar.ronde@magdig.com www.maltwhiskyyearbook.com
