Young Spirits Appoints Barbara Russell Scott as New Managing Director

Young Spirits, the next-generation spirits bottling and brands business, has appointed its former Director of Operations, Barbara Russell Scott, to the post of Managing Director.

She will now lead the senior management team in driving an ambitious programme of growth for the five-year-old business, building on the success to date of its award-winning service and owned spirits portfolio.

Barbara has over 30 years’ experience in supply chain and operations management within the global drinks business. Joining Young Spirits in 2023 as Director of Operations, she has provided leadership and strategic direction across the business, overseeing operational management at the site and ensuring long term organisational growth through her commitment to brand and service development.

She will now focus on scaling the Young Spirits service, building its highly skilled team, and strengthening the commitment to operational and customer service excellence, sustainability and sector-leading innovation for which Young Spirits is known.

Young Spirits Co-Founder Alex Harrison said: ‘Barbara has been a huge asset to our team in the last couple of years and we are thrilled that she will be taking on this new role at such an exciting stage in Young Spirits’ development. We are confident that her strong leadership skillset and strategic vision will help us to take our fast-evolving business to the next level.’

Barbara added: ‘I’m delighted to take on the role of Managing Director and deeply grateful to Alex and John (Young Spirits Co-Founders) for their trust. I’m committed to building on the business’s successes, delivering strong results, and driving positive growth for the future.’

Young Spirits was founded in 2019 by entrepreneurs and spirits enthusiasts John Ferguson and Alex Harrison. Established as a progressive, sustainable partner for the spirits community, the business specialises in new product development and branding projects for clients of any scale: from exclusive ultra-premium private bottlings to large commissions for global brands, with each client having a dedicated Account Manager.

Alongside the core Young Spirits service, the business is building a flourishing portfolio of its own spirits brands. This includes Ferg & Harris, a luxury single malt brand pairing exquisite whiskies with different wood finishes for a truly distinctive dram; and Uhuru, a spirits brand with a mission at its heart, with 10 per cent of profits donated to African-driven conservation efforts through a partnership with the charity Tusk. Young Spirits also has expertise in cask and bulk trading.

www.youngspirits.co.uk

https://www.linkedin.com/company/young-spirits-co/

https://www.instagram.com/youngspiritsbottlingco/

2014 Ben Nevis 10 Year Old “Signatory” K&L Exclusive First Fill Sherry Butt Cask Strength Non Chillfiltered Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) $69.99 View

This whisky shouldn’t exist. We had to double check all the numbers multiple times before we considered selling this impeccable cask at this ridiculous price. If you’ve been paying attention Ben Nevis has gotten hard to find. They cut off sales to independent bottlers and the few who had stock took ridiculous increases in price over the last few years. We had some good luck with these young Nevi from Signatory and were perfectly excited to sell a younger one two seasons back at more than double the price. So when our suppliers came to us with this incredible deal, we were certain someone had made a horrible error. Incredibly they’ve confirmed many times over that this price is indeed correct and we’re extremely lucky and grateful to have a chance to sell this special whisky at an absolutely unprecendeted price. The dense dark sherry and the oily powerful Ben Nevis malt are a match made in heaven. You’ll be hard pressed to find a more delicious or complex malt at 3 times the price. There’s no questions that lovers of sherried Ben Nevis (or sherry in general) should be lining the walls of there cellars. Even if this is the beginning of a new era of incredible prices, you’ll still be sad to see this one go. No one else in the world will be able to offer you 1st fill sherry Ben Nevis at this ludicrous price. This sherry butt filled on January 27th 2014 and bottled exclusively for K&L Wine Merchants without chillfiltration of coloring at a natural cask strenght of 56.9% abv.

2007 Ardmore 17 Year Old “Signatory” K&L Exclusive Barrel #800201 Refill Oloroso Sherry Butt Cask Strength Non Chillfiltered Peated Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) $89.99 View

Ardmore is widely underappreciated, the reasons for which are not always clear. They make a beautiful peated Highland style, but the owners spend almost no time selling it. Maybe, they want to focus on their other peated properties like Bowmore and Laphroaig, or perhaps the Ardmore is such a crucial part in so many popular blends, they don’t have the stock. But we always want more -Ardmore. When we do see Ardmore, it is typically in refill (3rd+ fill) ex-bourbon and hogsheads diverted from the blender’s grasps. Only two other sherried Ardmores have ever been sold at K&L, one was a Scott’s Selection from 1977 and the other a gorgeous Gordon & MacPhail 17-Year-Old Refill Sherry Hoggie. This stupendous 2nd fill sherry butt is of equal if not greater quality than that splendid G&M bottling yet we’re charging a full $70 less! The implications of that fact are truly astounding when you consider that the G&M at $140 was in 2020 dollars, so closer to $170 today. All that before we start talking about how lovely this old sherry butt is. Extremely complex without the subtlety of other Ardmores, the powerful earthy smoke melds wonderfully with fragrant yet subtle sherry -orchard pears, citrus oil, and roasted nuts. Then wet rocks, ash, forest floor mingle with hints of fresh rubber, kippers, and roasted spices. It loves air and water and needs tons of time to unwind, but when it does it might just be the best value in peated whisky of 2024.

Email: wine@klwines.com
Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

FALL 2024: GREAT WHISKIES OF JAPAN

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SMWS Canada At The Strath 2024

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THE VIDEO

The Dalmore unveils the highly anticipated second instalment of Cask Curation Series in the Douro Valley, Portugal

The Dalmore Cask Curation Series Port Edition, presented in a stunning green leather case, synonymous with Portugal and Graham’s Port

The Dalmore Cask Curation Series Port Edition makes its debut at the home of Symington Family Estates – the finest winemakers of Portugal – and makers of Graham’s Port. This very rare trio of Single Malt Scotch Whiskies is strictly limited to 150 sets, available worldwide 1st October 2024.

The 2024 release is the second chapter in the series that celebrates The Dalmore’s whisky making artistry and the role played by exquisite casks sourced from the world’s finest winemakers, in the creation of the iconic Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

Casks are intrinsic to the craft of Scotch Whisky, as the vessel within which the spirit is matured. In time the cask will influence the whisky, due not only to the type of wood it is made from, but the fine wines it has held previously. The life a cask has led is fundamental to the potential it represents to the whisky maker, which is why The Dalmore whisky makers curate exquisite casks sourced from the world’s finest wineries and bodegas.

The Port Edition was born from the exclusive partnership between The Dalmore and Symington Family Estates, who grant The Dalmore’s whisky makers exclusive access to the rarest of Graham’s Port casks.

Each set in the collection comprises three rare, aged whiskies, which together showcase the flavour potential in Graham’s Port wine casks, each one nurtured for decades under the watchful eye of winemakers, today led by Head Winemaker Charles Symington (4th Generation). It is in the hands of The Dalmore’s whisky makers that these carefully curated, very rare Port casks enhance the rich character of the exceptional Single Malt Scotch Whisky for which The Dalmore is renowned.

The Port Edition is beautifully presented in a bespoke leather-finished travel case handcrafted in Florence, Italy – perfectly framing the trio of new expressions. Each age-statement whisky is housed in the iconic Dalmore bottle adorned with a matching collar. The presentation features a striking green hue, synonymous with Portugal and the winemakers, which Port Edition celebrates.

Aged 27 Years, finished in very rare Graham’s 1997 Single Harvest Tawny Port casks

Aged 30 Years, finished in very rare Graham’s 1994 Single Harvest Tawny Port casks

Aged 43 Years, finished in exceptionally rare Graham’s 1952 Single Harvest Tawny Port casks

Each expression is natural colour and non-chill filtered.

The Dalmore has previously released Port-finished expressions to great acclaim. It is the unique influence offered by Graham’s rare Port casks that excites The Dalmore’s whisky makers. Each cask represents the potential to influence the character of the whisky, offering notes of rich fruits and dark chocolate.

A century of whisky making artistry is captured in this exceptional collection. The story begins in the valley high above the Douro River, where since the 1700s, Portuguese winemakers have painstakingly carved into the schist soil to create terraced vineyards in the mountainside, distinctive to the Douro. Each year at Graham’s principal estate, Quinta dos Malvedos, the grapes – exclusively picked by hand – are taken to the onsite boutique winery where they are transformed into the exquisite wines the port house is renowned for.

90 miles downriver in Vila Nova de Gaia is Graham’s 1890 Lodge, overlooking the historic coastal city of Porto, the gateway to the Atlantic. After each harvest, Graham’s wines are taken to the lodge where they are assessed by Master Blender, Charles Symington. Only the very finest wines are selected for long-term ageing and these wines often remain at the lodge for decades.

Graham’s Lodge has become the destination for discerning city visitors who visit the Porto region in their millions each year. Graham’s is a hallmark of port, which is why visitors make the pilgrimage to the Graham’s Lodge to explore how flavour is blended to create the perfect wine in this style.

Scotland and Portugal enjoy a shared history. Brothers William and John Graham founded the company in 1820 and later would take 27 pipes of port wine as payment in place of a debt. That transaction would set the course for the creation of one of the great and enduring port houses. In 1970, the 3rd generation of the Symington family acquired Graham’s Port and have continued to grow its reputation for producing outstanding ports.

For decades, The Dalmore’s whisky makers have made the journey to Vila Nova de Gaia to hand-select very rare port pipes, perfect for their whisky making artistry and made exclusively available to The Dalmore.

“Graham’s really is special, as a peaceful place to meet the casks, and listen to them and their story. Plus, it is a unique place to enjoy The Dalmore, overlooking the river and the city. The collection is a celebration not only of partnership, but of the friendship between us at The Dalmore and the Symington family (owners of Graham’s Port)”.  Margaret Nicol, The Dalmore

The curation of exquisite casks is central to the whisky making artistry for which The Dalmore has become renowned. The distillery was established to create a Single Malt like no other, leading to the pioneering of multi-cask maturation in 1868. Led today by Gregg Glass and Richard Paterson OBE, The Dalmore is home to an unbroken chain of visionary whisky makers, curating the rarest of casks in pursuit of the creation of truly exceptional whisky.

The Dalmore distillery’s collection of idiosyncratic stills creates a New Make Spirit of unique character and depth – robust and fruity, particularly well-suited to longer and more complex maturation. This allows The Dalmore’s whisky makers to develop spirit over longer periods and inspires them to seek out the finest and rarest casks from the world’s greatest vineyards and bodegas. Each of these exquisite casks offers unique potential, its characteristics influencing the personality of The Dalmore Single Malt as it quietly matures over the months, years, and decades.

This collection is the second chapter of The Dalmore Cask Curation Series. In 2025 the third release will be unveiled, followed by the fourth and final release concluding the series in 2026. Each release will celebrate The Dalmore’s long-standing relationships with the world’s finest winemakers.

For more information: www.thedalmore.com

About The Dalmore Cask Curation Port Edition

*Pricing per set of Cask Curation 2: The Port Edition is £35,000 (GBP)

The Dalmore Cask Curation Port Edition 43 Year Old 1952 Cask Finish

Matured in American white oak ex-Bourbon casks and then finished in Cask No. 1 – a 1952 Single Harvest Tawny Port cask from Graham’s Port, a genuine rarity in the Port world.

Aroma Forest fruits, plums, sugared almonds, cacao and star anise. Rounded with natural vanilla, soft caramel, dried apricots and baking spice.
Tasting Notes Plum compote, passion fruit, marzipan and red and black liquorice. Complemented by Alphonso mangos and Morello cherries.
Finishing Notes Iced ginger cake, leather, sweet tobacco, poached pears, and soft wood spice.
ABV: 41.8%

The Dalmore Cask Curation Port Edition 27 Year Old 1997 Cask Finish

Matured in American white oak ex-Bourbon casks and then finished in Cask No. 2 – a very rare 1997 Single Harvest Tawny Port cask

Aroma Manuka honey, bergamot, marzipan and roasted Columbian coffee. Notes of Damsons balanced with allspice and cassia bark.
Tasting Notes Ripe figs, blackcurrant and warm honey spice. Complemented with dark cacao, roasted chestnuts, dark toffee and liquorice.
Finishing Notes Sugared almonds, citrus peel, crystallised ginger, and soft spice
ABV: 49.3%

The Dalmore Cask Curation 30 Year Old 1994 Cask Finish

Matured in American white oak ex-Bourbon casks and then finished in Cask No. 3 – a very rare1994 Single Harvest Tawny Port cask from Graham’s Port, a genuine rarity in the Port world.

Aroma Warm honey, blood orange, Medjool dates, poached pears, and cinnamon. Layers of crème brulee, blackcurrant, and exotic spices.
Tasting Notes Blood orange, soft plums, dates, red liquorice, dark chocolate brioche, Tahitian vanilla and patisserie spices.
Finishing Notes Madagascan vanilla, black cherries, candied orange peel, dark roasted coffee and aged maple syrup.
ABV: 43.9%

About The Dalmore:

Founded in 1839 on the shores of the Cromarty Firth in the Scottish Highlands, The Dalmore has been making masterpieces of whisky for over 180 years.

The 12-point silver stag which proudly adorns each bottle was bestowed upon the first chieftain of Clan Mackenzie in 1263 by King Alexander III of Scotland. The stag became the whisky’s emblem when descendants of the clan took over the distillery in 1878.

The Dalmore distillery’s collection of idiosyncratic stills creates a New Make spirit of unique character and depth – robust and fruity, particularly well-suited to longer and more complex maturation. This allows renowned Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass and his team to develop spirit over longer periods, continuing a tradition of visionary whisky-making as they fully express their art using rare casks from some of the world’s finest wineries and bodegas.

The Portfolio Series is a new set of expressions from The Dalmore. Exclusive to Global Travel Retail, it pairs specially commissioned works of art with masterpieces of whisky making. The Dalmore worked with V&A Dundee, Scotland’s design museum, to find partners who could produce masterpieces of design tailored to accompany an amazing trio of whiskies. This is part of The Dalmore’s commitment to the V&A Dundee, nurturing emerging talent in Scotland and showcasing their work to the world.

The Dalmore www.thedalmore.com Facebook & Instagram @thedalmore

New Baker’s High-Rye Bourbon, a new expression that pays homage to Baker’s trucking business, where he delivered grains to the James B. Beam Distilling Co. During this time, he developed an appreciation for different grains and their influence on whiskey.

This high-rye recipe has 2x the standard amount of rye in Baker’s Bourbon and is a continuation of our innovation journey, celebrating Baker Beam and all that he did for our distillery

It offers a unique tasting journey with each pour, predominate tasting notes include the taste of charred oak, brown sweets, and a subtle rye spice. On the nose, it’s charred oak with notes of vanilla, caramel, and dried fruits. It’s full-bodied with a hint of baking spice.

This liquid is distilled to a 107 proof and barreled and aged for a minimum of 7 years, allowing the bourbon to pull more caramel, dried fruit, and vanilla flavor from the barrel wood.

SRP: $74.99.

TASTING NOTES

While the notes of every barrel of Baker’s offer a unique tasting journey, you can expect a few defining characteristics:

Nose: Charred oak balanced with notes of vanilla, caramel, & dried fruit

Palate: Flavors of charred oak & brown sweets with subtle rye spice character

Finish: Full-bodied with a hint of baking spice

Baker’s Bourbon

Whisky Magazine Special Selection

Glengoyne 16 Year Old

The Whisky Magazine Special Selection Glengoyne 16 Years Old is flying off the shelves, and only a limited number of bottles remain. If you’ve been considering this purchase, now is the time! Once these bottles are gone, they’re gone forever. Don’t miss your chance to own this exclusive bottling, part of our Whisky Magazine Special Selection.

ORDER NOW

Nose: Juicy fruit cake, like a bara brith (tea loaf). Ginger syrup, redcurrants, black tea with manuka honey, pear and almond tart.

Palate: Medium bodied. Sweet initially: steamed ginger sponge with toffee sauce, and sea-salt caramel dark chocolate. Then come raisins, dates, cinnamon sticks, and flaked almonds, with a hint of tamarind and soft leather.

Finish: Medium-long, led by nutmeg and clove spice, with apple and raspberry cordial and shortbread with hard toffee.

CELEBRATE WITH US

There’s plenty ahead as we lean into the darker nights with whisky season soireés celebrating Christmas, Hogmanay and more at our Members’ Rooms and across the UK with our on the road tastings. See you there.

FESTIVE BROCHURE

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ

Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

ralfy review extras 1050 – Police Investigating Whisky Cask Investment Company.

ANGEL’S ENVY® DEBUTS “WORTH THE ENVY” CAMPAIGN, INSPIRING OTHERS TO REVERE TRADITION, EMBRACE PROGRESS, AND REIMAGINE THE EXPECTED

The National Campaign Builds on the Multi-Award Winning Brand’s Mission to Craft The Future of Bourbon and Break Stereotypes

HAMILTON, Bermuda, April 18, 2024 — ANGEL’S ENVY^®, the global brand that produces finished whiskeys at their Louisville-based distillery, announces its new campaign, “Worth The Envy.” Launching across the U.S., the TV, digital, social, and multimedia campaign launches to motivate people everywhere to raise the bar. As a brand at the forefront of the whiskey industry, ANGEL’S ENVY is on a mission to transcend and reimagine the category by breaking out of the traditional norms.

Inspired by the brand’s name and origin story, ANGEL’S ENVY’s “Worth The Envy” campaign redefines envy as a virtue. It positions envy as a positive; a catalyst to create enviable moments in their lives as a source of influence to reimagine what people expect from bourbon and to challenge the category standard.

“At ANGEL’S ENVY, we pride ourselves in our innovative nature and origin. We were one of the first distillers ever to bring secondary finishing to the bourbon industry at a time when it was considered a somewhat radical and visionary concept,” said Maria Dao, North America Marketing Director, ANGEL’S ENVY. “Worth the Envy strives to bend how people think about bourbon.”

“Worth The Envy” premieres with a 30-second spot that takes viewers on a thrilling “pursuit of envy” through a diverse cast of characters and unexpected locations. A bottle of ANGEL’S ENVY Kentucky Straight Bourbon Finished in Port Wine Barrels is the hero, guiding the crowd around a vibrant hotel hallway, through an intimate loft space, and a chic pool party. The spot culminates at a sunset beach soiree, where the bottle and a cocktail are sitting heroically on the table before being picked up, leaving the audience guessing where ANGEL’S ENVY will take them next.

“When we think of bourbon, it’s typically driven by moody and isolating environments, limited cocktail offerings, and enjoyed primarily by aficionados,” said Bruno Luglio, Executive Creative Director at Sid Lee, the brand’s creative agency of record. “By embracing ANGEL’S ENVY’s rule-bending ethos, we were inspired to create a campaign that’s as exciting, inclusive, and progressive as ANGEL’S ENVY itself — and captured an opportunity to flip perceptions of envy – and bourbon – and reimagine it as a motivation to raise the bar.”

The new campaign will air the 30-second spot and cut down 15-second spots on NBC Sports and The Golf Channel, and on premium streaming services Hulu and Peacock.

For more information on ANGEL’S ENVY’s “Worth The Envy” campaign, visit https://angelsenvy.com or on Instagram (@angelsenvy). Please drink responsibly.

Spark Plug Cocktail Recipe
Mix up a delicious twist on the classic Espresso Martini Cocktail with ANGEL’S ENVY, as seen in the spot:

• 1 ½ parts ANGEL’S ENVY Kentucky Straight Bourbon Finished in Port Wine Barrels
• 1 part Vanilla Liqueur
• 2 parts Espresso

Add all ingredients into a shaker tin. Shake vigorously and strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with three coffee beans or grated cinnamon.

ABOUT ANGEL’S ENVY
ANGEL’S ENVY is a global brand that produces finished whiskeys at their Louisville, Kentucky-based distillery. Founded in 2010, ANGEL’S ENVY was among the first American whiskey producers to employ a secondary finishing process broadly across its portfolio. Today, each of its award-winning whiskeys are finished in hand-selected barrels to add a distinct layer of flavor and complexity, and the ANGEL’S ENVY team continues to produce several highly acclaimed core offerings – a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Finished in Port Wine Barrels and a Rye Whiskey Finished in Caribbean Rum Casks – as well as a variety of innovative, special releases.

ANGEL’S ENVY opened the doors to its Brand Home at 500 East Main Street in 2016, making it the first full-production whiskey distillery in downtown Louisville. In June 2022, ANGEL’S ENVY completed an $8.2 million expansion to its Brand Home, doubling annual guest capacity.

ANGEL’S ENVY is available in all 50 U.S. states and several international markets, and it is produced by Louisville Distilling Company, a subsidiary of Bacardi Limited.

This article appears here well after the original publication date and as a matter of interest.