ralfy review 1063 Extras – Graduating in our tastes over time.

Heaven Hill Brands Appoints Adam Edwards as New East Coast Ambassador

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (January 29, 2025) – Heaven Hill Brands is excited to announce the appointment of Adam Edwards as the company’s new East Coast Ambassador. With over two decades of experience in the spirits industry, Edwards brings a wealth of knowledge, passion, and expertise in whiskeys. As the East Coast Ambassador, he will represent the brand by educating consumers, trade professionals, and media on the rich history and craftsmanship behind Heaven Hill’s renowned portfolio.

Edwards, a Louisville native, has deep roots in Bourbon country, which fuels his commitment to sharing the heritage of Bourbon Whiskey with enthusiasts nationwide. In his previous roles, Edwards gained extensive experience in brand advocacy, trade marketing, and education with many respected names in the industry. Most recently, he served as a National Brand Ambassador for Heaven’s Door, where he was responsible for developing trade relationships, executing events, and educating consumers about the brand’s portfolio. Additionally, he spent time as a Field Marketing Manager for Heaven’s Door Whiskey, focusing on trade advocacy and development for the rapidly growing whiskey brand. Prior to these roles, Edwards worked as a Digital Brand Ambassador and was later promoted to Whiskey Specialist and Single Barrel Experience Manager at Rabbit Hole Distillery, contributing his expertise for nearly four years.

Edwards holds several notable certifications, further emphasizing his qualifications in the spirits industry. He is a Certified Executive Bourbon Steward and holds the Spirits WSET II with Distinction Certificate. Edwards also holds a Degree in Music Performance from the University of Louisville, highlighting his diverse background and passion for arts and culture.

“I am incredibly excited to take on this new role with Heaven Hill,” said Edwards. “As someone who grew up surrounded by Bourbon culture, it’s an honor to help share the story of Heaven Hill and its legacy of excellence with others. I’m looking forward to engaging with both new and experienced enthusiasts to help further spread the appreciation for fine whiskey.”

In his new role, Edwards will continue to educate and engage trade professionals and consumers through panels, masterclasses, and other Bourbon-related events. When he’s not immersing himself in the world of Bourbon, Edwards enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking with his wife and daughter, running with his two dogs, Saz and Boo, and playing the tuba in a New Orleans-style brass group.

“We are thrilled to have Adam join our team as the new East Coast Ambassador,” said Elayne Duff, Global Director of Advocacy at Heaven Hill Brands. “His depth of experience, his passion for Bourbon, and his strong commitment to education makes him the perfect representative for our brands. We’re confident that his enthusiasm and talent will help spread the knowledge and enjoyment of our products across the country.”

ABOUT HEAVEN HILL BRANDS

Founded in 1935, Bardstown, KY -based Heaven Hill Brands (www.heavenhill.com) is one of the nation’s largest independent, family-owned and led spirits producers and marketers, along with the world’s second-largest holder of Kentucky Bourbon, and a 2024 Best Managed Company as appointed by Deloitte Private and the Wall Street Journal. Heaven Hill’s diversified portfolio of brands includes Evan Williams, Elijah Craig, Larceny, and Henry McKenna Bourbons; Rittenhouse Rye Whisky; Deep Eddy Vodka; Admiral Nelson’s Rum; Black Velvet Canadian Whisky; Lunazul Tequila; HPNOTIQ Liqueur; Carolans Irish Cream Liqueur, plus the Samson & Surrey portfolio.

Macaloney’s Island Distillery Triumphs at 2025 Canadian Whisky Awards, Winning Top Honours –  Now viewing Strategic Partnership for Distribution to USA, China and France

Victoria, BC – January 20, 2025

Macaloney’s Island Distillery is proud to announce that it has been awarded the coveted Canadian Whisky of the Year 2025 for its peated single malt whisky, The Peat Project Moscatel cask. In addition, the distillery was recognized for an unprecedented 7 Whiskies of the Year / gold medal whiskies, more than any distillery in Canada, whether big brand multi-national or craft! Their Master Whiskymaker & Founder, Dr. Graeme Macaloney PEng., also was awarded Blender of the Year.

The Canadian Whisky Awards, held annually in January, recognize the finest expressions of Canadian whisky across all categories, with over 200 whiskies assessed in blind tastings by 14 experienced judges. Macaloney’s Island Distillery is no stranger to success in the world of whisky. It previously won 3 ‘World’s Best’, and 8 gold medals, including 2023’s World’s Best Pot Still (Kildara), at the global industry’s most competitive, World Whiskies Awards, UK. The distillery has quickly gained a reputation for creating bold, flavourful whiskies that blend tradition with innovation, engaging whisky connoisseurs and newbies alike with their tasting experience and compelling ‘craft’ back-story.

“Of our multiple gold medals at these Canadian Whisky Awards, 3 were peated single malt whiskies (54ppm Peat Project Moscatel, 54 ppm Peat Project Sugar-kelp, lightly peated 15 ppm An Aba), and another was our crowd-pleasing ‘Sherry-bomb’ (Cath-nah-aven)” said Dr. Graeme Macaloney. “Our Peat Project™ is a whisky industry break-though because it’s the first-ever exploration of terroir and island merroir, using peat. With our innovative, proprietary 2 tonne in-distillery peat-smoker we are crafting peated whiskies using peat from the USA, Islay-Scotland and Canada all with very different bouquets. And, this years Best Canadian Single Malt (Peat Project Sugar-kelp) had sugar-kelp seaweed added to the peat-smoking thereby exploring island merroir“.

Macaloney’s Island Distillery has set its eyes on global expansion! “We recently launched in Germany with excellent results and are now looking for a strategic investor to help us target the USA, China and France, which together with UK, Taiwan & Canada, represent the top 7 single malt markets”.

About Macaloney’s Island Distillery

Founded by Dr. Graeme Macaloney PEng., in 2013, Macaloney’s Island Distillery is one of a rare breed of ‘island’ distilleries, located in Victoria on Vancouver Island, Canada. The distillery specializes in producing premium single malts and potstill whiskies. As a 5-star experiential tourist destination, Macaloney’s is host to over 180 cruise-ships annually and championed the world’s first international single malt whisky trail, the North West Whiskey Trail (www.northwestwhiskeytrail.com).

January 2025 Auction // 31.01 – 10.01.25

Now Live: January Auction

A warm welcome to our January auction, featuring a myriad of rare whiskies — an unmissable opportunity to bid on some of the world’s most sought-after bottles.

This month’s selection is nothing short of spectacular, from showstoppers like the breathtaking Highland Park 50 Year Old 2010 to legendary vintages from Italian greats Samaroli and Zenith Import. Also on offer are exceptional old-style Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) USA imports. We’re especially proud to debut the first-ever release from the Isle of Tiree distillery, available exclusively with Whisky Auctioneer. Browse our curated highlights below and bid today!

 Legendary Samaroli

Bowmore Bouquet, Glenugie ‘66, Scapa ‘58, Longrow ‘73, Balvenie ‘74

Old Style SMWS U.S. Imports 

Highland Park 50 Year Old 2010 Release

Glen Grant 1948 Berry Brothers and Rudd

Zenith Import Bottlings​

Rosebank 20, Glenfiddich 21, Caol Ila 12

Isle of Tiree First Release​ #1 – #10

Uncut and Unfiltered Podcast

We were delighted to host the team from The Uncut and Unfiltered Podcast at our distillery recently!

In their latest episode, now available to watch on YouTube, our Global Whisky Ambassador and Cask Sales Manager, Rob Patchett, and Distillery Manager, Alice Pearson, joined their team for a deep dive into the fascinating world of English whisky.

Together, they explored our range of whiskies, highlighting the incredible variety of cask types that we use – from rich sherry to vibrant bourbon casks and uncovering the unique flavours that make our whisky so special. Along the way, they discussed the rise of English whisky, the artistry of distilling, and much more.

If you’re curious about the innovation and craftsmanship behind one of England’s leading distilleries, then this episode is a must-watch! Tune in for an insightful, flavour-filled journey through the world of Cotswolds whisky.

WATCH ON YOUTUBE

GLENFIDDICH
Orchard Experiment

70cl · 43% ABV

Orchard Experiment is the fifth whisky in Glenfiddich’s Experimental Series. This innovative single malt is matured in Somerset Pomona casks – a blend of apple cider brandy and apple juice from the Somerset Cider Brandy Company. These casks impart a vibrantly fruit forward character, transporting you to a Somerset orchard in the springtime.

Nose: Ripe apples with sweet notes of toffee, vanilla and fresh citrus fruits.

Palate: Deliciously sweet and fruity with an abundance of freshly pressed orchard fruits, sweet caramel, vanilla, spiced apple cake and baking spices.

Finish: Full and fruity with apple cider brandy notes and delicate wood spice.

WAS £44.95
NOW £29.95

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2007 Caol Ila 15 Year Old “Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseur’s Choice” 1st Fill Sherry Butt Nonchillfiltered Cask Strength Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

(700ml)

$139.99

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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

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 552: Cley Moscatel vs Secret Isle of Mull Cask

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, tries two single casks of Dutch whisky.  In September 2024, Paul and Maria from the Cley Distillery in Rotterdam bottled two 5-year-old single malts. The first matured in a cask that previously held Moscatel; the second underwent 3 years of maturation in a classic bourbon cask, followed by a finish in a cask from the Tobermory Distillery. Fascinating and undoubtedly very different. Mark is please to put them head-to-head.

https://youtu.be/zQLjEa4ywck

STILLS INSTALLED AT EDEN MILL DISTILLERY

Independent Scottish distiller Eden Mill has installed the wash and spirit stills at its new distillery in St Andrews, as the brand gets ready to start production on the Eden Campus.

The beating heart of the distillery, the two hand-crafted copper stills were manufactured by LHS in Speyside and designed in collaboration with Eden Mill head distiller, Scott Ferguson, to achieve a light, floral and grassy new make similar to that which he distilled back in 2014 on the original stills.

The onion shaped wash still (15,000 litres), boil-ball spirit still (11,500 litres), and shell-and-tube condenser were all selected by Ferguson to produce a lighter and sweeter spirit with a delicate flavour profile. Commissioning will begin in March, kicking off the process of fine-tuning the new make spirit before filling the first casks of the new distillery.

Located just seven minutes from St Andrews, the distillery will open its doors to tourists in summer 2025, offering immersive tours, a shop and a 3rd floor cocktail bar where guests will be able to sit back, relax and enjoy views across the Eden Estuary.

Commenting on the milestone, Rennie Donaldson, Chief Executive Officer at Eden Mill, said: “Installing our copper stills on-site is a momentous occasion for the brand and the start of a new chapter in Eden Mill’s story. We have come so far as a business, and we’re now just months away from filling our first whisky cask at our new distillery, which is testament to all the hard work the team has put in behind the scenes.”

Located on The University of St Andrews Eden Campus, the Eden Mill distillery is being built with sustainability at its core. In October, the St Andrews based brand announced a partnership with Scottish firm MiAlgae to recycle effluent – a by-product of whisky making –  into micro-algae, with the aim of eliminating reliance on wild caught fish as a source of Omega-3.

The distillery will also power its gin still using 100% renewable energy, including power from the University’s own solar farm. Additionally, the CO₂ produced during the fermentation process of distillation will be captured for future use.

Eden Mill

https://www.edenmill.com/

Eden Mill distillery, established in 2012 on the banks of the Eden Estuary in St Andrews, was the first distillery to make spirits in the region in over 150 years. Today, Eden Mill has a unique selection of limited release Single Malts, and an extensive gin portfolio crafted from the finest botanicals, many sourced from in and around Fife.

Eden Mill has an ambition to create the finest gins and Scotch Whiskies with minimal environmental impact combining traditional distilling techniques with innovation. Eden Mill is building a stunning new distillery at the mouth of the river Eden, overlooking the iconic, historic town of St Andrews. The new distillery sits at the heart of the University of St Andrews Eden Campus, a unique site dedicated to sustainable businesses and research.

JANUARY SPECIAL

We’ve added this excellent trio to our January specials, saving around £42 on RRP. This is our last set of Raasay single casks in stock complete with branded tasting glass.

This is a fantastic opportunity to sample Isle of Raasay single malt matured in each of their single cask maturation choices used at the distillery. This trio is part of their unpeated single casks released for the UK retailers in 2024, with the 3 peated casks coming later this year.

This fantastic bundle includes each of the following single casks along with a branded tasting glass.

Isle of Raasay Na Sia Unpeated Single Cask #19/543.

Distilled 31st May 2019 using un-peated spirit then laid to rest in a single cask Chinkapin cask for 5 years, 0 months and 23 days! Bottled in 2024 at 61.4% vol.

Isle of Raasay Na Sia Unpeated Single Cask #19/307

This single cask release was distilled 29th March 2019 using un-peated spirit then laid to rest in American Rye cask #19/307 for 5 years, 2 months and 25 days! Bottled in 2024 at 61.2% vol.

Isle of Raasay Na Sia Unpeated Single Cask #19/433

A single cask release, distilled 3rd May 2019 using un-peated spirit then laid to rest in ex-Bordeaux red wine cask #19/433 for 5 years, 1 month and 20 days! Bottled in 2024 at 60.5% vol.

For their excellent single malt the distillery combines peated and unpeated spirits in ex-rye whiskey, chinkapin oak and ex-Bordeaux red wine casks.

RRP for this trio without glass would be £285 inc vat. 

£242.50