Laphroaig Launches ‘Unphorgettable’ Campaign to Leave its Iconic Mark on Whisky Drinkers

Striking depictions of real drinkers’ words brought to life through a classically Laphroaig lens

Islay, United Kingdom, 7 October 2024: Iconic Islay distillery Laphroaig has launched a new global campaign, “Unphorgettable”. Designed to recruit new drinkers and reconnect with loyal fans, this campaign is rooted in the single malt whisky’s bold, distinctive taste and personality.

Once tasted, never forgotten, Laphroaig has used real drinkers’ own descriptions and created animations of ‘Taste Characters’. From an angel to a donkey, a pack of wolves to swirling waves, the four ‘Taste Characters’ have become the new, bold characterisation of Laphroaig.

Launching first in the U.K., France, Canada and Italy before rolling out to other countries in 2025, “Unphorgettable” will be supported by both Above the Line (ATL) and Below the Line (BTL) campaigns. The campaign will include a 20-second film to hero Unphorgettable experiences in the on-trade and during key gifting occasions. Laphroaig’s signature colour palette is instantly recognisable, with the bottle as the hero. The creative was developed by global brand design agency Design Bridge and Partners London, who recently redesigned the visual identity of the brand’s iconic whisky bottle.

Fleur Maguet, Laphroaig Global Brand Director at Suntory Global Spirits, said: “We know that every sip of Laphroaig is an unforgettable experience, so we asked over 250 members of our devoted whisky community, Friends of Laphroaig, to articulate their first sip in our ‘Opinions Welcome’ campaign. The ‘Unphorgettable’ campaign is a natural evolution and stands out within the whisky category through the authentic expression of real words from real fans describing the whisky they love in a way that is surprising, evocative and emotive. Creating a campaign as unique and unforgettable as Laphroaig itself.”

Laphroaig Unphorgettable invites drinkers to explore the intensity of its flavour profile, capture core memories and ensure every experience shared over a Laphroaig is truly lasting.

About Laphroaig® 

Laphroaig is one of the best-selling Islay single malts globally and is synonymous with this famous whisky region. Established in 1815 by the Johnston brothers, Laphroaig has stayed true to its bold flavour and distinctive character for over 200 years. Today, Laphroaig is one of only a handful of distilleries that continues to craft whisky using traditional techniques like floor malting barley and using a “cold smoking” process to create its signature smoky flavour. Laphroaig’s commitment to bold character has earned us a dedicated following of brand fans, the Friends of Laphroaig.  Launched in 1994, the same year HM King Charles granted the brand a Royal Warrant, the programme has since grown to a truly global community of thousands of whisky lovers representing over 170 countries. www.laphroaig.com

About Suntory Global Spirits

As a world leader in premium spirits, Suntory Global Spirits inspires the brilliance of life, by creating rich experiences for people, in harmony with nature. Known for its craftsmanship of premium whiskies, including Jim Beam® and Maker’s Mark®; Japanese whiskies, including Yamazaki®, Hakushu®, Hibiki® and Toki™; and leading Scotch brands including Laphroaig® and Bowmore®, Suntory Global Spirits also produces leading brands such as Tres Generaciones® and El Tesoro® tequila, Roku™ and Sipsmith® gin, and is a world leader in Ready-To-Drink cocktails, with brands like -196 and On The Rocks™ Premium Cocktails.

A global company with approximately 6,000 employees in nearly 30 countries, Suntory Global Spirits is driven by its core values of Growing for Good, Yatte Minahare and Giving Back to Society. The company’s Proof Positive sustainability strategy includes ambitious goals and investments to drive sustainable change and have a positive impact on the planet, consumers and communities. Headquartered in New York City, Suntory Global Spirits is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information, visit www.suntoryglobalspirits.com

THE MACALLAN FINE & RARE COLLECTION

FINE & RARE 2000

The Macallan Fine & Rare vintages bridge the past and the future. Each unique and beautiful, they distil those elements that confer greatness on The Macallan and, in doing so, on those who made them.

The first Fine & Rare release distilled in the new millennia on 24th February 2000 and bottled 24 years later in celebration of the 200th anniversary of The Macallan, is presented at its natural cask strength.

Nature has conspired, transforming the robust fruity new make spirit matured for twenty-four years in cask no.27. The interaction with the sherry seasoned European oak cask has shaped its character, delivering an exquisite natural colour, rich aromas and flavours.

DISCOVER THE WHISKY

CELEBRATING THE YEAR THAT WAS

The Year 2000 held great global anticipation, reflection on what had been and what would come, what the future would hold. We were at once looking back to all that had been whilst forward facing – imagining, anticipation far beyond our moment in time to what might be.

TASTING NOTES
EXPLORE COLOUR, NOSE, PALATE & FINISH

COLOUR Autumnal Russet.

AROMA Rich, resinous nose with hints of sweet fresh vanilla, ground coffee, white chocolate, brazil nuts and a dusting of cinnamon.
PALATE Toffee brittle, chocolate coated raisins, rich oak, gentle hints of blackberry and cranberries with subtle cinnamon throughout.

FINISH Long with lingering spice, rich oak and citrus peel.
ABV 55%

KARUIZAWA: THE MARRIAGE COLLECTION

We’re delighted to announce the Karuizawa Aged 50 Years Marriage 1965 & 1972 is now available to buy exclusively from The Whisky Exchange Cabinet, with only 50 bottles available.

This extraordinary single malt from closed distillery Karuizawa is a spectacular whisky, in which two historic 50-year-old malts have been married before being bottled exclusively for The Whisky Exchange Cabinet in a collection that will never be repeated.

The first component is Karuizawa 1965, originally bottled as a 50-year-old whisky in 2015. Matured in sherry casks, it is a rich, complex and dark with dried fruit, coffee and spice notes. A small amount of this sought-after whisky was kept back from bottling and held in glass, ready for the creation of the Marriage.

The second component is a Karuizawa 1972. A sample was tasted at a masterclass held at The Whisky Exchange in 2012, leading to the long-running plans for the Marriage. The whisky was matured in red wine casks, which gave it a rich red fruit character that’s complemented by its tropical guava and dried mango notes. After the tasting, the cask was recoopered, allowing this long maturation to continue at a more controlled pace.

Each of the 50 bottles in the collection is engraved with a unique design of a different Japanese princess, and presented in a wooden box with a book explaining the philosophy of its creation.

You’ll need to create an account on The Whisky Exchange Cabinet to purchase. To find out more and secure your bottle, go to cabinet.thewhiskyexchange.com

 DISCOVER 

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 546: Trip to Speyside 2024 – part 4 of 4

In September 2024, Mark organized a trip to Speyside for 13 like-minded whisky aficionados. In a short 4-part series of Ramblings, you can find out where they went and what they experienced. In this fourth and final part, you’ll find them visiting or stopping by Benromach, Glenburgie, Miltonduff, BenRiach, Longmorn, Glen Elgin, Glenlossie, Mannochmore, Linkwood, Glen Garioch and Ardmore.

https://youtu.be/hk3D4OXjJRw

CLAXTON’S RELEASE THE DALSWINTON SERIES – 2^ND EDITION

Following-on from the huge success of the inaugural Dalswinton Series, Claxton’s are set to release the next five exclusive whiskies this Autumn.

Curated over several years, the new releases will complement the original five that were released three years ago. In line with the original series, the new releases will all be presented in the same heavy-set decanters with hand-etched images of the life and history of the area.

Claxton’s Maturation Warehouses and Tasting Rooms sit in the heart of the beautiful and historic, 5,000 acre Dalswinton Estate. The first Dalswinton Series was released in 2021 and sold out globally. The Second Edition consists of five whiskies from prestigious coastal Scotch whisky distilleries; each one over 30 years of age.

Events from the rich and diverse history of the 5,000-acre Dalswinton Estate inspire the images adorning the decanters. Dumfries-based illustrator Jamie Stryker drew each scene. The Dalswinton Estate has a long and illustrious history, and the timeline on each bottle reflects this, starting with the Roman encampments on the banks of the river Nith and ending with the present-day ownership of the estate by the Landale family.

The casks were matured within Claxton’s traditional ‘dunnage’ warehouse and have been selected to represent the outstanding flavour profiles of the prestigious coastal whisky distilleries.  Only 100 bottles have been drawn from each cask, reflecting the premium nature and rarity of the spirit.

Claxton’s Managing Director: “This series, much like the one before, has been a true labour of love as I have sought out the finest casks from some of the most famous Scottish whisky distilleries. It has taken years of careful selection to find the right five casks to follow-up the inaugural release that was a huge success and sold out within days of release.”

The single malt Scotch whiskies selected are:

• 33 year old Distilled at Bunnahabhain Distillery
• 30 year old Distilled at Bowmore Distillery
• 30 year old Distilled at Springbank Distillery
• 30 year old Distilled at Clynelish Distillery
• 35 year old Distilled at Highland Park Distillery

These will be available for general retail on 30^th October 2024. More details of the whiskies are provided below.

Additional information on each Whisky:

33 year old Bunnahabhain

Bunnhabhain Distillery sits apart from its Islay counterparts and is known for producing an unpeated but distinctively full-bodied whisky. Bottled at 33 years old, this long matured Bunnahabhain is full of that hallmark complexity and character.

The etching on the bottle depicts the Roman Fort which once stood on the banks of the river Nith. In 80AD, a large Roman Fort was built on the banks of the river Nith within the boundaries of what is now the Dalswinton Estate. It is understood to have housed over 2,000 Roman infantry and cavalry and to be one of the most northerly Roman outposts of its kind.

Nose: Sweet tobacco smoke. Marzipan with sweet spices. Apple pie.

Palate: Sweet and soft sherry with a mild smoke, oak and spice. Full-bodied and robust.

Finish: Cinnamon, oak and soft sherry. A long aftertaste of fruit pie.

30 year old Bowmore 

This 30 year old Bowmore is a shining example of an Islay distillery – and one that is situated adjacent to the coast. Sweet peat, mingled with coastal seaweed and bursting with tropical fruits make for an incredible dram.

This decanter depicts when Patrick Miller (owner of the Dalswinton Estate) and Robert Burns first met in 1786. Eventually, this led to Burns moving locally, taking up tenancy at Ellisland Farm with Miller as his landlord.

Nose: Heavy BBQ notes. Sweet peaty notes. Coastal – cooked seaweed.

Palate: Tropical fruit and peat mingle with a sugary-sweetness and soft oak.

Finish: Slightly menthol with a long lingering soft smokiness in the aftertaste. 

30 year old Springbank 

From one of the most revered coastal distilleries in Scotland, this bottling of Springbank has all of the complexity that you would expect from a 30 year old. Sweet, yet spicy with tropical fruits and bubble gum. An incredible dram from start to finish.

This decanter depicts Patrick Millar’s steam engine. In 1788, the first steamboat in Britain set sail across Dalswinton Loch. The project, funded by Patrick Millar, then owner of the Dalswinton Estate, was a great success and officially the first steam-propelled boat journey in the United Kingdom.

Nose: Icing sugar, cannoli, nutmeg and Dunnage warehouse. Custard and gentle smoke.

Palate: Softly sweet and spicy at first. Green apples, oaky and bittersweet. Subtle peat.

Finish: A long and changing finish with oak, fruit, bubble gum and vanilla. Rocky minerality. 

30 year old Clynelish 

Situated on the North East coast of Scotland, Clynelish Distillery is world-renowned for creating a truly unique rich and waxy distillate. This whisky is true to that form, with a distinctive waxy profile still present after 30 years of maturation while bursting with fresh stone fruits.

This decanter is linked to John “The Red” Comyn. It is recorded in local folklore that, in 1306, John “The Red” Comyn sunk his treasure in Comyn’s Pool on the Dalswinton Estate just before meeting his death during a confrontation with Robert the Bruce, the future King of Scotland.

Nose: Tablet and vanilla fudge. Waxed hard fruits. Vanilla pods.

Palate: Sweet and herbal with a waxy-fruitiness, stone fruits and a mild oakiness.

Finish: Hint of tobacco, fresh bread and a softly spicy aftertaste.

35 year old Highland Park

Highland Park is an iconic Orcadian distillery producing a distinctive heather-infused smoky style of whisky. This 35 year old cask is no different: rich, malty, and spicy, with a sweet heather smoke.

In 1919, the Landale family purchased the Dalswinton Estate and have been residents and guardians ever since. Over the last 100 years, they have developed the manor house, estate buildings and surrounding land into the illustrious rural estate it is today. This decanter depicts the Landale’s version of the Dalswinton Estate.

Nose: Rich fruits; cooked apples, pears, prunes. Sweet tobacco with a hint of peat.

Palate: Malty and rich with soft spices and oak. Fresh melon and sweet sherry notes.

Finish: More rich fruit with heather peat and an oaky-spice aftertaste.

New partnership concludes a quartet of investments in the Sherry-seasoned oak cask supply chain

The Macallan is pleased to announce that it has agreed to form a partnership with the owners of three businesses renowned for the production of Spanish Sherry seasoned oak casks, securing a sustainable supply of the highest quality European oak casks and underlining the brand’s pursuit of incomparable craftsmanship and whisky mastery.

Under the terms of the partnership, the Tevasa cooperage in Jerez and its sister businesses, Forestal Peninsular and Forestal Peninsular de Cantabria, which operate sawmills in Lugo and Cabezón de la Sal, will come together to form a new company called Tevasa Forestal Group. The Macallan will own 50% of the share capital of Tevasa Forestal Group.

The joint venture will complete a quartet of major investments over the past two years, which will give The Macallan the deepest involvement of any Scotch Whisky company in the production of the finest Sherry-seasoned casks.

Igor Boyadjian, Managing Director, The Macallan, said the partnership with Tevasa Forestal Group will further strengthen The Macallan’s Sherry cask supply chain, which is critical to the quality of the brand’s whisky.

Mr Boyadjian said: “The Macallan has always gone to extraordinary lengths to ensure that our Single Malt Scotch Whisky is matured in the finest quality Sherry-seasoned oak casks. The joint venture will complete a series of investments that will give us an unparalleled level of ownership in the production process of Sherry-seasoned casks.

“Our partnership with Tevasa Forestal Group is a significant moment for The Macallan as we continue to invest in the craft and mastery of our exceptional product. Tevasa has been a long-standing supplier, crafting the finest European oak casks from Forestal Peninsular staves in which to mature The Macallan. This partnership, along with our other investments in Jerez and Ohio, shows our commitment to the craftsmanship in our Sherry cask supply chain.

“As we celebrate The Macallan’s 200th anniversary, this further expansion of our supply chain will ensure our reputation for richness and complexity for generations to come.”

The Tevasa Forestal Group joint venture will conclude a series of previously announced investments by The Macallan in the Sherry cask supply chain:

• March 2023: acquired 50% of Grupo Estévez and their Valdespino Sherries, wines and aperitifs, vineyards and bodegas.
• September 2023: acquired the Vasyma cooperage in Jerez, which specialises in crafting American oak casks.
• September 2023: entered a joint venture with Coopers Oak, a specialist sawmill in Ohio which is a longstanding provider of American oak staves to Vasyma.

Forestal Peninsular was founded in 1958 by Miguel and Teodoro Fdez. Montes, Juan Garriga and Narciso Fdez. Prieto. It operates two sawmills in Lugo and Cantabria which source oak from forests in northern Spain and southern France and produce European oak staves for casks. It is currently led by Narciso Fdez. Iturrospe and Camilo Fdez. Alonso. The company established the Tevasa cooperage in Jerez in 1983, specialising in producing the highest quality European oak casks for the maturation of Scotch Whisky, Sherry and Brandy.

Expertise will be retained through the ongoing leadership of Narciso Fdez. Iturrospe and Camilo Fdez. Alonso and their existing management teams.

Snr Fdez. Iturrospe said everyone at Tevasa, Forestal Peninsular and Forestal Peninsular de Cantabria is delighted to be forming a joint venture with The Macallan, saying: “Tevasa and The Macallan have worked together for over 40 years sourcing and crafting the finest European oak casks to help make this incomparable whisky.

“Everyone at our cooperage in Jerez and sawmills in Galicia and Cantabria is very excited to partner with The Macallan and to contribute even more to the craftsmanship that helps the brand stand out as one of the finest spirits in the world.”

Paul Hyde, CFO of Edrington, said: “Tevasa, Forestal Peninsular and Forestal Peninsular de Cantabria have been much-valued partners of The Macallan for over four decades and thanks to the craft and skill of its people in Jerez and northern Spain they have delivered outstanding quality casks for the brand. We are looking forward to working more closely than ever as we focus on continuing the excellence and innovation that is the hallmark of The Macallan Single Malt Scotch Whisky.”

KNOB CREEK 18 YEAR OLD KENTUCKY STRAIGHT BOURBON WHISKEY

Knob Creek® Bourbon is proud to reintroduce Knob Creek® 18 Year Old to its award winning* portfolio. Originally introduced in 2022 as the brand’s oldest release to date, the extra-aged bourbon is back for a limited time.

Aged twice as long as our flagship bourbon and bottled at 100 proof, the liquid offers a complex, yet balanced profile. Our bourbon owes its rich copper color and deep notes of caramelized oak to its extensive aging in our Kentucky rackhouses.

At 18 years, this bourbon further demonstrates how great things take time and patience, living up to Sixth Generation Master Distiller Booker Noe’s intention when he first introduced Knob Creek to the world over three decades ago. Experience the exceptional full-flavor of Knob Creek 18 Year Old for yourself.

TASTING NOTES

Knob Creek 18 Year Old is our oldest release to date, delivering flavorful notes of caramelized oak and sweet vanilla with a warm finish, best enjoyed neat or on the rocks to fully experience the complex yet balanced flavors of this full-bodied liquid.

PROOF: 100
COLOR: Rich copper tones with auburn hues
AROMA: Brown sugar and aged oak, with notes of char and caramel
TASTE: Full-bodied with notes of caramelized oak and hints of sweet vanilla and baking spices
FINISH: Warm finish with spice and slight floral and fruit notes

THE HISTORY
Knob Creek has set the standard for super-premium whiskey for three decades by crafting extraordinary full-flavored bourbon with a rich taste. Knob Creek bourbons and ryes are patiently aged to perfection in new, maximum charred American Oak barrels to impart the biggest and fullest flavor on their whiskey. No matter the expression, Knob Creek is crafted without shortcuts and embodies the pre-Prohibition style that founding distiller Booker Noe created in 1992. Since then, Knob Creek has lived up to such standards with the introduction of Knob Creek Straight Rye Whiskey in 2012, and later on, Knob Creek Single Barrel Select Rye Whiskey. In recent years, Knob Creek announced the permanent addition of Knob Creek 12 Year Old Bourbon and Knob Creek 10 Year Old Rye to its portfolio, launched three limited releases, Knob Creek 15 Year Old Bourbon, Knob Creek 18 Year Old Bourbon and Knob Creek Bourbon x Rye, and announced the addition of an age statement to its flagship rye whiskey, Knob
Creek 7 Year Old Rye Whiskey.

AVAILABILITY & PRICE
Knob Creek 18 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey is available nationwide for a limited time at a suggested retail price of $179.

INFORMATION
For more information about Knob Creek 18 Year Old and Knob Creek’s award-winning bourbon and rye portfolios, please visit www.KnobCreek.com.

THE HARMONY COLLECTION

VIBRANT OAK

We are delighted to share that the Harmony Collection Vibrant Oak is available to purchase from our Online Boutique. This release is a unique collaboration with Cirque du Soleil celebrating 200 years of The Macallan.

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.

EXPLORE

TASTING NOTES

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%

Sutherland Bottled By Thompson Bros. 5 Year Old Limited 2024 Release Blended Highland Malt Scotch Whisky

(700ml~ Pre-Arrival) $99.99 View

David Othenin-Girard
K&L Buyer
Review Date: 10/2024

Full disclosure, I haven’t actually tasted this batch. But I did taste the previous batch. If you know anything about me, it’s that I honestly believe the Dornoch Distillery to be the most exciting and significant new distillery in Scotland in modern history. While it’s currently too small to make a splash commercially, they’re on their way to building what I have no doubt will be considered one of the top five distilleries ANYWHERE in the world by decades end. This will be the Chichibu of Scotland and there’s never been another release in this country that features their incredible malt. The boys up in Dornoch are proud of their home and the three wonderful distilleries that are currently operating. This blend features significant amounts of their special malt, older expressions of the wonderful Clynelish distillery and a splash of very old Brora. If this is anywhere close to the last release, and good word is that its equal or greater, it’s a wonderful expression of the highland style. The last one was deep and round with gorgeous waxy fruit and a pungent wild aromatic character. It’s easily one of my favorite drinks right now and should resonate with any old school scotch lover, while peaking senses for even the most discrete spirits nerd. A truly special product that makes me so proud of what we do at K&L.

The incredible Dornoch Distillery is easily the most exciting new distillery operation in Scotland today. Run by brothers Phil & Simon Thompson, they understand the desires of true whisky lovers like few other distillers in the region. While their tiny distillery can only produce a handful of barrels a year, they’re in the process of building a much more substantial plant and while we wait, they’ve built an excellent independent bottling operation known as Thompson Bros (Redacted Bros stateside.) This special whisky pays homage to their home region, a gorgeous slice of Scotland known as Sutherland. This windswept county stretches from just north of Tain over the Dornoch Firth to the tip of northwestern Scotland and the North Atlantic Sea. Every drop of malt in this blend is distilled in Sutherland county and there are only three distillers in the area – Dornoch, Clynelish, and Brora. With a rough breakdown of 1/3, 2/3 and 1%, all three are represented within this bottle. This is the first product commercially available featuring Dornoch’s delicious own distillate yet to be released in the US. Widely sought-after in markets across the world and available exclusively at K&L. This release has completely sold out in other markets in a matter of minutes and the US pre-arrival is priced 20-30% below what it commanded in the UK.

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 545: Trip to Speyside 2024 – part 3 of 4

In September 2024, Mark organized a trip to Speyside for 13 like-minded whisky aficionados. In a short 4-part series of Ramblings, you can find out where they went and what they experienced. In this third part, you’ll find them visiting or stopping by Aberlour, Dailuaine, Ballindalloch, GlenAllachie, Glenfarclas, Glenfiddich, Convalmore, Balvenie, Parkmore, Glendullan, Mortlach, Dufftown and Pittyvaich.

https://youtu.be/Cbbuz5ImHDY