Whisky Intelligence has reproduced (with permission) The Gauntleys Whisky Newsletter for July 2003; a small sample of scotch whisky archeology. The author, Chris Goodrum, has some excellent insights of whisky, which makes for excellent reading on a Sunday.  However as you may have noticed we are now at the end of the series of his excellent newsletters. Enjoy the final installment!
GAUNTLEYS WHISKY NEWSLETTER No1 JULY 2003

Welcome to the first in hopefully a regular round up of what is new in the
Whisky World according to Gauntleys. As you will probably know from visiting
the shop or the web site, that there has been quite a few developments on
the whisky front since my return from a week at the Bruichladdich Distillery
on Islay.

JOHN McDOUGALL
As you will be aware we are proud to be the only midlands stockists for the
extraordinary Whisky Life and Golden Cask bottlings. Over the years he has
built up a number of contacts and can source interesting casks which he
bottles by hand in his spare time. Full tasting notes for the range that we
currently stock, can be found on the offers page at www.gauntleywine.com.

All I can say is that they are simply stunning, and very attractively priced
too, and if you love the purity of ex-Bourban oak then you should try them.

POTTED HISTORY
His father had a grain company in Edinburgh where John worked until he
joined Scottish Malt Distillers as a trainee in 1963. His first distillery
was Aultmore, followed by Knockdhu, Balmenach, Imperial, Banff, Teaninich,
and Daluaine.

After spells as distillery manager at Balvenie (1968), Laphroaig (1970), and
Tormore (1974). His skill led him to the post of Manager/Production
director? at the Springbank Distillery, Campbeltown, one of my own personal
favourite distlleries, for a ten year spell between 1986 and 1996.

Since 1996 he has taken a freelance consulting role, and has lent his
considerable knowledge and skills to the relauch of Bladnoch, plus the new
projects on the Shetland Islands and at Kilchoman on Islay.

THE RANGE
WHISKY LIFE:  All bottled without colour or chill-filtration, bottled in 50cl
bottles at 50% abv.

Dailuane 1989 £25.95 Balblair 1990 £23.95 Glenrothes 1988 £26.95

GOLDEN CASK SERIES: All bottled at cask strength again not coloured or
chill-filtered, in 70cl bottles.

Aultmore 1989 (13 year old) 56.3% £36.95 Glen Grant 1988 (14 year old) 56.1%
£37.95 Dalmore 1990 (12 year old) 58% £37.95

NEW ADDITIONS TO THE WHISKY LIST

MURRAY McDAVID
Just because we are currently very excited about the John McDougall range.
We have not forgotten the wonderful range of whiskies from Murray McDavid.
Indeed as you will probably know the team of Mark Reynier. Gordon Wright,
Simon Coughlan, and the irrepressible Jim McEwan are the driving force
behind the relaunch of Bruichladdich.

Thus we have added the following bottlings of theirs to the range.

Currently in stock:
Macallan 1990 46% £34.95 – A simply stunning Macallan!
Auchtentoshan 1992 46% £31.95 – A lovely expression

The following should be in stock in August.
Craggenmore 1990 46% £31.95 Pure, complex and luscious
Lochside 1981 46% £32.95 – Glorious!
Jura 1989 46% £32.95 – Intense, oily & peaty.

Glenlivet 1974 (28 year old) 46% – Misson Series £89.95
Clynelish 1972 (29 year old) 46% – Misson Series £89.95
Royal Brackla 1975 (27 year old) 46% – Misson Series £89.95
Highland Park 1979 (23 year old) 46% – Misson Series £89.95
Dallas Dhu 1979 (23 year old) 46% – Misson Series £89.95

If you would like to reserve one of the mission bottlings, please let us
know. A small deposit will be necessary.

OTHER BOTTLINGS
The following bottlings have been added to our list.

Balvenie 1989 Port Wood Finish 40% £31.95
Edradour 1991 59.3% 50cl £42.95
Isle of Jura Superstition 45% £28.95
Lagavulin 12 year old 58% £47.95
Talisker 20 year old 62% £100.95

AND FINALLY……. SPRINGBANK
As some of you will know, this famous old distillery is celebrating its
175th Aniversary. To that end it has released a 12 year old to mark the
occasion, priced at £42.95 and we would also like to welcome back the 15
year old, priced at £54,95. Both of these whiskies are very limited, so if
you would like one please let us know as soon as possible.

AND VERY FINALLY
From time to time, interesting bottlings come onto the market, and as much
as we would like to add them to our list, space in the shop is quite
limited. Thus with each newsletter I will include a selection of interesting
bottlings that have become available, which we would be more than happy to
order for you. Again a small deposit will be required.

Bowmore 25 year old 43% £137.95
Brora 30 year old 54.2% £227.95
Glenfarclas 1987 43% Single Oloroso Cask £143.95
Glenfarclas 1987 46% Single refill Sherry Cask £58.95
Linkwood 1975 (25 year old) 56.1% £392.95
Oban 32 year old 55.1% £233.95
Isle of Skye 50 year old 50% Limited Edition Numbered Bottles £477.95

CONTACT
We would welcome any comments you would like to make about this newsletter,
any of our products, or how we can improve our service. Please feel free to
contact us on rhone@gauntleywine.com
Sincerely
Chris Goodrum

Visit Gauntleys of Nottingham at http://www.gauntley-wine.co.uk/

This month, we place the spotlight on Speyside, and the new releases from some of its most loved distilleries.  Glenfarclas, The Glenlivet, Glenfiddich and Tomintoul are all featured.

If you can make it to London for mid-June, please do pop in to Milroy’s of Soho to taste the latest Compass Box whiskies.  Please read on for further details.

MAY WHISKY OF THE MONTH – GLENFARCLAS 15 YEAR OLD

Glenfarclas 15 year old takes the spotlight as our whisky of the month for May.  This cultured Speysider matured in a combination of American and European oak.  Bottled at 46% ABV without chill-filtration, the whisky pours mid-amber in colour.  The nose suggests a generous Sherry influence in the form of toffee, caramel and wood-spice, reflected on the palate, which is full bodied, voluptuous and silkily textured.  Glenfarclas 15 year old is a mighty fine malt, especially for those that like their whiskies packed full of flavour.

£39.95 per bottle

Free miniature of Glenfarclas 15 year old with every bottle

GLENFARCLAS 40 YEAR OLD

Kudos to George Grant and the team at Glenfarclas distillery.  In an era when greedy brand-owners seem to be outdoing themselves to produce the most expensive mature malt whisky, Glenfarclas has release a new 40 year old expression that is just about affordable to the ordinary whisky lover. 

This new addition to the Glenfarclas line-up is bottled at 46% ABV and is everything one would expect of this distillery.  Deep amber in colour, the whisky yields a distinctive spice laden, rum-like nose, with hints of demerara sugar. In the mouth, it is sweet, rich and full bodied.  The dark rum characters follow through, together with dried fruit, roasted spices and a hint of wood.  A drop or two of water brings it to life.

£295 per bottle

Exclusive Newsletter Offer – receive a free bottle of Pol Roger Vintage 2000 with every bottle of Glenfarclas 40 year old.

GLENLIVET TRIUMPHS – THE GLENLIVET NADURRA TRIUMPH 1991

The Glenlivet Nadurra was an extremely welcome addition to the distillery’s core range when launched a couple of years back.  Following the success of the cask strength Nadurra bottling, the folks at The Glenlivet distillery have announced the releases of a new expression, Nadurra Triumph 1991.

What makes this new expression different you may ask?  Nadurra Triumph is based solely on spirit distilled in 1991, using the Triumph barley variety.  In the early 1990’s Triumph barley was highly regarded for its ability to boost alcohol yield.  Unlike the cask strength non-vintage Nadurra (which undergoes maturation exclusively in 1st fill Bourbon casks), Glenlivet Nadurra Triumph 1991 is matured in a combination of American and European oak casks.

How does it taste?  In response to the most important question, our answer is an unquestionable “Mighty fine!”  As always with Glenlivet, the nose is lively and fruity (peaches, pears).  The European oak lends a touch of sweet caramel and toffee, reflected on the palate, which is at one elegant and full flavoured.  Barley sugar, orange zest and sweet vanilla lead to a long and satisfying finish.

£47.95 per bottle

Exclusive newsletter offer price – £44.50 per bottle

TOMINTOUL STEALS THE SHOW AT WORLD WHISKY AWARDS – TOMINTOUL 33 YEAR OLD

We have a bit of a soft spot for the much under-rated Tomintoul distillery.  It is elegant, subtle, gently fruity with a slightly floral edge; perfect as an aperitif for warmer weather drinking or when one wants something lighter. 

We were therefore extremely pleased to hear that at the 2010 World Whisky Awards, Tomintoul 33 year old was recognised the Best Single Speyside Malt – 21 years or over.  With 30 plus distilleries in Speyside this is no small achievement.

The whisky is very much in keeping with the Tomintoul house style – elegance takes centre stage.  In the mouth, the whisky is supple and round, with a touch of toffee and rum-like sweetness, balanced by cedar-wood, vanilla and a touch of spice (cinnamon, nutmeg).  It is a great malt, and the price is more than reasonable.

£125 per bottle

Exclusive newsletter offer price – £115 per bottle

GLENFIDDICH RICH OAK

On the back of the very successful Distillery Edition 15 year old Cask Strength, Glenfiddich has launched another new bottling, Glenfiddich Rich Oak.  As the name would suggest, Rich Oak is finished in new oak casks, a combination of new American and European oak.  Bottled at 40% ABV, Glenfiddich Rich Oak boasts a supple palate of spicy oak, sweet vanilla, dried fruits and roasted nuts.  It is very much in the Glenfiddich house style, but is elevated from partial maturation in new wood – a real crowd pleaser.

£31.50 per bottle

Exclusive Newsletter Offer Price – £28.95

ENGLISH WHISKY HAS LANDED – ST GEORGE’S CHAPTER 6, ENGLISH WHISKY COMPANY

We are delighted to welcome to Milroy’s of Soho the only English whisky.  Distilled, matured and bottled at the St George’s distillery in Norfolk, this highly anticipated arrival is a fascinating insight into an evolving malt.   On tasting St George’s, my colleague and I were mightily impressed by the quality of the spirit.  We look forward to following its progress over future releases.

£37.95 per bottle

COMPASS BOX WHISKIES IN-STORE TASTING – MONDAY 14 JUNE

Gregg Glass of whisky innovator Compass Box whiskies will be joining us during the afternoon of Monday 14 June to taste through the range of Compass Box whiskies.  This is a great opportunity to taste some of their wonderful distinctive whiskies and perhaps buy a bottle or two.  Any purchases from the Compass Box range on the day will be eligible for a 5% discount.

Until next month, slàinte!

Best regards

Philip Shorten

Milroy’s of Soho

3 Greek Street

London, W1D 4NX

T: 020 7437 2385

F: 020 7437 1345

E: philip.shorten@milroys.co.uk

W: www.milroys.co.uk

£20,000, VERY RARE BOTTLE OF 1937 GLENFIDDICH AT BONHAMS WHISKY SALE

ONLY 11 BOTTLES MADE

An exceptionally rare bottle of Glenfiddich distilled in 1937 is for sale at Bonhams Whisky sale in Edinburgh on 16 June.

It is one of only 11 bottles of the 1937 produced by the distillery and is the first to appear at auction.  Having matured for 64 years it is also one of the oldest whiskies ever released onto the market.  It is estimated to make between £15,000 – 20,000 and is likely to be keenly sought after.

Bonhams Whisky consultant, Martin Green, commented, “It isn’t very often that such a rare bottle comes along and it’s a privilege to be handling it.  As soon as I recognised the significance of the bottle I got in touch with the distillery to let them know that we were including it in the auction.”

Libby Lafferty speaking for Glenfiddich said, “We were very excited when we heard that the 1937 was going into the sale and immediately invited Martin Green from Bonhams to bring the bottle back to its home distillery to photograph for our archives.  It really is that special.”

ends

For further sale information please go to www.bonhams.com/whisky

Notes

Bonhams

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s oldest and largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. The present company was formed by the merger in November 2001 of Bonhams & Brooks and Phillips Son and Neale UK. In August 2002, the company acquired Butterfields, the principal firm of auctioneers on the West Coast of America. Today, Bonhams offers more sales than any of its rivals, through two major salerooms in London: New Bond Street, and Knightsbridge, and a further five throughout the UK. Sales are also held in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Carmel, New York and Boston in the USA; Toronto, Canada; and France, Monaco, Hong Kong and Dubai. Bonhams has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 57 specialist areas. By the end of 2009, Bonhams had become UK market leaders in ten key specialist collecting areas. For a full listing of upcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, go to www.bonhams.com (February 2010).

Bonhams, 101 New Bond Street, London,  W1S 1SR United Kingdom

Single Malt Scotch Nosing May 29, 2010 at 07:00 PM

THE ROTARY CLUBS OF  BRACEBRIDGE and BRACEBRIDGE MUSKOKA LAKES

 Invite You to Attend a  “SINGLE MALT SCOTCH NOSING” On Saturday, May 29, 2010 at 7:00pm (Tasting starts sharp at 7:15pm Ah! Suddenly it’s a tasting!) at Muskoka Highlands Golf Course

 Join us for an evening of fun, fellowship & education as we pair delicious food with FIVE fine Scotch whiskeys.

We are pleased to announce that the tasting will be lead by the Macallan and Highland Park ambassador in Canada, Marc Laverdière.

 Tickets: $85.00 per person. A charitable tax receipt will be issued for the net donation; proceeds will go towards the Rotary Foundation and its charities.

To purchase tickets, contact:

David Margesson david@margesson.com or Don MacKay dmackay@muskokahighlands.com

Only 68 tickets will be sold for this event, so don’t wait!!

http://tinyurl.com/2efx8qv

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

First of all we would like to say a big thank you to all those fortunate souls who made it to the Glengoyne tasting in April, who contributed such a happy (and raucous) atmosphere to one of the best tastings we’ve had here in Vinopolis for some time.  This month the fun continues and we have a whole raft of tasting events for your perusal.

ABERLOUR

The Aberlour distillery is located in the Heart of Speyside and is a beautiful example of the sherried whiskies from that region.

The distillery was founded in 1879 by James Fleming, who shrewdly built it on the site of St Drostan’s Well, thus securing forever this priceless source of pure spring water. When the journalist Alfred Barnard visited Aberlour in the 1880s, as part of his exhaustive survey of Scottish whisky distilleries, he described James Fleming’s new establishment as a “perfect modern Distillery”.

In 1898 a fire destroyed several of the distillery buildings and most of the whisky stocks. Under the supervision of Scotland’s foremost designer of whisky distilleries, Charles Doig of Elgin, the Aberlour Distillery was largely rebuilt, and the hugely popular single malt whisky it produces today is rightly regarded as one of the classic examples of the sherried Speyside style.

Now we have the chance for a fabulous vertical tasting of Aberlour with the charming and well informed Phil Huckle – Brand Ambassador for the Chivas Malts – on Monday 24th of May.

He will be bringing the core range of Aberlour, including the fabulous 18yo, and perennial favourite A’bunadh, and a couple of exciting extras – exclusive samples unavailable to buy anywhere.
 
Tickets for this fabulous evening will go on sale on  Monday 10th May at the usual time of 3pm.  They are £25 each and are limited to 2 tickets per booking.

http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/Vinopolis

Glenfarclas 38yo 1965/2004 (61.9%, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, 1.110)

An older Glenfarclas bottled by the Scotch Malt Whisky Society; Glenfarclas was the very first distillery to be bottled by the Society. And additional point of interest is the very high alcohol percentage of this whisky, considering the age. The nose is fruity (tinned fruit salad in syrup, lychee, marmalade and slightly sour cherries), the other side of the coin from Christmas cake, macerated raisins etcetera. From the ‘wood’ side of the house there is bees wax (warmed), delicate oak, cold unsweetened tea, walnut shells, cocoa, vanilla and hints of resin. Sensational. With water it changes and becomes oily and the above mentioned descriptors pull together to form a united front along with coconut matting backed by buttered popcorn. Most definitely buttered popcorn. Antique cabinets. The taste undiluted is strong, concentrated and very dry. A hasty retreat is called for and a switch to the diluted sample; dramatically more gentle (with only a small amount of water), fruity and oily, cocoa etcetera. No appearance of the popcorn and now more earthy and syrupy. Star burst moments of fleeting dark chocolate. The finish is very large and quite excellent, still quite dry but not overly so, but with cocoa, the fruit and vanilla and raisins. The finish has ‘legs’ and is very long and very, very enjoyable. It is like a swirling ocean mist, always changing. Really big moments of oak and then not…

A dram for quiet contemplation by the fire; remain P.M. or go? Best wait until the morning.

£100 +/-

Score 91

For your opportunity to sample whiskies such as this visit the Society at www.smws.co.uk and join!

Battle of the Glen™

Special Edition Glen Breton®

Glenora Distillery, Glenville, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia

A Single Malt worthy of the campaign commemorated by this Special Edition.

Colour
A rare dissolution of gold – at break of dawn, the first brushing of the sun upon the snow-covered lakes of the Bras d’Or;
Nose
Subtle, summer-cut applewood, with undertones of Highland honey;
Taste
Taking by surprise, come the waves of malt, powerful, but without overbearing, then a complex orchard of flavour;
Finish
Rich, almost lubricious mouthfeel, The malt withdraws into heat, resolving into the warm caress of an enduring companion, Peat character is very
subtle – rather wisps of hardwood smoke, evoking memories of autumn leaves;
Balance
The play between lightness of the whisky and the strength of the malt is a work of harmony….and mystery…….

David A. Copp January 2010

Shades of Bruichladdich! A battle well fought and fairly won.

 The Dalmore Mackenzie  46% abv

 £89.90 inc vat (£76.51 ex vat)

Limited to 3,000 bottles, with the chance to send in for a print of the original cover artwork.

From RJ @ LFW;

It’s eight weeks since I was given a taster bottle of this Dalmore and it has been very hard to leave some for sharing in the shop, it is our first ace bottling from Dalmore, an appreciation in part due to the 46% bottling strength.

This is a luscious whisky, 11 years in American white wood followed by six in port have created a creamy-smooth dram, very inviting. There is a lot going on, plums and feints (honey and tobacco), port-and-whisky flavours. Water sprays floral perfumes like a shower in the sun, sweet and entirely luscious. Ace.

On the flavour map it’s in square I 7 on the rich side of Rich and Smoky.

 ‘…Water sprays floral perfumes like a shower in the sun, sweet and entirely luscious. Ace.’

Visit Loch Fyne Whiskies at www.lfw.co.uk

May Events

May 13 Thursday Crazy Scotch Night, 5:30 PM Ardbeg Sampling and Specials with the Ardbeg Choppers, 7:00 PM Signatory Tasting ($50) featuring Ed Kohl and 8 brand new single malts. Great night for beginners or the old pro!

May 19 Wednesday, 7:00 PM Balvenie Vertical tasting with Global Brand Ambassador Andy Weir. Andy will sample us through some new and very unique Balvenie expressions including the new 12 year old Signature, the 17 year old Sherry, Rum and Madeira woods and 25 year old Single Cask Whiskies.  An enlightening and special evening where Chef Mary will also get to show off some new Scottish fare. ($50)

June Events

June 6th and 10th Single Malt tasting

June 24th Single Malt Tasting featuring Senior Master of Whisky for Diageo and the Classic Malts Marty Duffy. ($50)

http://www.dundeedell.com/

SOCIETY NEWSLETTER APRIL 2010

Greetings to all Society Members. We hope you are all well and that the sun is shining down on you where ever you are.

Things are certainly going on here at Springbank, as no doubt you will have heard. Springbank and Mitchell’s Glengyle Distilleries are getting a new Distillery Manager. As you will have seen if you logon to the Forum or Springbank’s page on Facebook, Gavin McLachlan will be taking over as Distillery Manager in a few weeks time. Gavin is a “wee toon” boy, having been born and bred in Campbeltown. He is 36 years old and has worked for Springbank since 2002, and for the last four years has been assistant manager. Gavin will be working alongside Frank McHardy, our Director of Production to oversee the day-to-day operations at Springbank and Glengyle. I am sure Gavin will also have the support of all his fellow workers when he takes over the reins from Stuart Robertson who is leaving us to take up a new post in the north east of Scotland. Stuart goes on to a new challenge with the best wishes of everyone here at Springbank.

NEW SOCIETY BOTTLE NEWS AT THE END……..DON’T SCROLL DOWN!!!!! BE PATIENT AND READ THE REST FIRST.

Springbank Open Day

We are well on the way to being almost organised for the open day. Things are starting to fall into place, we just have to hope for lots of visitors and good weather – in that order!! I am sure everyone knows what we are having on the day, but I will remind you anyway.

The doors open at 11.00 am and close when we are all exhausted about 4.30 pm. There will be a Kilkerran masterclass at 11.30 am and a Springbank masterclass at 1.45 pm. Tickets will cost £5 for each masterclass, payable on the day. We will also have a Cadenhead Tasting in the Tasting Room, but unfortunately this is fully booked as we are restricted for space in the Tasting Room.

We will be bottling a single cask of Springbank and a single cask of Longrow.

Music will be provided by Campbeltown Brass and also Frank Rochford (fiddle). There will be some people from the Farmers Market with a selection of Food from Argyll, also Eaglesome Sandwich Shop will be there with some tempting food.

John Brown will be there with a selection of his wood carvings. John has made us a sign from the top of an old cask and we will auction it for charity on the day.

It really is very impressive.

Of course there will be the winners of the Local Barley competition being whisked in by boat on the Kintyre Express from Troon. Winners will be announced in a day or two – the results are in, so the closest six will be informed.

Hope to see lots of Society Members at the Open Day!!!

New Bottling Hall

Again, if you’ve been on facebook and into the Springbank Whisky page you will have seen that we have a new bottling hall. Jenny was there with her camera during the change over, clicking away for us. The new bottling hall is very bright and airy and a lot wamer than the old one. There are also new windows, so we can have a wee peek into the bottling hall now – hope we don’t put them off their work.

Society Glasses

A wee reminder that we have beautiful Glencairn Glasses for sale to Society Members only. They cost £5 each or a set of 6 for £25.

Society Bottles

We have a few of the Springbank 1828 anniversary bottles for sale at £30 plus p&p and a few of the Longrow 12y/o for £45 plus p&p. If you are interested in buying any of these two bottles please let me know.

Latest Society Bottle

At last the latest Soceity Bottle is just about ready to go. This time we have a Springbank 14y/o for you from a Fresh Sherry Pipe at 57.1%ABV.

The cost will be £45 plus p&p.

We will be sending bottles to the USA this time, so our American members will be able to purchase Society bottles for the first time. I will send a separate e mail to our American members next week to tell them how to order their bottle.

Tasting Note:

To follow later in the week.

As usual if you wish to order please e mail me at society@springbankwhisky.com

Out and about with Jenny

Jenny will be on her travels from the 6th May as follows: Berlin – Ka De We whisky department on 6th and 7th May, Baden – Cadenhead’s shop 8th & 9th May – all day both days and Zurich on 10th to 12th May – unsure where she is going to be but will pass on the info as soon as she knows.

Hip Flasks

Some time ago we were asked about getting hip flasks with the Society Logo for sale to members. As you can imagine this might be quite costly to have done, but if enough members are interested I could take this forward and find out how much this would be. Let me know what you think and I’ll have a look around for a good deal.

and finally, the technical bit from Stuart Robertson

Distillation

Distillation for Single Malt Scotch Whisky is carried out in copper pot stills by “batch“ distillation. Copper is important as it removes highly volatile compounds including sulphur from the distillate. Still design is unique to each distillery but they all have a basic “onion “ shape. Heating of the liquid contained within the still is normally by internal steam coils, external gas or oil burners. Condensing of the alcoholic vapour coming from the still takes place in shell and tube condensers or in some cases, worms.

Condensers are linked to the “Spirit Safe“ where distillate is monitored by use of hydrometers and thermometers prior to being collected in the receivers . The stillhouse usually also contains vessels known as “ chargers “ where liquid is held prior to being distilled.

Each distillery in Scotland carries out its own unique form of distillation and we will look at the methods carried out at Springbank Distillery. Springbank`s stillhouse contains three stills, one Wash Still, and two Low Wines or Spirit Stills.

The Wash Still is heated with internal steam coils and an external oil fired burner. The two Low Wines Stills are heated by internal steam coils. The wash still and No 2 Low Wine Stills are connected to shell and tube condensers. No. 1 Low Wines Still is connected to a Worm. The two Low Wines Stills also have after coolers.

Springbank Distillery produces three different spirit styles.

Hazelburn : Triple Distilled Lowland style with no peat influence.
Springbank : Two and a half distillations, lightly peated.
Longrow : Double distilled, heavily peated “ Islay Style Whisky “.

Wash

Distillation in The Wash Still is carried out in the same fashion for each of the spirit styles. Fermented wash is filled into the still up to the level of the man door. The man door and air valve are then closed the steam valves opened and the oil fire lit. The rummager within the still is checked to make sure that it is running. The purpose of the rummager is to slowly stir the wash during distillation in order that the bottom of the still does not become fouled. A certain amount of caramelisation also takes place due to unfermented sugars present in the wash burning on to the copper bottom.

Once the wash within the still begins to boil and produce distillate the application of heat must be controlled in order that wash does not travel up the neck of the still and out through the condenser to the Spirit Safe. The wash still has a sight glass mid way up the neck and froth from the wash should be kept within the confines of this glass.

Distillate, known as Low Wines, flowing from the still is monitored through the spirit safe and collected in the Low Wines Receiver. Once the strength of the distillate has fallen to 1% by volume, indicated by a combination of readings taken from hydrometers and thermometers contained within the spirit safe, the oil fire and flow of steam to the still are turned off, the air valve and man door are opened and the remaining contents of the still known as pot ale are discharged to drain. The cycle is then repeated. A batch of wash takes around six hours to be distilled.

Longrow

Low Wines from the wash distillation which have been collected in the combined Low Wines and Feints receivers is charged to No 1 Low Wines still. The first part of this distillation is returned to the combined receiver and is known as “ Foreshots “. This part of the distillation carries with it a high proportion of highly volatile components which are regarded as impurities that lend themselves to off notes in the new make spirit. The time running foreshots varies from distillery to distillery and is generally 20 – 30 minutes. During this initial part of the distillation water is sometimes added to the distillate in the spirit safe and the strength reduced to 40 – 46% alcohol, this is known as the water test or demisting test. The distillate when mixed with water will initially run “milky“, which is a result of the reaction to long chain fatty acids and their esters remaining in the condenser and inner surfaces of the still from the previous distillation being dissolved in the initial high strength alcohol. Once the distillate runs clear when water is added it can be diverted to the spirit receiver where it is collected as new make spirit. At this point heating of the still contents should be kept to a minimum so that the flow of distillate is slow and the temperature of the distillate collected kept below 20ºC. The flavour compounds required for Longrow production are captured more favourably at a temperature of below 20 degrees Centigrade. This also applies to the other two spirit types produced at Springbank.

The original strength of the distillate collected will be around 70% alcohol. Distillate is usually collected until the strength drops to 58% alcohol at 20ºC at which point the remainder is diverted to the combined receiver. The average strength of Longrow spirit collected in the intermediate spirit receiver (ISR) is 65 – 67% alcohol by volume. Distillation continues until a reading of 1% alcohol remaining in the distillate is achieved at which point the steam is turned off and the remaining contents known as spent lees are discharged to drain. The cycle is then repeated. One distillation cycle takes around 10 hours.

Springbank

Springbank spirit is said to be distilled 2 and a half times and the way that this is achieved is as follows. Wash is distilled , as with Longrow and Hazelburn production, to produce Low Wines. Low Wines are distilled, as with Hazelburn production, to produce Feints.

A mixture containing 90% Feints and 10% of Low Wines is processed in No 2 Low Wines Still and the middle cut of this distillation is collected as Spirit.

The strength of spirit cut collected from Springbank production will be between 76% and 60% alcohol with the average being 68-70% alcohol in the ISR. One distillation cycle for Springbank is around 13 hours.

Hazelburn

This spirit was first distilled during 1997 and is produced using a “triple Distillation“ process. During this distillation Low Wines and Feints are collected in separate receivers known as The Low Wines Receiver and The Feints Receiver. Low Wines from the wash distillation is collected in The Low Wines Receiver and distilled in No 1 Low Wines Still. The total of the distillate produced is collected as Feints in The Feints Receiver.

No 2 Low Wines Still is then charged with only Feints and Spirit is produced from the “ middle cut “ of this distillation. Foreshots and feints are returned to The Feints Receiver. The strength of spirit from Hazelburn distillation collected will be between 80 – 63 % alcohol with the average strength being 70 – 72% alcohol in the ISR. One distillation cycle for Hazelburn takes around 13 hours.

New Make Spirit

The Spirit collected in The Intermediate Spirit Receiver is transferred to The Spirit Receiver Warehouse Vat where an “account“ of the spirit is taken. An “account“ consists of the vat being dipped and the bulk litres and strength of the spirit ascertained. Spirit is then normally reduced to 63.5% alcohol by volume by the addition of water prior to being filled into casks. The spirit is nosed to ensure that the characteristics associated with each new make spirit is as it should be. Samples are taken for comparison with previous samples to ensure continuing adherence to character.

As always please email any questions and we will try to answer them.

All the very best to you all in the future

Stuart Robertson Distilleries Manager

As always, if there’s anything you would like to ask, or comment on please feel free to get in touch with me. I like to be busy, so don’t be shy – get in touch.

Slainte

Janet

for Springbank Society (contact Janet at society@springbankwhisky.com for information on how to join the Society)

www.springbankwhisky.com