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This fourth release in the Harmony Collection, we focus on our own area of expertise and mastery which is represented by oak. Oak runs through every facet of The Macallan and our exceptional sherry seasoned oak casks are the single greatest contributor to the outstanding quality, distinctive aromas and flavours of our whisky.
The Good Dram Show – Episode 570 ‘Brave New Spirits ‘Whisky Heroes (Batch 2)’
Welcome to this weeks episode of the show in which I’ll be taking a look at a selection of releases in batch 2 of the Brave New Spirits Whisky Heroes Series. The Good Dram Show with Chris Goodrum Episode 570 – Agent Ivy Takes On The Blazing Mutant..!
Filmed in The Revamped Study Nottingham
Featuring
Brave New Spirits ‘Whisky Heroes (Batch 2) – Agent Ivy In Cadiz’ Blair Athol 2011 (13 year old) 55.9%
Brave New Spirits ‘Whisky Heroes (Batch 2) – Gathering on the Seven Hills’ Glendullan 2009 (15 year old) 55.1%
Brave New Spirits ‘Whisky Heroes (Batch 2) – The Relic Of The Shore’ Inchgower 2012 (12 year old) 51.2%
Brave New Spirits ‘Whisky Heroes (Batch 2) –Peatfire Paladin’ Caol Ila 2012 (12 year old) 53.6%
Brave New Spirits ‘Whisky Heroes (Batch 2) – Blazing Mystery’ North British 2011 (13 year old) 58.6%
Brave New Spirits ‘Whisky Heroes (Batch 2) – Rise of the Ardphroaig Mutant’ Ardmore 2013 (10 year old) 55.9%
Bladnoch Distillery unveils new Peated Collection of Lowland single malt whiskies
Bladnoch, Scotland’s southernmost distillery, has released a new Peated Collection of Lowland single malt whiskies to celebrate the rarity and uniqueness of the distillery’s peated history.
The Bladnoch 2024 Peated Collection features four single malt whiskies made with peated barley, each hand selected by Master Distiller, Dr Nick Savage to showcase the distillery’s innovation and taste-first approach to whisky making in crafting its bold Galloway spirit.
Drawing on the extraordinary peated casks maturing in Bladnoch’s 207-year-old bluestone warehouses, the new limited annual release collection comprises Alinta Reserve and three Peated Single Cask expressions, each displaying distinct flavours and characteristics, for those who love a dram with fire. It follows the distillery’s inaugural Peated Collection in 2023.
Alinta is derived from indigenous Australian languages and evokes images of fire and flames. Alinta Reserve is a limited batch release of only 2,000 bottles selected annually by Nick from a special reserve of Bladnoch’s rare peated casks. For the 2024 release, Pedro Ximénez sherry casks have been chosen, presenting a nose of smoked apricot jam with woodland trees, a palate of smoky cola cubes with cinnamon and nutmeg and a very long and warm campfire finish.
The three Peated Collection Single Cask whiskies have been created using the distillery’s 2009 maturing stocks, which are 100% peated and exceptionally scarce. Under the distillery’s previous ownership of brothers Raymond and Colin Armstrong, Bladnoch produced spirit made exclusively with peated barley for the entire year.
When Master Distiller Dr Nick Savage joined in 2019 following the acquisition by Australian businessman David Prior in 2015, he discovered a treasure trove of whisky maturing in the warehouses, including peated single malt. Staying true to Bladnoch’s spirit of experimentation, Nick created the Peated Collection to pay homage to this unique period in the distillery’s history. Today, Bladnoch Distillery undertakes an annual peat production during the month of October, continuing the Armstrong brothers’ legacy of distilling peated spirit.
Each year, Nick accesses these remarkable 2009 stocks to identify and release three Peated Single Casks, selecting Tokaji, Bourbon and Rum casks for 2024.
Dr Nick Savage, Master Distiller at Bladnoch Distillery, said: “Bladnoch has a rich history and heritage spanning more than two centuries and the Peated Collection shines a light on the breadth and quality of the distillery’s maturing stocks.
“When I joined the team, I discovered an incredibly diverse range of whisky maturing in the warehouses, including exceptional peated single malt from our 2009 stocks, and our Peated Collection is a celebration and a tribute to this unique part of our history.
“Our taste-first philosophy, rooted in our whisky making knowledge provides a platform to showcase our bold Galloway spirit, which is symbolic of the area and the community.”
Each single malt in the Bladnoch Peated Collection is non-chill filtered and natural in colour. Bladnoch Alinta Reserve retails for £120 GBP and each Peated Single Cask whisky is priced at £200 GBP.
The Bladnoch Peated Collection is available to purchase HERE
For more information about Bladnoch Distillery, please visit www.bladnoch.com.
Product information
Bladnoch Alinta Reserve, 2024 Batch Release
Pedro Ximénez Sherry Cask matured
Cola Cubes. Campfire. Woodlands.
Nose: Smoked apricot jam with woodland trees.
Palate: Smoky cola cubes with cinnamon and nutmeg.
Finish: A very long and warm campfire.
ABV: 46.7%
Bladnoch Peated Single Cask 2024/01
Tokaji Barrel matured
Cut Grass. Chocolate Orange. Campfire.
Nose: Apricots with fresh cut grass.
Palate: Smoky chocolate orange.
Finish: Campfire glow.
ABV: 51.7%
Peated Single Cask 2024/02
Bourbon Barrel matured
Smoky. Apples. Bananas.
Nose: Smoky BBQ with apples and lemons.
Palate: Smoky banana cake.
Finish: Dry and smoky.
ABV: 55%
Peated Single Cask 2024/03
Rum Barrel matured
Tropical Fruits. Sweet. Smoky.
Nose: Tropical fruits and smoky honey.
Palate: Smoky apple pie with Refreshers sweets.
Finish: Very sweet and long.
ABV: 54.2%
About Bladnoch Distillery
Bladnoch Distillery was established in 1817, making it the oldest privately owned Scotch whisky distillery in the world. As the southernmost distillery in Scotland, Bladnoch is commonly referred to as the ‘Queen of the Lowlands.’
Hand-crafted using malt from British growers and the pristine water from the River Bladnoch which flows alongside the distillery, Bladnoch single malts are non-chill filtered to ensure the truest flavours shine through.
This legacy brand has been revived in recent years by Master Distiller, Dr Nick Savage, formerly of The Macallan, and owner David Prior, who purchased Bladnoch Distillery in 2015 and is the first Australian businessman to own a Scotch whisky distillery.
The team at Bladnoch is truly passionate about the preservation of the environment and the local community’s generational involvement in this iconic distillery.
This exquisite new limited edition release is part of the Masters of Wood series from GlenAllachie distillery, ‘a super-premium arm’ of the Wood Collection. The series celebrates the exceptional casks Billy Walker and his team have to offer. This incredible new expression has been matured for 17 years in a combination of Mizunara barrels and superior Oloroso puncheons and hogshead casks. Bottled at 50% vol, natural colour and non-chill filtered.
Mizunara Japanese oak is very rare and very rarely used to mature whisky, it’s expensive and challenging for coopering and maturation. The trees must be grown to be around 200 years old before being felled, which is twice the age of most species used for casks.
Heather honey, dried orange peel and crystalised ginger, with notes of cocoa, toasted tobacco leaves and fresh vanilla pods.
Baking spices, dried blood orange and grilled honeycomb, followed by bursts of rich cocoa, poached cinnamon apples and fig syrup, with pecans and demerara sugar
OLD PERTH SOLERA
Introducing Old Perth Solera, their latest limited edition release. This exceptional whisky showcases the blenders distinctive approach to whisky creation, using an original 70-year-old bodega sherry cask solera system. This whisky harks back to a by-gone era of sherry maturation using traditional techniques to showcase the exceptional liquid matured in some of the most sought after casks. While Old Perth is already known for its exceptional sherry-influenced whiskies, Old Perth Solera goes beyond the core range with its unique historical connection. Each sip offers a taste of time itself, exploring a style of sherry no longer seen in modern production. The whisky is intensely rich, with concentrated flavours that evolve when allowed time in the glass. Limited to only 840 bottles, and bottled at cask strength of 57.6% ABV.
Still deciding which cask to put your name on? Don’t take too long as these casks are being snapped up rather quickly – the first one selling out within days.
Here’s how it works: You select your new make spirit and monitor the cask’s maturation through to 2033. Then, on the Society’s 50th anniversary in 2033, you’ll be able to bottle your own whisky with a specially customised label and share the delights of your 10-year-old dram.
We have casks from five distilleries available, including three new additions to our 50th Anniversary selection. Let’s dive in…
First let’s head to Distillery 10. With spirit made from barley peated to somewhere between 35-45ppm, this Islay distillery is made to scratch that peaty itch. Or perhaps you might venture to the Highlands with Distillery 11, an unpeated highly fruity spirit full of sweet barley notes. And of course, there’s Distillery 123 with an unpeated spirit produced in the southern Highlands from air kilned barley. Expect flavours and aromas of fresh green apples, toffee, and a hint of nuttiness.
These new additions join the remaining few casks from Distillery 8 and Distillery 42, giving you a truly diverse range of flavours and cask styles to choose from – there really is something for all tastes!
Gather your friends or go solo, but be sure to secure your cask and be part of the Society’s story through to 2033.
JOIN THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY CASK CLUB TODAY!
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
Rare Character 8 Year Old “Quinta Do” K&L Exclusive Barrel #WPB-16 Cask Strength Indiana Bourbon Whiskey
This new school American bottler is already making some big waves. Founded by the always impressive Pablo Moix, noted purveyor of exceptionally rare and delicious whiskies. Pablo has a way of finding exceptional casks and has been selecting barrels for over two decades at his bars and restaurants. That experience has opened doors that few have had the ability to walk through. The result is access to stocks of unprecedented quality and unique character. His line of single barrels, each adorned with an original work of art, is poised to be the next great whisky brand – Rare Character
(750ml) $109.99 View
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
Douglas Laing unveils exclusive Scallywag Winter Edition Finished in Orange Wine Casks
Douglas Laing & Co. are thrilled to announce the launch of an exclusive Scallywag Winter Limited Edition 2024, offering Whisky enthusiasts an unforgettable seasonal experience.
This year’s limited release transports you to a snowy mountainside retreat, where the cosy comfort of après-ski meets an explosion of flavour in every sip. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, the Scallywag Winter Edition has been finished in Orange Wine casks sourced from Spain, bringing together a symphony of rich complexity and zesty allure.
Bottled at a natural cask strength of 53.9% ABV, this release remains true to its origins with no colouring or chill-filtration, ensuring that the whisky retains its full depth of flavour and texture. Packaged in a premium white carton with orange foil detailing and varnish finishing, this special release exudes luxury.
Tasting Notes:
Scott Morrison, Brand Manager commented:
“This year’s Winter Edition is a tribute to the season’s warmth and indulgence. The addition of the Orange Wine casks brings a vibrant twist to our classic Speyside Malt, making it the perfect companion for winter evenings.”
Scallywag Winter Edition 2024 will be available in select retailers and online and is expected to retail for £65.00.
Key Details:
Introducing Tamdhu 43 Year Old
Tamdhu Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky has today officially unveiled The Dedication Collection, introducing Tamdhu 43-Years-Old, one of the oldest, rarest and most exclusive whiskies ever crafted by the distillery.
Aged in Tamdhu’s extraordinary and famed Oloroso sherry seasoned oak casks from beginning to end, the 43-Years-Old is an expression of the brand’s dedication to quality and craftsmanship. Exclusively made with water from Tamdhu’s own natural spring and matured for more than four decades on Speyside, it showcases a Tamdhu never seen or tasted before, with an intensified character, flavour and distinctive dark amber colour the spirit is renowned for.
Dedication Collection: Tamdhu 43-Years-Old
Tamdhu 43-Years-Old has matured in not one but three exceptional sherry oak casks, with the sherry oak breathing, and the spirit taking on its unique character with every passing year. The whisky is non-chill filtered to enhance the completely natural and rich colour of Tamdhu’s award-winning whisky.
On the nose, the single malt offers rich sherry, treacle toffee, dried coriander, berries, citrus and dried spice. The first sip reveals deep sherry, orange, blackcurrant, molasses, chocolate coconut and hints of coffee on the palate, followed by a long sherry oak finish, with hints of lemon and dried berries.
Presented in a hand-crafted, octagonal, wooden and classic brushed metal box, in a bespoke hand-blown crystal Victorian style decanter, the individually numbered bottles perfectly reflect the deep amber colour of Tamdhu whisky.
To celebrate the launch and showcase the distillery’s unwavering dedication to sherry matured whisky perfection, Tamdhu has teamed up with leading photomicrographer, Peter Woitschikowski to create striking photographs of the spirit up close, designed to showcase the purity, artistry and simple beauty of the whisky itself. Bridging the gap between science and art, Peter uses a microscope fixed to a high-resolution camera to uncover the unexpected shapes and textures hidden to the naked eye.
Distillery Manager, Sandy McIntyre, says, “At Tamdhu, our whisky is the ultimate artistic expression. So to launch this landmark collection we didn’t want to get side-tracked by gimmicks. Or look away from our whisky. Because it’s there, in the spirit itself, you see our craft, passion and dedication.”
To capture the one-of-a-kind images, Peter crystalised the whisky with natural extracts inspired by the tasting notes of orange, coffee and lemon, using these as the canvas for the Tamdhu photographed at 43 times magnification – a microscope spin for every year the whisky has matured in the sherry oak casks.
Spending weeks experimenting to craft the perfect picture, Peter said of the collaboration: “You never know how the images will come out. And every picture is different and unique. Tamdhu was a special case because the whisky is so pure. So perfect. We had to add extracts to create the crystallization required. The results are quite beautiful, I believe.”
Tamdhu 43-Years-Old includes a personal invitation to each owner from Sandy McIntyre to an exclusive stay at the closed-to-public Tamdhu distillery and enjoy a host of amazing whiskies with him, as well as the opportunity to explore the traditional dunnage warehouses for more of the rarest and oldest casks that may well become the next additions to the Dedication Collection.
Tamdhu 43-Years-Old is extremely limited and available to purchase globally via domestic Specialist retailers. Tamdhu 43-Years-Old RSP is £13,500. There are 100 individually numbered bespoke decanters available
