The second release of our island whisky is now on sale direct from the distillery and specialist spirits retailers across the world.

While Batch 10 is sold out in our online store you can find bottles of No. 9, 10, 11, and 12 available from other retailers and also at our distillery shop here in Tarbert. This week we’re sharing the story behind the beautiful bottle of HE 00012 24, also known as Batch No.12 of The Hearach single malt.

We have a limited number of bottles of this particular batch left in our online store if you’d like to get hold of one of your own to enjoy, share, or gift to a good friend. Captured in stunning glass wrapped with organic lines and curves, every bottle is presented in a specially designed bespoke box which unfolds to reveal a myriad of hidden details.

Batch No.12 is priced at £65.00 and UK orders placed with us online will be delivered to your door free of charge in around 3 working days.

Read on to learn more about this special part of our second release!

Le gach deagh dhùrachd,

Mike Donald, Chief Storyteller

VISIT THE HEARACH SHOP

Every batch of The Hearach single malt we release comes with accompanying tasting notes from a local person. jkkjmm,.The tasting notes for Batch 12 were created by Steve Brown who lives in our home village of Tarbert.

A former native of Glasgow, Steve has now settled with us here in the Isle of Harris setting down roots in our island community alongside his wife and family.

Steven sat down with us to enjoy a dram and we had a good chat about the flavours and aromas she found in her glass…

“I’m originally from Glasgow so the aroma of peat smoke is a very island thing for me now I live here. I get spices on the nose and a lovely heat to it sipping it neat. There’s a barbeque-like smoke on the palate too and crisp, sharp apple flavours, like the fruit we used to pick from trees on the way home from school. A bit of water really opens it up and I’m reminded of sweet Scottish ‘tablet’. I always make my own tablet, my Granny from Cork in Ireland taught me how. Overall, it’s very smooth, smoky, sweet, and quite refreshing.”

We’d love to know what you find in your glass next time you pour a good measure of our island spirit, so drop us a line to share your stories!

Donald Macrae, shown above, is part of our young team of distillers, trained from scratch in this age-old craft and just one of five whisky-makers working in our Spirit Hall each day. In the spirit of being open, straight, and true we also want to share as much information about the making of our whisky batches as we can.

Whether you’re a whisky geek or just interested in diving a little deeper into your dram, you’ll find a wealth of wonderful little details and data on your batch sheets. Here are just a few of the facts you can find for Batch 12…

Batch Run
12,100 Bottles

Bottling Dates:
29.02.24 – 12.03.24

Casks Used
Heaven Hill Bourbon (21%) + Buffalo Trace Bourbon (64%) + Oloroso Sherry (11%) + Fino Sherry (4%)

Fermentation Times
40% Short (70 hours) + 60% Long (120 Hours)

Marrying Time
17 Weeks + 5 Days

Barley & Yeast
Concerto Barley
Lallelmand + Distilamax MW yeasts

Peating Level
13.1 PPM (Averaged)
_

If that’s not enough for you, please click below to read more!

READ THE BATCH 12 SHEET

We also want to connect you to Harris as you sit and sip our whisky. So, we capture a snapshot of Harris on the day your whisky is bottled by writing a few words about island life, weather, and distillery goings-on to transport you back to our Outer Hebridean home. Here’s the wee tale from our Batch 12 bottling day which took place on the 29th of February 2024…

“Although we are poised on the cusp on meteorological spring, snow still dusts the heights of the Clisham mountain and the surrounding Harris hills. Far below, across the bay at Ardhasaig lies our whisky warehouses where Domhnall, Billy, and Scott stay busy behind the scenes looking after our precious casks. As far as workplaces go, few come much finer, with peace, quiet, and some of the most spectacular views on the island to take in when the tea-break comes around. Meantime, just a few miles down the road, our bottling team are setting to work on Batch 12 in good time for the next release of The Hearach on the 26th of March.”

READ MORE ABOUT THE HEARACH

Introducing the much-awaited next edition of our esteemed Hearts & Crafts series: Hearts & Crafts 5, Pineau des Charentes. This new release promises to elevate your whisky experience to new heights.

This yearly limited edition series celebrates the Arts & Crafts movement which flourished here in the Cotswolds and stood for the importance of traditional craftsmanship – the same values upon which our beautiful rural distillery was built.

We have selected a small parcel of premium French oak ex-red wine casks seasoned with Pineau des Charentes – a wonderful blend of fresh grape juice and Cognac. The sweet notes of this golden aperitif wine are well balanced by the French oak tannins, resulting in wonderfully rich notes of summer berries, almond and rich spices.

All of these bottles are presented in a beautiful limited edition tubes designed by William Morris. Bottles are available on a first come first served basis and available online from 25th April 2024.

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ralfy review 1023 – Loch Lomond 18yo @46%vol:

Bimber Distillery debuts ‘Shoulders of Giants’ single malt whiskies

Bimber today revealed the first releases from ‘Shoulders of Giants’ – the distillery’s homage to the diverse tapestry of thinkers, innovators and visionaries who have shaped our world. Exploring the breadth and depth of human endeavour and achievement, each release features attention-grabbing artwork and biographical details that celebrate the accomplishments of historical figures who have dared to dream and defied status quos.

Drawn from Bimber’s growing inventory of fruit-forward single malt whiskies, each Shoulders of Giants release offers a different story both inside and outside of the bottle. The initial bottlings consist of releases for the UK market: Dickens; Newton and Shakespeare, alongside Polish exclusives: Copernicus; Chopin and Curie.

The three UK exclusives will be launched on Friday 26^th of April via Bimber’s website, each with an RRP of £94.00.

‘Dickens – The Novelist’ is drawn from a 1st fill American oak ex-bourbon cask and celebrates the Charles Dickens contribution to our appreciation of literature. Offering vibrant sweet tropical fruits, a syrupy honied texture and perfectly integrated wood spice, it is a reflection of the growing maturity of Bimber’s single malt whisky.

‘Newton – The Mathematician’ celebrates Sir Issac Newton’s contribution to our understanding of science. Crafted from lightly peated spirit, this release has been fully matured in 1^st fill American oak. It is fruit-forward and classically Bimber, with notes of pineapple and papaya weaved with delicate threads of smoke and char.

The final UK exclusive release is ‘Shakespeare – The Playwright’. This release highlights William Shakespeare’s contribution to the English language. Finished in an ex-beer cask – this single malt whisky is drawn from the distillery’s first release of ex-barley wine casks, created in partnership with French brewery La Debauche. Rich and bold, it combines stone and tropical fruits with smooth caramel, complex maltiness and hints of nutty umami on the palate.

The Polish Shoulder of Giants releases will be available from selected Polish retailers including Tudor House from the end of April 2024 onwards.

‘Copernicus – The Polymath’ celebrates Nicolaus Copernicus and his contribution to our understanding of astronomy. This beautifully sweet single malt has been finished in a single Pedro Ximénez sherry cask which has imparted a delectable selection of bright and rich fruit-forward notes.

‘Chopin – The Composer’ honours Frédéric Chopin’s contribution to our appreciation of music. Finished in a single fino sherry cask, this Shoulders of Giants release offers the perfect harmony between the whisky’s naturally sweet fruit character and the nutty, saline freshness that has been imparted by the fino sherry cask.

‘Curie – The Scientist’ commemorates Marie Curie’s contribution to our understanding of radioactivity. Finished in a Spanish oloroso sherry this single malt has been imbued with a deep colour and rich notes of fruitcake and chopped nuts.

Speaking of the launch, Bimber’s Matt McKay said: “Our whisky making methodology is to take the learning of the past and to adapt it to make the whisky of the future. As such, it is entirely fitting for Bimber to be looking to historical figures who have shaped our societies and consciousnesses.

The Shoulders of Giants releases not only pay homage and celebrate the achievements of national heroes – they also demonstrate the growing maturity and complexity of our single malt whiskies, which are proving to be increasingly versatile in a wide range of cask types and styles. Going forward we have many more giants to explore, and we’re looking forward to telling their stories.”

All six Shoulders of Giants releases were crafted to Bimber’s exacting standards. The spirit was produced from the distillery’s single farm barley and malted on a dedicated floor at Warminster Maltings before being fermented for seven days in bespoke, on-site constructed American oak washbacks. Distillation took place in Bimber’s directly fired copper pot stills which produce a richly layered and remarkably fruit-forward spirit.

www.bimberdistillery.co.uk

SHOULDERS OF GIANTS

UK Exclusives

Dickens – The Novelist

Single American oak ex-bourbon cask #398

259 bottles

70cl

58.3%

Newton – The Mathematician

Lightly peated Single American oak ex-bourbon cask #467

257 bottles

70cl

58.3%

Shakespeare – The Playwright

Single ex-beer cask finish #517/30

271 bottles

70cl

57.7%

Poland Exclusives 

Copernicus – The Polymath

Single Pedro Ximénez sherry cask finish #241/18

300 bottles

70cl

56.8%

Chopin – The Composer

Single fino sherry cask finish #513/28

328 bottles

70cl

52%

Curie – The Scientist

Single oloroso sherry cask finish #250/15

300 bottles

70cl

57%

About Bimber 

Founded in 2015, Bimber Distillery produces world-class single malt whisky, handcrafted with passion in West London. Our traditionally-focussed approach to whisky creation combines the finest ingredients with heritage production methods that are rarely seen today and an absolute commitment to quality. Our detailed approach has seen us recognised as a leading light in whisky production and garnered multiple industry awards. Producing a wide array of fruit-forward, textural single malts we deliver the ultimate craft whisky experience to a rapidly growing global community of Bimber whisky lovers.

www.bimberdistillery.co.uk

For Mankind
Tormore 31 Years

Tomore 31 Year Old 1992

TheWhiskyBarrel.com presents an Exclusive Independent Bottling: Tormore 31 Year Old 1992 Single Malt Scotch Whisky “For Mankind” Apollo Series – First Fill Oloroso Sherry Hogshead Single Cask Release.

Commemorating the 55th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing

[Scotland, 24th April 2024] – TheWhiskyBarrel.com, a distinguished online destination for whisky enthusiasts, proudly introduces its latest exclusive offering: the Tormore 31 Year Old 1992 Single Malt Scotch Whisky “For Mankind” Apollo Series – a First Fill Oloroso Sherry Hogshead Single Cask Release. Crafted by an independent bottler, this extraordinary expression celebrates the pioneering spirit of human exploration, drawing inspiration from the historic Apollo missions.

As part of the exclusive Apollo Series, this independent bottling pays homage to the indomitable spirit of exploration and discovery that defined the Apollo missions. Each sip of the Tormore 31 Year Old 1992 Single Malt Scotch Whisky “For Mankind” is a salute to the courage and ingenuity of humanity, inspiring whisky enthusiasts to embark on their own journey of discovery.

“We are delighted to present this exclusive independent bottling of Tormore Scotch whisky to our discerning customers,” said Alastair Brown, Chief Flight Director at TheWhiskyBarrel.com. “The Tormore 31 Year Old 1992 Single Malt Scotch Whisky ‘For Mankind’ completes the famous Neil Armstong quote and is a true testament to the artistry of whisky making and the legacy of the Apollo missions.”

This limited edition release is available exclusively at TheWhiskyBarrel.com, where whisky aficionados can secure their bottle from 10AM GMT on Wednesday 24th April 2024. With only a single cask available, collectors are encouraged to act quickly to acquire this rare and exceptional expression.

For more information about TheWhiskyBarrel.com and its curated selection of fine whiskies, please visit thewhiskybarrel.com

Apollo Scotch Whisky Series

The Apollo whisky series is a collection of premium single malt whiskies that explore a range of unique flavours and maturation processes, celebrating the art of whisky making and the ingenuity of Mankind with each distinctive release.

Tasting Notes: Cosmic ginger and sandalwood leading to a crater of spearmint and solar flares with sweet sherry and a space time odyssey of juicy raisins. A long oily finish explores a galaxy of dark chocolate with an explosive chilli spice big bang!

Product URL:

PRICING

Each bottle retails at: £250 GBP inc. VAT / €243EUR / $259USD / c$357CAD  (+ P&P)

Q) What is the product called?
A) – Tormore 31 Year Old 1992 For Mankind

Q) When will this product be released/was it released?
A) Wednesday 24th April, 2024 at 10AM GMT

Q) Where is it available?
A) Scotland, off-trade, TheWhiskyBarrel.com.

Q) Is this product already available in other markets?
A) Scotland only, TheWhiskyBarrel.com ships worldwide.

Q) How much is it?
A) Each bottle retails at £250 GBP inc. VAT / €243EUR / $259USD / c$357CAD  (+ P&P)

Q) Who handles the product’s distribution?
A) In-house at TheWhiskyBarrel.com.

Q) How many bottles are there?
A) 263 individually bottles.

Q) What is the ABV of this product?
A) Natural cask strength 45.4% abv.

Q) Why has this product been launched?
A) Limited Edition single cask exclusive for TheWhiskyBarrel.com online whisky shop.

THE WHISKY BARREL

The Whisky Barrel is a specialist online whisky and spirits merchant based in Fife, Scotland and was established in 2007. In 2019 The Whisky Barrel won The Queens Award for Enterprise: International Trade. The Whisky Barrel is also a winner of the Whisky Magazine Online Retailer 2018 and was International Wine & Spirits Competition runner-up in 2016. *N.B. Prices correct at the time of publishing and are subject to currency fluctuation.

The Whisky Barrel    E: info@thewhiskybarrel.com
Visit www.thewhiskybarrel.com
Find us on: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube & Instagram

The Loch Fyne Craigellachie 2007 16 Year Old #900545

Behold! This Craigellachie single malt has been decanted from a single cask, specially selected from our own unique and exceptional cask collection. Carefully matured for 16 years, the Speyside dram is presented at a huge 67.2% abv. One of only 871 bottles.

£120.00

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The Loch Fyne Aultmore 2008 15 Year Old #900283

Look at that colour! This Aultmore expression has been decanted from a single cask refill sherry butt, specially selected from our very own unique and exceptional cask collection. Carefully matured for 15 years, the Speyside dram is presented at a hefty 60.8% abv. One of only 848 bottles.

£85.00

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12 months of unlimited next day delivery & more!Exclusive access to Ballots as you enjoy free next day delivery on all your orders for a whole year – only £14.99! Geographic restrictions apply, see full T&Cs.

Glenlaird 12 Year Old Batch 1

This new release from Stravaig Spirits, pays homage to the great landscapes and heritage of the Highland region, showcasing the diverse range of flavours Highland Single Malts are known for.  Each release of Glenlaird is selected through a blind tasting process and chosen purely on flavour. Ensuring there are no preconceptions or biases that can arise from knowing the distillery.  This first release of Glenlaird is a limited edition, bottled at 48% ABV and comes in two age statements, a 10 year and a 12 year old Scotch, but both are unique in flavour and character.  Light mineral smoke and green apple. Liquorice and butterscotch sweetness interlaced with a spicy and clean smoke finish.

£55.00

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Strathearn Distillery Releases Its First Whisky Under Douglas Laing Ownership

Scottish independent bottler Douglas Laing & Co. has announced the release of the inaugural single malt whisky from Strathearn Distillery under its ownership. The company acquired the distillery in 2019, and the new whisky includes spirit laid down by Douglas Laing Distilling as well as the previous owners. The whisky, which will be available in the U.S. in mid-May, was matured in a combination of bourbon, sherry, and new oak casks.