Glen Garioch – Macbeth Act One – Thanes Series – Angus 31 year old Whisky

The Good Dram Show with Chris Goodrum Episode 550

Welcome to this week’s episode of the show in which I’ll be taking a look at a selection of releases from the Cardrona Distillery in New Zealand. – I’m Flying Without Wings… Or A ‘chute..!

Filmed in The Study Nottingham

Featuring Cardrona

‘Growing Wings’ Single Cask 5 year old 66.5%

Cardrona ‘Growing Wings’ Single Cask 5 year old 67.4%

Cardrona ‘Cardrona Day Release’ 52%

Cardrona ‘The Falcon’ 52%

Cardrona ‘Full Flight’ Single Sherry Cask 62.7%

Visit Cardrona Distillery HERE

Heaven Hill Distillery Announces the Release of the Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 25^th Anniversary Edition

This edition is just the third release in the VVS (Very Very Special) line of the Decanter Series

BARDSTOWN, Ky. (April 2, 2024) – Today Heaven Hill announced the release of the Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 25^th Anniversary Edition commemorating the anniversary of Heaven Hill acquiring the historic Bernheim Distillery (DSP-KY-1) in Louisville, Ky and along with it the Old Fitzgerald brand. Comprised of 13-year-old barrels, this edition ushers in the latest release to the decanter series and adds to Heaven Hill Distillery’s bottled-in-bond legacy.

After the catastrophic fire at the Old Heaven Hill Springs Distillery in November 1996, Heaven Hill acquired the Bernheim Distillery in Louisville in April 1999. The barrels used for this release were produced in September 1999, emptied in March 2013 and bottled in February 2024.  When these barrels were tested in 2013, it was decided that the taste profile at 13 years old was exceptional and the profile would be reserved for a special occasion, such as this 25^th Anniversary Edition. Thirteen is also a lucky number for Heaven Hill, as the company filled its first barrel ever on December 13, 1935.

 “The Bernheim Distillery became the lifeblood of Heaven Hill after the setback from the fire and has been ever since,” said Executive Chairman Max Shapira. “We are honored to have been able to continue the Old Fitzgerald legacy since that time and look forward to many more years of exceptional releases from Bernheim Distillery and from the Heaven Hill Springs Distillery set to open early next year.”

The Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Decanter Series is comprised of three types of releases: Spring, Fall and VVS. This special edition is denoted by a maroon label. Since 2018, there have only ever been two other VVS releases, including VVS 2018 14-year-old and VVS 2020 16-year-old. The 2024 edition will be available in the 750ml size on an allocated basis as an exclusive Kentucky release to select retailers and the Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience in Bardstown, Ky. It meets the strict requirements of a bottled-in-bond: the product of a single distillery from a single distilling season, aged a minimum of four years, and bottled at 100 proof or 50% alcohol by volume. This edition is available at the suggested retail price of $229.99.

The liquid within this release of the Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Decanter Series bares a bright burnished copper color, with a rich and warm nose of cinnamon toast followed by nutmeg and allspice with sweet oak notes. On the palate rich honey and vanilla sweetness are balanced by notes of baking spices. The finish is soft and warm with hints of oak and a gentle peppery finale.

The legendary Old Fitzgerald line is well-known for its distilling pedigree and intriguing story behind its namesake, John E. Fitzgerald, whose legacy is also heralded by the Larceny Bourbon brand. Both brands use Heaven Hill’s wheated bourbon mashbill of 68% corn, 20% wheat and 12% malted barley.

ABOUT HEAVEN HILL DISTILLERY: Founded in Kentucky by the Shapira family in 1935, Heaven Hill Distillery continues its legacy as one of the foremost American Whiskey producers. Heaven Hill has cultivated the traditions and history of America’s Native Spirit with its fierce independence, passionate family ownership, dedication to quality, and thoughtful innovation. Today, Heaven Hill Distillery maintains over two million barrels aging in more than 70 warehouses throughout Nelson and Jefferson Counties. It is home to an award-winning collection of American Whiskeys including Elijah Craig Bourbon, Larceny Bourbon, Evan Williams Bourbon, Pikesville Rye Whiskey, Rittenhouse Rye Whisky, Parker’s Heritage Collection, and Old Fitzgerald along with its extensive Bottled-in-Bond label collection. Heaven Hill Distillery currently holds the title of 2024 and 2023 Whisky Magazine Distillery of the Year and 2023 World’s Best Small Batch Bourbon from the Icons of Whisky, as well as the 2022 Large Spirits Producer of the Year from the Ascot Awards. Heaven Hill Distillery held the title of 2020 Whisky Advocate Whisky of the Year, the second Whisky of the Year for Heaven Hill Distillery in the past four years. In 2019 Heaven Hill Distillery was named San Francisco World Spirits Competition Distillery of the Year, Best in Show Whisky, and previously held the titles of 2018 San Francisco Spirits Word Spirits Competition Best Bourbon, 2016 Whisky Magazine Distillery of the Year. For more information, please visit www.heavenhilldistillery.com.

Heaven Hill reminds you to “Think Wisely.  Drink Wisely.”

The batch is made up of 5 production dates stored in 4 different aging warehouses. The age is 7 years, 7 Months, 8 days, and is 124.5 proof. The breakdown of barrel storage for Booker’s “Springfield Batch” is as follows:

• 17% came from the 5th floor of 9-story warehouse G
• 7% came from the 4th floor of 9-story warehouse H
• 31% came from the 5th floor of 7-story warehouse Z
• 45% came from the 4th floor of 7-story warehouse 3

The color of this Booker’s batch is a rich golden amber from over 7 years of aging in the new white oak barrels. The nose has a nice, pleasant aroma of sweet brown sugars and vanilla. The taste is balanced with a pleasant heat.

Booker’s “Springfield Batch” is now available nationwide in limited quantities with a suggested retail price of $89.99 for a 750 mL bottle.

Booker’s

From Gordon & McPhail’s ‘Private Collection’, a unique collection of greatly aged single malts from celebrated, little known and closed distilleries in Scotland. Here we have a 47 year old single malt from Linkwood distillery aged in Refill Sherry Hogshead’s with only 190 bottles produced from its 4,359th cask.

Nose: Rich vanilla upfront with sweet treacle, dates, chocolate and festive spices

Palate: Stewed apples lead to soft citrus and subtle black pepper which leads to sultanas and toasted almonds

Finish: Long and full with spice and aged oak

GLENALLACHIE

THE WOOD COLLECTION

Just in from Billy Walker and his team at GlenAllachie Distillery is this fine new trio of bottlings. Dubbed the ‘Sherry Series’, each expression has spent an initial period in American oak ex-Bourbon barrels before being transferred to the expertly selected Sherry casks. Six single malts will be released over two instalments this year, showcasing the unique contributions of each style.

The first three drams have been finished in, Fino, Amontillado and Oloroso sherry casks and have all been bottled at a generous 48% vol, without any additional colouring or chill-filtration.

Available now for immediate dispatch in limited numbers.

As ever, if you have any questions or queries, please just get in touch.

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Unique Springbank at The BonAccordBar, Glasgow.

GORDON & MACPHAIL REVEALS FOURTH EDITION IN ‘MR GEORGE LEGACY’ SERIES

Gordon & MacPhail has unveiled the fourth edition in its annual series celebrating the legacy of George Urquhart – the man described by whisky writer Charlie MacLean as ‘the father of single malt whisky’.

The Mr George Legacy 1958 from Glen Grant Distillery was laid down by ‘Mr George’, as he was known to those who knew him best and has been left to mature for 65 years in cask no.3818, a first-fill Sherry butt made to his exact specifications. Bottled in November 2023 at a cask strength of 56.5% – remarkable considering its age – the release is priced at £7,000. Just 376 bottles are available for sale worldwide.

This edition’s packaging and support campaign is themed around having the courage of one’s convictions, symbolised by ‘The Lone Oak’. Mr George’s approach – to age whisky for as long as it needed – was seen by some as eccentric during his lifetime. The theme celebrates this philosophy of occasionally going against the grain but always standing firm to one’s principles in pursuit of perfection.

More than six decades of maturation has delivered a smooth, full-bodied whisky with sweet and warm spices on the nose. Packed with Seville orange peel, dark morello cherry and coffee bean flavours, the long and balanced finish fades with a hint of smoke.

Stuart Urquhart, Operations Director at Gordon & MacPhail, said: “My grandfather had a particular affinity with Glen Grant Distillery. Local to our home in Elgin, Mr George had a strong relationship with the owners and distillers through the decades and he enjoyed experimenting with different casks to complement the distillery’s lighter spirit style.

“Back in the 1950s, the spirit would have been slightly smoky due to floor maltings and a small level of peat being used, which is a style rarely seen in today’s modern Speyside whiskies, giving this whisky a charred oakiness, balanced by long-term maturation in a Sherry cask made of European oak.”

Charlie MacLean, whisky writer and expert, added: “This is an exceptionally fine old whisky, hugely complex, but still remarkably vivacious. Another worthy tribute to Mr George Urquhart, the man who put malt whisky on the map.”

‘Mr George’ Urquhart, second generation of the family that owns Gordon & MacPhail, was a true pioneer of whisky. In 1968 he created the iconic Connoisseurs Choice range featuring single malts at a time when most were used for blending, with his inquisitive nature and patience providing time for each whisky to mature to its full potential. His spirit lives on in this release and his legacy has provided knowledge that continues to provide a guiding light for future generations.

Founded in 1895, Gordon & MacPhail has bottled spirit from over 100 Scottish distilleries, developing unique experience of how to mature single malts for many decades in their own casks.

For more information, visit www.gordonandmacphail.com

#GordonandMacPhail

RSP: £7,000 ABV: 56.5%

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Rich beeswax aromas lead to underlying molasses, stewed prunes and warm spices. Subtle aged leather develops alongside mature oak and hint of cocoa powder.

Palate: Smooth and full bodied, Seville orange peel and dark morello cherry flavours give way to dried tobacco and roasted coffee bean. Toasted oak and a touch of liquorice is present.

Finish: Long and balanced with a faint hint of smoke.

About Gordon & MacPhail Whiskies

For over 125 years, Gordon & MacPhail has been driven by a simple mission: to create single malt Scotch whisky of exceptional quality. Through four generations of family ownership, the company has matched spirit from over 100 Scottish distilleries to its casks.  It is this unique depth and breadth of experience that enables Gordon & MacPhail to combine oak, spirit and time to create a portfolio of iconic whiskies found nowhere else in the world.

“There’s drama in art”

Introducing Stephanie Rew.

Based in Leith, Edinburgh, Stephanie is a celebrated artist who has shown her work all over the world. Just as it takes patience to age whisky, Stephanie’s use of the ancient water gilding technique forces her to slow down and take time. Disappearing when touched, the gold leaf she uses is like dust and has a divine quality, it’s a process that takes years to master.

A Challenging Stare

Stephanie’s reimagining of the iconic Hedonism woman subverts the artist-muse relationship. For so long, women in paintings were passive, to be gazed upon. But in Stephanie’s reimagining, she stares directly at us. Both feminine and powerful.

Over the years, almost every bottle of Hedonism has featured the same female form, originally from a ​​late 19th century English painting. While Stephanie of course took inspiration from this, her challenge was to create something individual, yet distinctly Compass Box. In an interview with Barley Magazine, she explains “I wanted it to stay like the original Hedonism woman but make it my own and make it modern – I believe in this strength in femininity and I like painting the direct gaze, as its challenging to the viewer and it’s a conversation starter.”

Gilded In Gold

There are very few artists who combine ancient techniques with modern painting. Stephanie’s use of water gilding with the incredibly delicate gold leaf utilises a technique which hasn’t changed in 800 years.

The process is laborious. Before Stephanie gilts the elements destined for an adornment of gold leaf, she must first build a gesso, adding up to 25 layers of it to a wooden panel, before sanding it back to create a smooth, marble-like finish. She then adds intricate detail, marking the surface with an engraving tool before the gold leaf is added.

Hedonism: From Grain to Gold

Stephanie’s subtle nod to the history of Compass Box sits in the background of the artwork. Gilded in gold leaf, our Hedonism woman is surrounded by a smattering of stars and constellations, the most significant being Pyxis Nautica. It was this very constellation that Compass Box was named after and serves as a reminder of the past as we enter this new era of Hedonism.

If you haven’t seen it already, our short documentary From Grain to Gold charts the process of working with Stephanie to create this incredible piece of art, Compass Box’s journey over the years and the history of Hedonism.

WATCH NOW

GlenDronach – Single Cask #6753 (UK Exclusive) 1993 30 year old Whisky

£998.95

An exceptional single cask whisky from Glendronach’s Cask Bottling series. Cask #6753 is the final release to feature the distinctive Cask Bottling packaging design.

Cask Bottling expressions are bottled from a single cask, drawn from the rich collection of barrels, butts and hogsheads quietly maturing in the warehouses at Glendronach Distillery. These carefully selected whiskies are highly sought after by whisky drinkers, enthusiasts and collectors.

This rare limited edition single malt was drawn from a PX sherry butt that yielded just 595 bottles. Bottled at 30 years of age, at natural cask strength, without chill-filtration.

A richly sherried single malt, packed with sweet raisin, fig and plum fruit flavours, complemented by crushed nuts, dark chocolate, and bold oak spice.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Sherry soaked bramble, orange and sultana with chocolate praline, Demerara sugar and Morello cherry fruitcake.

Palate: Rich and luxurious with masses of dark stewed fruit, and chocolate gateaux with savoury notes of leather, tobacco and oak.

Finish: Long and satisfying with lingering fruit and molasses giving way to complex wood spice and fine tannins.