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Our Top 10s for October
Check out our favourite bottles this month selected by our head buyer Dawn Davies MW. For the whisky drinkers, our top picks feature special offers on single malts from Caperdonich, Highland Park and Arran.
Phil will return in November.
Experience the excellence of award-winning Tomatin whisky: The ultimate gift for whisky enthusiasts this Christmas
Highland distillery unveils its ‘must-have’ whiskies to gift and celebrate this Christmas
Discover the true essence of the festive season by sharing or gifting a remarkable dram.
Nestled in the heart of the Highlands, Tomatin distillery is renowned for its portfolio of exquisite single malts. Behind this award-winning whisky, full of history and Scottish charm lies a loyal team, many with decades of experience, and a proud heritage that spans generations before them.
Tomatin – 12 Year Old single malt (70cl, 43% ABV, £48.50)
An award-winning flagship from Tomatin’s core range: a silky smooth single malt with a rich and fruity aroma.
This remarkable 12 Year Old single malt is matured in a combination of ex-bourbon, ex-Spanish sherry and traditional Scotch whisky casks.
Initial aromas of wild heather, pine and cedar soon reveal sweeter notes of crème caramel with apples, pears and mango, before a full-bodied and buttery finish.
The quality of this whisky was recognised at the world-renowned International Spirits Challenge receiving Gold in 2022 and 2021, and most recently, picking up Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2023.
Available at: https://tomatin.com/ and specialist whisky retailers.
Tomatin – 14 Year Old single malt (70cl, 46% ABV, £76.50)
A rare single malt from Tomatin’s core range: silky and sweet, benefiting from its time spent in Tawny Port casks
This distinctive 14 year old single malt whisky is matured in Bourbon barrels and finished in Tawny Port casks which have previously held port for around 50 years.
A feather in the cap of Tomatin’s first class wood policy, a rich but balanced aromas of red berries are met with sweet honey and rich toffee which develop into aspects of light fruits and nuts to create an abiding finish of smooth fruit salad.
The quality of this whisky was recognised at the world-renowned International San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2021 picking up Gold and Double Gold in 2019.
Available at: https://tomatin.com/ and specialist whisky retailers
Tomatin – 18 Year Old single malt (70cl, 46% ABV, £126.00)
A jewel in the crown of Tomatin’s core range: a silky smooth single malt that enjoys its final maturation in Oloroso Sherry butts.
The Tomatin 18 Year Old is a truly luxurious world-class malt, matured in Spanish oak Oloroso sherry butts. It is a rich, complex and rewarding whisky that is natural in colour and non-chill filtered.
Initial aromas boast of dried apricot, nougat and distinctive nutty flavours which develop into bursts of tropical fruit with mellow undertones to create a rich and full-bodied finish.
This distinctive 18 year old is the most awarded in the range, with continual recognition at the world-renowned International San Francisco World Spirits Competition picking up Double Gold in 2022, 2019 and also in 2018.
Available at: https://tomatin.com/ and specialist whisky retailers
Tomatin – PX Cask (70cl, 57.4% ABV, £399.00)
An exceptional new limited-edition single malt bottled exclusively for the UK: a rich and intensely sweet spirit
The UK Exclusive Single Cask 2001 bottled for specialist retailers across the UK and is beautifully aged in a Pedro Ximenez sherry butt. The whisky has been gently matured to develop a complex flavour profile, offering a unique mix of dark sweetness and bitter notes, demonstrating Tomatin’s continued craftsmanship in cask maturations.
Distilled in 2001 and bottled in 2022 this exceptional expression boasts initial aromas of of maple syrup, candied walnuts, prunes and rum-soaked sultanas, which later transitions into bitter aromas such as dark chocolate, treacle, espresso and leather.
Presented in a premium bottle and single cask packaging, crafted to reflect the quality of the whisky. This whisky is perfect for whisky connoisseur.
Available at: https://tomatin.com/ and specialist whisky retailers
Tasting notes
Tomatin 12 Year Old tasting notes
Tomatin 14 Year Old tasting notes
Tomatin 18 Year Old tasting notes
PX Cask 2001 tasting notes
About Tomatin
Tomatin is located in the Scottish Highlands (near Inverness) and is famous for its portfolio of soft and mellow whiskies, including a core range, a limited-edition range, and a premium archive range (prices range from £35 – £17,500). Tomatin Single Malt is owned by Japanese company Takara Shuzo International: https://www.takara-intl.co.jp/en/
Tomatin has been dedicated to protecting its craft, its environment and particularly its community, which is at the very heart of the brand. Many of the craftspeople working on site have been doing so their entire working lives – all working towards producing a wide range of single malts, beloved across the world.
In 2022, Tomatin launched its new brand platform, ‘To What Matters’ – designed to remind people about the important things in life. ‘To What Matters’ is the latest chapter in the brand’s evolution; a positive call to arms that represents the spiritual DNA of Tomatin – a human belief in what’s truly important in life. The significant moments.
Recognition of the Highland distillery’s craftsmanship continues to grow globally. In 2022, Tomatin was awarded ‘Scotch Whisky Producer of the Year’ and ‘Outstanding Spirits Producer of the Year’ at the International Wine & Spirit Competition. Later that year, it was recognised as ‘Sustainable Distillery of the Year’ at Whisky Magazine’s Icons of Whisky 2023, in recognition of its continued contribution to sustainably at the distillery.
In 2023, Tomatin’s Legacy single malt, part of the core range, was awarded Gold at the International Wine & Spirit Competition. It also took home seven awards at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, while Cù Bòcan, which is produced at the distillery in limited batches every winter, took home three. Later that year, Tomatin’s 36 Year Old single malt was recognised as ‘Best in Show’ at the SFWSC, officially making it one of the best whiskies in the world.
GLEN SCOTIA
ICONS OF CAMPBELTOWN
THE MERMAID
70cl | 12 Year Old | 54.1% ABV
This is the first in a new series from Glen Scotia, which takes inspiration from icons on the Campbeltown market cross. Glen Scotia’s whisky is shaped by its coastal climate, and whether real or just the result of a dram too many, mermaid sightings along the Kintyre coast are an unnervingly reoccurring theme, especially in the 1800’s when distilling in town was growing to new heights. To mark this first release, a subtly coastal, floral and delicate unpeated twelve-year-old single malt whisky has been chosen and finished in Palo Cortado sherry casks – a rare choice almost as special as mermaids.
£89.95
TASTING NOTES:
NOSE
Rich, mellow and slightly drying. Maritime salt crystals, boat varnish, edible seaweed. Thick fruity tarte tatin, Dundee Seville marmalade and tablet toffee.
TASTE
A creamy texture, lightly sweet centre palate glazed with French apple tart and a pinch of salt.
FINISH
Long and warming with a savoury aftertaste and spicy finish.
Kilchoman PX Sherry Cask 2023 Release
The Kilchoman PX Cask Matured 2023 Release is a vatting of 61 casks, fully matured in PX casks for a minimum of 5 years. This release is their first limited edition to be fully matured in PX casks.
£89.00
KARUIZAWA DISTILLERY 17 Year Old 1996 SMWS 132.4 (2013) Cask #132.4
KARUIZAWA 17
1996 Vintage
Sherry Butt
£4,800.00
Karuizawa 17 Year Old 1996 vintage Japanese single malt whisky. Single refill butt #132.4 bottled 2013 by the The Scotch Malt Whisky Society. 346 bottles. Karuizawa Distillery was established in 1956 to the north west of Tokyo, Japan but closed in 2001. Karuizawa Distillery sat at an altitude of 850m on the foothills of the active volcano Mount Asama and drew its water from the mountain’s slopes.
The Good Dram Show – Episode 530 ‘Tomatin & Cù Bòcan’
The Good Dram Show with Chris Goodrum Episode 530 – Nosing Some Of Columbia’s Finest…!
Welcome to this week’s episode of the show in which I’ll be taking a look at some new releases from both Tomatin and Cù Bòcan. Filmed in The Study Nottingham.
Featuring
Cù Bòcan Creation No5 46% Cù Bòcan 12 year old 46% https://www.cu-bocan.com
Tomatin ‘Italian Collection’ 2010 (12 year old) Marsala Edition 46%
Tomatin ‘Italian Collection’ 2010 (12 year old) Barolo Edition 46%
Tomatin ‘Italian Collection’ 2010 (12 year old) Amarone Edition 46%
Tomatin 2001 (20 year old) ‘UK Exclusive Single Cask’ 57.4% https://tomatin.com
AI creates endless designs for Label 5’s new Limited-Edition launch
Each bottle of whisky’s colourful ‘City Lights’ Edition is unique
Label 5 blended Scotch whisky has today (29th September) launched a limited-edition design of its Classic Black blend to celebrate its cosmopolitan spirit.
Named ‘Label 5 City Lights Edition’, this new-look pack was created using Artificial Intelligence to take random snapshots of a colourful, computer-generated cityscape at night.
As a result, each bottle has its own unique label featuring a section of this vibrant design – randomly selected by an algorithm to ensure that no two bottles are the same.
Label 5 is crafted in Scotland and lives and breathes city life. This new campaign takes inspiration from the brand’s recent partnerships with the global graffiti community, including its sponsorship of this year’s Yardworks urban art and graffiti festival at SWG3 in Glasgow.
Label 5 City Lights is available exclusively in Morrisons stores throughout the UK. Customers who purchase a bottle will be invited to find their label design amongst the Label 5 skyline via https://www.label5-findyourlabel.com/
Yardworks Festival partnership 2023
James Collins, Label 5’s UK Marketing Manager said: ‘Label 5 City Lights Edition is designed to be as unique and creative as the customers who enjoy our whisky. This globally renowned blended Scotch is known for its modern and urban take on whisky, and this new limited edition showcases this to spectacular effect. With the ability to pick from an endless sequence of designs generated by our algorithm, we hope drinkers enjoy their own unique and very special slice of Label 5 history’.
Label 5 City Light Edition is bottled in 1 litre at 40% ABV, retailing at £22.50 and is available in Morrison stores nationwide. Smooth and well-rounded with subtle smoke influences, Speyside malts provide the backbone to this blend’s delicate fruity character. Using time honoured traditions, the spirit is created using a combination of the finest grain and malt whiskies to give a whisky of superb quality and smoothness.
#Label5 #L5citylights #ScotchWhisky
ABOUT LABEL 5
Top ten Scotch Whisky brand, LABEL 5 is carefully distilled, matured and bottled in our distilleries in Scotland. LABEL 5 is enjoyed in more than 100 countries and is renowned for its high quality and appreciated for its smoothness. With 2.6 M 9-L cases sold in 2015, LABEL 5 is a key player in the Scotch Whisky category. LABEL 5 First Blending Company – Starlaw Road, Bathgate, Scotland
ABOUT LA MARTINIQUAISE
An independent French group founded in 1934, LA MARTINIQUAISE is one of the biggest spirits groups in France and features in the world Top 10. The group which operates in 110 countries has a turnover of 950 million euros and is proud to own four millionaire brands: LABEL 5 & SIR EDWARD’S Scotch Whisky, POLIAKOV Vodka and NEGRITA Rum – Source: IMPACT 2015
BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY ANNOUNCES “100 BOURBON SETS FOR 100 CHARITIES” INITIATIVE TO HONOR THE LEGACY OF E.H. TAYLOR, JR
Buffalo Trace Distillery to donate 100 sets of its finest whiskeys to support fundraising efforts for 100 nonprofit organizations
FRANKFORT, Ky. (September 28, 2023) – In celebration of Bourbon Heritage Month, Buffalo Trace Distillery today announces a new, annual charitable initiative – “100 Bourbon Sets for 100 Charities” – honoring the legacy of Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr.
Often referred to as the founding father of the modern bourbon industry, Taylor was one of Buffalo Trace Distillery’s former owners and an instrumental figure in the movement that led to the 1897 passage of the Bottled in Bond Act. “100 Bourbon Sets for 100 Charities” pays homage to 100 proof, one of the many things required to be Bottled in Bond.
“E.H. Taylor contributed countless innovations to the bourbon industry in his time, but one of his most notable contributions was leading efforts that eventually resulted in the Bottled in Bond Act being passed,” said Andrew Duncan, Brand Director, Buffalo Trace Distillery. “At its core, Taylor’s support of the Bottled in Bond Act was about bettering the bourbon category for everyone – consumer, distillers, and communities. This passion for improving the world is one that continues at Buffalo Trace Distillery to this day, and we are proud to support nonprofit organizations in their efforts to make their neighborhoods a better place to call home.”
Featured products for the “100 Bourbon Sets for 100 Charities” initiative include lineups from some of Buffalo Trace Distillery’s most sought-after brands, including E.H. Taylor, Blanton’s, Eagle Rare, Weller and more. The number of bottles in each set may vary. Interested nonprofits can register their organization here.
“Giving back and supporting organizations is important to us at Buffalo Trace Distillery,” said Duncan. “We are humbled by the work our partners continue to do and honored to be able to support them in their efforts.”
Charities of all kinds are encouraged to apply for “100 Bourbon Sets for 100 Charities.” All entries must be received within 100 days – by January 4, 2024 – for consideration. Selected charities will be announced February 29, 2024 in honor of Bottled in Bond Day that Sunday, March 3. Bottles sets will be delivered within 30 days following the selection announcement. Organizations MUST use their bottle sets and report back their monies raised by August 1, 2024.
Buffalo Trace Distillery will coordinate the logistics of transporting bottles to selected organizations based on the legal requirements in each state. Proceeds will be announced September 2024 in celebration of National Bourbon Heritage Month.
The Bottled in Bond Act was first-of-its kind legislation that saved whiskey in America. Passage of the Act led to increased quality and consumer safety across categories (and the formation of the modern FDA) and paved the way for the focus on quality & innovation that Buffalo Trace Distillery maintains today.
Bottled in Bond required distillers to label aged spirits, mostly American Whiskey, as “bottled-in-bond,” meaning the product meets the following criteria:
For any questions regarding the “100 Bourbon Sets for 100 Charities” initiative, please email charity@buffalotrace.com. For more information on Buffalo Trace Distillery and its ongoing charitable efforts, please visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com.
Stay up to date with news from Buffalo Trace Distillery by following along on Instagram and Facebook.
About Buffalo Trace Distillery
Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1775 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee. Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark as well as listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won 40 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Its George T. Stagg was named World Whiskey of the Year for 2022 and its Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye was named 2nd Finest Whiskey in the World for 2022. Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 1,000 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. Buffalo Trace Distillery also has a deep commitment to supporting charitable initiatives. Nonprofit organizations interested in learning more about the Distillery’s efforts are encouraged to register their charity here. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery, visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com
