Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 504: North British 26 Year Old 1996 Electric Coo

Mark Dermul, Belgian whiskyblogger, tries a grain. David Stirk published a very nice and informative book entitled ‘Independent Scotch – The History of Independent Bottlers’ thanks to the help of Crowdfunding. If you supported the project financially, you not only received a signed copy of the first edition, but also this bottle. Mark was one of the many supporters and could therefore add a bottle to his bar cabinet. It is a single grain from Edinburgh of no less than 26 years old, matured on a refill sherry cask.

https://youtu.be/_iR10BaoJ3g

Jack Daniel’s Goes Global with New American Single Malt Whiskey 

The brand’s first permanent expression crafted from 100% malted barley is available now at duty-free outlets worldwide

Lynchburg, Tennessee (September 26, 2023) – The Jack Daniel Distillery introduces Jack Daniel’s American Single Malt Whiskey as the brand’s first permanent expression crafted from 100% malted barley. Jack Daniel’s American Single Malt is offered in a 1-liter size packaging at 90 proof for a suggested retail price of $99.99 and is available now exclusively in select duty-free retail locations across the globe.

Jack Daniel’s American Single Malt is the latest innovation from the Jack Daniel Distillery, featuring a 100% malted barley mash bill that is ground, fermented and distilled in Lynchburg, Tennessee. The special whiskey is charcoal mellowed and then aged in new, charred American oak barrels before being finished in Oloroso Sherry Casks.

“When we began experimenting with a 100% malt grain bill back in 2012, we knew it would be critical to put our own stamp on timeless Single Malt traditions and craft something that was uniquely Jack Daniel’s,” said Jack Daniel’s Master Distiller Chris Fletcher. “There was a lot of excitement surrounding our limited edition American Single Malt Special Release last year, and we are thrilled to now offer Jack Daniel’s American Single Malt to our friends around the world.”

Jack Daniel’s American Single Malt is rich and complex with aromas of soft oak, fruit and cocoa and notes of dark chocolate-covered nuts and berries with a subtle, sweet Oloroso Sherry finish. Distinctive packaging features a cork stopper and an embossed distillery stamp of America’s First Registered Distillery.

Offered in a 1-liter size at 90 proof (45% abv), Jack Daniel’s American Single Malt is available in select duty-free outlets worldwide beginning this month. To mark the launch, Jack Daniel’s is hosting more than 40 activations at airports across the globe, reaching an estimated 13 million shoppers and offering 60,000 tastings.

 For more information, visit www.jackdaniels.com.

About Jack Daniel’s

Officially registered by the U.S. Government in 1866 and based in Lynchburg, Tenn., the Jack Daniel Distillery is the first registered distillery in the United States and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Jack Daniel’s is the maker of the world-famous Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey, Gentleman Jack Double Mellowed Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Apple, Jack Daniel’s Bonded, Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Select and Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails. Today, Jack Daniel’s is a true global icon found in more than 170 countries around the world and is the most valuable spirits brand in the world as recognized by Interbrand.

Please Drink Responsibly.

Jack Daniel’s American Single Malt Whiskey, 45% alc. by vol. Jack Daniel Distillery, Lynchburg, Tennessee. JACK DANIEL’S is a registered trademark. ©2023 Jack Daniel’s. All rights reserved.

BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY RELEASES HIGHLY ANTICIPATED ANTIQUE COLLECTION FOR THE FALL 2023 SEASON

This year’s collection includes the oldest Eagle Rare 17-Year-Old Bourbon in BTAC history

FRANKFORT, FRANKLIN COUNTY, KY (OCT. 9, 2023) – Buffalo Trace Distillery is pleased to announce the return of its award-winning Antique Collection for the fall 2023 season, showcasing the products that best represent the Distillery’s exceptional craftmanship and dedication to distilling high-quality, award-winning spirits. This year’s portfolio includes all five Buffalo Trace Antique Collection  (BTAC) staples: George T. Stagg Bourbon, Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye Whiskey, Sazerac Rye 18-Year-Old Whiskey, William Larue Weller Bourbon, and a milestone for this year, the oldest Eagle Rare 17-Year-Old Bourbon in the collection’s history.

The spirits in the Antique Collection are aged and proofed at the pinnacle of their flavor profiles to embody the best possible expression of each whiskey. Each expression is stored in a unique crystal-clear glass bottle to showcase its gorgeous color, complemented with a back label that provides a complete product story and description. The limited-edition Antique Collection bottles are sold separately and will be available at retail in early October at a suggested retail price of $124.99 (local taxes and fees will vary).

Eagle Rare 17-Year-Old Bourbon

At 19 years and three months old, this year’s Eagle Rare-17-Year-Old Bourbon marks the oldest release of the spirit since its 23-year inclusion in the Antique Collection. This whiskey was distilled in the spring of 2004, and barrels were aged in Warehouses C, I, K, M, and Q. Eagle Rare 17 is once again bottled at 101 proof in tribute to the original Eagle Rare brand launched in 1975. The expression imbues tasting notes of dark chocolate and cherry pie filling on the nose with a well-balanced flavor of caramel-drizzled chocolate sponge cake, finishing with dry and spicy notes of an earthy cigar box. The 2022 Eagle Rare 17 release won Taste Master for the 2023 American Whiskey Masters, making it the overall winner of the entire competition.

*17 years indicates the minimum age for Eagle Rare 17 barrels to be bottled. With taste as a priority for the distilling and lab experts at Buffalo Trace Distillery, the age of actual barrels in the whiskey varies yearly to meet its ideal flavor profile.

George T. Stagg Bourbon

At 135 proof, the 2023 George T. Stagg offering was distilled in the spring of 2008, and its barrels were aged in Warehouses C, I, K, L, and M. This powerful 15 years and 4-months-old bourbon is described as having scents of cinnamon and cherry cola and a well-balanced mix of leather, chocolate, and vanilla on the palate, complete with a robust, earthy finish. Last season’s George T. Stagg placed 1^st for the Best American Whisky in the 2023 International Whisky Competition.

Sazerac Rye 18-Year-Old Whiskey

The 2023 Sazerac 18-Year-Old Straight Rye Whiskey release flaunts a scent of dried orange, rye grain, clove and aniseed, a palate of black pepper, vanilla, and waves of oak, and a florally honey and tobacco leaf finish. This collection of rye whiskey barrels was filled between the fall of 2004 and the spring of 2005 and aged in Warehouses K, L, and M. The previous release of Sazerac Rye 18 earned the Gold Medal in the 2023 American Whiskey Masters.

Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye Whiskey

The 2023 Thomas H. Handy expression is comprised of barrels aged for over six years. Initially launched in response to a consumer request for more well-aged and barrel-strength whiskey, this uncut, unfiltered straight rye whiskey clocks in at 124.9 proof. The flavor profile includes an aroma of orange zest and lemon oil, caramel, and hints of pine. On the palate, freshly baked rye bread spread with orange marmalade and honey appear first, followed by a lingering finish of light oak and black licorice. Judges at The Spirits Business 2023 American Whiskey Masters awarded last season’s Handy a Master Medal.

William Larue Weller Bourbon

Crafted in response to a consumer request for more well-aged and barrel-strength whiskey, William Larue Weller is the Antique Collection’s uncut, unfiltered, wheated recipe bourbon. This year’s offering was distilled in the spring of 2011, and its barrels were aged in Warehouses C, L, M, and N. The 2023 William Larue Weller bourbon registers at 133.6 proof, surpassing last year’s proof offering of 124.7. Candied notes of dark brown sugar and vanilla bean are found on the nose, followed by a warm and full palate with stewed cherry and brown sugar crumble and a robust, dense finish enveloped with baking spice and a hint of maple syrup. The 2022 Antique Collection Weller secured a Master Medal during the 2023 American Whiskey Masters.

About The Antique Collection

The Antique Collection was introduced more than two decades ago and is comprised of five whiskeys released each year in the fall: George T. Stagg, William Larue Weller, Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye, Eagle Rare 17-Year-Old and Sazerac Rye 18-Year-Old. Buffalo Trace Distillery has been humbled by the numerous awards bestowed on the collection from such notable publications as Whisky Advocate Magazine and Spirit Journal. For more information on the Antique Collection visit http://www.buffalotracedistillery.com/brands/antique-collection.

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.

OCTOBER 2023 AUCTION NOW LIVE!

We have a small but interesting selection of bottlings for you this month, including this 33 Year Old Rare Auld Cask Strength of Macallan, distilled in 1969 by Duncan Taylor, bottle 11 of only 224 produced!

We also have some nostalgic bottlings from closed distilleries, gone but by no means forgotten, including a 31 Years Old Glen Mhor, 23 Years Old Brora and 20 Years Old Dallas Dhu.

Next up, we have a trio of delectable Dalmore, including the 1985 20 Years Old single cask, Cromartie and 2012 Custodian Release 1^st edition.

Maybe Ardbeg is more your bag? We have Drum, Supernova and Twentysomething for those of you who prefer an Islay dram.

These are only a few of the bottles in our October 2023 Auction, to view more wee gems visit clickwhiskyauctions.com. Register to bid. Remember, you’ve got to be in it to win it! Auction ends Sunday 22nd October from 8pm BST.

THE EXTINCT BLENDS QUARTET

With every release in the Extinct Blends Quartet we reimagine a lost whisky from history; where relationships, ideas and people came together to create delicious blends.

The quartet acts as a glimpse into a different pocket of time. Having chartered the deep dark waters of the ocean with ULTRAMARINE, escaped to the idyllic island sanctuary with DELOS, we now enter the bustling city with METROPOLIS.

As the third release in the Extinct Blends Quartet, METROPOLIS reimagines an enduring oak-forward city-based blend that was enjoyed for over 100 years and has only been recently lost to time…

A TIME CAPSULE

Discover the ever-evolving world of the METROPOLIS, the birthplace of blended Scotch where hidden stories of the past reveal themselves.

Cities are a time capsule, where modern life jostles against a backdrop of classical architecture. The history of blended Scotch unfolded in the heart of the city and this is the inspiration for our newest release.

The label design highlights the historical and neoclassical elements found in so many cities, with Grecian statues, columns and friezes. Look closely and you’ll see the composition is also alive with references to modern life – an e-scooter, an aeroplane, car traffic.

If METROPOLIS were an actual city, its chief thoroughfares and grand buildings would equate to the shortbread and honey notes contributed by malt whiskies from the Aberlour and Miltonduff distilleries. A parcel of blended Scotch whisky further matured in sherry butts brings a fatness and dried fruit richness, acting as a bridge over a river of creamy and zesty grain whisky.

Subtle scents of hot metal and smoke drift in from the shipyards, courtesy of malt whisky from the Bowmore Distillery. Charming, refined and alive with energy, METROPOLIS reflects the excitement and richness of life in the city.

JAMES SAXON
WHISKYMAKER

TIME BRINGS CHARACTER

METROPOLIS uses some of our rarest and most mature stocks to form a complex recipe architecture.

Boasting a rich and multifaceted palate, METROPOLIS is studded with lashings of honey, sultana, apricot, with subtle hints of fire-cracked smoky woodiness.

Lively and expressive and best enjoyed with friends when life is vibrant and exciting. Join us as we Taste Through Time.

SHOP FOR METROPOLIS AT COMPASSBOXWHISKY.COM

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof “Batch B523” Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) ($69.99)

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: July 19, 2023

A controversial release in the Elijah Craig pantheon, B523 is the first to be released under 12 years old. At 11 years and 5 months, it’s close enough for my palate. Like all ECBP, it’s uncut—bottled straight from the barrel without chill-filtration—and still delivers one of the best values out of Kentucky. This cask-strength batch comes in at 124.2 proof and delivers intense oak, sweet caramel, candied apples, and miles of vanilla, all with the punch and heat you’d expect from a full-proof bottling. To me, the standout difference in this release is a distinct peanut brittle note. It’s much nuttier than many releases and strikes me more like an older and higher-proof version of the excellent Heaven Hill 7 year. I, like most whiskey drinkers, love to see an age statement, but most of all, I care about how a whiskey tastes … and I’ll be damned if this isn’t just as delicious as I’d expect from Elijah Craig. It now fits more in line with their other premium brands like Old Fitz, which has a moving target age statement but is always an incredibly good premium pour.

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

HIGHLAND PARK

DARK ORIGINS

70CL | 46.8%

£76.95

WAS £91.95

SAVE £15

SHOP NOW

A spicy and smoky Highland Park single malt matured in a combination of 80% first-fill sherry and 20% refill sherry casks. Expect a rich whisky with notes of sweet smoke, maraschino cherries, dark chocolate and black pepper spice. A sherried release from Highland Park, Dark Origins is a combination of 80% first fill sherry casks (of which 60% is European oak and 20% American) and 20% refill sherry. A dark expression which fits in with the distillery’s origins – founder Magnus Eunson being a smuggler who worked in the darkness of night.

ralfy review 998 Extras – Tasting a bottle that delivers a ‘finish’

The 40^th Anniversary year sees The Scotch Malt Whisky Society

release one of its oldest and most exceptional whiskies ever.

To close out its 40^th anniversary year, the biggest whisky fan club in the world, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, unveils a 40 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky from a Single Cask to share the society’s legacy in the best way they know how: with an exceptional whisky for its members.

The Society started with a group of friends who had the opportunity to buy and share a single cask of whisky and were dazzled by the unadulterated beauty of its flavor. At the time, they believed they had discovered the secret to drinking the best whisky on the planet. The philosophy of sharing and savoring single cask bottlings has stayed at the heart of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s maverick ethos ever since. This dedication to truly delicious drams has seen The Scotch Malt Whisky Society extend into 28 countries and boast almost 40,000 members globally.

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s 40th Anniversary release, Society Cask Number 12.79, is one of the oldest Single Malt Scotch whiskies the society has ever released. It follows hot on the heels of the Society’s success at the Distillers One of One Auction where The Only Drop, a bottling adorned with an innovative sustainable art sculpture, reached £15,000 at the prestigious charity auction.

This ex-bourbon barrel was first laid down in April 1983, at the very same time as The Scotch Malt Whisky Society was starting its whisky journey, which makes it even more fitting that this is the final release in a collection of eclectic and wonderful celebratory whiskies that have been launched to celebrate this milestone birthday. In anticipation of 2023, the expert Spirits Team at The Scotch Malt Whisky Society handpicked and curated this cask in 2018 with a transfer to a refill Spanish oak sherry hogshead to deepen the flavor and add a brilliantly fitting birthday cake spice character to the liquid.

Maturing for a further five years, each and every year the liquid was sampled to ensure the whisky was just as intended until it was ready to bottle for the 40^th Anniversary. The result is a wonderfully mature and very elegant whisky that you’d be forgiven for spending hours unravelling the deep layers of its flavor and character with a drinking experience that’s enhanced by a beautifully unique, one-of-a-kind bottle. This whisky is the epitome of elegance and good taste and represents The Society legacy and why members around the world savor its whisky.

As such an exquisite and rare whisky – only 130 bottles of this will be available on sale solely to members of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society. What’s more is that, as part of the birthday celebrations, 40 members of The Society will be selected at random from all corners of the world and surprised with a complimentary dram of this celebratory expression, ensuring this whisky can be shared across the globe by members on The Society’s journey.

Euan Campbell, Head of Whisky Creation at The Scotch Malt Whisky Society: “This cask was initially laid down to mature in 1983, which just so happens to be the year that the Scotch Malt Whisky Society was founded.

“It seemed only appropriate that we chose it for the 40th anniversary celebrations. We’ve been monitoring this one very closely for a number of years. We knew this was the right time to bottle it and share it with people to enjoy this 40-year-old whisky in our 40^th year. After so many years of maturing in an ex-bourbon barrel, we decided to take the flavor in a different direction and moved the whisky into a refill Spanish oak, Oloroso hogshead. The key to it being refill was that it would be quite relaxed and complementary, adding another layer of complexity without being too intense for such an old fragile whisky. It stayed in that cask for a further five years. There are only 130 bottles of this. It’s just one to really savor and appreciate the influence of cask on flavor.”

Rebecca Hamilton, Chief Marketing & Experience Officer for The Scotch Malt Whisky Society: “We are the original pioneers in cask strength, single cask, one-off Scotch whisky. We have kept this exceptionally aged, cask matured and flavor curated bottling true to our origins with a nostalgic nod to our celebrated past throughout the creation process. It is also in a beautifully minimalistic bottle that really ensures the whisky itself is the hero. We have treated this bottle as we would create a piece of art, with craftspeople working together to do justice to the years in cask. We also wanted to pay homage to our beloved iconic green bottle, collected by many the world over. This bottle has been a passionate collaboration of artists and designers and is also a reflection of how The Society began – from that ‘wow’ epiphany moment to the global single cask whisky fan club we are now. I know that members will cherish this spectacular piece for years to come.”

No paper labels are used in the design. Instead, the minimal words are printed directly on glass giving an unrestricted view of the unadulterated whisky within, ensuring it’s the real hero. One third of the bottle has also been hand dipped from cork to collar in dark green wax, which pays homage to the society’s infamous and iconic green bottle. As it has been hand dipped, the wax detail produces a different coating every time, meaning each of the 130 bottles is truly unique. The bottle rests on a handcrafted walnut plinth and a museum quality clear case finishes the piece and allows the member to proudly display it in their collection.

This special bottling will be available in the UK, Europe, US, China, Japan, Australia and Taiwan. Retail price into market will include £3000 GBP (for UK), $3995 USD (for US) and €3480 EUR for European markets.

About The Scotch Malt Whisky Society

• The Scotch Malt Whisky Society is a global whisky club that celebrates 40 years of sharing delicious drams with its members in 2023.
• The Scotch Malt Whisky Society was established in Edinburgh in 1983 when a group of friends stumbled on the delights of whisky drawn directly from a single cask – undiluted and unadulterated.
• Over the past 40 years, the society has expanded to 28 countries and boasts almost 40,000 members and its focus on flavor discovery has never waivered.
• The Scotch Malt Whisky Society specializes in single casks bottlings of single malt whisky – it seeks out whisky in its most natural form and prizes the discovery of flavor above all else. Each bottling has a unique number identifying its origins and is given a curious name.
• The Scotch Malt Whisky Society releases almost 1,000 different bottlings a year, including rare single casks and single malt whiskies, exclusive blends and a range of other Single Cask Spirits.
• It is owned by The Artisanal Spirits Company (ASC) plc.
• The Society has bottled whisky from 180 distilleries from Scotland and beyond.
• Members enjoy exclusive access to a constant variety of cask strength whiskies hand-picked by the Scotch Malt Whisky expert tasting panel, as well as access to four exclusive Scotch Malt Whisky Society Members’ Rooms in Leith, Edinburgh, Glasgow and London, along with a global network of 100 partner bars.
• For more information about the Society, visit: www.smws.com, YouTube: The Scotch Malt Whisky Society

About The Artisanal Spirits Company (ASC)

• The Artisanal Spirits Company (ASC) plc is based in Edinburgh.
• The Artisanal Spirits Company (ASC) plc is building a portfolio of premium brands that bring together some of the world’s best spirits producers with a growing movement of discerning consumers by curating unrivalled collections of craft spirits.
• The Artisanal Spirits Company (ASC) plc owns The Scotch Malt Whisky Society. In 2021, it launched J.G. Thomson & Co. which was inspired by its namesake who was originally a wine and spirits merchant in Leith, Scotland in the 1700s. J.G. Thomson is a new, adventurous blender, creating small batch blended malt whiskies, blended grain whiskies, rum and gin.