ralfy review 963 – Redbreast 12yo @ 56.3%vol: (OSWA winner 2022)

SECOND BATCH OF LUM REEK 10-YEAR-OLD

CASK STRENGTH UNVEILED

MacNair’s Boutique House of Spirits, led by veteran blender Billy Walker, brings Batch 2

of its 10-year-old Blended Malt to market

MacNair’s Boutique House of Spirits, a brand curated by acclaimed blender Billy Walker, today launches the next iteration of its decade-old Blended Malt Scotch Whisky: Lum Reek 10-year-old Cask Strength Batch 2.

The brand gets its name from the old Scottish toast to a long and healthy life, ‘lang may yer lum reek’, literally meaning ‘long may your chimney smoke’.

The second instalment (UK RRSP £62.99) combines single malt whiskies from two of the most sought-after regions in Scotland: Speyside and Islay.

With peated and unpeated spirit contained in the blend, the flavour profile is said to entail “gentle smoke and sweet spice in perfect harmony”.

Each aged single malt component was carefully selected by Walker to deliver specific desired sensory characteristics to the final blend, which includes GlenAllachie Speyside Scotch whisky.

Once skilfully blended, the spirit was filled to a mix of Sherry, red wine and virgin oak casks for an additional aging period; picking up further character from the wood and allowing the whiskies time to marry.

Batch 2 was subsequently bottled at its natural cask strength of 55.8% ABV, without chill filtering or adding artificial colouring.

Walker, whose 50-year-long career in Scotch whisky spans many household name brands, has earnt widespread recognition for his superlative blending skills and unwavering dedication to cask quality.

Owned by independent spirits firm The GlenAllachie Distillers Company, MacNair’s underwent a packaging refresh and brand repositioning in July 2021, becoming a Boutique House of Spirits.

The new identity saw the unveiling of a rum brand, Exploration Rum; Walker’s first venture in a drinks category beyond whisky.

Following the addition of the 10-year-old to Lum Reek’s product portfolio, Batch 1 was crowned ‘Best in Show’ at the Las Vegas Spirits Awards 2022 with an astonishing 95 points.

Commenting on the new Blended Malt, Walker remarks:

“There’s something wondrous about bottling a whisky at cask strength. Perhaps it’s that it provides an opportunity to taste it as if you were sampling straight from a cask in the warehouse; the experience is incredibly special.

“Lum Reek is a blend I hold close to my heart. It presents the chance to introduce Speyside and Islay single malts to our GlenAllachie spirit, balancing the honey-sweet house style of our whisky with Islay peat smoke and Speyside spiciness. The outcome is undoubtedly delicious!”

MacNair’s Lum Reek 10-year-old Cask Strength Batch 2 will become increasingly available via global specialist retailers from today, priced at a UK RRSP of £62.99.

ABOUT MACNAIR’S BOUTIQUE HOUSE OF SPIRITS:

Since Master Distiller Billy Walker became custodian of MacNair’s, his singular, defining purpose has been in step with the spirit of 19^th Century founder Harvey MacNair.

Over the course of 50 years in the spirits industry, Billy has earned widespread acclaim for his peerless blending prowess.  At the heart of MacNair’s Boutique House of Spirits sits a meticulous attention to detail. Billy’s renowned hands-on approach has earned numerous hats-off accolades, and he now looks to carry this philosophy into new spirits categories.

At MacNair’s Boutique House of Spirits, we are pushing the boundaries of convention to create a boundless range of exceptional small-batch spirits. We are founded on whisky, with a future of diversity.  We are wholeheartedly invested in enhanced maturation, and believe age and integrity matter, which is why all our expressions are bottled at a minimum of 46% ABV, natural colour and non chill filtered for maximum flavour experience.

MacNair’s houses Lum Reek Blended Malt Scotch Whiskies and Exploration Rum expressions. 

Further information on MacNair’s Boutique House of Spirits can be found at macnairs.com

Facebook – @macnairs

Instagram – @macnairs_spirits

For information on The GlenAllachie Distillers Company, visit  www.theglenallachie.com

TASTING NOTES

MacNair’s Lum Reek 10-year-old Cask Strength Batch 2 – 55.8% ABV

• Colour: Rich Mahogany.
• Nose: Waves of grilled honeycomb, ginger and vanilla, with cinnamon, campfire smoke and treacle.
• Taste: Bursting with dark chocolate, burnt orange peel and honeycomb, followed by smoked spices, butterscotch and roasted coffee beans, with notes of ginger on the finish.

METHOD AND MADNESS
OATS & MALT

The latest Irish whiskey to join our crop is the limited-edition Oats and Malt from the experimental Midleton Micro Distillery. The second small-batch release since it opened its doors six years ago, Oats and Malt has been created to push the boundaries of Irish whiskey.

A limited-edition Irish whiskey from Method And Madness, Oats and Malt has been triple distilled at the Midleton Micro Distillery using a combination of 60% Irish oats and 40% malted barley. Matured exclusively in ex-bourbon casks, the nose offers aromas of toasted marshmallows, pink peppercorns and orange zest, followed on the palate by notes of fudge, green apple, creamy oats, lemon zest and green chilli that linger in the finish.

Made with a uniquely Irish mash bill of 60% Irish oats and 40% malted barley, the whiskey has been triple distilled to strengthen the creamy oat character and matured in ex-bourbon casks. Aromas of toasted marshmallow, pink peppercorn and orange zest are followed by notes of fudge, lemon zest, creamy oats and subtle spice on the palate.

  SHOP NOW 

Let Spice King draw you in for an Exhilarating Valentines 💖

We couldn’t let the occasion pass without giving a nod to our award-winning Spice King. A small batch, hand-crafted Scotch expression that is at once intriguing and beautifully complex with spice and subtle smoke.

To celebrate Valentines Day why not try this spicy cocktail!

The Boulevardier

• 30ml Spice King
• 30ml Campari
• 30ml Red/Sweet Vermouth

Stir well over good quality ice. Strain into a rocks glass filled with a large ice cube. Garnish with an Orange Wedge.

Free Shipping with the code VD23 for purchases of £30 or more!

SHOP SPICE KING UK

SHOP SPICE KING EU

Order by 12pm Friday 10th February for guaranteed V-Day delivery.

Nc’Nean is a young independent distillery created with the goal of making whisky in the most sustainable way possible. This is the first Scottish distillery powered by 100% renewable energy and produces only organic products. The wood chips for the biomass boiler are sourced from a local forest, while all by-products are recycled as animal and plant feed on Drimin Estate, where the distillery is located.

The name Nc’nean (pronounced Nc-ne-an, which sounds like Nc-knee-anne) comes from Neachneohain, the Queen of Spirits in Gaelic legend. Neachneohain was a huntress: strong, independent and never afraid to walk her own path.

Classic Nc’Nean

Nc’Nean Organic Whisky is a smooth and elegant whisky, easy-going and delicious. Notes of citrus, peach and apricot with a touch of spice. Nc’Nean whisky is made from organic Scottish barley whose natural yields and rich soils contribute a depth of flavour. The gentle fermentation and distillation accentuate the delicate, fruity flavours in the spirit. They matured in specially treated red wine and American whiskey barrels to develop our spirit’s signature body and sweetness.

£48.99

Quite Rebels: Lorna

Quiet Rebels is a second release from the Autumn Seasonal Series. This single malt is a  dram created by Nc’Nean’s first team member – Lorna. Lorna likes her whisky on the sweeter side. Notes of banana bread, grapefruit and peach ice cream come together in this delicious bottling. A lovely combination of American whisky casks and Ex-Pineau Des Charentes casks.

£75.00

SHOP HERE

Win a dining experience for two at Tattu Edinburgh or London!

To celebrate Johnnie Walker’s launch of their limited edition Blue Label Chinese New Year release for 2023, they have partnered up with Tattu who offer world-class contemporary Chinese cuisine.

Purchase the Year of the Rabbit expression up until 16th February 2023 to enter into this special giveaway and have the chance at winning a dining experience for two at either their Edinburgh or London restaurants, including travel and accommodation. We have 4 experiences up for grabs, each consisting of a bespoke sharing menu with three paired Johnnie Walker Blue Label cocktails.

Buy Year of the Rabbit →
Discover More about Tattu →

New Release from Johnnie Walker

Johnnie Walker Blue Label
Year of the Rabbit 2023
+ Competition Entry

What makes this one special is a stunningly spirited design of 2023’s zodiac symbol from one of fashions freshest talents: Angel Chen. The rabbit symbolises longevity in Asian culture, something that Johnnie Walker echoes with its motto ‘Keep Walking’.

£210.00

BUY NOW

We’re absolutely delighted to report that our Lindores Abbey Single Cask Exclusive has won the prestigious ‘Recommended Award’ in the latest edition of Whisky Magazine (Issue 189).

Out of the 20 or so whiskies being blind tasted, our Lindores single cask received the second highest mark, missing out on top spot by 0.1 points. The standard was extremely high, making this achievement even better.

We’re incredibly proud of this latest Abbey Whisky exclusive and this recognition for ourselves and Lindores Abbey Distillery reaffirms the excellent customer reviews we’ve been receiving on this Lowland single cask release.

If you’d like to purchase this fantastic single cask, you can do so via the link below.

Slàinte

BUY NOW

Following on from our exceptional Daftmill exclusive, we’re excited to release our second Lowland single cask hailing from our home region of Fife. Presenting Lindores cask 591, our latest Abbey Whisky Exclusive. You might recall our recent Friday Focus feature about our visit to Lindores Abbey Distillery with its historical connection to whisky. We were so impressed with the work going on at the distillery and the quality of the spirit being produced that when presented with the opportunity to bottle our own cask, we jumped at the chance. And what a beauty of a cask it is…

BOWMORE® AND ASTON MARTIN: MASTERS REUNITE FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF MASTERS’ SELECTION 22 YEAR OLD SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

Masters’ Selection second edition celebrates exceptional synchronicity 

Photo credit to Beam Suntory

New York, NY (February 6, 2023) – Bowmore® Single Malt Scotch Whisky announces the arrival of Masters’ Selection 22 Year Old Single Malt Whisky in the US. The most recent release in the storied partnership between Bowmore and Aston Martin, Bowmore® has an inherent appreciation as to how time comes to bear on the character of the whisky, and how time past has shaped today.

Rooted in intentionality, Bowmore makes whiskies this way on purpose, shaping every drop, adding depth and distinction of flavor to shape its multi-dimensional single malt. It is this precise ethos that shapes and drives Bowmore’s collaboration with the ultra-luxury British brand, Aston Martin.  It is a partnership built on a true coming together of heritage and innovation, and while  originating from two very different, if not contrasting, worlds the two companies share a synchronicity that unites and creates a strong bond that bridges these distinctive worlds.  And this bond evolves from the partnership of the two Masters, who each lead their areas of expertise with vision and vigor. In celebration of this extraordinary meeting of minds, we unveil the second iteration of our inspired Masters’ Selection series, Bowmore Aston Martin Masters’ Selection 22 Year Old, a single malt capturing a harmonizing force in both its presence and its character.

Marek Reichman, Chief Creative Officer, Aston Martin, said, “For Aston Martin, we are always striving to push the boundaries, be that design, engineering, or performance, to achieve the very best in each car we create.  We are fueled by passion, but also by the partnership.  In coming together with Bowmore, we can imagine, discover, and create together, taking inspiration from one another constantly.   Working together to create synergies and bridges between our two worlds feels very natural so we’ve achieved a powerful harmony built on mutual respect, trust, and understanding.”

Ron Welsh, Master Blender, Bowmore, said “We talk about shared synergies between the contrasting worlds of Bowmore and Aston Martin and this is what truly defines the relationship Marek and I have formed.  We have relished in the opportunity to share experiences, ideas, and thoughts from each other’s worlds, listening and learning from the inherent skill, knowledge, and creativity we both possess.  In collaborating as guardians of our respective legacies, we recognize the honor bestowed upon us.

This whisky absolutely captures this synchronized creativity as it brings two distinct parts together, in this case, American Oak hogsheads with Sherry butts. But also uniting two different millennia, with whisky distilled in 1997 and 2000 respectively.  It delivers a character of two distinct, synchronized parts, much like our two Masters. Beginning with fragrances of honey sweetness, peach, and apricot, yet evolving into bolder medicinal aromas, with fresh tobacco, cloves, and eucalyptus. The palate is treated to another contrast of character, yet this time with a maritime feel giving an initial medicinal, salty taste that gives way to sweetness in the form of honey, and then an intriguing note of fresh oysters lingers that brings it back to Islay, along with the subtle peat smoke on the mouth drying finish.

The story of this whisky sees Bowmore’s Master Whisky Blender skillfully seeking the optimal nurture of spirit in cask. From sampling different cask styles to defining the character they all align behind; this is true collaboration at its finest. By sharing experiences, ideas, and thoughts, they explore each other’s worlds, listening and learning from the skills they all champion, taking inspiration to shape this latest creation.

Bowmore Masters’ Selection Edition 2 22 Year Old is the second release in the collectible series available in key global markets including the UK, Germany, Canada, USA and China. Presented at 51.5% ABV with a US suggested retail price of $450, available in the US as of January 2023.

Photo credit to Beam Suntory

CASK TYPES: American Oak hogsheads with Sherry butts

AGE: 22 Years Old

ABV: 51.5%

 Tasting notes

ON THE EYE: Deep copper

BREATHE IN: Sweet and fruity notes of heather honey, vanilla, cherries, and lychees with a floral character and a hint of eucalyptus. Oak spices, licorice and fresh tobacco leaves with a touch of aniseed and mint.

TASTE: Malty spice notes of vanilla fudge, golden syrup, and butterscotch, with thyme and white pepper, woody notes of dry oak, hazelnut, demerara sugar, and maple syrup and dates.

SAVOR: Sweet and woody with notes of licorice sticks deliver a spicy mouth feel and a touch of peat smoke.

ABOUT BOWMORE®

For over 240 years, the Bowmore Distillery has been capturing the essence of Islay from the shores of its remote island home. Shaped by centuries of skill and tradition, Bowmore’s single malt harnesses the power of this time in every single drop, defined by the past and savored in the present.

Time is defining at Bowmore® and we tirelessly harness the power of time to shape our whiskies. Our distillery’s adherence to traditional production methods helps to shape the character of our fruity and smoky single malts. Today, we are among one of a few distilleries which still produces its own floor-malted barley, hand-turned by a traditional wooden malt shovel and hand-drawn machinery.  Water for the whiskies is especially drawn from the Laggan River, with its rich peaty overtones – the same Islay peat that fires the malt-drying kiln.

Bowmore® Distillery’s proximity to the sea is also vital in determining the final character of its spirit and gives a hint of sea air to the character. The legendary Bowmore® No. 1 Vaults is where most of the whiskies spend their long lives resting quietly in the cool, dark, damp cellars below sea level, oblivious to the waves thrashing the vault’s sea-facing wall.

Matured in oak casks, previously used for bourbon, sherry, or claret, over time developing rich and mellow flavors until the expertise of our whisky makers deems them ready for bottling.  It is this combination of peat, barley, sea breeze, water, wood, people, and tradition that makes Bowmore the exceptional single malt it is today.

Time is marked on each and every bottle of Bowmore, proudly and boldly as a marker of where and when each one’s journey began.  This is our story of time. This is Bowmore; the Art of Time since 1779.

www.bowmore.com

ABOUT BEAM SUNTORY

As a world leader in premium spirits, Beam Suntory inspires human connections. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including the iconic Jim Beam® and Maker’s Mark® bourbon brands, Suntory whisky Kakubin and Courvoisier® cognac, as well as world renowned premium brands including Knob Creek®, Basil Hayden’s® and Legent™ bourbon; Yamazaki®, Hakushu®, Hibiki® and Toki™ Japanese whisky; Teacher’s, Laphroaig® and Bowmore® Scotch whisky; Canadian Club® whisky; Hornitos® and Sauza® tequila; EFFEN®, Haku® and Pinnacle® vodka; Sipsmith® and Roku™ gin; and On The Rocks® Premium Cocktails.

Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and vision of Growing for Good, which now includes its transformative sustainability strategy, Proof Positive. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com and www.drinksmart.com.

ABOUT ASTON MARTIN LAGONDA

Aston Martin Lagonda is a luxury automotive group focused on the creation of exclusive cars and SUVs. The iconic Aston Martin brand fuses the latest technology, exceptional hand craftsmanship and timeless design to produce models including the Vantage, DB11, DBS Superleggera and the new SUV, DBX.  Based in Gaydon, England, Aston Martin Lagonda designs, creates and exports cars which are sold in 51 countries around the world.

Lagonda was founded in 1899 and Aston Martin in 1913. The two brands came together in 1947 when both were purchased by the late Sir David Brown. www.astonmartin.com

The 140th auction is now live with more than six thousand quality bottles to choose from.  As usual we thought we’d save you some scrolling time and highlight a few special expressions in this months auction to get you started.

Bowmore 1964 38 Year Old Oloroso Cask

First up we have a very rare and special bottling from one of the most celebrated distilleries in Islay, Bowmore.  Distilled way back in 1964 this fantastic Bowmore 38 Year Old has been aged solely in Oloroso sherry casks and is one of only 300 bottles ever produced.  The combination of sweet sherry and Islay peat smoke is a very special one and has become one of the most sought-after flavour profiles in the world of whisky.  This expression is housed in a beautiful wooden presentation case and wouldn’t be out of place in even the finest of collections.

Karuizawa 1974 40 Year Old Vintage Cask #6114 75cl

The famed silent Japanese distillery of Karuizawa has produced some tremendous whiskies and none more so than this Karuizawa 1974 40 Year Old Vintage Cask #6114 75cl.  Not an expression we see very often, having sold it only twice before and the last occasion being way back in the 56th auction!  We are going to go out on a limb and predict this sells for more than the £5000 it achieved last time, so be prepared for competition if you have your eye on this one.

Springbank 1966 Local Barley Cask #479 75cl

Another tremendous expression, this Springbank 1966 Local Barley Cask #479 75cl is part of a famous set of vintages renowned for their quality and depth of flavour.  Distilled in 1966 and aged in a fresh Bourbon cask these bottlings are as rare as they celebrated.  Springbank’s, and indeed Campbeltown whiskies in general, have been going through something of a renaissance recently in the secondary market so there is no better time than the present to pick up an expression held in such high esteem by collectors the world over.

Macallan 1989 Samaroli

Finally, we have an independent bottling of one of the most collectable single malts in the world, Speyside’s own distilling juggernaut, The Macallan.  This Macallan 1989 vintage was bottled by one of the most respected international independent bottlers, Samaroli.  The renowned Italian bottler has been selecting the finest whiskies since their inception way back in 1968 and are known for producing independent bottlings of the highest quality.

Some really special and interesting drams there for sure, but this is just the tip of the iceberg.  With over 6000 tipples in this month there is something to suit every tastebud (and wallet) so the time has come to delve into this month’s auction, start building your watchlist, and as always best of luck to everyone this month.