Phil will return next week…

BENROMACH PARTNERS WITH PAPER ARTIST HELEN MUSSELWHITE FOR HANDMADE FESTIVE SCULPTURE

As part of its ‘Firsthand‘ campaign, Benormach single malt looks to celebrate all things handmade. Their new collaboration is with renowned paper artist Helen Musselwhite who has created a sculpture themed around the Speyside distillery and its whiskies.

Helen’s meticulous process began with a trip to Forres, Morayshire, to meet distillery manager Keith Cruickshank and experience the whisky making process first hand, taking inspiration from the award-winning flavour profile of the Benromach 15 Year Old single malt and the distillery’s traditional process.

The resulting 3D sculpture, which stands at almost 1m high, celebrates the values shared by Helen and the distillery – that the care, skill, passion and patience that go into a handmade approach can deliver extra special results.

Visitors will be able to see Helen’s work of art first hand, on display at the distillery’s visitor centre from January 2023. Window displays of the design can also be viewed at Jeffrey St Whiskies in Edinburgh, and at Amathus City and Amathus Shoreditch in London from 5^th December.

The collaboration is part of Benromach’s Firsthand campaign, which brings people closer to makers worldwide who embody the passion and craft of handmade. Helen’s sculpture was created by a series of cuts, folds, scores and layers of various types of paper to create an intricate view of the distillery and its whiskies.

Keith Cruickshank, Benromach Distillery Manager, said: “It was wonderful to welcome Helen to the distillery and share our story and process, and explore areas where our worlds overlap. Both processes require a deep understanding of the layers, tools and complexities that go into creating something unique.

“The level of detail in Helen’s finished sculpture is remarkable. It’s a unique work of art guaranteed to intrigue and delight in equal measure. It’s the perfect illustration of the beauty of handmade things.”

Helen has honed her craft over 16 years and has worked with brands including Royal Mail, Molton Brown and Hoegaarden.

Helen Musselwhite said: “My visit to Speyside and the Benromach Distillery provided the ideal inspiration. I was struck by the age-old traditions employed in the whisky-making process and the passion and expertise of those who work there, The beautiful surroundings and aroma and taste of the whiskies also helped to shape my design.

“There are natural synergies between their craft and mine. Both take care, pay attention to detail and take time to make something worth waiting for – although my process is thankfully not quite as long! It took me around a month to make my paper sculpture, from initial sketches and a basic scale model through to the final piece. I got lost in the details which is always my favourite part, from the individual peppercorns to the roof tiles on the distillery roof.”

Visitors who purchase Benromach whisky at the distillery shop or website or at any of the retailers with window displays will receive a gift bag detailing Helen’s design, as well as a specially printed Christmas card.

For more information, visit the Benromach website.

About Benromach Distillery

Originally built in 1898, Benromach Distillery was brought back to life when the Urquhart family realised a lifelong dream to own a distillery in 1993. The distillery was extensively re-equipped over a five-year period before it was officially opened by HRH The Duke of Rothesay in 1998.

In reopening Benromach Distillery, the Urquhart family wanted to create a single malt whisky that has a classic Speyside character: beautifully balanced with a light touch of smoke.

Benromach Distillery is located on the outskirts of the ancient market town of Forres. A five-star visitor centre is open to the public throughout the year. Benromach Distillery is a member of the world-famous Malt Whisky Trail.

For more information, visit: www.benromach.com

Give a gift they’ll love

We know how stressful this time of year can be trying to find the perfect gift – so to help we’ve put together a collection of our top 3 whiskies that we’ll know they’ll love! Whatever your loved one’s preferences, there’s sure to be a gift here that they’ll adore.

Smooth, bright and lively like the islanders who make it – our trademark Jura 10 Year Old is a smooth all-rounder malt finished in the finest aged Oloroso sherry casks from Jerez, Spain. With sweet flavours of rich cacao and vanilla cream, this copper-gold whisky is smooth, bright, and lively. Perfect served neat, over ice or in a Jura Sunset

BUY ONLINE

Matured in American white oak ex-bourbon and hand-selected American Rye barrels, the casks deliver depth and complexity to our 14 Year Old single malt with layered spice, and aromatic, herbal and floral qualities. Every time you pour a glass you’re raising a dram with the islanders who make it and with every rye-spiced sip you will taste Jura’s bright and characterful spirit, a gift from our tiny island community to you.

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Looking to introduce them to something they’ve never tried before? Tropical might not be the first thing that springs to mind when you think of Jura, but our Rum Cask Finish draws inspiration from the sun-soaked Caribbean, bringing the lively spirit of rum home to our shores. Mouth-wateringly smooth and fruity, it’s the perfect exotic escape.

BUY ONLINE

St Vincent Plaza, 319 St Vincent Street, Glasgow, G2 5LP
www.jurawhisky.com

Two French Oak ex-Tawny Single Casks
TD0406 & TD0408

Tomorrow we release two first-fill French oak ex-Tawny single casks, TD0406 and TD0408. These early 400 batch numbers (barrels TD0402 – TD0409) are a little different. 9 years ago we sourced a small handful of 225L French oak ex-Tawny barrels – rather than our usual 300L ones – and we quickly learnt that this was some ultra-generous oak. Consider this a proverbial shoulder-tap to fans of the style. We hope you enjoy this limited run of Sullivans Cove French oak ex-Tawny, turned up.

***IMPORTANT NOTICE***  

Customers entering the ballot/s tomorrow will be prompted to pick a new password.

If you have any difficulties contact info@sullivanscove.com.

French Oak ex-Tawny TD0406

Vibrant, oak-forward and full of flavour. This is a very fun whisky (with a dark-side).

TD0406 transitions seamlessly between rich dark chocolate, jersey caramels and coffee cake. Zesty, tingly tannins stand side-by-side with a lemon driven confectionary note, and all is carried smoothly to the finish by the textural equivalent of an oil slick.

Matured for 9 years in a first-fill 225L French oak ex-Tawny cask, yielding 293 bottles of Sullivans Cove single cask whisky.

Read the full tasting notes here

French Oak ex-Tawny TD0408

This whisky jumps straight out the glass and into your heart.

It’s a big dram; deep and brooding with impeccable structure. Layers of dried fruits provided by the Tawny seamlessly meet the spices of French Oak, and anise notes of the spirit.

TD0408 has lots of everything – all at once!

Matured for 9 years in a first-fill 225L French oak ex-Tawny cask, yielding just 268 bottles of Sullivans Cove single cask whisky.

Read the full tasting notes here

These whiskies will be released via ballot. The ballots will open for 24 hours from 10am Hobart time on Wednesday 14th of December. Further details will be sent via email prior to the ballots opening.

A note on our ballot system. 

Our policy is one entry per person, per household, per ballot. Our fraud detection algorithm detects multiple entries and removes them to ensure our whisky lands in the hands of our genuine supporters, so to ensure your entry counts, please enter each ballot once only. If you have any questions around our ballot process, you can email us at info@sullivanscove.com Successful entries will be notified shortly after the ballots close.

ARTEMIS Orion 1st Launch Accomplished!

Artemis 1 launched from the Kennedy Space Center on 16th November 2022. The first rocket launched by NASA intended to travel to the moon for 50 years. After four days, the Orion spacecraft entered the lunar sphere of influence going on to become the furthest distance travelled from Earth by any craft designed to carry humans.

Today, Sunday 11th December, after a successful 28 day mission the Orion capsule splashed back down to Earth. Capturing the historic occasion, we are delighted to have been sent pictures of the Bunnahabhain First Release bottles which made it all the way to Kennedy Space Center, Florida, USA!

To commemorate the successful launch of Artemis, the second release; Orion Invergordon 30 Year Old 1991 vintage is now available.

We’ll see you again in 2024…

INVERGORDON DISTILLERY

30 Year Old 1991 ARTEMIS Orion 1st Launch Accomplished

Cask #TWB1030

£150.00

Buy – Invergordon 30 Years – £150 / €174* / $149* / c$252*

Invergordon 30 Year Old 1991 vintage Highland single grain Scotch whisky. Single cask ex-Islay barrel #TWB1030 bottled 2022. The first flight of the Artemis Moon program successfully launched on 16th November 2022 from the Kennedy Space Center. Thrusting the Orion spacecraft towards the Moon. Commemorating the launch, The Whisky Barrel has selected a cask of Highland single grain Scotch whisky – The First Launch Accomplished Edition. 204 numbered bottles.

MAXIMUM 1 BOTTLE PER CUSTOMER.

Nose: Constellation of peat smoke, ecliptic fruit salad and mango, rocket fuel demerara sugar and lunar honey.

Taste: Big bang of tropical fruits, solar bonfire embers, orbital blood oranges and total eclipse of chocolate ginger.

Finish: Meteor shower of vanilla pods, deep space pomegranate with a soft sweet gravitational pull.

W Club ballot coming soon…
Bowmore Aston Martin Masters’ Selection Edition 2

The second collaborative expression in the Masters’ Selection of rare whiskies from Bowmore and Aston Martin will be coming soon the The Whisky Shop ballot. The ballot will be available only to members of our W Club. Register your interest below to stay up-to-date, and make sure you are signed up to The W Club so you can enter the ballot when it opens.

Register Your Interest→
Join the W Club→

Bowmore Aston Martin Masters’ Selection Edition 2

Aged for 22 years in American oak hogsheads and sherry butts this release is bottled at 51.5% abv and shines with notes of honey, salt, peaches, eucalyptus and drying peat smoke.

£390.00
Register Your Interest

The Ultimate Whisky Magazine Gift Guide

If you’re looking for the perfect gift for someone who loves whisky, we’ve got you covered!  This gift guide includes all things whisky inspired. Whether that someone special is a casual whisky drinker or a die-hard enthusiast, we’ve got something for them.

Christmas shopping doesn’t have to be hard this year when you know where to look. 

Our Leather Whisky Tasting Journal is perfect for recording your personal whisky collection and memorable tastings!

BUY NOW

Henry McKenna 10 Year Old Bottled in Bond Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) 95 $69.99 View

 The bouquet features smells of new car leather, breakfast cereal, cornmeal, pepper and hemp. Entry is nicely sweet and intensely grainy; the mid-palate is the high point as the taste profile expands to include semisweet flavors of caramel corn, toasted marshmallow, dried fruit and chocolate covered cherry. Concludes oaky sweet and chewy. *Superb, Highly Rated*  (12/2008)

90 points Whisky Advocate

 One of the few remaining age-stated bourbons. Henry McKenna’s color is beautiful. You can hold it up in sunset light and just enjoy the russet and amber hues reflecting. Sweetness, savory, and floral fragrances followed by brown sugar, fresh-baked rye bread, and malt. Caramel and vanilla, with roasted pine nuts and spice, and a slight hint of strawberry lead to a long and savory finish. Balance is the point of this sipper. (FM, Summer 2016) 

K&L Notes

You know it, you love it. It’s ten years old, bottled-in-bond, single cask, 100-proof, old-school Kentucky bourbon from Heaven Hill and an incredible value by any measure.

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

ISLE OF RAASAY DISTILLERY WINS SCOTTISH DISTILLERY OF THE YEAR AND TOURISM DESTINATION OF THE YEAR 2022

The 4th annual Scottish Whisky Awards revealed the winners from its comprehensive competition that included the blind tasting of nearly 200 Scotch whiskies and the assessment of product from 61 Scottish distilleries and independent bottlers.

The ultimate award of the night, Scottish Whisky Distillery of the Year, sponsored by Bruce Stevenson Insurance Brokers, was presented to Isle of Raasay Hebridean Distillers. Their award was presented in recognition of their efforts to create a new destination in Raasay and in their work producing a new and exciting range of Single Malt Scotch.  They also collected the award Tourism Destination of the Year which was sponsored by Dentons.

Graeme Dempster, Account Executive of Bruce Stevenson Insurance Brokers, commented;

 “Very many congratulations to Isle of Raasay Distillery and to all the whisky producers selected in the Scottish Whisky Awards.  We are delighted to support the event and provide our own contribution to celebrating and rewarding the Scotch whisky industry as they progress their ambitions at home and abroad.”

Chair of the Judging Panel, Professor Alan Wolstenholme, commented:

“Very many congratulations to all winners who were presented with their awards here tonight. The Scotch whisky industry has united on St Andrews Day once more with a goal to work together to promote and celebrate Scotch as the whisky of choice at home and across the world.”

Co-founder and Master Distiller at Isle of Raasay Distillery, Alasdair Day said:

“We are honoured and delighted to receive this amazing accolade from the judges at the Scottish Whisky Awards. It is recognition of the herculean effort delivered by our entire team this year. We look forward to welcoming more visitors to our island distillery, staying in our luxury accommodation and enjoying our Isle of Raasay Hebridean single malt scotch whisky”.