ralfy review 951 – Caperdonich 18yo @48%vol:

THE MACALLAN REVEALS A NEW EDITION OF THE HARMONY COLLECTION CELEBRATING THE WORLD OF COFFEE 

The Macallan has unveiled the new expressions that form the second edition of The Harmony Collection, a limited annual release series driven by the brand’s inherent curiosity and its innovative and creative mindset.

A collection exploring The Macallan’s future packaging journey, each release features distinctive packaging that incorporates organic by-products and gives them new life.

The new single malt whiskies – The Macallan Harmony Collection Inspired by Intense Arabica for domestic markets and Smooth Arabica for global travel retail – celebrate the world of coffee and have been inspired by the Ethiopian Arabica coffee bean. Their hybrid packaging was created using repurposed and recycled materials including discarded coffee bean husks.

The Macallan Whisky Maker Steven Bremner has created the intensely flavoured whiskies to pair with coffee. He immersed himself in the art of coffee by hosting a masterclass with world renowned coffee experts at The Macallan Estate. He explored the journey from field to cup, uncovering the unique process and distinct flavour profiles at each stage.

Among the coffee masters who shared their knowledge with Steven were Ethiopian coffee grower Kenean Asefa Dukamo, whose family works with the Arabica variety showcased by the whiskies; Scottish coffee roaster Lisa Lawson, a pioneer of speciality coffee in Scotland acclaimed for her roasting techniques; and award-winning American barista Andrea Allen, renowned for creating incredible coffee experiences. UK-based coffee artist Dhan Tamang crafted a range of coffee art, sharing his knowledge on the art of the perfect coffee serve and sensory perceptions, while leading coffee historian Professor Jonathan Morris provided an insight into the roots of coffee and how it has become the global phenomenon it is today.

Drawing inspiration from the Arabica coffee bean from Ethiopia, renowned as the birthplace of coffee, Steven selected a combination of American and European oak casks to achieve the distinctive notes offered by the single malts. Inspired by Intense Arabica is reminiscent of a sweet yet strong espresso coffee and has a higher ABV of 44%, while Smooth Arabica conveys the flavours of a gently spiced and soft americano which come through at an ABV of 40%. Both can be paired with coffee to provide a new way to savour The Macallan.

Steven Bremner, Whisky Maker, The Macallan, said: “Exploring the world of coffee with our masters in the industry, who shared their knowledge, creativity, and love for their art, was both an education and an inspiration. There are many parallels between the approach to creating incomparable whisky and coffee. Each requires unique skills and craftsmanship to achieve depth and complexity of taste and both worlds aim to deliver an extraordinary consumption experience.

“To create the coffee-inspired second edition of The Harmony Collection, I sought out intense notes in The Macallan’s traditional sherry seasoned European oak casks that would offer the rich and satisfying elements of coffee, with the influence of sherry seasoned American oak casks adding sweeter and softer vanilla notes for a balanced and rounded experience.

“Each expression has been paired with two different variations of Ethiopian coffee, which accentuate the unique tasting notes within the whisky when enjoyed side by side, creating a new sensorial experience of The Macallan.” 

The expressions are presented in a presentation box, which incorporates repurposed coffee bean husks, a by-product in the coffee-making process. Paper expert Michele Posocco from Italian paper mill Favini worked with The Macallan to create the innovative packaging. The rich red pantone colour on the Inspired by Intense Arabica pack reflects the coffee fruit, while the vibrant green on the Smooth Arabica pack represents the unroasted coffee bean.

The Harmony Collection commenced with the release of Rich Cacao last year, followed by Fine Cacao earlier this year, which both incorporated discarded husks from cacao pods in their packaging and offered chocolate flavour profiles.

The Macallan Harmony Collection Inspired by Intense Arabica and Smooth Arabica have an RRSP of US$185 / £140 / €165. Inspired by Intense Arabica will be available at The Macallan Estate Bar, The Macallan Online Boutique and in premium retailers, bars and restaurants around the world from October 2022. Smooth Arabica will be available in The Macallan Airport Boutiques, key airports around the world and China Hainan Island duty free shops from November 2022.

For further information visit https://www.themacallan.com

Whisky Maker’s Notes:

The Macallan Harmony Collection Inspired by Intense Arabica

ABV: 44%.

Colour: Crema.

Aroma: Tiramisu, cappuccino, gingerbread, raisins, almonds, sweet oak and vanilla.

Palate: Espresso, dark chocolate, raisin, tiramisu, blackberry, vanilla, Brazil nut and sweet oak.

Finish: Long, dark roast coffee, balanced and sweet.  

The Macallan Harmony Collection Smooth Arabica

ABV: 40%

Colour: Toffee.

Aroma: Ground coffee, hazelnuts, sweet raisin, dark cherry, toffee, vanilla and sweet oak.

Palate: Americano, raisins, cherries, soft spices, walnut, vanilla and oak.

Finish: Lingering coffee bean turning sweet and creamy.

About The Macallan 

Founded in 1824 on a plateau above the River Spey in north-east Scotland, The Macallan is renowned globally for its incomparable craftsmanship, creativity and innovation with each bottle of single malt whisky revealing its unique mastery of wood and spirit.

Social and environmental sustainability is at the heart of The Macallan, and as part of its commitment to establishing a positive legacy it revealed its award-winning new Distillery in 2018. Designed by internationally acclaimed architects, the building takes inspiration from the surrounding ancient Scottish hills and is located on The Macallan’s beautiful 485-acre Estate. To this day, the single greatest influence on The Macallan’s sought after portfolio of single malts is its sherry seasoned oak casks from which its whiskies derive their distinctive flavours, aromas and natural colour.

Crafted without compromise. Please savour The Macallan responsibly.

“House Malt” Single Malt 2012 Sherry Vintage

This 2012 Sherry Vintage, aged entirely in a first-fill Spanish Oak Oloroso sherry butt. Distilled on the 4th of July 2012, it’s everything you would expect it to be, full of rich, dark fruit, roasted Arabica coffee, bitter chocolate, and toasted nutty old dunnage character!

Bottled at ABV of 57.1%, non-chill filtered and at natural colour.
Only 719 bottles produced.

Save £5 on this delicious dram.
£45.00
50.00

Shop now

Aberdeen Whisky Shop

474 Union Street, Aberdeen, United Kingdom, AB10 1TS

NEW BUNNAHABHAIN 12 CASK STRENGTH

Following on from last years highly successful Cask Strength, we have the new version for 2022. This one is the typical Bunna – sherry influenced & rich.

Deep russet gold, this natural cask strength 12 Year Old is a celebration of the Bunnahabhain house style.
Delivering big hits of chocolate, spice and concentrated dried fruits
Sherried | Spicy | Unpeated

Colour: Russet gold
Nose: Initial notes of creamy milk chocolate, red berries and sweet dried fruit are balanced with classic Oloroso spiciness and a hint of cloves.
Palate: Toasted nuts, salted caramel and chocolate covered raisins are intertwined with crisp apple, poached pears and a dusting of cinnamon.
Finish: Sweet long finish with cocoa, cherries and a light sea spray.

A cask strength of 56.6% abv
From the stunning Islay Whisky Distillery of Bunnahabhain

Order Now >> £76.90

Whisky of the Year 2023

Our highly-anticipated annual tasting is back! Come on a journey to help us decide what will be our Whisky of the Year 2023. Join us in person and tell us your opinion by blind tasting and voting on a carefully selected line-up chosen by industry professionals.⁠ We can’t wait to see which one you crown the winner!⁠

THE DETAILS
Venue: Bridewell Hall, 14 Bride Ln, London EC4Y 8EQ
Date: 17 November
Time: 7-9pm
Price: £65

BOOK NOW 

LINDORES ABBEY EXCLUSIVE

LINDORES ABBEY AW EXCLUSIVE

Following on from our exceptional Daftmill exclusive, we’re excited to release our second Lowland single cask hailing from our home region of Fife.

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…

Presenting Lindores cask 591, our latest Abbey Whisky Exclusive!

Available now via the link below.

Slàinte Mhath

SHOP NOW

Wilderness Trail 8 Year Old (Black Label) Bottled In Bond Sweet Mash High-Rye Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $89.99 View

BenRiach 23 Year Old “Hunter Laing’s Old & Rare” Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) $249.99 View

2002 Pulteney 18 Year Old “Hunter Laing Old & Rare” Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (750ml) $200.00 View

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 Cask Strength #3, 64.1%

https://youtu.be/yUCC8wzDqvo

A combination of loads of European oak and heavily peated Highland Park distillate, Batch 3 is uniquely different from the previous batches of ‘sweeter’ high strength releases from the distillery. The nose is rather luxurious with maple, pecan and those classic heather honey notes. But once it comes to taste, this whisky is an explosion of bigger, drier, more powerful HP stylings that I haven’t really come across before, and that is quite fun!

Coming in at a huge 64.1% – it is a liquid that makes a statement, HP can still make great whisky, despite what many would say. A shame it’s the only affordable bottle of that quality.

Gleneagles announces next release in spirited partnership with Glenturret

Gleneagles, the renowned hotel and country estate alongside its Perthshire neighbour, The Glenturret, are embarking on the next phase of an exciting partnership with the release of their second exclusive single malt.

The 2022 Limited Release of 750 hand-numbered bottles represents the second of five editions of Gleneagles’ own whisky, a continued commitment from the two iconic Scottish brands to share the warm spirit and hospitality of the idyllic Perthshire region through a rich tasting experience.

Crafted in partnership with The Glenturret’s Whisky Maker Bob Dalgarno, new tasting notes distinguish this exceptional 11-year-old single malt with flavours reminiscent of classic sticky toffee pudding, warm caramel and vanilla ice-cream, complimented by summer blackberries and green apple. A finish of soft oak, wood spices and dried fruit lingers on the palate for a perfect nightcap.

Following the overwhelming success of the original single malt, the 2022 release is now available to purchase from Gleneagles’ own whisky boutique, The Still Room, with each 70cl bottle retailing at £105. Enjoy at home on a cold winter’s night or keep as a collector’s item alongside its 2021 companion. A limited number of bottles will be available to enjoy by the dram in Gleneagles’ own American Bar and Century Bar, too. To celebrate the launch of the latest bottling, guests who purchase a bottle will also be offered a complimentary tour of The Glenturret Distillery.

Daniel Baernreuther, General Manager at Gleneagles, said: “We’re so proud to continue our partnership with The Glenturret to create a new limited-edition whisky alongside Scotland’s Oldest Working Distillery, and add the 2022 edition as the sequel in a portfolio that serves as an homage to the countryside we share.

“The warm reception to our first collaboration has allowed us to take the 2022 edition to new levels, developing a spirit that encapsulates the warmth, luxury, and comfort we hope to create for each guest that walks through our doors.”

John Laurie, Managing Director of The Glenturret said: “This project with Gleneagles has been a wonderful opportunity to lean into our shared heritage in Perthshire and continue refining the experience that a dram of 11-year Gleneagles x The Glenturret creates through this exciting five-year partnership.”

For more information, visit our website or contract reservations at reservations@gleneagles.com or 0800 704 705.

Instagram: @thegleneagleshotel / Twitter: @gleneagleshotel / Facebook: @gleneagleshotel

#LoveGlen 

For further information please contact Catriona Quinn, gleneagles@mucklemedia.co.uk

About Gleneagles 

Since opening its doors in June 1924, Gleneagles has been one of Scotland’s most iconic hotels and sporting estates. Set beneath the Ochil Hills, in the heart of Perthshire, it has been the must-go destination for travellers for nearly a century. Beginning its life in the glamorous age of travel when guests arrived in great style at Gleneagles’ very own train station, the 850-acre estate epitomises the natural beauty for which Scotland is famed. With its Glorious Playground of country pursuits and activities, the hotel is reclaiming its position on the social calendar. Now under new owner Ennismore, Gleneagles has enlisted the skills and expertise of some of the UK’s most acclaimed designers including David Collins Studio, Timorous Beasties, Macaulay Sinclair, Goddard Littlefair and Ennismore’s own in-house design studio – to create designs and spaces that celebrate the hotel’s rich, glamorous heritage.

Gleneagles is part of Ennismore, a creative hospitality company rooted in culture and community, with a global portfolio of entrepreneurial and founder-built brands with purpose at their heart.

www.ennismore.com

About The Glenturret 

Crafted at Scotland’s Oldest Working Distillery since 1763 entirely by hand in exclusive small batches, The Glenturret single malt is defined by its outstanding quality and exquisite taste. Located in the ‘Hosh’, Crieff, surrounded by the beautiful Perthshire countryside, The Glenturret offers daily distillery tours, whisky flights at the Lalique Bar, a dedicated retail store including an exclusive Lalique Boutique, and The Glenturret Lalique Restaurant, the distillery’s Michelin Star unique dining experience.

www.theglenturret.com

Instagram @theglenturretwhisky

Celebrate St Andrew’s Day with the Scottish Whisky Industry

Individuals, teams and businesses working in Scotch Whisky are now gathering in numbers for the industry’s annual dinner and celebration which takes place on St Andrew’s Day. The 4^th annual Scottish Whisky Awards is now just five week’s away and finalists are being urged to book their place at the event which has over 300 guests already confirmed.

Don’t miss out on this important whisky industry networking event which will present medals and awards in over 20 categories. Are you a finalist?  Don’t forget to tag us #scottishwhiskyawards.

We are looking forward to welcoming you to the awards!

Sláinte!

The Scottish Whisky Awards Team

Book Now

View Finalists 2022