Bookings go live at The Cairn Distillery   

The wait is finally over for the local community and whisky lovers with The Cairn Distillery opening its doors to the public from Monday 17^th October.  

From today, bookings can be made online for visitors to experience the first new distillery to be built in the Cairngorms National Park for more than a century.  

Moray based family business, Gordon & MacPhail first unveiled their plans for a distillery at Craggan, near Grantown-on-Spey, in 2018, with planning permission granted in 2019.  

Managing Director at Gordon & MacPhail, Ewen Mackintosh, explained: “After many years of preparation, planning and construction we look forward to finally opening the doors to members of the public, and in particular the local community, who have been so supportive since the project was first announced.    

“Having secured such a beautiful and awe-inspiring location overlooking the River Spey towards the Cairngorms, we wanted to create a building which complements the majesty of the environment.  We are delighted with the result, and we look forward to sharing it with visitors from all over the world.”  

The new distillery aims to build on Gordon & MacPhail’s 127-year heritage of producing exceptional Scotch whisky to inspire future generations. With magnificent views of its stunning location just outside Grantown-on-Spey, visitors can choose from a selection of immersive experiences, each culminating in a whisky tasting in The Discovery Room. With floor-to-ceiling windows, the room provides a stunning backdrop for visitors as they taste the future today: blended malt whiskies created to give a sense of notes, flavours and aromas that will be seen in the character of single malts that will be released from The Cairn Distillery in the 2030s.  

These sherry cask-matured, unpeated expressions are being released under the new CRN57 brand (the distillery sits on 57 degrees latitude from the equator), with 70cl bottlings available exclusively to those who tour the distillery. The oldest expression in the CRN57 range, a 70-Year-Old, is presented in a stunning crystal decanter and is the oldest blended malt whisky in the world.  

Nestled on the banks of the river Spey on the northern frontier of the Cairngorms National Park, every detail of The Cairn Distillery has been considered to create a remarkable structure that is reflective of its environment. From its sedum roof which encourages insect life to thrive, to the Caithness stone pathways, every aspect is designed to respect the natural shapes and colours around it. Reforestation projects are also underway to encourage native species and particular care has been taken to encourage the local population of rare goldeneye ducks.  

Food is also exclusively available to those who take a tour at The Gathering which offers tapas-style plates of the finest Scottish produce designed as the perfect accompaniment to an experience like no other.  

Open seven days a week all year round, visitor experiences start at £25, with three options available:  

THE EXPLORER EXPERIENCE (£25 / approx. 60 mins) 

Visitors learn about the 127-year journey from 1895 to The Cairn opening its doors followed by an awe-inspiring film about its stunning location. A trip around the spirit production process is then followed by an absorbing foray through the art of maturation before tasting  

drams of the CRN57 12-Year-Old, and 18-Year-Old blended malts, available nowhere else in the world.  

THE ADVENTURER EXPERIENCE (£60 / approx. 90 mins) 

Designed for visitors with that extra sense of adventure, this experience follows in the steps of the Explorertour, but also includes a dram of the 25-Years-Old blended malt as well as several dishes prepared to complement the whisky at The Gathering using locally sourced produce of exceptional quality.   

THE VOYAGER EXPERIENCE (£350 / 120 mins) 

Reserved for those willing to push the boundaries of exploration, Voyagers undertake a full, far-reaching whisky expedition rounded off by a very special tasting experience.  

Voyagers are personally guided around the production process by our distiller, on hand to explore every detail, with extended time for questions. In the Discovery Room, Voyagers are able to enjoy all six drams from the full CRN57 range, from 12-Years-Old up to 70-Years-Old. A full range of small dishes from The Gathering are also available. (Driving packs available for those unfortunate enough to be behind the wheel).

Tickets for the Explorer and Adventurer experiences can be booked online at thecairndistillery.com. Those wishing to go the extra mile and enjoy the Voyager experience should email info@thecairndistillery.com or call 01479 816543 

and arrangements will be made to their specific requirements, subject to availability.    

 To book your trip to The Cairn Distillery, please visit: thecairndistillery.com 

Notes 

Gordon & MacPhail is a family-owned premium spirits company based in Elgin, Scotland. Owner of Scotch whisky distilleries, Benromach and The Cairn, Gordon & MacPhail is also a Scotch whisky maturation expert, the owner of Scottish Gin brand, Red Door and the operator of a wholesale business in the United Kingdom selling premium Scotch whiskies and spirits, along with a high-quality retail outlet.   

The company owns Benromach Distillery located in Forres in Moray.  Benromach Single Malt Scotch Whisky is handcrafted using traditional methods by a small team of distillers using the finest Scottish barley and the purest spring water from the nearby Romach Hills. The multi award-winning portfolio of single malts is enjoyed by whisky drinkers worldwide.  

The company launched Red Door in the summer of 2018. Created at Benromach Distillery, this award winning, small batch Scottish gin now forms a strategic part of the company’s product portfolio.   

Work commenced in July 2020 on The Cairn, the company’s second distillery, overlooking the River Spey towards the Cairngorms.  The new site will add further distillation capacity and brand ownership to the company’s asset base and is a key part of the plans to continue building a long-term sustainable business.  A high-quality visitor experience offering tours and tastings will also attract visitors from around the world.   

Since the founding of the business in 1895, Gordon & MacPhail has sent casks to Scotch whisky distilleries throughout Scotland to be filled with new-make spirit, before being left to mature for many years either at the distillery or in their bonded warehouses in Elgin.  The Gordon & MacPhail portfolio offers some of the world’s rarest and most sought-after Single Malt Scotch Whiskies to discerning whisky drinkers globally.   

The company’s wholesale business serves customers throughout the United Kingdom selling Benromach Single Malt, Red Door gin and Gordon & MacPhail whiskies into the on and off trade. The business also exclusively represents a number of ‘distributor’ brands and stocks premium whiskies and spirits.   

The retail shop in Elgin remains the ‘spiritual home’ of the business, 127 years after it was first established in 1895.  The shop is home to a large selection of Single Malt Scotch Whiskies and is a destination for many whisky aficionados from around the world.   

The Grand Whisky Auction will be offering some very old and rare expressions that will feature in the coming auctions…

For more information on bidding or selling in the next auctions our team can be contacted via sales@thegrandwhiskyauction.com or 01463 210427.

www.thegrandwhiskyauction.com

Interested in selling whisky in our next auction?

T. +44 (0)1463 210 427

E. sales@thegrandwhiskyauction.com

The Glen Grant distillery is nestled in Scotland’s bucolic Speyside region. Rivers brim with cool, fresh water fed by hundreds of natural springs, and the fields boast the ideal conditions for growing barley. That is why Speyside is the undisputed champion of producing premium single malt Scotch whisky. The Glen Grant’s Scotch Whisky distillery is located in the northern end of the village of Rothes in Speyside.

In this particular evening there will be Chris Dennis the BA for The Glen Grant distillery, which will take us through the drams that characterise the distillery, the line-up is going to be:

The Glen Grant 10years Old
The Glen Grant 12Years Old
The Glen Grant 15years Old
The Glen Grant 18Years old

Mystery dram from the distillery!

The Glen Grant and their team has also organised an incredible raffle for the evening, where the lucky person will be taking home a nice and special gift from the Distillery! In addition each guest will receive a branded The Glen Grant Notebook during the night.

Buy Now

2013 Staoisha (Bunnahabhain) 8 Year Old “Signatory” K&L Exclusive Dechar/Rechar Hogshead Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) $89.99 View

2010 Caol Ila 11 Year Old “Signatory” K&L Exclusive1st Fill Bourbon Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) $99.99 View

2014 Ben Nevis 7 Year Old “Signatory” K&L Exclusive 2nd Fill Sherry Butt Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) $109.99 View

2013 Ben Nevis 8 Year Old “Signatory” K&L Exclusive 1st Fill Sherry Butt Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) $139.99 View

2012 Bunnahabhain 10 Year Old “Signatory” K&L Exclusive 1st Fill Sherry Butt Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) $149.99 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

Our best-seller The Hive is back in stock!

A small batch, hand-crafted Scotch whisky that captures the sweetness of Speyside in a smooth, honey-like expression. On the nose, a bouquet of florals and sticky blossom honey. On the palate, zesty orange and ginger tingle on the tongue. The finish is warm and zesty, with clove spiked grapefruit. Enjoy The Hive neat, or try a riff on a classic Old Fashioned or Whisky Sour.

SHOP HIVE IN THE UK

SHOP HIVE IN THE EU

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 465: Trip to Scotland Part 3 of 4

In September Mark took Dearly Beloved and his good friend Manny on a trip across the Scottish Highlands. In this third part of a four part series they enjoy the beauty of Orkney, are hosted to a fantastic private tour of the Highland Park distillery, return to the mainland to visit Wolfburn in Thurso and then trek across the mighty Highlands. Enjoy!

https://youtu.be/PC35jXPfARs

BENRIACH LAUNCHES INAUGURAL NFT ON BLOCKBAR.COM 

Bridging physical and digital for the first time, Benriach today merges old with new as it launches a luxury twinset with two bottles, one Benriach The Forty and one Benriach The Forty Octave Cask Matured, exclusively as a non-fungible token (NFT).

Only ten twinsets will be available exclusively on BlockBar.com, the world’s first direct-to-consumer NFT marketplace for luxury wines and spirits.

It will be the only time these incredibly limited edition expressions are available anywhere in the world as a bespoke twinset. The launch brings to life the marriage between Benriach’s tradition and innovation, celebrating two expressions which speak to the heritage of eclectic cask exploration and spirit styles at the distillery.

Along with the digital NFT providing the right to acquire both bottles, and a certificate of authenticity from BlockBar, NFT owners of record as of December 1, 2022 at 21:00 GMT, will receive an invitation for an exclusive event at Benriach’s Speyside distillery, meeting the creative team of whisky makers at Benriach and exploring the world of flavour the distillery has to offer.

Rachel Barrie, Master Blender for Benriach, commented:

“We are hugely excited that the launch of Benriach The Forty and Benriach The Forty Octave Cask Matured will happen via NFT marketplace BlockBar.com.”

“Fine bourbon casks have gradually developed exquisite notes of honeyed pomelo and lush orchard fruits to create Benriach The Forty, one of the oldest ever peated whiskies released from Speyside. Over the decades of maturation, the smoky character of peated Benriach spirit refines and mellows, transforming into ripe fruit sweetness. This intricate character is interwoven with dark notes of chocolate, rich plum and smooth walnut from port casks sourced from the Douro Valley in Portugal.

“Benriach The Forty Octave Cask Matured is the finest example of Benriach matured with creative consideration. The liquid was ingeniously nurtured in small octave casks, which are an eighth of the size of a regular cask. These casks were crafted from the staves of American oak bourbon casks, rich with indulgent orchard and dark fruits and a flawless silken oak finish. It is a testament to our history of creativity in cask exploration.”

The twinset will include bespoke customisation on the packaging and will be securely stored by BlockBar until redeemed. Buyers can also trade their NFT within the blockbar.com marketplace, store it in their virtual bar, or gift it through BlockBar’s new gifting platform.

Dov Falic, BlockBar co-founder and CEO, said:  “We are delighted that Benriach has chosen to partner with BlockBar to launch its first ever NFT. We look forward to building a great relationship together and releasing more exclusive drops for our BlockBar community.”

Each of the 10 NFTs will represent a set of two bottles, one Benriach The Forty and one Benriach The Forty Octave Cask Matured, and can be purchased exclusively on BlockBar.com. The drop goes live at 10AM EST on Tuesday 11th October on a first come, first served basis. Initially priced at USD$8000, each NFT is available to purchase with ETH or credit card. At 10AM, the first user(s) to reserve the NFTs will then have 10 minutes to check out. Users who successfully check out will receive the NFT(s) they purchased, each representing the right to own the physical bottles, which are stored with BlockBar until the bottle owner is ready to redeem from spring 2023.

Existing Blockbar NFT owners will receive early access 24 hours before the public release.

10 twin sets available exclusively through Blockbar retailing for USD $8000 RRP.

About Benriach Distillery

 A Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky as intriguing and extraordinary as Benriach could not have come to be without a unique whisky making heritage, dating from 1898, when founder John Duff built his distillery. Ruggedly beautiful, Benriach stands on the site of the old Riach farm in north Speyside, drawing water from a mineral-rich aquifer, deep beneath the distillery.

Thanks to a long-standing tradition of distilling three styles of whisky; classic unpeated, Highland peated and triple distilled, together with an eclectic selection of casks from around the world, our whisky makers are able to explore the full flavour possibilities of Single Malt, creating some of the richest, most multi-layered whiskies in Speyside.

This tradition continues today, under the guidance of Master Blender, Rachel Barrie. Benriach is the story of a hidden Speyside gem, quietly revealing its treasures to be discovered and savoured.

Facebook @Benriach

Instagram @Benriach

Twitter @TheBenriach

Benriach The Forty

Colour: Deep bronze

Nose: Richly fruity, with the exquisite scent of sweet orange, plum and honey pomelo laced with dark chocolate coated berries layered on smooth walnut and cherry liqueur.

Palate: Luscious orchard fruits unfold on the palate with silky morello cherry, soft nectarine, stewed red apple and white peach, lingering into the seductive velvety walnut and kumquat finish.

ABV 43.5%

Benriach The Forty Octave Cask Matured

Colour: Deep red mahogany

Nose: Rich with indulgent orchard and dark fruits, as sweet plum, cherry and honey glazed red apple interweave with aromatic sandalwood, ripe fig and sultana

Palate: A decadent interplay of ripe plum and pear, interwoven with dark berries, cedarwood and silken oak, leaving cocoa and blackberry in a flawless finish

ABV: 51.5%

Twinset RRP: $8000

About BlockBar:

www.BlockBar.com

Founded in October 2021, BlockBar sells NFTs directly from luxury wines and spirits brands. Each NFT corresponds to an actual physical bottle, exclusive to BlockBar, available to purchase with ETH, credit card or wire transfer. Owners can resell, collect, gift, or at any point «burn» their NFT in exchange for the physical bottle, shipped from BlockBar’s secure facility in Singapore with 24/7 security, motion sensors, and temperature control. BlockBar only partners directly with brand owners including LVMH, Diageo, Bacardi, Pernod Ricard, Sazerac, William Grant & Sons and more, and does not take collections from third parties or collectors. BlockBar is democratising access to luxury wines and spirits allowing anyone, anywhere in the world to participate, whilst offering bottle owners storage, insurance and a marketplace to re-sell their bottles purchased on BlockBar’s platform. BlockBar’s proprietary smart contracts verify authenticity tracing every transaction directly back to the partnering brand, and its partnership with top cyber- and crypto-security firms ensures that transactions are fully protected and transparent.

KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL® DISTILLERIES RECOMMEND BOOKING TOURS IN ADVANCE

 Bourbon tourism expects another record-breaking year

FRANKFORT, Ky. – On the heels of National Bourbon Heritage Month, The Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA) today announced that 2022 is on track to be the highest distillery visitation year in the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®’s 23-year history.

This thrilling milestone for Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour® distilleries will likely exceed the record 1.7 million combined visits set in 2019, prior to pandemic shutdowns.

Due to the rise in Bourbon tourism and a growing demand for authentic curated experiences, many of Kentucky’s iconic distilleries are asking visitors to book their tours well in advance.

To support their efforts and ensure whiskey lovers from around the world can fully immerse themselves in all that Kentucky’s distilleries offer, KDA today launched a campaign asking people to “Book Now, Bourbon Later.”

A collaborative effort among KBT® and KBTCT® distilleries, the campaign aims to increase awareness of the need for visitors to plan their distillery experiences ahead of time to ensure they get the most out of their visit.

In addition to social media and blog content created by the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®, participating distilleries will also promote the campaign.

Since reopening their doors to visitors after the pandemic shutdown, distilleries have seen staggering growth in visitation and demand, Kentucky Bourbon Trail® Experiences Director Mandy Ryan said.

“The last thing we want is for any Bourbon fan to miss out on the experience they want,” Ryan said. “Since most of our larger brands cannot accommodate walk-in visitors, reservations are the key to a successful Kentucky Bourbon adventure.”

While not all 42 distilleries on the KBT® and KBTCT® require, or even offer reservations, the vast majority do. Same-day reservations or walk-in availability can be sporadic, and it’s better for visitors to not leave their distillery experiences up to chance.

Availability and experiences vary by distillery, which makes planning ahead a necessity. Many distilleries share availability, events and resources on social media to help visitors keep up with important updates.

“We want your visit to be as smooth as Kentucky Bourbon, so make sure to secure your distillery experiences, hotels and dining reservations well in advance of your trip,” said Ryan, with the KDA.

In addition to encouraging people to plan ahead, the KDA reminds visitors to experience the state’s legendary distilleries like a Kentuckian–with kindness, dignity and respect.

“Kentucky’s Bourbon culture is unlike anything in the world, and it deserves to be upheld with the utmost respect and appreciation,” said Dee Ford, brand home general manager of Angel’s Envy in Louisville. “When visiting our distilleries, please remember to be kind and respectful to our people, our spirits and the cities we call home. As interest in Bourbon continues to grow, let’s all do our part to represent the spirit of true Kentucky hospitality.”

The KDA is a non-profit trade association founded in 1880 to promote, protect and elevate Kentucky’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry. Visit www.kybourbon.com and www.kybourbontrail.com to learn more.

We are so pleased to have been shortlisted for Best World Whisky in this year’s OSWA awards – thanks for supporting us by taking a few minutes to vote before 16 October.

VOTE HERE

Cotswolds Distillery Phillip’s Field, Whichford Road Stourton Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire CV36 5EX

A classy coastal collaboration from Old Pulteney

This new dram from Old Pulteney sees the north of Scotland collaborate worth the southwest coast of France! This particular dram has ben finished off in oceanic influenced French oak casks in the coastal southwest of France which previously held Pineau des Charentes, an iconic regional aperitif. C’est tres bon!

Old Pulteney Coastal Series
Pineau Des Charentes

Here is the exciting first release from Old Pulteney’s latest collection, the Coastal Series. Fragrant honey, balsamic, raisin, and candied orange lead to an oaky and nutty palate with ground spice. This is a dram that will transport you to the seaside!

£75.00
BUY NOW