Follow your nose towards a flavour-fuelled Easter adventure, we’re entertaining the senses with a new captivating collection of rare cask whiskies. Our new Outturn brings 18 new bottlings to taste and explore, click over to our website to fill your online basket.

BUY NEW OUTTURN NOW

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ

Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

REMASTERING THE PAST WHILE IMAGINING THE FUTURE, INTRODUCING THE JAMESON ANTHOLOGY

New collection includes the unveiling of the first Jameson single pot still whiskey in decades available via two online ballots

The whiskey makers at Midleton Distillery are proud to present The Jameson Anthology, a curated collection of unique limited-edition Irish whiskeys which draw inspiration from the past as well as imagining new possibilities. Jameson Remastered, the first volume within The Jameson Anthology, celebrates the spirit of classic discontinued whiskeys, by reinventing them with modern techniques to deliver a new taste experience. The soon to be released second volume, Jameson Remixed, meanwhile will explore and experiment with new tunes from Jameson for an altogether different take on the classic Irish icon.

Jameson 15 Year Old Single Pot Still, the first release within the Jameson Remastered Volume, is a reinvention of a much loved classic which was last produced in 2000 as a limited edition offering. This award-winning[1] liquid is composed of three exceptional whiskey styles, spanning 15 to 17 years of maturation in carefully selected American bourbon barrels and Oloroso sherry butts. This single pot still whiskey raises a glass to history by featuring a significant contribution of sherry casks, paying tribute to traditional whiskey making in Bow Street Distillery.

Kevin O’Gorman, Master Distiller, takes guardianship of the new release in which he masterfully combined the original distilling methods with modern-day techniques. Whilst retaining a clear reference to Jameson’s unmistakably smooth DNA, the sherry casks bring together rich and fruity notes, paying homage to Ireland’s history, heritage and craftmanship whilst staying true to the original and remaining in tune with today.

The distinctive packaging of Jameson 15 Year Old Single Pot Still is set to appeal to the nostalgia of Jameson fans across the globe, taking them on a journey from past to present. The bottle is wrapped in newspaper, with one side uncovering Jameson’s heritage and the other marking the present day and comes in recyclable honeycomb cardboard packaging.

Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman comments: “It’s been more than two decades since the last Jameson 15 Year Old was created and it has been a great opportunity to remaster this classic whiskey.

“For this limited-edition bottling, we seized the opportunity to combine the traditional single pot still style with the strong influence of the sherry casks, which was integral to historic whiskey production. We’re confident to have developed a contemporary iteration of Jameson 15 Year Old that pays tribute to the torch bearers who put Irish whiskey on the map, whilst nodding to the current generation of talented craftspeople at Midleton Distillery. We can’t wait for Jameson fans to sip, savour and enjoy it to the very last drop.”

Blender Deirdre O’Carroll adds: “It has been a pleasure and a privilege to work with the team to bring Jameson fans a new 15 Year Old that has been remastered for the modern day. The inclusion of the sherry casks creates incredibly rich flavours and an extra-long fusion of fruits and spices, in line with traditional pot still flavours that are known and loved. We’re looking forward to continuing to delight fans with more to come within The Jameson Anthology, which we hope will be music to whiskey fans’ ears.”

Bottled at an ABV of 56.4%, Jameson 15 Year Old Single Pot Still comes in a 500ml bottle and will retail at €300 with a limited quantity of 2,220 bottles available through two online ballots.

The first ballot will open to members of Barrel Club Midleton Distillery at 9am Irish Saving Time (IST) on Monday 4^th April and the second ballot will open to all other whiskey fans at 2pm (IST) on Friday 8^th April. Shipping to successful whiskey fans will take place from the end of April.

For the chance to get your hands on this unique bottle of Jameson 15 Year Old and to enter the ballot, visit https://www.jamesonwhiskey.com/en/our-whiskey/jameson-15-year-old-single-pot-still/ballot and sign up now.

Tasting notes by Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman:

Nose: Rich nutty tones, dark berries and ripe orchard fruits mixed with sweet woodland spices. Underlying hints of oak combined with dried herbs and traditional pot still flavours, all wonderfully balanced and complex.

Taste: Robust and spicy with the pot still influences to the fore accompanied by the oak’s tannins alongside silky, textured layers of sweet dairy fudge and vanilla. Soft fruit notes of cherry are intertwined with fig and plum.

Finish: A rich and lasting finish with the duo of fruit and spices lingering before the toasted oak’s drying tannins have the last word.

@JamesonWhiskey 

Notes 

Please note, shipping of Jameson 15 Year Old is only available to the following counties: Republic of Ireland, Great Britain, Australia, South Africa, Switzerland, Singapore, China, New Zealand, and Japan. Where we state Great Britain, this refers only to England, Scotland, and Wales only. Unfortunately, at this time we are unable to ship to Northern Ireland. A small quantity is coming to specialist NI whiskey retailers. Please contact your local premium Irish Whiskey retailer to enquire. 

About Irish Distillers

Irish Distillers is Ireland’s leading supplier of spirits and wines, and producer of some of the world’s most well-known and successful Irish whiskeys. Led by Jameson, our brands are driving the global renaissance of Irish whiskey. Jameson is the world’s bestselling Irish whiskey, experiencing 30 years of consecutive growth up to 2019 and hitting sales of 8.6m cases in 2021. Our brands are exported to 130+ markets.

Irish Distillers was formed in 1966, when a merger took place between John Power & Son, John Jameson & Son and Cork Distilleries Company. In 1988 Irish Distillers joined Pernod Ricard, gaining access to unprecedented levels of investment and an extensive global distribution network. Since 2012, we have invested over €400 million to double our production and bottling capacity to meet global demand for our products.

We employ over 600 people across our operations in Cork and Dublin.

About Pernod Ricard

Pernod Ricard is the No.2 worldwide producer of wines and spirits with consolidated sales of €8,824 million in FY21. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has developed through organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard, which owns 16 of the Top 100 Spirits Brands, holds one of the most prestigious and comprehensive brand portfolios in the industry, including: Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute, and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Malibu liqueur, Mumm and Perrier-Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo, and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard’s brands are distributed across 160+ markets and by its own salesforce in 73 markets. The Group’s decentralised organisation empowers its 19,000 employees to be true on-the-ground ambassadors of its vision of “Créateurs de Convivialité.” As reaffirmed by the Group’s strategic plan, “Transform and Accelerate,” deployed in

2018, Pernod Ricard’s strategy focuses on investing in long-term, profitable growth for all stakeholders. The Group remains true to its three founding values: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust, and a strong sense of ethics, as illustrated by the 2030 Sustainability and Responsibility roadmap supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), “Good times from a good place.” In recognition of Pernod Ricard’s strong commitment to sustainable development and responsible consumption, it has received a Gold rating from Ecovadis. Pernod Ricard is also a United Nation’s Global Compact LEAD company.

Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN Code: FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 and Eurostoxx 50 indices.

[1] IWSC 2022 95/100 Gold Medal

 March 2022 Auction // 25 March – 4 April

ENDS SOON: March 2022 Auction

A warm welcome to our March Auction. Please take your time and browse our curated highlights below. Standing at over 8,500 lots of rare whiskies and fine spirits, this month’s auction catalogue features an exciting array of legendary expressions and intriguing curiosities.

Nc’nean Ainnir & Batch #1-10 with VIP Experience / Signed Charity Lot

Incredible Intertrade Collection

Yamazaki 1984 Single Cask #WE2005

The Macallan 1957-1962 Campbell, Hope and King​ Vertical

The Macallan 1946 Select Reserve 52 Year Old

Interested in selling in our next auction? Fill out our Seller Form today.

Our 130th auction is now live, and this month we have over 250 charity bottlings as well as some well aged Macallans and Springbanks.

Falklands Charity Bottles

To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Falklands War, this month we have a Glen Moray 2008 13 Year Old Pauillac Single Cask bottling, and a Port Dundas .  All proceeds from the sales of these bottles go to the Falklands Veterans Association and the South Atlantic Medal Association.

Macallan 40 Year Old The Red CollectionThe Macallan 40 Year Old The Red Collection, crafted by Macallan Master Whisky Maker Kirsteen Campbell has rightfully taken its place amongst the vast array of high-end releases from one of the whisky world’s most desirable distilleries.  And this month we have not one but two of these fantastic bottles, doubling your chances of owning this special release.

Springbank 32 Year Old

One of only 2400 bottles released way back in 2004 this Springbank 32 Year Old is about as old as official Springbanks get outside of their famed Millennium Collection.  Be sure to watchlist this one if your interest is piqued because we expect older bottlings of Springbank to be coveted by collectors the world over going forward.We have thousands more bottles to choose from this month, so whether you like to bid early or swoop late, head on over and get building that watchlist.

View Auction

Scotch Whisky Auctions · Unit C · 139 Lancefield Street · Glasgow, Lanarkshire G3 8HZ · United Kingdom

Benromach Abbey Whisky Exclusive

£69.99

Benromach 11 Year Old – 2010 | Cask 388 | Abbey Whisky Exclusive

It’s no secret, we love Benromach. The spirit they produce at the distillery is fantastic and their cask management is superb. This 11 year old Speyside malt has been fully matured in a first fill bourbon barrel, resulting in a delightful combination of sweet smoke, toasted almonds, spice and tropical fruit. Cask 388 has been selected exclusively by Abbey Whisky with 228 bottles filled. We’re delighted with this latest offering.

ralfy review 920 Extras – Bottling variations, consistency OR quality

BUFFALO TRACE NAMED THE GLOBAL

DISTILLER OF THE YEAR BY WHISKY MAGAZINE

Blanton’s Named World’s Best Single Barrel Bourbon

A Buffalo Trace Distillery advertisement with no bottles and no words intended for media kit usage.

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (March 29, 2022) – The National Historic Landmark, Buffalo Trace Distillery, has claimed the coveted global title of Distiller of the Year at the 2022 Icons of Whisky awards presented by Whisky Magazine.

After being named the American Distiller of the Year in February, Buffalo Trace went on to compete against distilleries from all over the globe to receive this honor. Similarly, the Distillery’s Blanton’s Bourbon was named the World’s Best Single Barrel Bourbon by Whisky Magazine’s World Whiskies Awards held at the same ceremony. These awards were presented March 24 in London at the competition’s first in-person ceremony in three years.

Buffalo Trace, which is undergoing a $1.2 billion expansion to make more whiskey, continues to underscore its commitment to quality despite the growing demand for its whiskeys.

“Everyone on our team plays an important role in ensuring total quality, and these awards speak to that dedication,” Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley said.  “We are absolutely thrilled to receive these awards and feel honored that our commitment to producing top-quality spirits is being recognized internationally.”

The Distillery, which welcomed more than 340,000 visitors in 2021, is also a big community supporter. In 2021, Buffalo Trace donated a half million dollars to local and statewide initiatives such as its annual Great Buffalo Chase 5k, in which more than $21,000 went to the city of Frankfort, Kentucky’s VFW Post 4075, which used it to fund the annual July 4^th community fireworks show, and $15,000 to God’s Pantry Food Bank to support the local Franklin County community. The Distillery also donated $80,000 to local non-profit organizations at its annual Contribution to the Community ceremony and raised funds through an auction of some of its most rare bottles for The Red Cross Ky Region for Western Kentucky after tornados ravaged the state.  These donations were among a number of other community programs the Distillery supported in 2021.

For more information about the World Whiskies Awards visit www.worldwhiskiesawards.com, and for more information about the Icons of Whisky visit www.iconsofwhisky.com.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, 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 is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won 35 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 2^nd 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. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com.

Buffalo Trace Distillery Raises nearly $65k for Kentucky Tornado Victims through Online Auction

Monies Raised support American Red Cross KY Region tornado relief efforts

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (March 23, 2022) – The teams at the American Red Cross Kentucky Region and Buffalo Trace Distillery, like so many others locally and across the world, were devastated to hear of the losses and damages caused by the tornadoes that tore through the Midwest and South in early December.

To help raise funds, the American Red Cross Kentucky Region and Buffalo Trace Distillery teamed up to provide disaster relief to Kentuckians affected by the tornados. Through an online auction, $64,432.33 was raised.  All proceeds are being distributed by the Red Cross KY Region for Western Kentucky disaster relief.

Buffalo Trace and the Van Winkle family partnered with Menish Productions to auction two very rare and unique whiskey flights, which included a complete set of Pappy Van Winkle and Buffalo Trace’s Antique Collection. Two rare Van Winkle decanters were also donated by a private individual, which were included in the auction.  The online auction went live Monday, Dec. 20 at 9 a.m. and ran through Thursday, Dec. 23 at 7 p.m.

“I am so thrilled with the generosity of Buffalo Trace Distillery and our outstanding partnership,” said Lynne Washbish, executive director of the American Red Cross Bluegrass Chapter. “What a difference we made together to help many that have lost everything.”

Sara Saunders, vice president for whiskey and consumer marketing at Buffalo Trace stated, “Some of our team members’ extended families were affected by these tornadoes, including loss of life. We are fortunate and thankful our 2,300 area team members and 10 local operations were spared. We are pleased to partner with Red Cross and humbled to play a role in raising money for the victims of this disaster.”

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, 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, is a National Historic Landmark, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won 35 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 2^nd 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. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com.

Grown, Malted, and Distilled in Northumberland – The Perfect Provenance for Northumberland’s Ad Gefrin Whisky Distillery

Ad Gefrin is delighted to announce that the inaugural barley growers for making its Northumbrian Whisky, will be farms all within 10 miles of the Distillery itself.   The barley will be stored locally, and malted in Berwick Upon Tweed, by Simpsons Malt, before delivery to Wooler. Fully traceable the whole operation is happening within a 20-mile radius of Ad Gefrin!

Northumberland is renowned for producing the very best quality  barley and it is in demand throughout the world.  The type of barley chosen for Ad Gefrin is Diablo, the highest yielding spring barley on the market.  The four farmers selected to grow in the region of 400 tonnes between them for Ad Gefrin, are Tom Jackson, growing at Northfield Farm, Lowick, George Farr of Pallinsburn, David Warcup of Letham Hill Farm, Etal and Cameron Shell of Brandon near Powburn.

Ben Murphy, Head Distiller at Ad Gefrin said, “It is so exciting to be able to produce a malt which will be grown by local farmers, and malted by Simpsons Malt, who are literally just up the road.  The relationship with growers will be collaborative, as the barley is grown and malted specifically for us.”

Barley is not the only ingredient that will be entirely local – perhaps the most important by volume is the water.  This will be drawn from a borehole on site which will deliver its ancient waters from a depth of 200m which has come directly from the nearby Cheviot hills themselves.  Keen to do all they can to  help the environment, energy for the process will also be sourced locally, with electricity generated from Ad Gefrin’s extensive rooftop solar panels.

Ben concludes: “A whisky is of course not just about the barley; the barley is just one of many factors.  There is the water, and the years required for maturing, the wood chosen for the casks, and of course the careful handling by the stills’ team.   Ad Gefrin will be a Northumbrian Whisky, through and through, grown, distilled and nurtured in the shadow of the Cheviot Hills.”

The relationship with Simpsons Malt is also vital to Ad Gefrin, as the fifth-generation, family business has the infrastructure in place – through its position as both a malting and agricultural merchanting company – to connect the grower to distiller, showcasing supply chain traceability from seed to spirit. It has formed this partnership for supplies to Wooler’s new distillery that helps guarantee their local provenance and quality throughout the world.

“It is really exciting to be part of such a major milestone for Wooler and north Northumberland.” enthused grower Tom Jackson, “Normally our malting barley goes to Scotland, so we are pleased and proud to be part of this new enterprise to produce a genuinely local product.”

Tim McCreath, Simpsons Malt Managing Director, added: “It has been fantastic to work so closely with Ben as the exciting developments at Ad Gefrin have progressed over the past 12 months.

“The distillery’s high-quality Northumbrian spring barley has been sown at farms less than 10 miles from the site and we’re now counting down the days until harvest. From there, we will collect and store the barley before transporting it to our Tweed Valley Maltings for malting and subsequent delivery, passing a couple of the farms during the 17-mile journey.”

Ad Gefrin will be the first ever commercial whisky distillery in Northumberland and will be opening its doors to the public in the Autumn of this year.  As well as creating the first Northumbrian Single Malt Whisky, and in the region of 50 jobs, this £10.4m development will include a world class cultural visitor experience celebrating Northumbria’s Golden Age.

Ad Gefrin opens in Autumn 2022.

Ad Gefrin Single Malt Whisky will mature from 2025 onwards.

For more information visit adgefrin.co.uk.

About Ad Gefrin

Ad Gefrin is a £10.4m world-class visitor experience and whisky distillery that will reveal the fascinating history of Northumberland’s Anglo Saxon ‘Golden Age’. Informed by one of the 20^th century’s most remarkable archaeological finds – the internationally renowned archaeological site, Yeavering – the centre will recreate the Great Hall of the royal summer palace of the 7^th century Northumbrian kings and queens. Ad Gefrin is funded by the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, the North East Rural Growth Network – Strategic Economic Infrastructure Fund (SEIF), North East LEP and Northumberland County Council. 

About Yeavering (the archaeological site of Ad Gefrin) 5 miles from Ad Gefrin Visitor Experience and Distillery

Internationally renowned, Yeavering is the most thoroughly excavated Anglo Saxon palace complex in Europe and the only archaeological site to have evidence of a timber grandstand and gathering place. This was the 7^th Century royal summer residence of early Anglo-Saxon kings and queens including Aethelfrith, Edwin and Aethelburga, the saintly Oswald and his younger brother Oswy.  Discovered in 1949 through aerial photography, and excavated by Brian Hope-Taylor in the 1950’s and 60’s, the scheduled archaeological site is today under the ownership and management of The Gefrin Trust. The Trust  was formed to ensure the future preservation of the site through sympathetic management, conservation and investigation. Ad Gefrin Visitor Experience and Distillery is working in partnership with The Gefrin Trust to further illuminate the importance of the archaeological site within the exhibition at the Visitor Centre.

About Borderlands Partnership

The Borderlands Partnership consists of Carlisle City Council, Cumbria County Council, Dumfries and Galloway Council, Northumberland County Council and Scottish Borders Council. The Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal was agreed between the Borderlands Partnership, the UK Government and the Scottish Government in March 2021. The Deal will deliver up to £350 million investment in projects across the region from the UK and Scottish Governments alongside local investment of £100 million. More information can be found at www.borderlandsgrowth.com

About the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP)

The North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is a public, private, and education sector partnership that covers Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside and Sunderland local authority areas.

LinkedIn: @adgefrin

Facebook: @AdGefrin

Instagram: @adgefrin

A Thrilling Speyside Exclusive Cask from the Coveted BenRiach
2009 BenRiach 12 Year Old “Hart Brothers Finest Collection” K&L Exclusive Cask Strength Single Sherry Butt Unchillfiltered Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky 
“This distillery has been absolutely on fire recently … No one will be disappointed with this exceptional cask. It’s fabulous!” — David Othenin-Girard, K&L Spirits Buyer

As our Exclusive Cask program hums right along, the spirits team has just taken in another incredible haul from one of the most compelling and in-demand Speyside distilleries in operation today. Our long-time single malt fanatics have caught on to the utterly thrilling whiskies coming out of BenRiach, and word of the genius of master blender Rachel Barrie is reaching all corners of the Scotch world. So, imagine our out-and-out joy when we secured three individual 12-year-old casks from this dynamic powerhouse through our connections with the ever-amazing Hart Brothers Finest Collection. We’re firm believers that you can never have enough BenRiach on hand, and three casks in one swoop is a good place to start. On offer today is the 12 Year Old Sherry Butt, a monumental jaw-dropper that brings all the punch and power that sherry cask fanatics’ crave. Buyer David Othenin-Girard describes a truly multifaceted stunner in his review below, and all for a sub-$100 price. Even with the kaleidoscopic complexity from the aging vessel taking center stage, the now-famous, robust BenRiach malt still manages to make its presence known in a full-throttle style. This is the single cask we’ve all been waiting for, and now is the time to get a hold of it.

2009 Benriach 12 Year Old “Hart Brothers Finest Collection” K&L Exclusive Cask Strength Single Sherry Butt Unchillfiltered Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Pre-Arrival) ($99.99) *Pre-arrival item is expected to be available for shipment or pickup in summer 2022.

K&L Notes: Benriach is quickly becoming one of the most attractive names in Scotch. They’ve won some huge awards, particularly for their slightly smoky 12 Year Old expression designed by the illustrious Rachel Barrie. Rachel is extremely adept at developing products that offer nuance and complexity, while not compromising on flavor. What we don’t see much out of most distilleries these days are LOUD whiskies—ones that step up and shout at you. And while we don’t always want to be screamed at, it’s impossible to deny the thrilling feeling of getting packed into a sweaty club and having a heavy metal band blow your socks off. It’s ok to enjoy it and still want to go to the symphony next weekend. You don’t have stop liking Guns N’ Roses because you love Tchaikovsky. This is bold, unabashed Benriach with 12 years in Sherry butts, bottled at cask strength without chill-filtration or coloring. It might not be as punk rock as Ardbeg, but it’s still pretty cool. Most importantly it’s absolutely delicious and totally worth the door fee. We must thank Alistair Hart and his good reputation for getting us backstage passes to this event.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: December 02, 2021

It’s a Sherry Butt from BenRiach! This distillery has been absolutely on fire recently thanks to master blender Rachel Barrie and all these awards. But the thing that people really want from the excellent Speysider, one of the few to operate its own malt floors in Scotland, are single casks. So we bought 3 of them, not including the one the distillery lost in transit. Having three different casks to offer captures the quintessential essence of BenRiach in my opinion, which is a distillery that’s hard to pin down in the first place, so why not highlight its diversity. This sherry butt will be the most appealing on paper, thanks to the continued obsession with sherry casks. Let’s have a taste! The color is a vibrant tawny. A nice, dark one here! I let it rest for 10 minutes before first nosing. OMG, the nose has that perfect oloroso spice and nutty richness. Immediately we get old saddle leather, the darkest cacao, stewed red fruit, and candied citrus. On the palate, liquified Christmas pudding, sweet and richly spiced. Big notes of cola, sarsparilla, shoe polish, red currants, and a slight flinty character (not quite gunpowder). This absolutely loves water as well, which softens the savory leathery nose and opens the jammy red fruit. The bold ‘Riach malt still manages to poke through the rich wine and wood flavors. Tasting these three casks in succession is a truly eye-opening experience. No one will be disappointed with this exceptional cask. It’s fabulous!