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The Lakes Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.5 52% – (Bottle – 1/70cl)
$299.99
SKU #1294529
93 points Whisky Advocate
Rich and intense nose, with paradise cake, honey, dried apple, plum, and crème d’abricot. The mouthfeel is dry, nutty, and fruity, with a silky consistency. The cask strength is more noticeable here, but as it dissipates, there is some late complexity of plum skin and coffee bean with wave after effortless wave of flavor lasting for minutes on end. Finish is hot and nutty, with moist coffee grains. (JM) 
(4/2017)
Embrace the optimism of spring and dive head-first into fresh flavour frontiers. Our Dram-cierge Team have been relentlessly exploring and have selected five of their favourite flavours available NOW in our online shop. This week we’re also delighted to announce an outstanding NEW Vaults Collection bottling. Keep scrolling to discover more.
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
SPRINGBANK 21 YEAR OLD LIMITED EDITION
IN SUPPORT OF UKRAINE
BIDS WELCOME FROM MID DAY (BST) MONDAY 25TH APRIL
You may be aware that recently we bottled some of our 10 Year Old whisky with special limited edition labels in support of the DEC Ukraine Appeal. This was produced initially to allow a large number of people to buy a bottle of Springbank at a reasonable price while supporting a very important cause. We are grateful to everyone who purchased a bottle and supported the initiative, helping us raise over £11,000 for the fund.
We are now embarking on a second round of fundraising. This time, we are auctioning six individual bottles of Springbank 21 Year Old. ALL proceeds from this auction will go to the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine Appeal.
The bottles have been drawn from an individual cask of Springbank and so are completely unique.
BIDDING INSTRUCTIONS AND TERMS ARE GIVEN BELOW. PLEASE READ CAREFULLY.
YOU SHOULD ONLY PLACE A BID IF YOU ARE IN A POSITION TO COMPLETE THE PURCHASE AND ACCEPT THE STATED TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
PLEASE ONLY PLACE A BID IF YOU ARE IN A POSITION TO COMPLETE THE PURCHASE AND ACCEPT THE STATED TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
Noble Oak Commits to Plant 1M Trees by 2023
Award-winning Whiskey Brand Celebrates Earth Month by Planting Two Trees for Every Bottle Sold Through Partnership with One Tree Planted
New York, NY (April 21, 2022) – Noble Oak, an award-winning whiskey brand with a noble heart, celebrates Earth Month in partnership with One Tree Planted by doubling down on its efforts to revitalize the planet by planting trees. From now through the end of June, Noble Oak will plant two trees for every bottle of Noble Oak sold. Through the partnership, Noble Oak has so far committed to plant close to 600,000 trees, driving projections to plant 1 million trees by the end of 2023.
“Noble Oak was founded on two principles– great whisky and giving back to the communities in which we live and work,” comments Jack Bauer, Brand Manager, Noble Oak. “Our inspiration is the mighty oak tree and what better way to give back to the planet than through planting trees in communities across the United States.”
Since 2017, Noble Oak has worked with One Tree Planted to plant trees in areas of need around the country. The program’s efforts have spanned from the Redwood Forest in California to Detroit, Michigan, to the Finger Lakes in New York, and everywhere in between. The planting projects are chosen along with local tree-planting organizations that best understand the specific needs of each community.
“Loss of forests means loss of species so it’s critically important to work tirelessly to reforest the planet,” said Ashley Lamontagne, Forest Campaign Manager, One Tree Planted. “Noble Oak understands that and we are thrilled to partner with them in getting trees planted in the ground which in turn protects our planet for future generations.”
According to One Tree Planted, Trees help clean air, filter water, and provide habitats for more than 80% of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity. Additionally, forests provide jobs to more than 1.6 billion people, absorb harmful carbon from the atmosphere, and are key ingredients in 25% of all medicines.
To find out exactly where trees have been planted as a result of this partnership visit Noble Oak’s tree tracker on Nobleoak.com.
Noble Oak
Noble Oak is an award-winning whiskey brand with a noble heart; every bottle plants a tree in partnership with One Tree Planted, an organization dedicated to sustainably reforesting our Earth’s green spaces. Noble Oak’s whiskeys are double oak matured – first aging in Charred New American White Oak barrels followed by a unique WoodCraft® finishing that delivers unrivaled body and flavor. Its Double Oak Bourbon is finished using Spanish Sherry Oak Cask Staves, offering notes of vanilla and dried fruit, whereas its Double Oak Rye whiskey is finished using Port Wine Oak Cask Staves, eliciting notes of toffee and allspice.
About One Tree Planted
One Tree Planted is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on a mission to make it simple for anyone to help the environment by planting trees. Their projects span the globe and are done in partnership with local communities and knowledgeable experts to create an impact for nature, people, and wildlife. Reforestation helps to rebuild forests after fires and floods, provide jobs for social impact, and restore biodiversity. Many projects have overlapping objectives, creating a combination of benefits that contribute to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. To learn more, visit onetreeplanted.org
WhistlePig launches ‘No History No Rules’ inaugural UK cocktail competition
WhistlePig Rye Whiskey has launched its first ever UK cocktail competition, inviting bartenders across the country to explore the wonderful world of Rye whiskey.
The ‘No History No Rules’ competition has been borne out of WhistlePig’s ideology to rip up the rye rulebook and push the limitations of the category, rather than replicating what has been done in the past.
The inaugural competition is inviting bartenders to enter their cocktail creations that don’t conform to the norm, with the only rule being that WhistlePig 10 Year Old should feature in the recipe.
There will be five regional heats to the competition in London, Scotland, northern and southern regions and the midlands, with the final taking place on Monday 4th July in London. The top scoring three contestants will all win a place on a superb VIP trip to Vermont to visit the home of WhistlePig later in the year, as well as receiving a special bottling from the distillery team in person. The overall winner will also receive a bottle of The Boss Hog VIII – WhistlePig’s stunning limited-edition Rye whiskey.
Dan Priseman, WhistlePig’s UK and European Steward of the brand said: “We are very excited to be launching our first ever WhistlePig Rye Whiskey cocktail competition for the UK and are hoping bartenders up and down the country will rip up the rule book and be as creative and trail-blazing as possible with their cocktail creations!”
“In the true spirit of WhistlePig, we will be celebrating the most unusual and inspiring drinks that bartenders can come up with – nothing is off the table and the only limit is your imagination.”
The competition is being hosted in partnership with BarLifeUK to help drive entries and raise awareness of the opportunity directly to the bartending community. Entrants have until 15th May to submit their cocktail concepts online, before the regional heats begin later in May.
To find out more about the WhistlePig ‘No History No Rules’ cocktail competition or to enter online, visit HERE
A bit about WhistlePig Rye Whiskey:
On the 500-acre farm in Vermont where the distillery is located, the creative distilling team has reimagined what rye whisky could be, from finishing their 12 Year Old World Rye in a combination of wine casks, to having barrels custom made from their own Vermont oak trees to add depth of flavour to the 15 Year Old. Experimentation and innovation are at the heart of the distillery’s ethos and all the award-winning whiskies that they produce.
Our April Auction ENDS SOON!
Place your bids until Sunday 24th April.
Every month, we present an incredible selection of whiskies and other fine spirits to our members right across the globe. You will find everything here from limited edition releases and vintage bottles to whole casks of rare whisky. There is certainly something for everyone – whether you are looking to collect, invest or enjoy!
Macallan – 52 Year Old (1946) Select Reserve
Macallan – 1988 (Refill Butt) Cask
Yamazaki – 25 Year Old
Macallan – 25 Year Old (1965) Tudor Crystal Decanter
Brora – 40 Year Old (1978 Year Old) 200th Anniversary
Selling whisky? Why not arrange the pick-up of your bottles using our global courier service? If you’re based in Scotland, you might want to arrange the personal collection of your bottles. Wherever you’re based in the world, we will make getting your bottles into our monthly auction as simple as possible. Get in touch with the Whisky Hammer team now by dropping them a message at sales@whiskyhammer.co.uk.
We’re delighted to announce the launch of our limited edition Hearts & Crafts Rum Cask Single Malt Whisky, which is now available to purchase on our website and in-store.Our Rum Cask Single Malt Whisky is the third expression in our Hearts & Crafts collection. This yearly limited edition series celebrates the Arts & Crafts movement which flourished here in the Cotswolds and stood for the importance of traditional craftsmanship – the same values upon which our beautiful rural distillery was built.For this release, we’ve selected a small parcel of premium French oak ex-red wine casks seasoned with Caribbean rum. The result is a well balanced single malt with delicious notes of baked apple, vanilla ice cream and a hint of nutmeg spice on the nose, soft brown sugar and ripe pears to taste, followed by dried tropical fruit.
Milroy’s of Soho May Tastings
NC’NEAN TASTING
SOHO WHISKY BAR
2nd of May 2022 – 6:30pm
A young, independent, organic whisky distillery on the west-coast of Scotland. Creating experimental spirits. Pioneering sustainable production. The inspiration for their name, Neachneohain, was an ancient Gaelic goddess. She was known as the Queen of Spirits and a fierce protector of nature. Strong and independent, she was never afraid to walk her own path. This ethos is what has driven the Nc’Nean distillery.
The distillery employs long mashes times and slower fermentation with varying yeast strains not commonly used in distillation. The unusual lamp-glass-shaped stills with have horizontal lyne arms and shell and tube condensers produce a light and fruity spirit, something the brand worked to achieve with the late distilling consultant Jim Swan, who “masterminded the design of the distillery and the base whisky recipe”. The new-make is rich, malty and has plenty of stone fruit. Two dunnage warehouses, located on the hill behind the distillery, feature temperature regulators to allow Nc’nean greater control over the flavour generated in cask over time.
The first whisky to be released by Nc’nean distillery is expected in 2020, although you can purchase a limited number of individual casks which are made available annually in the meantime if you fancy. Or enjoy its lovely Botanical Spirit.
The Fantastic Matthew Hastings the Brand Ambassador for Nc’nean Distillery will be talking us through the following line-up:
Nc’nean Organic Single Malt
Nc’nean Botanical Spirit
Nc’nean New Make Spirit
Nc’nean Quiet Rebels: Annabel
And the spring seasonal release (name not yet released)
JOHNNIE WALKER TASTING
SOHO WHISKY BAR
9th May 2022 – 6:30pm
The story of Johnnie Walker and their whisky history begins, naturally enough, with the man who gave our whisky his name. In 1820, the young farmer’s son started his own grocer’s shop in the thriving town of Kilmarnock. His father had died the year before and the farm sold. It was a tough start in life, but there was always something special about John. A glint in his eye. A fire in his belly. When John passed away after a full and prosperous life in 1857, he left his son, Alexander, with a very healthy business. These were fast-moving times. Britain was the pulsating heart of an industrial Revolution that was set to change absolutely everything. In Kilmarnock, the railway had arrived, carrying goods to great ships travelling to the four corners of the world. Like his father, Alexander know a good opportunity when he saw one. In this tasting we will be taking you through the history family and the great drams that they created for us. Alistair Reynold will be taking us through the following line-up:
Welcome Gold Label Highball
Johnnie Walker Black Label
Johnnie Walker Gold Label
Johnnie Walker Blue Label
Johnnie Walker The Legendary 8
WORLD WHISKY TASTING TASTING
SOHO WHISKY BAR
16th May 2022 – 6:30PM
Nathan Shearer has spent the last 13 years in the hospitality industry, almost half of his life. He has worked in kitchens, events, restaurants and some of the best bars in the world – including the renowned Callooh Callay and Swift, both of which were awarded trophies from the Spirited Awards at Tales of the Cocktail during his tenure behind the stick. He will be running and incredible Work whisky tasting within Milroy’s of Soho. He will be taking us through the following Line-up:
Kavalan Triple Sherry – New product to UK market!
Amrut Madeira – limited release
Nikka Taketsuru
Waterford Luna
Lot 40 Dark Oak – New product to SBL portfolio!
Port Askaig 28yo – limited release
THOMPSON BROS TASTING
SOHO WHISKY BAR
23rd May 2022 – 6:30PM
Thompson Bros at Dornoch Distillery was founded following a successful initial crowdfunding round in 2016 which saw 250 whisky lovers from all over the world eagerly put their hands in their pockets to secure hotly anticipated casks of new make spirit from Dornoch Distillery. During 2017 the team lay down casks of the future single malt whisky that is currently resting and maturing at the distillery.
The Thompson Brother’s released an Organic Highland Gin as part of their portfolio that is ever growing with new releases of incredible single malts.With this tasting the Brothers Phil and Simon will guide you through the tasting of some very rare and exceptional single malts.
Expect a special announcement for the lucky people attending this tasting event.
Islay Single Malt 31 Year Old / 1989 / Thompson X Auld A / 52.3% / 70cl
Islay Single Malt 30 Year Old / 1990 / Thompson X Auld A / 49.4% / 70cl
Islay Single Malt 29 Year Old / 1991 / Thompson X Auld A / 49.2% / 70cl
Clarendon 37 Year Old / 1984 / Thompson Bros / Thompson X Auld A / 62% / 70cl
BUILLET and ROE & CO TASTING
SOHO WHISKY BAR
30th May 2022 – 6:30pm
A super educative tasting with Diageo is about to happen! Have you ever compared Irish whisky with American one? If not this is the best time for you to understand the differences between the two fantastic styles. Kristen Jarin will be running an informative tasting for a great comparison as both styles American & Irish whisky benefit from oak maturation in Bourbon cask.
Bulleit Bourbon
Bulleit Rye
Bulleit 10 year Old
Roe & Co
Roe & Co curators Series No 1
$39.99
Whisky Advocate
Fresh and delicate on the nose, with stone fruit—especially peaches—white pepper, orange Creamsicle, and spice. A generous oak backbone provides the foundation for plums, nectarines, black pepper, clove, chamomile tea, and piney cedar that sweeps into a dry oak, cocoa, iced-tea finish. Although a bit hot at times, the balance and array of flavors is an outstanding coup for this young distillery. (SSB winter 2018)
K&L Notes
Quite frankly, there isn’t a project in Kentucky as exciting as New Riff if you’re a classic Bourbon fan. Ken Lewis and Jay Erisman and their incredible team have set out to make KY Bourbon and Rye in a very traditional manner, but with more flexibiltiy than the big boys in the state so they have the ability to riff on those classics for incredible special releases. The distillery is committed to their core products always being Bottled-In-Bond – the world’s strictest legal standard for spirits production. They’ve actually even gone a step further and engrained in their core production values the decision to never chill filter. They’re all about maximizing flavor. The flagship BIB bourbon is a high rye mashbill that brings a punchy spice without sacrificing that sweet caramel and vanilla profile that has made Bourbon such a beloved beverage. The quality is off the charts, everything is well aged (4 years is the minimum ever released by the distillery), the vibe is fun, and the price is right. In short – New Riff is the best new distillery to open in KY in decades.
