Introducing The Highland Whisky Academy

Inaugural Dates Now Available

We have been working on the Highland Whisky Academy since 2016 and we are delighted to announce that our first courses are now available to book! Having seen a void in Whisky Experiences in the North East corner of Scotland we wanted to establish a fully immersive course which not only brought whisky lovers together to enjoy a dram, but to also give an insight to some of the secrets hidden behind warehouse doors and flashy brand marketing.

What started off as a weekend of informative lessons and distillery trips, we have extended this to a full week of in-depth, immersive and hands on whisky fun. We have gathered a host of the finest Distillers and Whisky Experts and brought them to the North East of Scotland.

A unique, once in a lifetime experience

Each week at the Highland Whisky Academy is a unique insight to the behind the scenes workings of the industry. Meet Master Blenders, Independent Bottlers and Industry leaders in Malt, water and peat. Backed up by our team of lecturers, brought in from all over the world, you are in the finest hands to learn and progress your whisky knowledge. You will be based in the Heart of Aberdeenshire, in luxury accommodation provided for the duration of your stay.

Secure your dates today

We have two courses currently available for 2022:

14th – 18th March 2022 – Introduction Experience

– 8 Places available

– £900 early bird offer per person (normally £1000)

– Includes 4 day experience with 4 nights accommodation, transport and lunch.

4th – 11th September – The Academy Experience

– 16 Places available

– £1200 early bird offer per person (normally £1500)

– Includes 5 day experience with 6 nights accommodation, transport and lunch

To request your dates please email info@highlandwhiskyacademy.com

Secure your place today

Follow the Highland Whisky Academy for updates and stories

Inverurie Whisky Shop

1 Burnside, Inverurie, AB51 3RY, United Kingdom

mike@inveruriewhiskyshop.com

https://www.inveruriewhiskyshop.com

We’ve just restocked Blanton’s Gold along with a new single barrel release. These don’t tend to hang around for long, so grab a bottle while you can. Still time for UK delivery before Christmas, remember we also offer free UK shipping on orders over £95. As ever if you have any questions or queries, please just get in touch.

Slàinte

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Strathisla 13 Year Old

2008 Connoisseur’s Choice

Delectable tasting notes for this single first fill sherry cask #17603108 from Gordon & MacPhail botted at 57.9% exclusive to the UK. Nose: Sherry aromas, ginger and clove spice. Strawberry and raspberry lead to rich honey. Stewed red berries complement Autumnal spice. Orange oil develops alongside aniseed finish with fruit and spice. A perfect gift for the whisky lover as well.

Buy – Strathisla 13 Years – £94.68 / €93* / $105* / c$135*

🎄 Last Minute Gifts and Stocking Fillers 🎁

Select gift-wrapping and delivery to the recipient’s door!

After 200 years in the business, Johnnie Walker remains a benchmark for blended whiskies. Fans of the bestselling Black and Red Labels will appreciate this well-aged expression from the striding man. It’s a smooth but layered dram with candied peel, salted caramel and vanilla pastries on the palate and a hint of campfire smoke in the finish. Each gift box comes with two tumblers perfect for sharing a drink-or-two on Christmas day.

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Free chocolates with any 70cl Blue Label bottle!

If you’ve ever experienced a whisky and chocolate tasting at a Scottish distillery, you’ve probably came across The Highland Chocolatier. Iain Burnett is a master in his field and his award-winning range of decadent chocolates pair perfectly with a dram. For a limited time only we will be including a free box (worth £49.99) with any 70cl Blue Label bottle – a luxurious and utterly delicious gift!

View the selection →

Johnnie Walker Blue Label
Icons 2.0

This limited edition whisky arrives with a flourish of elegance. This snazzy expression is a blend of some of the finest malt and grain whiskies in Johnnie Walker’s collection with all bottles individually numbered.

£160.00
BUY NOW

Each selection box of chocolates will contain a specially selected variety of flavours which pair perfectly with a dram of Johnnie Walker Blue Label:

Lemongrass & hint of Lime Velvet Praline
Orange & hint of Clove Velvet Truffle
Orange Crunch Praline
Dark Velvet Truffle

Irish Single Malt 15 Year Old “That Boutique-y Whisky Company” Batch #5 Single Malt Irish Whisky (375ml) (Elsewhere $100)

$49.99 View

ralfy review 908 – Cragganmore 12yo @58.4%vol (2019 Special Release)

FRANKFORT, Ky. – The owners of Carr’s Steakhouse that once stood in downtown Mayfield have donated 14 bottles of premium Bourbon they recovered from the rubble of their family business to the Bourbon auction for survivors of the tornadoes that ravaged Western Kentucky.

The battered bottles are listed in 12 separate lots (#412-423) at www.kybourbonbenefit.com, each one signed and dated by restaurant owner Daniel Carr for authentication. Additionally, several distillers volunteered to match their brand’s ending sales price up to $10,000.

“It is beyond belief that these bottles survived the devastation,” said Eric Gregory, president of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, which partnered with the Bourbon Crusaders charitable organization and Bourbon curator Fred Minnick on the six-day benefit that ends Tuesday night.

“It was a powerful and emotional moment when Daniel offered these emblems of resilience to the cause,” Gregory said. “Their business is gone. Their town is gone. But their first thought was to donate them to make a difference for families and communities across Western Kentucky.

 “That’s the indomitable spirit of Kentucky, and we are grateful for their generosity and support.”

Carr said, “I’m just trying to do my part, help as many people as possible, and this just seemed like a way to amplify the impact we could have on our community during this time of need.”

The donated bottles are:

• Angel’s Envy
• Blue Run High Rye (two)
• Bardstown Bourbon Co. Discovery Series
• Duke Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Ingram River Aged Flagship Bourbon
• Knob Creek 15-year
• Maker’s Mark
• Maker’s Mark 75th Anniversary Keeneland edition (2011)
• Russell’s Reserve 10-year (two)
• Russell’s Reserve 10-year signed by Master Distiller Jimmy Russell (2004)
• B. Saffell (produced by Wild Turkey)
• Woodford Reserve 135th Kentucky Derby commemorative (2009)

Little is left of Carr’s Steakhouse, a popular hotspot that opened in 2011 and earned the National Restaurant Association’s 2016 “Restaurant Neighbor Award” for outstanding community service and philanthropy. Carr, 37, is currently chairman of the Kentucky Restaurant Association’s Board.

Carr said he worked all day on Dec. 10 and left the restaurant around 8:45 p.m. just as a packed crowd was beginning to wind down. But when he got home, his wife, Amanda, was monitoring the storms on TV and told him a tornado was bearing down on Mayfield.

“I called the restaurant and told my brother, David, to get everyone out of there,” he said. Daniel’s 17-year-old son, Israel, was working that night too, along with his wife’s two brothers and her father who was helping cook and wash dishes. Everyone escaped safely.

“It was just a pile of bricks and wood less than 10 minutes later,” Daniel Carr said.

“No one would have survived.”

The next day, they salvaged the 14 dirty and dust-covered bottles as they searched through the ruins for the restaurant’s cash drawer to pay their 29 employees who have a combined 22 children. Many lost their homes or all their possessions. All are now unemployed.

They’ve also started an online fundraiser for their workers. “We want to help show them there is hope in these devastating times,” wrote Daniel’s wife, Amanda Carr, on the gofundme.com page. “We are a family and we are sticking together through this.”

Minnick, a best-selling author and expert on all things Bourbon, said, “If your heart isn’t moved by the Carr’s Steakhouse donations, you’re not human. To lose so much and still turn quickly to help your neighbors, employees and friends shows the integrity of Daniel Carr and his family.

“I know one day we will once again sit down to both a thick, juicy steak at Carr’s and a pour of good Kentucky Bourbon. Part of the rebuilding process is thinking years from now, and I cannot wait to host bourbon dinners at Carr’s and show the world the best of Kentucky.”

Gregory said the Carr family’s generosity struck a chord with Kentucky distillers, who are known for helping each other during times of crisis. “It’s our duty as a signature industry to help our fellow Kentuckians.

“We were humbled by the Carr’s donation and offer our sincere thanks. Their outstanding contribution amid the chaos of loss adds momentum to the regrowth, healing and long-term vitality of Mayfield and Western Kentucky for the years ahead.”

The Kentucky Bourbon Benefit so far has raised $1.7 million, with all proceeds going to the Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund. The silent auction ends Tuesday, Dec. 21, at 10 p.m. EST. A live-streamed auction of the top 15 items will be held from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Dec. 21.

Seven distillers representing 12 of the 14 bottles are matching the ending auction price of their lots up to $10,000: Angel’s Envy, Blue Run Spirits, Brown-Forman, Duke Spirits, Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark and Wild Turkey.

Independent Stave Company also is matching the vintage 2004 Russell’s Reserve, autographed by Wild Turkey’s Hall of Fame Master Distiller Jimmy Russell, up to $10,000. Ingram River Aged is matching its bottle up to $5,000.

Maker’s Mark also is offering the winning bidder of its Keeneland bottle a private distillery tour on April 15, followed by an exclusive afternoon at the historic race course for a group of eight to watch the annual running of the Grade I Stakes Maker’s Mark Mile.

The guests will receive a behind-the-scenes tour of Keeneland and enjoy an afternoon of racing from a private suite and a complete set of hand-signed 2022 Keeneland commemorative bottles. The winning bidder of the second Maker’s Mark bottle also will receive a private distillery tour.

Angel’s Envy also is offering a private tour of its downtown Louisville distillery to the winning bidder of its recovered bottle, along with suite tickets at the YUM Center for a University of Louisville basketball game.

Brown-Forman Master Distiller Chris Morris is adding a private tour of the historic Woodford Reserve Distillery and will personally take the winner of its Kentucky Derby bottle and five friends to dinner at Matt Winn’s steakhouse at Churchill Downs.

And Duke Spirits is including one bottle of everything it producers, signs by the founders Chris Radomski and Ethan Wayne: Duke 88 Kentucky Bourbon, Duke Grand Cru 110 Bourbon, Duke double barrel rye, Duke Grand Cru Reposado, Duke Grand Cru extra anejo, Duke Commemorative 6-year extra anejo and Duke Napa Valley 24-year Brandy.

Brian Haara, Bourbon Crusader member and Bourbon author, added, “The Carr family is an inspiration and they embody the resilience and strength of Kentuckians, along with the outpouring of generosity among our donors for the Kentucky Bourbon Benefit.

“Bourbon has proved itself an economic lifeblood throughout Kentucky’s history. In donating these bottles — and demonstrating a community-first mindset — the Carr family and distillers, donors and bidders are advancing that legacy and lighting the way ahead for years to come.”

For more information or to schedule an interview, contact: Daniel Carr, owner of Carr’s Steakhouse, at carrsrestaurant@gmail.com.

KDA President Eric Gregory at eric@kybourbon.com.

Fred Minnick at assistant@fredminnick.com.

Brian Haara, Bourbon Crusaders, at bourboncrusaders@gmail.com.

Individual bottle images available upon request

Kentucky Tornado Victims to Benefit from 

Buffalo Trace Distillery Auction of Unprecedented Whiskey Flights of Pappy Van Winkle and Antique Collection 

Online Auction Offers Full Line Up of Two of the Distillery’s Rarest and Most Valuable Whiskey Collections

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (Dec. 20, 2021) Like so many people in Kentucky and around the world, the team at Buffalo Trace Distillery is devastated by the losses caused by the tornadoes that tore through the Midwest and South this past weekend.  Mercifully, the company’s 2,300 team members in the area and its ten operations are unscathed, although some of its team members experienced tragedy with their extended families, including loss of life.

To help raise funds, Buffalo Trace and the Van Winkle family are partnering with Menish Productions on two very rare and unique whiskey flights, available via online auction starting Monday, Dec. 20 at 9 a.m. and running through Thursday, Dec. 23^rd at 7 p.m. Up for bid are a complete flight of Pappy Van Winkle and a complete flight of Buffalo Trace’s Antique Collection, including a 2020 George T. Stagg.  All of these whiskies are very collectible, and for the first time ever, the Distillery is donating a bottle of each expression from both of the lineups for this charitable cause.

“The toll these tornadoes and severe weather took on our fellow Kentuckians and others in the Midwest and South is shocking,” said Mark Brown, chief executive officer, Buffalo Trace Distillery.  “We hope our bourbon community, who we know can be very generous, really shows its support and we’re able to raise an unheralded amount of funds for Western Kentucky disaster relief.”

The auction, which goes live at 9 a.m. on Dec. 20^th, will feature two packages, a complete Van Winkle collection which includes Old Rip Van Winkle 10 year old, Van Winkle 12 year old “Lot B,” Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye, Pappy Van Winkle 15 year old, Pappy Van Winkle 20 year and Pappy Van Winkle 23 year old.  The auction winners will have the option to have the set autographed by Julian and Preston Van Winkle.

The second whiskey package is a complete set of Buffalo Trace’s Antique Collection, which includes William Larue Weller, Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye, Eagle Rare 17 Year Old, Sazerac Rye 18 Year Old and a 2020 George. T. Stagg (130.4 proof). The auction winners will have the option to have the set autographed by Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley and Buffalo Trace President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Brown.

Details on the auction and how to bid can be found HERE  All proceeds from the auction will go to disaster relief in Western  Kentucky.

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 Col. E. H. Taylor, Jr. Four Grain Bourbon was named World Whiskey of the Year for 2018 and its William Larue Weller and Thomas H. Handy Sazerac were named 2^nd and 3^rd finest whiskeys in the world for 2020.  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

CASK WORLD MAKE HISTORY WITH LARGEST IMPORTATION OF MATURING SWEDISH WHISKY TO THE UK

A UK-based whisky brokerage has successfully shipped the largest single consignment of rare whisky casks from Sweden to Britain. New world whisky specialists Cask World recently announced the arrival of the 34 casks, holding thousands of litres of premium single malt from the renowned BOX Distillery, with the spirit – valued at approximately £1.2m – now continuing to mature in its new English home.

Whilst this shipment is significant in showing that trade with the EU can still be buoyant in the post-Brexit pandemic era, it also exemplifies growing global interest in non-Scotch whisky, with the spirit now increasingly in-bound to UK shores. Comparisons can be drawn with the new world wine revolution of recent decades, and Cask World have positioned themselves as pioneers of this movement. As a division of Rosewin Holdings PLC, this acquisition adds to their rapidly growing new world whisky portfolio, with the company proud to lay these barrels down alongside some of the incredible whiskies now being produced on all continents.

The pedigree and rarity of this shipment should not be underestimated. At the time these casks were filled, BOX was the world’s northernmost whisky distillery, sitting just inside the Arctic Circle at 63° North. A forerunner of the current Swedish whisky boom and renowned for its vision to be the first truly green whisky producer, BOX quickly gained recognition for the quality of its spirit, which uses pristine local spring water, excellent Swedish barley, and ultra-clean air. Additionally, the huge temperature fluctuations between summer and winter in the region cause unique interactions between the maturing liquid and the wood, all combining to give special depth and character to the BOX final product.

All filled between 2011-2015, the eldest barrels to have made the journey across the North Sea are just turning a decade old. These are also believed to be some of the final remaining stock filled under the BOX name (the producer changed to ‘High Coast’ following a naming dispute in 2018). When eventually bottled, they could therefore be the last in existence to bear the ‘Distilled at BOX Distillery, Sweden’ label.

Currently ranging from six to ten years old, this cask collection contains a broad array of exciting cask/spirit combinations. Cask World’s founder Daniel Monk explains:

“This is a true box of delights – we’ve got wood ranging from virgin American, German, French, and Swedish Oak through to ex-sherry, bourbon, port, Madeira, and even an ex-Laphroaig cask! And those barrels feature toasting and charring levels across the entire spectrum from light through to ‘high mocha’. 23 of the casks hold unpeated and 11 hold peated whisky. It could be said that this collection is a perfect microcosm of the wonderful variation and innovation we are now witnessing in the global whisky scene.”

BOX started producing in 2011, with their first offerings to the domestic market in 2014. The Swedes, a nation of discerning whisky lovers, reportedly snapped up the 11,500 bottles in minutes. A similar story ensued for all the distillery’s subsequent releases, with their slightly longer aged (up to six years old) and independent bottlings regularly achieving price points well in excess of £100. Indeed, High Coast have recently released their inaugural 10 year old bottling to the Swedish market (evidently using spirit distilled early in the BOX days) with an RRP. of £136 (SEK1650).

The above prices seem well justified, with the distillery winning a plethora of international awards under both the BOX and High Coast brands, such as their Best Swedish Single Malt for The Festival in 2017 and The Second Step Collection 01 in 2018 at the World Whiskies Awards. Their High Coast 63 (5 years old, £100) was awarded 91% by Whisky Saga with the comment, “Liquid magic from the wizards of the High Coast. This is how you do it!” To put this into perspective, Macallan’s Sherry Oak 18 year old (£300) scored 86%, and Highland Park’s 21 year old (£210) achieved 89%.

The BOX casks now resting in the English warehouse alongside other premium single malts are all well aged, with many ready for bottling. Cask World plan to release a quantity of them over the coming months, and interested parties can contact them to learn more via info@caskworld.com

Rosewin Holdings PLC and Cask World have spent recent years travelling the globe and building relationships with premium new world whisky producers. This collection of rare BOX casks was a calculated purchase, discovered during a trip to learn more about the thriving Swedish single malt industry. Aside from amassing a substantial portfolio of maturing world whisky both overseas and here in the UK, Cask World offer whisky enthusiasts and investors the opportunity to own maturing cask whisky from their network of partner distilleries. Check out https://www.caskworld.com/ to learn more and feel free to drop them a line as they love chatting about all things whisky!