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Scotch whisky brand Ballantine’s has unveiled its first single grain expression, finished in two types of casks.

Master blender Sandy Hyslop blended grain whiskies from Strathclyde Distillery to create the expression, which was named Ballantine’s Single Distillery.

For many years, the Glasgow-based grain distillery has been a major component in Ballantine’s blends.

The new single grain offering is supposed to have sweet and flowery flavors like white peach, burnt pineapple, red apples, lemon zest, and toasted almonds on the palate. It has a double cask finish in rum and extra-charred American oak barrels.

Hyslop commented: “One of the things I enjoy most about my job as master blender is to be able to experiment and continue to push boundaries, just like our founder George Ballantine, who was doing things his own way and breaking conventional codes of whisky as far back as 1827.

“Ballantine’s Single Distillery was created to challenge perceptions of grain whisky and offers a whisky that really showcases the quality of the grain used. The addition of the double cask finish results in an exceptionally smooth Scotch, making for a refined drinking experience to savor during those finer moments in life.”

Ballantine’s Single Distillery Rolls to Whisky Markets

Ballantine’s Single Distillery, a permanent addition to the brand’s lineup, will be accessible starting in November 2024 and comes in an amber-colored bottle with a shiny copper crest. Each market has a different RRP.

Ballantine’s collaborated with Wu-Tang Clan frontman RZA on a limited-edition bottle earlier this year as part of the brand’s music-inspired collaboration series.

Two limited-edition bottle designs honoring John Lennon and Elton John were added to the brand’s True Music Icons collection in September.

The Chivas Brothers division of Pernod Ricard, located in Dumbarton, Scotland, produces blended Scotch whisky under the Ballantine’s name. Fingerprint malts from Miltonduff and Glenburgie, together with 50 single malts and four unique grains, are what give the Ballantine its flavor.

The post Ballantine’s Releases First Single Grain Whisky first appeared on Whisky Critic - Whisky Reviews & Articles - Style. Attitude. Whisky..

The recent and newly built Ardgowan Distillery is set to commence whisky production and open its doors next spring. Distil has invested millions of pounds into the construction of Ardgowan.

Laura Davies comes to Ardgowan as the distillery manager after over a decade at The Welsh Whisky Company (Penderyn). Impressively, she played a crucial role in increasing the company’s turnover from £10 million to £23 million in just seven years. In addition, she managed operations across three production sites and visitor centers in Wales.

Martin McAdam, CEO of Ardgowan Distillery, stated: “We are thrilled to welcome Laura to the Ardgowan family. Her extensive industry experience, spanning distillation and business development, aligns seamlessly with our goal of establishing Ardgowan as a vital part of the community and a respected name in the global whisky industry.”

Davies was guided by the late Dr. Jim Swan, whose mentorship provided her with essential knowledge in whisky production and maturation techniques.

Ardgowan Appoints Laura Davies as Distillery Manager

In addition to her distillation expertise, Davies has a wealth of experience in compliance, continuous improvement strategies, and new product development. She has successfully commissioned three major production facilities and increased operations from 90,000 liters of pure alcohol (LPA) annually to over one million LPA per year. Notably, her career also includes the creation of three distinct flavored gins.

Davies holds a BSc (Hons) in Forensic Science with Criminology from the University of South Wales, as well as an MSc in International Innovation Management.

Reflecting on her new role, Davies stated, “Ardgowan is at such an exciting stage in its journey. Being part of the team as we build the distillery and operational framework from the ground up is truly special. I am eager to apply everything I’ve learned to help Ardgowan create an exceptional single malt.”

The recent appointment comes on the heels of Ardgowan’s acquisition of cutting-edge copper stills, designed by McMillan Coppersmiths from Prestonpans.

Renowned as the birthplace of Clydebuilt blended malt whisky, the Ardgowan facility also features the Blackwoods Gin distillery.

At the 2024 Scotch Whisky Masters, Clydebuilt’s Draughtsman earned a Master medal, while Anchorsmith was awarded a Gold medal.

Earlier this month, Distil reported a 38% drop in sales for the six months ending September 30, 2024, as inflation impacted consumer drinking habits.

The post Ardgowan Appoints Distillery Manager first appeared on Whisky Critic - Whisky Reviews & Articles - Style. Attitude. Whisky..