Angus Dundee - BourbonSphere

A Whiskey Maker’s Holiday Treat

Alex Chasko is an Oregon transplant turned Dublin whiskey maker. He’s the master distiller and whiskey maker for Teeling Whiskey Company, and his latest creation… Read More

Alex Chasko is an Oregon transplant turned Dublin whiskey maker. He’s the master distiller and whiskey maker for Teeling Whiskey Company, and his latest creation is a 33-year-old Irish single malt finished in Pineau des Charentes casks. He’ll join us on this holiday edition of WhiskyCast. In the news, European and U-S trade negotiators extend a deal to avoid a return to tariffs on American whiskey exports, while another Scotch Whisky company is building a distillery in China.

Episode 1036: December 24, 2023

Bespoke Whisky, Bespoke Tweed

Collaborations between whisky makers and design houses are becoming more common, and this week, we’ll look at a partnership where each side brought their own… Read More

Collaborations between whisky makers and design houses are becoming more common, and this week, we’ll look at a partnership where each side brought their own unique skills to form a successful collaboration. The Grant family’s House of Hazelwood has teamed up with London’s Huntsman Savile Row to create a 50-year-old Huntsman whisky, along with a unique House of Hazelwood tweed for Huntsman’s bespoke suits. We’ll talk with Huntsman creative director Campbell Carey and Jonathan Gibson of the House of Hazelwood on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, strikes against Chivas Brothers have been called off after the company proposed new contract terms, and we have more award winners announced this week.

Episode 1034: December 10, 2023

Jack Daniel’s Tequila-Finished Whiskey Tops Week’s New Releases

Jack Daniel’s has released the latest in its Distillery Series line of experimental whiskies, a Tennessee Whiskey finished in añejo tequila barrels that had first… Read More

Jack Daniel’s has released the latest in its Distillery Series line of experimental whiskies, a Tennessee Whiskey finished in añejo tequila barrels that had first been used at Jack Daniel’s before being sent to Mexico. The release was selected by Master Taster Danny Lamb, and is the 11th release in the distillery series. It’s available at the distillery’s White Rabbit Bottle Shop in Lynchburg and select Tennessee retailers with a recommended retail price of $41.99.

Aberfeldy is adding to its Red Wine Cask Collection with a new 18-year-old single malt finished in Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon wine casks. It’s a cousin to last year’s 15-year-old Cabernet Sauvignon finish, and will be available through the distillery’s web site at first before rolling out in the UK, France, Germany, and the United States with a recommended retail price of £115 per bottle.

Angus Dundee Distillers is reviving the Glencadam 18-year-old Highland single malt. It disappeared from the lineup several years ago because of a lack of supply dating back to when the distillery was mothballed between 1999 and 2003, but there are enough stocks now to ensure a permanent supply. It will be available worldwide with a recommended retail price of £145 a bottle.

Glengoyne has released its latest Cask Strength edition. It’s the 10th in the series, and marks a decade of the annual limited edition. It’s matured in a combination of first-fill Oloroso Sherry, ex-Bourbon, and refill casks, and won a gold medal in the recent International Spirits Challenge. It is available through whisky specialist shops globally as well as the Glengoyne web site.

Wolfcraig master blenders Richard Paterson and Ian Macmillan have created the second blend in the Wolfcraig lineup, It’s a 14-year-old blend that uses whisky matured in ex-Bourbon barrels along with aged sherry casks, and will launch in August with a recommended retail price of £80 a bottle.

Wyoming Whiskey is out with its annual Wyoming-exclusive release. This year’s whisky is named Integrity, and honors former U.S. Senator Alan Simpson with a 7 year-old Bourbon. It’s available through the distillery and Wyoming retailers only.

Finally, Ireland’s Teeling Whiskey Company has released the second edition in its Wonders of Wood Collection. It’s a single pot still Irish Whiskey matured in virgin Portuguese Oak barrels. It’s available through the Teeling web site for 80 Euros a bottle, with part of the proceeds going to help plant native Irish tree species in Ireland.

This story was published July 31, 2023. Photo courtesy Jack Daniel’s.

Scotchdale partners with West Coast Beverages to expand Nevada distribution

Scottsdale, Arizona probably isn’t the first place that comes to mind when you think of fine Scottish whisky. But the rookie Scotchdale brand defies expectations. Created by Scottsdale residents Travis Ranville and John McDonnell several years ago and brought to market in early 2019, Scotchdale’s 80-proof blended malt Scotch whisky comes from Angus Dundee Distillers’ …

Continue reading “Scotchdale partners with West Coast Beverages to expand Nevada distribution”

Whisky Advocate gave Scotchdale a solid 90-point rating in fall 2020, describing it as “medium-bodied” and noting that it “eschews sweetness and fruitiness to inhabit a world of dark toffee, Brazil nut, dry oak, malt, plain chocolate, hot peppery spice, and licorice.” The folks at Scotchdale simply tout it as “the most livable whisky.”

Previously only available in the Phoenix metropolitan area and surrounding Arizona communities, thanks to a partnership with Las Vegas-based West Coast Beverages, Scotchdale can now be found in a number of Southern Nevada bars and restaurants, including The Charleston Tavern, 18bin, and 595 Craft + Kitchen, as well as local retailers such as Crystal Liquors and Hacienda Liquor.

Scotchdale’s website features a number of delicious cocktail recipes for its flexible blended Scotch whisky—many inspired by the state of Arizona—but because McDonnell and Ranville are obviously men of good taste, the whisky brand’s signature cocktail is its eponymous “The Scotchdale,” a refined take on an Old Fashioned that subs chocolate and orange bitters for the traditional Angostura version, which naturally complements the spirit’s robust flavor profile.

The Scotchdale

2 oz. Scotchdale whisky
2 dashes chocolate bitters
1 dash orange bitters
1/2 oz. simple syrup
Top with soda water
Garnish with orange peel

Of course, if you want to get your sip of Scotchdale right now, you’d need to make your way to Arizona or Nevada. But now you know next time you find yourself in Vegas, Scottsdale, or even the New Age haven of Sedona, you can probably ask your bartender for a taste of this imported blend designed to “tame the Arizona heat.”

Main image by TAVITS Photography, courtesy of Scotchdale.