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Another New Distillery for Campbeltown

At one time, Campbeltown was Scotland’s whisky capital with more than 35 distilleries. That number dwindled to just three over the years, but now, planning… Read More

At one time, Campbeltown was Scotland’s whisky capital with more than 35 distilleries. That number dwindled to just three over the years, but now, planning approval is being sought for up to three new distilleries. The latest project is the Witchburn Distillery to be built on the former RAF Macrihanish site, and we’ll talk with project manager and master distiller Andrew Nairn on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. We’ll also hear from Beam Suntory’s Daryl Haldane following the auction Friday of a one-of-a-kind Bowmore single malt to raise money for projects on Islay. In the news, Stirling Council has rejected plans for the proposed Wolfcraig Distillery for a second time, Scotch Whisky Association leaders continue their push to reserve an excise duty hike planned for August, and Jack Daniel’s lost a trademark infringement case in the U.K. to a pair of comedians.

Episode 1006: May 28, 2023

Thanks a Thousand! (Episode 1000: April 16, 2023)

We’re celebrating a major milestone this week with the 1000th episode of WhiskyCast! To mark the occasion, Mark went back through the archives to pick some memorable moments and interviews from the past 18 years for this special episode. You’ll hear from legends like the late Parker Beam and Michael Jackson, along with Jimmy Russell, Jim McEwan, Maureen Robinson, Fawn Weaver, and Richard Paterson…just to name a few. This episode is a lot longer than usual, and there’s plenty more that we could have included. In the news, Scotch Whisky Association leaders are hoping to persuade Parliament to reject a Read More »

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Bowmore Launches Lunar New Year-Themed 18-Year-Old

Bowmore is celebrating the Lunar New Year – the Year of the Rabbit [depicted on the label] – with the release of an 18-year-old whisky. Bowmore 18-year-old Lunar New Year Limited Edition has been matured in both Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks, bottled at 43% alcohol by volume [86 proof] and is said to […]

Bowmore is celebrating the Lunar New Year – the Year of the Rabbit [depicted on the label] – with the release of an 18-year-old whisky.

Bowmore 18-year-old Lunar New Year Limited Edition has been matured in both Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks, bottled at 43% alcohol by volume [86 proof] and is said to offer notes of dark chocolate, coffee, macadamia nut and toffee.

Bowmore 18-Year-Old Lunar New Year Limited Edition is being made available exclusively in travel retail venues in China, Hong Kong, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand for $145 per bottle.

McEwan Honored with MBE

January 2, 2023 – “For contributions to the Scotch Whisky industry and the community on Islay.” Eleven words that describe a six-decade career in the whisky industry, but not nearly enough to describe Jim McEwan’s career. McEwan was named a member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in King Charles’s first New Year’s Honours List along with Diageo CEO Ivan Menezes, who will be knighted for his services to the business community and equality. “To receive an award like that completely floored me…I never ever, ever, ever, anticipated anything like that, McEwan said in a telephone interview with Read More »

January 2, 2023 – “For contributions to the Scotch Whisky industry and the community on Islay.”

Eleven words that describe a six-decade career in the whisky industry, but not nearly enough to describe Jim McEwan’s career. McEwan was named a member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in King Charles’s first New Year’s Honours List along with Diageo CEO Ivan Menezes, who will be knighted for his services to the business community and equality.

“To receive an award like that completely floored me…I never ever, ever, ever, anticipated anything like that, McEwan said in a telephone interview with WhiskyCast. “I couldn’t get in the store (this morning), everyone wanted to shake my hand,” he said.

McEwan was notified of the award in a letter from Buckingham Palace on November 30, and he and his wife Barbara were sworn to secrecy until the announcement late Friday night (December 30). No date has been set for him to officially receive the medal in a ceremony.

“Without Barbara’s help, I never would have done it…when I was traveling, she’d be home taking care of the kids, and when I came home, she’d put me back together again,” he said. “Putting up with me for 57 years, that deserves a medal,” he said with a laugh.

McEwan finally retired in 2021 after several tries that left him “pacing the cage like a tiger,” ending a career that saw him go from an apprentice cooper at Bowmore Distillery on his native Islay to managing the distillery. In 2001, he was offered the chance to bring the mothballed Bruichladdich Distillery back to life and became its Production Director, teasing the most out of a cache of casks left behind by the previous owner to bring in much-needed cash while his team started laying down new make spirit that’s now being bottled on the island today.

After he stepped down from Bruichladdich in 2015, he became the first master distiller for the island’s newest distillery, Ardnahoe, while working on consulting projects as far away as Australia. Finally, after being featured in the documentary film “The Water of Life,” Jim retired to spend more time at home with Barbara and his grandchildren.

“There’s still life in the dog yet…I’m still running.”

Trio Of Bowmore Whiskies Auctioned Off

A trio of Bowmore whiskies – including a bottle of Bowmore 35 Years Old – were recently auctioned off at Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr’s Whisky et Spiritueux d’Exception sale in Paris [held in December 2022]. The Bowmore 35 Years Old was originally offered for between $16,900-$21,130 but wound up with a winning bid of […]

The Bowmore 35 Years Old was originally offered for between $16,900-$21,130 but wound up with a winning bid of $21,907.

A Bowmore 1964 was offered for $9,500 but ended up going for $11,600.

Finally, the most elderly whisky of the lot – a Bowmore 1956 – was originally offered for $10,564 but found a final bid of $10,955.

All told, 227 lots comprised the Bonhams Paris sale.

Bowmore Reveals Second Release Of Aston Martin Collab

Bowmore has released a 22-year-old single malt – the second whisky of their collaboration with Aston Martin in the Master’s Selection series. Bowmore Master’s Selection Edition 2 22-year-old single malt was matured in both American oak hogsheads and sherry butts, bottled at 51.5% alcohol by volume [103 proof] and is said to contain notes of […]

Bowmore has released a 22-year-old single malt – the second whisky of their collaboration with Aston Martin in the Master’s Selection series.

Bowmore Master’s Selection Edition 2 22-year-old single malt was matured in both American oak hogsheads and sherry butts, bottled at 51.5% alcohol by volume [103 proof] and is said to contain notes of apricot, clove, honey and peach.

Bowmore Masters’ Selection Edition 2 is being made available in Canada, China, Germany, the UK and the USA for $450 per bottle.

Inbox / The Week’s Whisky News (October 28, 2022)

Welcome to Inbox, our weekly round up of whisky news and PR material that has found its way in to our WFE email. It was created as we cannot write full articles or do justice to every piece received. It features items from around the world of whisky and is published by us each Friday. Within Inbox we aim to write a few lines detailing each press release/piece of news/PR event that we have received and provide links, where possible, for you to find out further information.

Here is the round-up of the news from this last week.

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Balvenie

The Speyside distillery of Balvenie has marked the 60th anniversary of its legendary Malt Master, David C. Stewart MBE, with the release of its oldest ever single malt - the Balvenie 60 years old. The whisky comes from a single European oak hogshead cask that was distilled and filled in 1962 - the year that Stewart started his career at Balvenie. The cask was selected by Kelsey McKechnie, who has been announced as Stewart's successor in the role of Malt Master.

The bottle is the first to share both of their signatures. There are just 71 bottles. These are housed in a bespoke casing which is made of glass, gold and brass. This is engraved with quotes from Stewart. The bottle is engraved with a quote from McKechnie. The Balvenie 60 years old is bottled at 42.4% ABV and will be available in selected luxury retailers worldwide. Each bottle will cost £125,000/ $145,000 US.

"I started at the distillery in 1962, as a whisky stocks clerk. This liquid; a new make spirit was filled into a collection of traditional European oak hogshead casks. For six decades it has rested and matured, now marking quite a poignant moment for me on my journey."
David C. Stewart MBE.

Benromach

The traditional Speyside distillery of Benromach has launched a new small batch single malt into its Contrasts range - the Benromach Triple Distilled. The practice of triple distillation is followed on occasion at the independently-owned distillery and this release is from a run in 2011. The spirit has been passed through the wash still, but then twice through the spirit still to create a lighter and more delicate spirit. This has then been matured in first-fill ex-bourbon barrels. The Benromach Triple Distilled is bottled at 46% ABV and is both non chill-filtered and of natural colour. It will be available in specialist whisky retailers worldwide and will cost £50/ $58 US.

"We triple-distilled a small batch of this spirit in 2011 and after a little more than a decade, we are ready to share it. Benromach Triple Distilled retains our customary, subtle smokiness but the extra distillation, combined with a bourbon cask delivers a slightly sweeter single malt."
Keith Cruickshank / Distillery Manager at Benromach.

Bowmore

The Islay distillery of Bowmore has announced the second whisky in its Masters' Collection series in collaboration with Aston Martin - the Bowmore 22 years old. The series is designed to show 'syncronised creativity' between the two iconic brands. Two pockets of whisky were used - one distilled in 1997 and one in 2000. These were matured in ex-bourbon hogsheads and ex-sherry butts before being combined. The Bowmore 22 years old Masters' Selection Edition 2 is bottled at 51.5% ABV and will be available in world markets including Canada, China, Germany, the UK and USA. A bottle will cost £390/ $450 US.

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Aston Martin Collabs With Bowmore To Produce 52-Year-Old Single Malt

Aston Martin and Islay-based distillery, Bowmore, have collaborated to produce a 52-year-old single malt – called Bowmore ARC-52 – in a limited edition ‘futuristic vessel’. Bowmore ARC-52 has matured for 52 years in a pair of casks – 50% in American Oak Hogshead and 50% in a European Oak Butt – and is said to […]

Aston Martin and Islay-based distillery, Bowmore, have collaborated to produce a 52-year-old single malt – called Bowmore ARC-52 – in a limited edition ‘futuristic vessel’.

Bowmore ARC-52 has matured for 52 years in a pair of casks – 50% in American Oak Hogshead and 50% in a European Oak Butt – and is said to contain notes of almond, hazelnut, lime, orange and vanilla.

The “futuristic vessel” is designed by Aston Martin and is presented in a box opened by a magnetic key.

Only 100 bottles of Bowmore ARC-52 are being made available – 50 in late summer 2022 and the other 50 in early 2023 – for $75,000 per bottle in Canada, China, Germany, Netherlands, Singapore, the UK and the USA.

Got an Extra $75,000… Beam Suntory brand Bowmore has the Whiskey for You!

Beam Suntory brand Bowmore has announced the release of 100 decanters of a 52 year single malt called Bowmore ARC-52 that will be available in select global markets and Global Travel Retail for a price of $75,000. Of note, the decanter is designed by&n…

Ron Welsh, Master Blender of Bowmore says of this release:

A Bowmore as exquisite and complex as this 52 year old is testament to the skills of our distillery team and their commitment to optimising the time spent in cask to create such an incredible spirit. With ARC-52 the complexity of this single malt is unquestionable and to achieve such perfect balance not only defines its physical form but unites beautifully in every drop of this stunning whisky. Working with Aston Martin remains hugely rewarding and fascinating for me. It continues to inspire and show us a different way of working, with absolute precision, and has allowed us to create what, in my opinion, is the best Bowmore over 50 years old that I’ve ever tasted.

As mentioned, the decanter is designed by Aston Martin and attempts to convey 'travelling in two directions at the same time, exploring the ideals of balance, capturing perfect stability combined with definitive intensity.'

In terms of the whiskey, it is a blend of two cask styles, 50% for an American Oak Hogshead and 50% from a European Oak Butt and has been matured a whopping 52 years (barreled in 1968!!!). It comes in at 42.3% alcohol (84.6 proof) and carries the following tasting notes:

Creamy and fruity aromas of vanilla and custard cream are carefully balanced with peach, pear, kumquat, mandarin, a hint of guava with herbal notes of fresh mint and eucalyptus On the palate this continues to evolve as flavours of green grapes and peach melba, clementine, lime zest merge seamlessly alongside nutty notes of almond and hazelnuts, whilst tobacco leaves give way to a subtle peat ash and buttery character.

My Take

One of the favorite articles that I've written was the math behind the angel's share and how much bourbon evaporates over time. I only went up to 50 years because I couldn't imagine something being barreled longer than that, but here we are. Based on the math, there should be around 9.5 gallons left of the original 53 gallon barrel.

Sadly, I don't have $75k sitting around to purchase this... maybe I can buy a pour... let's assume this is a 750ml bottle (volume wasn't listed in the release)... the average pour is 2 ounces, or 59.14ml. So for each bottle, we'll get 12 1/2 pours... or we can buy one at cost for the small price of $6,000. Sadly, I don't have an extra 6k sitting around either so this will have to be a hard pass for me.

What do you think? Drop a note in the comment box below.

Source: Beam Suntory

Inbox / The Week’s Whisky News (April 15, 2022)

Here is the round-up of the news from this last week.

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Bowmore

The Islay distillery of Bowmore has announced a new single malt that will be exclusive to the travel retail sector - the Bowmore 22 years old Pedro Ximenez Cask Finish. It features 18 year old pockets of whisky that were matured in different cask types including barrels butts and hogsheads. These were then married together and matured for four extra years in European oak ex-Pedro Ximenez sherry casks. The whisky was created by Ron Welsh, the Master Blender for Bowmore. The Bowmore 22 years old Pedro Ximenez Cask Finish will be exclusively available in China. No details of price were given in the press release.

Gelston's

The up-and-coming Irish whiskey brand of Gelston's has announced the release of an Irish cream liqueur to add to its ever expanding range. The new product has been created using a blend of triple distilled Irish whiskey matured in ex-bourbon barrels, cream and chocolate. It has been created by Johnny Neill, the great great grandson of Samuel Gelston. He originally founded the brand in Belfast in 1830, before Neill resurrected it in modern times. The Gelston's Irish Whiskey Cream Liqueur will cost £14/ $18.50 US a bottle and will be available via Tesco in Northern Ireland and online via The Drop Store for the rest of the UK.

Glenallachie

The Speyside distillery of Glenallachie has released a new expression into its core single malt range - the Glenallachie 8 years old (pictured, left). It sees whisky from four different cask types married together - virgin oak casks, ex-red wine barriques, plus ex-Oloroso and ex-Pedro Ximenez sherry puncheons. These casks were selected by Billy Walker, the Master Blender for Glenallachie. It is bottled at 46% ABV and is both non chill-filtered and of natural colour. The Glenallachie 8 years old will be available via specialist whisky retailers worldwide and is expected to retail for £42.50/ $55.50 US.

The Glenallachie Distillers Company have also announced a new blended Scotch whisky - the White Heather 15 years old (pictured, right). It joins the 21 years old expression in the White Heather range, which forms part of the wider MacNair's Boutique House of Spirits. This has been blended by Walker and features single malts from Islay, the north Highlands and Speyside plus single grain whisky. These have been matured in virgin oak, ex-bourbon, ex-Oloroso and ex-Pedro Ximenez sherry casks. Again, it will be available globally and is bottled at 46% ABV. It is also non chill-filtered and of natural colour. A bottle will cost £60/ $78.50 US.

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