Inbox | The Week’s Whisky News | November 15, 2024

Welcome to Inbox – our weekly round up of whisky news and PR material that has found its way in to the WFE email. We started Inbox several years ago as we cannot write full articles or do justice to every piece received. It features items from arou…



Welcome to Inbox - our weekly round up of whisky news and PR material that has found its way in to the WFE email. We started Inbox several years ago 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 a round-up of this week's whisky news.
 
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The Highland distillery of Dalmore has announced a pair of bottlings released into its annual Vintage Collection - The Dalmore Vintage 2009 and Vintage 2006. The ever-expanding collection is designed to showcase some of the best whiskies currently maturing in the Dalmore warehouses. The new whiskies have been created by Gregg Glass, The Dalmore Master Whisky Maker.

The Dalmore Vintage 2009 is a 15 years old single malt and has been initially matured in American oak ex-bourbon barrels before a double finishing period in ex-Matusalem sherry and ex-Tawny Port casks. It is bottled at 48.9% ABV and will cost £175 per bottle. 
 
The Dalmore Vintage 2006 is an 18 years old single malt and has been matured in American oak ex-bourbon barrels with a dual finish in ex-Matusalem sherry and ex-Amoroso sherry casks. It is bottled at 47.2% ABV and is £405 per bottle. Both are of natural colour and non-chill filtered, and will be available in specialist whisky and luxury retailers in selected world markets.
 
 

The independent bottler of Gordon & Macphail has announced the bottlings in the third installment of its Recollection Series. The latest releases include six bottlings from closed or long-time silent distilleries. These include single malts from Convalmore and Imperial in Speyside, Port Ellen from Islay, Glenlochy from the Highlands (pictured, above) and Rosebank from the Lowlands, plus a single grain from North Port in Brechin. 
 
The packaging also features new designs created by award-winning animation director and illustrator Bruno Mangyokyo. All will be available from www.gordonandmacphail.com and selected retailers worldwide. The details of the new whiskies are:
 
  • Convalmore 1984/ 40 years old/ 51.1% ABV/ £2,300
  • Glenlochy 1979/ 45 years old/ 53.2% ABV/ £4,000
  • Imperial 1990/ 34 years old/ 52.7% ABV/ £1,650
  • North Port 1981/ 43 years old/ 50.9% ABV/ £3,850
  • Port Ellen 1981/ 43 years old/ 52.5% ABV/ £10,000
  • Rosebank 1991/ 33 years old/ 51.2% ABV/ £2,100.



The Glasgow Distillery Company has announced the latest batch of its award-winning Cask Strength series - the Glasgow 1770 The Original Cask Strength Batch 02 and Peated Cask Strength Batch 02. Both releases consist of just three casks and are designed to show off the two spirit types in their most natural form. The Original Cask Strength Batch 02 is bottled at 59.2% ABV and there are just 750 bottles available. It will cost £64.

The Peated Cask Strength Batch 02 is bottled at 60.2% ABV and there are just 1,000 bottles. It will cost £66. Both bottlings are non-chill filtered and of natural colour. They will be available in selected whisky retailers in the UK and via the www.glasgowdistillery.com. A very small amount of bottles will be available in selected Asian and European markets.



Irish Distillers have announced the second bottling of their limited edition Midleton Very Rare influenced by French oak - the Midleton Very Rare Forêt de Tronçais Edition Two. The new whiskey again marries the skills of Ireland and France. 
 
The single grain and single pot still whiskeys have been matured in American oak ex-bourbon barrels before a finishing period in French oak sourced from the fabled Forêt de Tronçais (Tronçais Forest). It is bottled at 48% ABV and will be available in selected world markets including Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Ireland, Singapore and the UK. A bottle will cost €5,000/ £4,388.



The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) have announced a new premium series, The Creators Collection, and the first batch of whiskies in that collection - The Peat Plants Collection. It features four high-aged and limited edition peated Scotch whiskies, with the wider series concentrating on unique flavours found within the SMWS portfolio of casks.

The four whiskies are Moss & Mist, a 25-year-old from Islay (cask number 29.293), Heather Ember, a 25-year-old from Orkney (4.396), Fern & Flame, a 26-year-old from the Highlands (66.297), and Peat Bloom, which is described as 'a blend of smoke and maritime saltiness' and comes from Islay (53.495). The full collection will be available from November 22, either as a full collection (£1,300) or individually - prices range from £195 to £425. For more info, or to buy, please visit www.smws.com.


Review | Diageo Special Releases 2024: Spirited Xchange Second Edition

Diageo, Scotland’s largest whisky producer, has announced the line-up for their annual Special Releases Collection. The Diageo Special Releases: Spirited Xchange Second Edition is formed of eight single malts, which are limited in number (although the…



Diageo, Scotland's largest whisky producer, has announced the line-up for their annual Special Releases Collection. The Diageo Special Releases: Spirited Xchange Second Edition is formed of eight single malts, which are limited in number (although the exact numbers have not been revealed). This year's collection is designed to push the boundaries of Scotch whisky and features familiar distilleries alongside lesser known hidden gems. 

The Special Releases were first launched over two decades ago, first appearing in 2001, and have been released annually ever since. The collection has grown to be eagerly anticipated by whisky fans, consumers and collectors around the world. The whiskies included each year are designed to showcase some of the best and rarest whisky, both single malt and single grain, held within Diageo's extensive portfolio of maturing stocks. These come from their 29 operating distilleries, plus closed ones on occasion.

The eight rare and collectable single malts in this years collection have been crafted by Dr. Stuart Morrison, Master Blender for the series at Diageo. Each bottling uses photography for the first time to capture the whisky's character and flavour profile. The collection is available in selected world markets including Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe, the UK and the USA, plus global travel retail and via www.malts.com.

Our Tasting Notes

Benrinnes | Grand Crescendo 21 years old
Matured in American oak ex-red wine, European oak and rejuvenated casks/ Speyside/ 55.4% ABV/ £355/ US$480. 
 

The colour is russet amber and the nose is elegant and expressive. Aromas of fairground toffee apple, baked pear with cinnamon-laced butterscotch sauce and juicy ripe peach leap from the glass and are supported by further aromas of toasted walnut, dark chocolate and a hint of sandalwood. On the palate this whisky is classy, luxurious and displays an immediate sweet vs. savoury dynamic.

The texture of the whisky is gripping and the fruit from the nose leads things off well - the toffee apple, pear and peach, plus a suggestion of bitter orange oil. Then comes caramel and dark chocolate, with the latter tending towards mocha with time. The savoury characteristics evolve nicely to add depth and structure - think of sandalwood again plus chamois leather, warm baking spices and a hint of menthol.

 
Caol Ila | Ambrosial Feast 11 years old
Unpeated and matured in re-fill American oak and rejuvenated ex-red wine casks/ Islay/ 57.3% ABV/ £82/ US$110.  


The colour is bright gold and the nose is refreshing and uplifting with some sweet and mineralic aromas. Crisp green apple, milk chocolate and golden syrup give a bright start, before further aromas of bittersweet malted cereals, buttery fudge and cracked black pepper develop. Something flinty and chalky lurks underneath. On the palate this whisky is deliciously mouthwatering and very promising.

Notes of golden syrup and fresh honeycomb lead the way and are quickly joined by milk chocolate and a hint of orange oil. The green apple from the nose adds a touch of tartness before the whisky softens to become more creamy. There are hints of buttery popcorn and dried fruit, especially raisin and sultana. The malty and mineralic elements return towards the end to give balance and good depth. Interesting.


Lagavulin | Fireside Tales 12 years old 
Matured in first-fill ex-bourbon barrels and re-fill casks/ Islay/ 57.4% ABV/ £135/ US$180. 
 

The colour is pale gold and the nose is punchy and phenolic. There is plenty of bonfire and charcoal ash, which sit alongside some honeyed sweetness. There is a distinct aroma of something green and vegetal that is reminiscent of green capsicum and damp moss. A hint of old fashioned coal tar soap is also evident. On the palate this whisky is vibrant and fiery with plenty of ash-like smoke to the fore.

This smoke has a hot edge to it, like a bonfire at full force, and this slowly softens to reveal other elements. These include malted biscuits, honey, lemon zest and vanilla sugar. The green mossy quality from the nose remains and is joined by some icing sugar and salted caramel. The smoke is never far away and lingers throughout. It drives the whisky on towards a long, ashy and drying finish.


Mortlach | Midnight Dusk
Finished in ex-Ramandolo sweet white wine and ex-Sangiovese red wine casks/ Speyside/ 57.5% ABV/ £225/ US$300. 
 

The colour is deep copper and the nose is very confected - think of aromas of candied lemon and lime, white chocolate, sugary sultana and ripe peach. Underneath are hints of something floral (most reminiscent of honeysuckle and jasmine), old leather and prickly peppery spices. On the palate this is much more viscous and mouthcoating than the nose suggested. It feels big and bold, yet remains sweet.

Notes of sugary white grapes and plump sultana kick things off before some golden syrup, toffee and vanilla ice cream come through. Something bright and floral lingers in the background - think of jasmine or elderflower. Hints of bitter chocolate, spent coffee grounds and candied lime are evident also. The doak and peppery spices built towards the finish, which gives a lasting dryness and heat.

 
Oban | Coastal Orchard 10 years old
Matured in new freshly charred American oak barrels and finished in ex-Oloroso seasoned and re-fill casks/ Highlands/ 58% ABV/ £90/ US$120. 
 

The colour is bright gold and the nose is laced with heady aromas of fresh vanilla pod, white chocolate and lemon curd with hints of cocoa powder and sultana. There is also the faintest whiff of sea breeze and gentle, soft peat smoke. On the palate this whisky is equally as fresh and lively. The gentle peat smoke is more prominent now but sits underneath the other sweeter notes and compliments them well. 

The savoury nature slowly fades and allows the sweeter and fruitier characteristics to shine. Notes of creamy vanilla toffee and stewed apple lead the way with some honeycomb and dried fruits supporting - think of plump sultana, raisin and candied lemon. Hints of milk chocolate, almond paste and molasses accentuate these notes. There is an underlying flinty mineralic quality also, plus that whisp of salty sea air.

 
Roseisle | Origami Kite II 12 years old
Only the second ever expression released, matured in re-fill and first-fill ex-bourbon casks/ Speyside/ 55.6% ABV/ £112/ US$150. 
 

The colour is deep gold and the nose is bright and vibrant. Aromas of golden syrup and vanilla toffee lead the way and sit alongside some baked apple, white chocolate and orange blossom. Hints of white pepper and marzipan sit underneath. On the palate this whisky has delicious initial notes of dried peach and that baked apple from the nose. A hint of cinnamon and powdered ginger accentuates this. 
 
Then comes sweetness in the form of heather honey and golden syrup, which is backed up by hints of sweet marmalade and marzipan. Further hints of milk chocolate, vanilla pod and good quality vanilla ice cream add further depth. Then come some warming and peppery spices - think of cinnamon, white pepper and a hint of clove. A pinch of icing sugar adds a lasting delicate sweetness right at the death.


The Singleton of Glen Ord | Autumn Walk 14 years old
Matured in ex-bourbon, rejuvenated ex-red wine and refill casks, then finished with European oak casks with Pyrenean oak cask-ends/ Speyside/ 54.7% ABV/ £116/ US$155. 
 

The colour is coppery amber and the nose is rich and sweet with a distinct woody undertone. Aromas of vanilla pod, Victoria sponge cake and sweet orange rise first, and are followed aromas of dried fruits (especially raisin and sultana with a hint of apricot) and toasted nuts - think of almond and hazelnut. On the palate this whisky is rich and luscious with plenty of fruity and nutty notes up front.

Notes of poached pear and caramelised peach are evident to begin with and are supported by orange fondant icing, milk chocolate and a hint of maple syrup. The toasted almond note remains but the hazelnut has evolved to more resemble praline now. A hint of brazil nut also sits alongside. Warming and dry wood spices take hold towards the end - imagine cinnamon and freshly sawn oak with a hint of old cigar box.

 
Talisker | Tidal Churn 8 years old
Matured in stone-spun re-toasted oak casks/ Islands/ 58.7% ABV/ £79/ US$105.
 

The colour is mid-gold and the nose is sweet, mineralic and smoky. Aromas of heather honey, sugar syrup and white chocolate are joined by a distinctive peppery smoke that has elements of dried seaweed, bonfire ash and cracked black pepper to it. There is also something moss-like and reminiscent of hot sand on a beach in the background. On the palate this whisky is immediately peppery, but with sweet undertones.

The peat smoke dominates throughout and mixes traditional peat smoke vibes (think of earth, seaweed, moss and a hint of medicinal bandage) with a drying heat and peppery nature. Sweetness comes in the form of the honey and white chocolate from the nose, plus hints of vanilla patisserie custard and sugared almonds. Hints of hard apple candy and liquorice also exist, as does the hot sand note from earlier.
 
 
What's The Verdict?
We always look forward to sampling the Diageo Special Releases each year and they rarely let you down. The days of super rare or old bottlings seem to have gone, but have seemingly been replaced by a more experimental approach and unorthodox cask maturation at times. This year's selection is solid, if somewhat unspectacular. 
 
All are good whiskies and ones that show off the diversity across Diageo's vast Scottish estate. Which are our favourites? For once, the choice is easy - the three standouts are the Roseisle 12 years old (last year's first ever bottling was also a highlight), Benrinnes 21 years old and the unpeated Caol Ila 11 years old. The Caol Ila feels like a particular treat given how infrequently unpeated spirit is made and released from there.
 

Inbox | The Week’s Whisky News | November 8, 2024

Welcome to Inbox – our weekly round up of whisky news and PR material that has found its way in to the WFE email. We started Inbox several years ago as we cannot write full articles or do justice to every piece received. It features items from arou…



Welcome to Inbox - our weekly round up of whisky news and PR material that has found its way in to the WFE email. We started Inbox several years ago 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 a round-up of this week's whisky news.
 
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The independent Islay farm distillery of Kilchoman have announced a new limited edition bottling - the Kilchoman Sanaig Cask Strength. The new whisky follows exactly the same recipe as the core range version of Sanaig, which was first released in 2016 and features a heavy influence of ex-Oloroso sherry casks sourced from José y Miguel Martín bodega in Spain. 
 
The Kilchoman Sanaig Cask Strength has been released at the natural barrel strength of 57.8% ABV and is both non-chill filtered and of natural colour. The exact number of bottles has not been revealed but they will be available in the UK and Europe. A bottle will cost £77.



The Macallan has concluded its 200th anniversary celebrations with one final release - The Macallan: A Night on Earth in Jerez de la Frontera. The bottling is the third release into the A Night on Earth series. The new whisky features both American and European oak ex-sherry casks and is inspired by the sherry producing town of Jerez in southern Spain. 
 
The packaging features a collaboration with María Melero, an artist native to Jerez. She has used her hometown and its Christmas and New Year festivities as inspiration. The whisky is released at 43% ABV and the exact number of bottles has not been revealed. It is initially available in the UK before receiving a limited world release in selected markets. A bottle will cost £110.



The independent London-based bottler and retailer Milroy's of Soho has announced its first ever core product to help celebrate its 60th birthday. The Milroy's Heavily Peated 13 years old is a Scotch single malt and will be on continual release. It was distilled at the island distillery of Jura in the Hebrides and features a finish in first-fill ex-rum casks sourced from the Monymusk distillery in Jamaica. 
 
The brand is hosting a series of tasting events at its 3 Greek Street bar to celebrate the launch. The Milroy's Heavily Peated 13 years old is bottled at 48% ABV and will be available via the Milroy's of Soho website. A bottle will cost £60.


Inbox | The Week’s Whisky News | November 1, 2024

Welcome to Inbox – our weekly round up of whisky news and PR material that has found its way in to the WFE email. We started Inbox several years ago as we cannot write full articles or do justice to every piece received. It features items from arou…



Welcome to Inbox - our weekly round up of whisky news and PR material that has found its way in to the WFE email. We started Inbox several years ago 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 a round-up of this week's whisky news.
 
________
 
 

The Islay blended malt brand of Big Peat, owned by independent bottlers Douglas Laing & Co, has announced a small batch cocktail extension to its range - the Big Peat Boulevardier. The new product is a smoky take on the classic cocktail which traditionally features whisky (normally bourbon or rye), red vermouth and bitter orange aperitif. 
 
After blending the three ingredients have been aged in an ex-Islay whisky cask to add additional smoky flavours. The Big Peat Boulevardier is bottled at 29.5% ABV and suggested to be served over ice. There are just 450 bottles in the initial small batch release. It will be available exclusively from www.douglaslaing.com with each bottling costing £28.
 



The Canadian whisky brand of Crown Royal has announced an evolution of its popular Reserve bottling, which will now carry an age statement. The Crown Royal Reserve 12 years old maintains a similar recipe to the previous no-age statement expression and uses casks hand-selected by Mark Balkenende, the brand's Master Blender. The new whisky forms part of the brand's 'commitment to excellence' and is bottled at 40% ABV. It will initially be available in Canada and the USA. A bottle will cost US$50.
 



Justerini & Brooks, the London-based prestigious wine and spirits retailer, has announced a limited edition single malt bottling to celebrate its 275th anniversary. The Knockando Cask of Distinction 32 years old is taken from a single European oak first-fill ex-sherry cask and was distilled and filled in 1992. It was selected from the company's extensive cask portfolio. 
 
Knockando is an important ingredient in the famous and highly-awarded J&B blend, a factor that was considered for the special bottling. The whisky is released at its natural cask strength of 50.7% ABV and there are just 453 bottles. Each will cost £1,210 and will be available via www.justerinis.com and selected retailers worldwide. The whisky forms part of a wider celebratory series that includes several 'once in a lifetime' vintage wines.

Inbox | The Week’s Whisky News | October 25, 2024

Welcome to Inbox – our weekly round up of whisky news and PR material that has found its way in to the WFE email. We started Inbox several years ago as we cannot write full articles or do justice to every piece received. It features items from arou…



Welcome to Inbox - our weekly round up of whisky news and PR material that has found its way in to the WFE email. We started Inbox several years ago 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 a round-up of this week's whisky news.
 
________
 
 

The west Highland distillery of Ardnamurchan celebrates its 10th anniversary this year and is commemorating the occasion with the bottling of its first ever 10 years old single malt. The Ardnamurchan 10 years old Anniversary Release uses the distillery's unpeated spirit and features some of the first whisky ever produced in 2014. This has been matured in first-fill ex-bourbon barrels with half then finished for one year in ex-Champagne casks. It is bottled at 50% ABV and is both non-chill filtered and of natural colour. The whisky will be available from late-October via specialist whisky retailers in the UK and globally. A bottle will cost £65.


 

The closed Lowland distillery of Littlemill has announced its oldest ever release with the second bottling in the Vanguards Collection. The Littlemill Vanguards Collection Chapter Two was originally distilled and filled to re-fillex-bourbon barrels in October 1976, before being transferred to re-fill American oak hogsheads in 1996. In recent years, the casks have been nurtured by Michael Henry, the Master Blender for brand owner Loch Lomond Group. It is bottled at 47 years of age.
 
The whisky features a partnership with glass artist Bethany Wood, owner of Blowfish Glass in Stourbridge. She produced 250 unique glass stoppers that are used in the decanter designed by Glencairn Crystal. The Littlemill Vanguards Collection Chapter Two is released at 44.2% ABV and is of natural colour. There are just 250 decanters available in selected world markets. Each decanter will cost £14,500/ US$18,850. For further information, please visit www.littlemilldistillery.com.

 
 

The west coast Highland distillery of Oban has announced the thrid and final bottling in The Maclean Series - Oban Grandson Derek. The series celebrates the craft and expertise shown by three generations of the Maclean family who have worked at Oban over a 70 year period dating to 1953. It kicked off with Old Teddy in 2019 and was followed by Young Teddy in 2023. It has been created by Stuart Morrison, Master Blender at brand owner Diageo.

Oban Grandson Derek honours Derek Maclean (pictured, above), the third generation, and has been matured in ex-bourbon barrels before a joint finishing period in ex-Pinot Noir and ex-Sangiovese red wine casks. It is bottled at the natural cask strength of 52.3% ABV and is both non-chill filtered and of natural colour. There are just 4,662 bottles and these will be on sale exclusively at the Oban distillery shop. Each will cost £210.
 
 

The Indian single malt brand of Rampur has released a new whisky into its core range - the Rampur Barrel Blush. The whisky has been matured in ex-bourbon barrels before a finishing period in ex-shiraz red wine barrels sourced from Australia. It has been created by Anup Barik, the Master Distiller for Rampur, and will initially be avialable in the UK before being rolled out to other selected world markets later in the year. The Rampur Barrel Blush is bottled at 45% ABV and will cost £65 per bottle.


Inbox | The Week’s Whisky News | October 18, 2024

Welcome to Inbox – our weekly round up of whisky news and PR material that has found its way in to the WFE email. We started Inbox several years ago as we cannot write full articles or do justice to every piece received. It features items from arou…



Welcome to Inbox - our weekly round up of whisky news and PR material that has found its way in to the WFE email. We started Inbox several years ago 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 a round-up of this week's whisky news.
 
________
 
 

The Lowland distillery of Bladnoch, the most southernly in Scotland, has announced the line-up for their annual Peated Collection. The Bladnoch Peated Collection 2024 Edition features four whiskies using peated malt during production and has been created by Dr. Nick Savage, the Master Distiller at Bladnoch. This includes the annually released Alinta Reserve, plus three single cask expressions - these are all selected from a rare peated malt production run that happened in 2009.

The 2024 release of Alinta Reserve features only ex-Pedro Ximenez sherry cask matured spirit and is bottled at 46.7% ABV. The three single casks are the Peated Single Cask 2024/01 matured in ex-Tokaji dessert wine casks from Hungary and bottled at 51.7% ABV, Peated Single Cask 2024/02 matured in ex-bourbon barrels and bottled at 55% ABV, and Peated Single Cask 2024/03 matured in ex-rum barrels and released at 54.2% ABV.

All bottlings are non-chill filtered and of natural colour. The Alinta Reserve will cost £120 per bottle and the Peated Single Casks £200 each. They will be available in limited numbers in selected world markets and via the Bladnoch website.
 


In a similar move to Bladnoch, The Glasgow Distillery Co. have released three limited edition peated single malts into their Glasgow 1770 Small Batch Series. The Glasgow 1770 Islay Cask Finish (57.3% ABV/ 303 bottles) and Madeira Cask Finish (58% ABV/ 298 bottles) have both seen initial maturation in virgin American oak casks before respective finishing periods in ex-peated whisky casks from Islay and ex-Madeira casks from the island of Madeira. 
 
The Glasgow 1770 Marsala Cask Finish (60.2% ABV/ 860 bottles) has undergone a full seven-year maturation in ex-Marsala casks from Sicily. All are non-chill filtered and of natural colour. All three bottlings will be available from The Glasgow Distillery Co. website and selected specialist retailers in the UK. Each will cost £59.



Mossburn, the independent distillers and blenders, have announced the second bottling in their Cask Collaboration Series - the Mossburn 12 years old Domaine Dupont Calvados Cask Finish. This follows the inaugural release that saw collaboration with Foursquare rum. The blended malt features only single malts from the Speyside region of Scotland aged 12 years and above. These were aged in ex-bourbon barrels before marrying and placement in French oak ex-Calvados casks from the renowned Domaine Dupont in Normandy, one of France's finest producers of apple brandy.

The new bottling is released at the natural cask strength of 57.2% ABV and is both non-chill filtered and of natural colour. There are just 7,500 bottles and these will be available in selected global markets, plus the UK and USA. A bottle will cost £65/ €80/ US$90.



The Isle of Raasay distillery has launched the second bottling in its Dùn Cana single malt series. The Dùn Cana Sherry Quarter Cask Release: Second Edition features both peated and unpeated spirit in a ratio of 53% to 47% respectively. These have been matured separately in ex-American Rye casks before undergoing a second maturation in Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry quarter casks (125 litre capacity) for six months. It is bottled at 52% ABV and is both non-chill filtered and of natural colour. There are 15,000 bottles in the release and each will cost £85.


Inbox | The Week’s Whisky News | October 11, 2024

Welcome to Inbox – our weekly round up of whisky news and PR material that has found its way in to the WFE email. We started Inbox several years ago as we cannot write full articles or do justice to every piece received. It features items from arou…



Welcome to Inbox - our weekly round up of whisky news and PR material that has found its way in to the WFE email. We started Inbox several years ago 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 a round-up of this week's whisky news.
 
________
 
 
 

The Speyside distillery of Benromach has announced the latest addition to its Contrasts Series - the Benromach Contrasts Unpeated. The rare spirit, which is only produced for short periods occasionally, has been aged in a combination of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks for nine years. It has been created by Keith Cruickshank, the long-serving Distillery Manager at Benromach, and is bottled at 46% ABV. It is both non-chill filtered and of natural colour. The new whisky will be available in selected specialist retailers in selected markets worldwide. A bottle will cost £60.
 
"With our Contrasts range, we aim to develop whiskies that showcase the handmade skills of our distillers - and this is no exception. But this particular unpeated release provides the very definition of a contrast when compared to our regular lightly peated spirit."
Keith Cruickshank.



The popular Canadian brand of Crown Royal has announced a new high-aged blended whisky as the third installment in its Extra Rare Series. The Crown Royal 31 years old has been created from casks personally selected by Mark Balkenende, the Master Blender for Crown Royal, and is bottled at 46% ABV. It will be available in Canada and 10 selected US states including Ariizona, California, Ohio and Texas. The recommended retail price is US$599.
 



The innovative distillery of Loch Lomond has announced a new series of age statement single malts, and the first whisky in the collection. The Loch Lomond Waypoint Series will represent different significant waypoints in The Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park. The first is a 16 years old and repressents the beautiful Falls of Falloch. The whisky has been distilled exclusively through the distillery's swan-necked stills and matured in ex-bourbon casks. 
 
The new whisky has then had a finishing period of 12 months in ex-Cognac barrels and has been created by Michael Henry, the Master Distiller at Loch Lomond, and is bottled at 46.2% ABV. It is both non-chill filtered and of natural colour, and will be available worldwide through specialist whisky retailers. A bottle will cost £82.
 
 
 

The Speyside distillery of Mortlach has launched its oldest and rarest single malt to date - the Mortlach 50 years old. It is the latest and final bottling in the brand's Singing Stills Series. The whisky is taken from a single re-fill American oak ex-bourbon barrel that has matured at the distillery for over five decades. It was distilled through the distillery's original direct-fired stills and filled to the cask in 1971 and was hand selected by Dr. Craig Wilson, the Master Blender for single malts at Diageo. There are just 67 bottles available through selected luxury and specialist whisky retailers globally. It is bottled at 47.3% ABV and will cost £22,950/ US$30,000.
 
 
 

The Scallywag blended malt brand, owned by independent bottlers Douglas Laing & Co, has launched a limited edition for the forthcoming festive season - the Scallywag Winter Edition 2024. As with all Scallywag bottlings, the new whisky only contains single malts from the Speyside region of Scotland. These have been married before experiencing a finishing period in ex-orange wine casks sourced from Spain. It is bottled at the natural cask strength of 53.9% ABV and is both non-chill filtered and of natural colour. Scallywag Winter Edition 2024 is available from specialist retailers worldwide and will cost £65.

 
 

The Speyside distillery of Tamnavulin has announced a new single malt to its double cask matured core range - the Tamnavulin Port Cask Finish. The ageing begins in American oak ex-bourbon casks before being transferred for a finishing period to ex-Tawny Port casks sourced from the Douro Valley in Portugal. The whisky has been created by Kirsty Hodge, the Master Whisky Maker at Tamnavulin, and is bottled at 40% ABV. It will initially be launched in UK supermarkets including Asda, Sainsbury's and Tesco. A bottle will cost £35.


Inbox | The Week’s Whisky News | October 4, 2024

Welcome to Inbox – our weekly round up of whisky news and PR material that has found its way in to the WFE email. We started Inbox several years ago as we cannot write full articles or do justice to every piece received. It features items from arou…



Welcome to Inbox - our weekly round up of whisky news and PR material that has found its way in to the WFE email. We started Inbox several years ago 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 a round-up of this week's whisky news.
 
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The Northern Irish distillery of Bushmills has announced the fifth batch of their highly-acclaimed Causeway Collection. The series of single malts are inspired by The Giant's Causeway, which is located on the Co. Antrim coast and just two miles from the distillery. The 2024 edition features eight whiskies, which include some of Bushmills' rarest spirits, that are aged between 10 and 23 years of age.

The Bushmills Causeway Collection 2024 features three firsts for the brand with the 10 years old Barolo Cask, 2010 Double Moscatel Cask (finished in two different ex-Moscatel casks) and 22 years old Mizunara Oak. Other highlights include the 2011 Oloroso Sherry Cask and 23 years old Madeira Cask. All eight whiskies are bottled at their natural cask strength and are non-chill filtered and of natural colour. Prices range from £76 to £385/ US$100 to US$505. They will be available in selected world markets including China, France, Germany, Ireland, the UK and the USA, plus travel retail.


Bushmills have also announced the latest addition into their travel retail exclusive World Wood Series range - the Bushmills 12 years old PX Casks. It follows 15- and 21-year old expressions released in 2023. This, like the Causeway Collection, has been created by Alex Thomas - the Master Blender for Bushmills. This new whisky has matured for 11 years in first-fill ex-bourbon barrels before a one-year in first and second-fill ex-Pedro Ximenez sherry casks. It is bottled at 46% ABV and will be available in airports throughout Asia. A bottle will cost US$70.


 

The north Highland distillery of Dalmore has revealed the second trio of whiskies in its Cask Curation Series. The Dalmore Cask Curation Series Port Edition showcases three rare single malts in partnership with Symington Family Estates, the makes of Graham's Port. It features bottlings at 27-, 30- and 43-years of age. Each has been finished in different rare vintage single harvest Tawny Port barrels from Graham's. Further additions to the series will appear in 2025 and 2026.
 
The Dalmore Cask Curation Port Edition 27 Year Old 1997 Cask Finish has been matured in American white oak ex-Bourbon casks and then finished in Cask No. 2 – a very rare 1997 Single Harvest Graham's Tawny Port cask. It is bottled at 49.3% ABV. The Dalmore Cask Curation Port Edition 30 Year Old 1994 Cask Finish has been matured in American white oak ex-Bourbon casks and then finished in Cask No. 3 – a very rare 1994 Single Harvest Graham's Tawny Port cask. It is bottled at 43.9% ABV. 
 
The Dalmore Cask Curation Port Edition 43 Year Old 1952 Cask Finish has been matured in American white oak ex-Bourbon casks and then finished in Cask No. 1 – a 1952 Single Harvest Graham's Tawny Port cask. It is bottled at 41.8% ABV. All are non-chillfiltered and of natural colour. The trio will only be sold as a set, and this will cost £35,000.



The independent Scottish distiller of Eden Mill has partnered with a local salt company to create a sugar syrup aimed at cocktail aficionados and bartenders. The Eden Mill Smoked Salt Sugar Syrup sees the Lowland distillery collaborate with fellow Fife business East Neuk Salt Company to create an ingredient to add depth to your favourite cocktail or mocktail. 
 
The hand-harvested sea salt flakes, which are 100% organic, were smoked on former Eden Mill single malt whisky barrel staves. The staves were also used to smoke the sugar used to make the syrup. The syrup is available from Eden Mill's two retail stores in Edinburgh and St. Andrew's, plus via www.edenmill.com - here there is a deal where each bottle of The Guard Bridge blended malt will come with a free bottle of the syrup for a limited period.
 
 

The Islay farm distillery of Kilchoman has launched a new limited that has been fully matured in ex-Port casks. The Kilchoman Port Cask Matured is the third such release and the oldest such release to date. The inaugural Port Cask Matured was released in 2014 and the second in 2018. The 2024 edition has been matured for a minimum of six years in re-fill ex-Port barrels. This new bottling will be available in selected specialist whisky retailers worldwide. The whisky is released at 50% ABV and a bottle will cost £88.



The Lowland distillery of Kingsbarns has bottled its oldest ever single malt to date with their latest limited edition release. The Kingsbarns Distillery Reserve 2024 is bottled at 8 years old and has been fully matured in ex-Oloroso sherry casks. It is released in its purest form - at the natural cask strength of 58.2% ABV, non-chill filtered and natural colour. There will be just 3,000 bottles and these will be available via the brand website www.kingsbarnsdistillery.com and the distillery shop in Fife from October 16. A bottle will cost £75.
 
 

The Kentucky distillery of Michter's has launched two expressions into its rare Legacy Series - the Bomberger’s Declaration Bourbon and Shenk’s Homestead Sour Mash. In 1753, Swiss farmer John Shenk founded Shenk’s distillery in Pennsylvania. This distillery was later renamed Bomberger’s distillery in the 1800s before its name changed again to Michter’s in the mid-20th Century. This heritage is what the Michter’s Legacy Series honours. 
 
Bomberger’s Declaration Bourbon (pictured, above right) is a Kentucky straight bourbon with a high malted rye percentage in the recipe and is aged in rare Chinquapin oak barrels. It is bottled at 54% ABV. Shenk’s Homestead Sour Mash Whiskey (pictured, above left) is a Kentucky rye whiskey that has matured in French oak casks. It is bottled at 45.6% ABV. Both whiskeys are now available in limited quantities and cost £120.




Review | Glen Grant The Glasshouse Collection

The Speyside distillery of Glen Grant has revealed a new set of whiskies named The Glasshouse Collection. The trio represent the oldest permanent expressions to be released by the distillery. They also represent the final bottlings created by legendar…



The Speyside distillery of Glen Grant has revealed a new set of whiskies named The Glasshouse Collection. The trio represent the oldest permanent expressions to be released by the distillery. They also represent the final bottlings created by legendary Dennis Malcolm OBE, the legendary Master Distiller who is due to retire shortly after over 60 years at Glen Grant. 

The collection is inspired by James 'The Major' Grant - a key figure in Glen Grant's history. He was an avid plant collector and travelled the world during the Victorian era, bringing specimens back to Scotland to grow in a huge greenhouse that he built on the distillery grounds. The different names refer to how the light changes during the day in the glasshouse. 

Glen Grant is located in the small town of Rothes in the centre of the Speyside region of Scotland. The distillery was founded by James and John Grant in 1840, and the brothers decided to use their surname for the distillery name. Glen Grant remained in their direct ownership until 1872 when James died (John had died in 1864). The distillery was then inherited by James’ son, James Grant Jnr.

Glen Grant remained under the family ownership until Grant Jnr’s grandson, Major Douglas Mackessack, sold it to the Canadian group Seagrams in 1972. Following numerous subsequent takeovers, the Italian drinks company Gruppo Campari took control in 2006. They purchased the distillery and brand due to its popularity in the Italian market and re-launched the single malt range in 2007. The current production capacity of six million litres per year, making it one of the larger distilleries in Speyside.

The Glasshouse Collection consists of three whiskies and celebrates the enhanced ageing properties of Glen Grant. The Glen Grant 21 years old: First Light is bottled at 46% ABV as is the Glen Grant 25 years old: Golden Hour. The Glen Grant 30 years old: Twilight is bottled at 48% ABV. All are non-chill filtered and of natural colour, and have been matured in a combination of American oak ex-bourbon barrels and ex-Oloroso sherry casks, with the sherry cask influence increasing with age. This is 20%, 40% and 60% respectively.

The Glen Grant 21 years old and 25 years old are available in UK retailers now. They will £250 and £735 respectively. The Glen Grant 30 years old will appear later in 2024 with the retail price to be confirmed. The rumour is that it will be around £1,200. A wider world release for the collection is also expected at some point.

 

Our Tasting Notes

Glen Grant 21 years old: First Light


The nose is sweet and fruity with a distinct floral twist. Elegant aromas of stewed apple and caramelised peach are joined by vanilla, baking spices and milk chocolate. Further aromas of crème brûlée, raisin and hazelnut add to the depth. 

On the palate this whisky is soft, creamy and gentle. Notes of baked apple, vanilla custard and muscovado sugar kick things off and are followed by hints of ripe tropical fruits (think of pineapple and mango especially), plump sultana and juicy raisin. The crème brûlée from the nose is also evident and is joined by caramel, plus warming spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg. Later spices evolve and are reminiscent of white pepper and clove. Hints of cocoa powder and milk chocolate round everything off nicely. 

 

Glen Grant 25 years old: Golden Hour


The nose exhibits a lovely mix of sweet and spicy aromas – milk chocolate with raisin and sultana mingles with cinnamon, clove and ginger. There is a suggestion of bitter orange oils and fairground toffee apple that evolves to become more reminiscent of baked apple with butterscotch sauce. 

On the palate this whisky feels silky, velvety and luxurious. Baked apple and fresh honeycomb notes lead the way (the honey is like heather honey with a hint of manuka) and are quickly joined by sugary sultana and raisin. The baked apple note from the nose is prominent and is complimented by a delicious combination of mocha, praline and bitter orange oil. Later, some drying tannins and oaky spice develop – this gives a complex warmth and peppery quality with a hint of old cigar box and antique furniture shop. 

 

Glen Grant 30 years old: Twilight 


The nose is bold and decadent. Aromas of grilled peach, apricot jam and syrup sponge pudding are joined by baked apple and hints of treacle tart and Christmas cake. There are plenty of savoury aromas also – think of sandalwood, cigar tobacco and chamoix leather. 

On the palate this whisky is superbly velvety and opulent. Notes of bitter chocolate and espresso coffee are joined by a selection of stone fruit – imagine nectarine, peach and apricot. Demerara sugar, toffee and caramel are all evident as well as raisin, sultana and candied orange. A warmth develops with time, and this brings a selection of notes from the spice rack – think of allspice, mace, cinnamon bark, clove and nutmeg. These dusty spices are complimented by some drying oak and a hint of mint and menthol right at the end. 


Inbox | The Week’s Whisky News | September 27, 2024

Welcome to Inbox – our weekly round up of whisky news and PR material that has found its way in to the WFE email. We started Inbox several years ago as we cannot write full articles or do justice to every piece received. It features items from arou…



Welcome to Inbox - our weekly round up of whisky news and PR material that has found its way in to the WFE email. We started Inbox several years ago 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 a round-up of this week's whisky news.
 
________
 
 

Diageo, Scotland's largest whisky producer, has announced the line-up for their annual Special Releases Collection. The Diageo Special Releases: Spirited Xchange Second Edition is formed of eight single malts, which are limited in number. This year's collection is designed to push the boundaries of Scotch whisky and features familiar distilleries alongside lesser known hidden gems. The Special Releases were first launched over two decades ago.

The eight rare and collectable single malts have been crafted by Dr. Stuart Morrison, Master Blender for the series at Diageo. Each bottling uses photography for the first time to capture the whisky's character and flavour profile. The collection is available in selected world markets including Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe, the UK and the USA, plus global travel retail and via www.malts.com
 
The following bottlings make up the Diageo Special Releases: Spirited Xchange: Second Edition. Prices were not revealed in the press release.

  • Benrinnes | Grand Crescendo - 21 years old and matured in American oak ex-red wine, European oak and rejuvenated casks. Speyside. 55.4% ABV. £355/ US$480.
  • Caol Ila | Ambrosial Feast - 11 years old, unpeated and matured in re-fill American oak and rejuvenated ex-red wine casks. Islay. 57.3% ABV. £82/ US$110.
  • Lagavulin | Fireside Tales - 12 years old and matured in first-fill ex-bourbon barrels and re-fill casks. Islay. 57.4% ABV. £135/ US$180.
  • Mortlach | Midnight Dusk - finished in sweet ex-Ramandolo white wine and ex-Sangiovese red wine casks. Speyside. 57.5% ABV. £225/ US$300.
  • Oban | Coastal Orchard - 10 years old and matured in new freshly charred American oak barrels and finished in ex-Oloroso seasoned and re-fill casks. Highlands. 58% ABV. £90 US$120.
  • Roseisle | Origami Kite II - 12 years old and only the second ever expression released, matured in re-fill and first-fill ex-bourbon casks. Speyside. 55.6% ABV. £112/ US$150.
  • The Singleton | Autumn Walk - 14 years old and matured in ex-bourbon, rejuvenated ex-red wine and refill casks, then finished with European oak casks with Pyrenean Oak cask-ends. Speyside. 54.7% ABV. £116/ US$155.
  • Talisker | Tidal Churn - 8 years old and matured in stone-spun retoasted oak casks. Islands. 58.7% ABV. £79/ US$105.



The English whisky brand of Fielden have announced a new four part limited edition series, and the first bottling in that series. The Fielden Fieldnotes series will kick off with Fielden Hedgerow and is designed to celebrate the heritage cereals used to create their spirit and the diverse locations that they are grown. The series will be split into four editions highlighting Fruity & Creamy, Fresh & Delicate, Pastry & Nutty and Fruity & Spicy. Hedgerow represents Fruity & Creamy.

Fielden Hedgerow has used four cask types - 2x ex-bourbon American oak, 1x ex-Sauternes dessert wine and 1x ex-vintage Port barrique. There will be just 1,000 bottles, each individually numbered, and they are released at 46.1% ABV. Bottles will be available from early October from www.fielden.com and specialist retailers in the UK. Each will cost £100.



The Loch Lomond Group has announced a new series of rare single malt from the closed Lowland distillery of Littlemill, which would be Scotland's oldest were it still in production - Littlemill The Cask Reflections Collection. The company hold much of the dwindling stocks and plan to showcase it throughout this series. Each bottling will be created by Michael Henry, the Master Blender for LLG.

Littlemill The Cask Reflections Release No.1 is bottled at 33 years of age and has been matured for much of its life in ex-bourbon casks. It has undergone a final four-month maturation period in rare Japanese mizunara oak casks prior to bottling. The whisky is released at the natural cask strength of 49.1% ABV and presented in a decanter designed by Glencairn Crystal. There are just 570 bottles and these are available via selected whisky specialists and luxury retailers worldwide. Each decanter will cost £3,800.



The Glenlivet, the popular Speyside distillery, has unvieled its oldest official bottling to date as part of their 200th anniversary celebrations. The Glenlivet Eternal Collection: First Edition 55 years old has been maturing in a single ex-sherry cask since the late-1960s and has been nurtured by Kevin Balmforth, the Cask Master at The Glenlivet. The rare single malt launches the distillery's Eternal Collection, which will showcase some of the rarest stock maturing in their warehouses.
 
The new whisky is housed in a spherical decanter, which sits inside a sculpture created by computational architect Michael Hansmeyer. There are just 100 decanters and they will be available exclusively at The Whisky Exchange to begin with. It is bottled at the natural cask strength of 42.2% ABV. Each decanter will cost €50,000/ US$55,900/ £41,800.