Glen Grant Unveils New 21-Year-Old Single Malt

March 26, 2023 – Glen Grant has introduced the oldest permanent addition to its range with a new 21-year-old single malt. The whisky was matured in a combination of Oloroso Sherry butts and hogsheads along with ex-Bourbon barrels, and is bottled at 46% ABV with no chill filtering. “The 18-year-old was our oldest one before, and it was mainly Bourbon wood which gives you much more floral notes to it,” said Master Distiller Dennis Malcolm. The 62-year veteran of the Scotch Whisky industry was on hand this week at an event in New York City to introduce the new whisky. Read More »

The Glen Grant 21-year-old single malt. Photo ©2023, Mark Gillespie/CaskStrength Media.March 26, 2023 – Glen Grant has introduced the oldest permanent addition to its range with a new 21-year-old single malt. The whisky was matured in a combination of Oloroso Sherry butts and hogsheads along with ex-Bourbon barrels, and is bottled at 46% ABV with no chill filtering.

“The 18-year-old was our oldest one before, and it was mainly Bourbon wood which gives you much more floral notes to it,” said Master Distiller Dennis Malcolm. The 62-year veteran of the Scotch Whisky industry was on hand this week at an event in New York City to introduce the new whisky. “We’re using Oloroso Sherry butts, hoggies, and barrels married together, and it’s got these wonderful rich fruity notes to it,” he said.

The 21-year-old will be an annual release with a recommended retail price of $360 per bottle.

“It’s the gateway to many more expressions in the future, which we’ll be able to share with you as they’re being launched,” Malcolm teased. The entire interview with Dennis Malcolm can be heard on this week’s WhiskyCast podcast.

Other new whiskies announced this week:

Maker’s Mark has released the fifth and final expression in its Wood Finishing Series. BEP is a tribute to the distillery’s traditional 55% ABV (110 proof) barrel entry proof, and used ten virgin toasted American Oak finishing staves in the maturation process. It is available throughout the U.S. with a recommended retail price of $69.99 per bottle.

Ardbeg has unveiled this year’s limited edition release. BizarreBQ comes from three different types of barrels: Pedro Ximenez Sherry casks, double-charred oak, and a special extra-charred barbecue cask. 

It will go on sale at the distillery and in Germany starting next Monday, and will be available worldwide later this year, likely around Islay Festival time at the beginning of June. 

Scapa Distillery is opening a new tasting room next week, and is launching a new Distillery Reserve Collection edition…the Scapa 19-year-old Pedro Ximenez hogshead finish. It is available at the distillery and online to U-K residents only for 185 pounds a bottle…

Bruichladdich has released two new whiskies. The Port Charlotte Islay Barley 2014 uses barley grown on eight farms within 15 miles of the distillery, and is available in the U-S with a recommended retail price of 85 dollars a bottle…

The second release is more unusual…it’s Islay’s first rye whisky. Local farmer Andrew Jones started growing rye in 2017 as a cover crop in between his annual barley crops after Bruichladdich agreed to buy his entire rye crop for making whisky. It’s a single grain whisky dubbed “The Regeneration Project, and is available through the Bruichladdich web site for 125 pounds a bottle.

Finally, 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of Secretariat’s historic Triple Crown, and while Woodford Reserve’s annual Kentucky Derby bottle features a painting of Secretariat, the family who raised the horse is teaming up with another distillery.

The Chenery family is endorsing Ragged Branch Distillery’s Secretariat Reserve Bourbon. The Virginia distillery used corn grown on the farm where Secretariat was born to make the five year old Bottled in Bond whiskey.

It will go on sale April 22nd in Virginia state liquor stores and at the distillery, with limited availability in the Mid-Atlantic region and online.

Links: Glen Grant | Maker’s Mark | Ardbeg | Scapa | Bruichladdich | Ragged Branch Distillery

 

Port Charlotte Islay Barley 2013

Smoky and coastal exactly as I expected, quite mealy and herbal in places and some sweetness and nutty nature, perhaps from the finishing? 86/100

Smoky and coastal exactly as I expected, quite mealy and herbal in places and some sweetness and nutty nature, perhaps from the finishing? 86/100

Inbox / The Week’s Whisky News (February 17, 2023)

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 an…



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 week. 
 
________
 
 
 
Glenrothes
The Speyside distillery of Glenrothes has released The 42 - a small batched limited edition single malt that is one of their oldest ever released. The whisky is made from just four casks which were hand selected by Laura Rampling, the Master Whisky Maker for Glenrothes. The 42 is bottled at 43% ABV and the casks have yielded just 1,134 bottles between them. The whisky is presented in a bespoke decanter and will be available from mid-March. It will initially be sold through specialist and luxury retailers in the UK including Harrods and Fortnum & Mason. Each bottle will cost £6,750/ $US8,150.
 
"These four casks have taken our spirit on a journey of maturation over more than four decades, refining the original delicate and fruity character without overpowering it. The result is a beautifully elegant whisky that truly allows the bright and vibrant character of Glenrothes to sing."
Laura Rampling.


Loch Lomond
 

The Highland distillery of Loch Lomond has announced the release of a new range of blended malts named Noble Rebel. The new range is designed to 'push boundaries in the pursuit of flavour' and consists of three expressions - Orchard Outburst, Smoke Symphony and Hazelnut Harmony. These have been created by Michael Henry, the Master Blender for Loch Lomond.

Orchard Outburst (pictured, above left) has been matured in ex-bourbon casks and features single malt made with Chardonnay wine yeast amongst others. Smoke Symphony (pictured, above centre) features peated malts and has been finished in ex-Rioja red wine casks from Spain. Hazelnut Harmony (pictured, above right) has been finished in heavily toasted American oak casks.

Noble Rebel's rebellious nature is brought to life with a series of illustrations that adorn the labels. These are different on each bottling. The three expressions will be available from early March and will initially be exclusive to The Whisky Exchange in the UK. A bottle will cost £40.
 
 
Port Charlotte 
 

The Islay distillery of Bruichladdich has announced the latest edition vintage in their Port Charlotte island provenance series - the Port Charlotte Islay Barley 2014. The whisky was distilled in 2014 using barley grown at eight different farms on the famous whisky island of Islay. Each farm is located less than 15 miles (24 km) from the distillery.

The spirit was peated to a level of 40ppm and then matured in three different cask types - first-fill ex-bourbon, re-fill ex-Bordeaux red wine and virgin oak. These were then married to produce the final whisky in the percentages of 84%, 8% and 8% respectively. It has been bottled at 50% ABV and is available via www.bruichladdich.com and selected specialist retailers globally. A bottle will cost £75/ $US90.


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Truffle Hunting for Whisky History (Episode 965: August 14, 2022)

Andrew Welford is described as a “truffle hunter” for whisky history, but his best find to date didn’t sell for a penny. In fact, he donated an original John Walker & Sons shares ledger from 1944 that he found on eBay to Diageo’s corporate archive in Scotland. We’ll talk with him and Isabel Graham-Youll of Whisky.Auction, who helped bring together the book with its new home. In the news, the Kentucky Bourbon Benefit auction to help the state’s flooding victims is underway with bidding already exceeding $250,000. We’ll have that story and much more, including a Major League Baseball team Read More »

Andrew Welford is described as a “truffle hunter” for whisky history, but his best find to date didn’t sell for a penny. In fact, he donated an original John Walker & Sons shares ledger from 1944 that he found on eBay to Diageo’s corporate archive in Scotland. We’ll talk with him and Isabel Graham-Youll of Whisky.Auction, who helped bring together the book with its new home. In the news, the Kentucky Bourbon Benefit auction to help the state’s flooding victims is underway with bidding already exceeding $250,000. We’ll have that story and much more, including a Major League Baseball team owner’s entry into the whisky business.


Links: Whisky.Auction | Kentucky Bourbon Benefit Auction | Old Forester | Wigle Whiskey | Beam Suntory | Rally | Diageo | Bruichladdich | Reservoir Distillery | Arcane Distilling

Malt Nuts: Peated Bruichladdich Part 2

A week after our Peated Bruichladdich Part 1, we gathered for Part 2. And like last time we all arrived with our samples in tow and after the usual hi-hello pleasantries we got down to business. Just like we’re about to do with this recap. I mean it, no long preamble or anything. We all […]

The post Malt Nuts: Peated Bruichladdich Part 2 appeared first on The Whiskey Jug.

A week after our Peated Bruichladdich Part 1, we gathered for Part 2. And like last time we all arrived with our samples in tow and after the usual hi-hello pleasantries we got down to business. Just like we’re about to do with this recap.

Malt Nuts - Peated Bruichladdich Round 2 - 16

I mean it, no long preamble or anything. We all know and love peated Bruichladdich. So let’s get to it.

Peated Bruichladdich Part 2 – Pre

Malt Nuts - Peated Bruichladdich Round 2 - 0

Pre 1: Bruichladdich Port Charlotte PC 10: 46%

  • Nose: Honied fruit, smoke, graham, cocoa and a light BBQ sweetness.
  • Palate: Medicinal, fruity, smoke, plastic, malt.
  • Finish: Long -> Medicinal, fruity, tannic
  • Overall: (3 / 5) Nice and sweet with a great medicinal kick that compliments perfectly.

Pre 2: Bruichladdich Port Charlotte PC 10: 50%

  • Nose: Plasticy smoke, malty, cocoa, hay, spice and mint.
  • Palate: Candy, fruity, malty, smokey.
  • Finish: Long -> Honied fruit, spice and smoke.
  • Overall: (3 / 5) Not bad… not bad at all. In fact, I rather like it.

Post-Reveal Commentary: Old PC 10 vs new PC 10 = Both tasty. I don’t have anything to complain about.

 

Peated Bruichladdich Part 2 – Round 1

Malt Nuts - Peated Bruichladdich Round 2 - 2

1A: Elements Of Islay PI5: 63.1%

  • Nose: Vanilla, smoke, malt, fruit, cocoa, ash and saline.
  • Palate: Floral, herbal, smoke, fruit, saline.
  • Finish: Long -> Floral, smoke and malt.
  • Overall: (3 / 5) Soft and light, as soft and light as peated Bruichladdich gets, but wonderfully interesting.

1B: Boutique-y Port Charlotte Batch 5: 51.1%

  • Nose: Smoke, malt, olde candy, ash, wine and caramel.
  • Palate: Smoke, charred fruit, candy sweetness, graham and a touch vomity.
  • Finish: Long -> Sulfur, smoke, char and a bit of vomit.
  • Overall: (2 / 5) Reading my notes it sounds awful, but it weirdly isn’t utter dreck. It’s not great, but in a weird way it’s kinda interesting and I don’t loathe it as much as I should.

Post-Reveal Commentary: I’ve never been a massive fan of Boutique-y whisky picks and the trend continues. Though why do I keep wanting to taste it again?…

 

Peated Bruichladdich Part 2 – Round 2

Malt Nuts - Peated Bruichladdich Round 2 - 6

2A: Malts of Scotland Lochindaal 12 years (07-19): 58.1% – ex-Bourbon

  • Nose: Spirity, banana, malt, smoke, vomit, peach, caramel.
  • Palate: Spirity, banana, malt, smoke, vomit, peach, caramel.
  • Finish: Med-long -> Banana, alkaline, spirity, vomit.
  • Overall: (0.5 / 5) 1B held a perverse allure…. this does not. Wow, this is bad. Might be the worst peated Bruichladdich I’ve ever had.

2B: Alexander Murray Bruichladdich 12 years (05-17): 56%

  • Nose: Buttered popcorn, vanilla, old cigars, wood, red licorice, stale herbal spice.
  • Palate: Watery version of the aroma.
  • Finish: Med-long -> Buttered popcorn, wood, char, vomit.
  • Overall: (1 / 5) What is going on with this round… this is not a fun round so far. Blegh, this is awful.

2C: SMWS 127.36 Bruichladdich 11 Years (02-13): 63.2% – ex-Bourbon

  • Nose: BBQ smoke, fruit, honey, herbal spice, hay and malt.
  • Palate: BBQ smoke, fruit, honey, herbal spice, hay and malt with touches of soap.
  • Finish: Long -> Smoke, malt and a touch of soap.
  • Overall: (3 / 5) I don’t know if it’s the juxtaposition to the vomit twins 2A & B, but I’m enjoying this one quite a bit despite the light soapy notes.

2D: Whisky-Fassle Bruichladdich Port Charlotte 10 years (08-19): 62.7% – ex-Bourbon

  • Nose: Malt, honey, BBQ smoke, malt, olde candy, honey, spearmint.
  • Palate: Malt, honey, apricot, BBQ smoke, malt, olde candy, honey, menthol.
  • Finish: Long -> Smoke, BBQ sweetness, olde candy and menthol.
  • Overall: (3.5 / 5) Not your typical peated Bruichladdich profile, but it’s nice.

2E: Chorlton Whisky Port Charlotte 15 years: 54.9% – ex-Bourbon

  • Nose: Candy sweetness, smoke, char, honey, malt, nuts and brine.
  • Palate: Nuts, smoke, wood, char and malt with bits of graham, fruit and cocoa.
  • Finish: Long -> Funky sweet and oaky smoke with some spice.
  • Overall: (4 / 5) Wow, this is delicious. It’s by far the best of the night.

Post-Reveal Commentary: 2A and 2B are some of the worst Bruichladdich I’ve ever had. And what’s even sadder is that I have a bottle of 2B sitting at home, unopened. I’m now dreading opening what seems like an utter waste of money because it was just awful. The second half of the round though made up for it. They were all delicious and I’d love to have taken home that Chorlton!

 

Peated Bruichladdich Part 2 – Round 3

Malt Nuts - Peated Bruichladdich Round 2 - 13

3A: Darkness Lochindaal 9 years: 51.8% – ex-Moscatel

  • Nose: Smoke, orange peel, mint, malt, fruit and cocoa.
  • Palate: Honied fruit, vanilla candy, smoke, citrus, malt, cocoa and a bit of mint.
  • Finish: Long -> Smoked fruit.
  • Overall: (3.5 / 5) This round is off to a better start than the last. This is something I’d like to drink regularly.

3B: Whisky Broker Bruichladdich Port Charlotte 15 years (04-19): 53.9% – ex-Sherry Butt

  • Nose: Buttered popcorn jelly beans, vomit, butterscotch, smoke, dried fruit.
  • Palate: Grape nuts, sulfur, buttered popcorn jelly beans and vomit.
  • Finish: Long -> Funky, smoky, vomity.
  • Overall: (1.5 / 5) This profile again? What the hell is going on with some of these releases?

3C: Bruichladdich Port Charlotte OLC 01: 55.1% – X Cask

  • Nose: Fruit, oak, smoke, malt and toffee.
  • Palate: Sweetly fruity, smoke, malt, dark sweets and spice.
  • Finish: Long -> Malt, fruit and smoke.Overall: (3 / 5) Tasty. Fun. Good. A nice way to end the tasting.

Post-Reveal Commentary: A better round than 2 for sure, but man, when that vomity note hits hard, it’s just obscenely unpleasant. I don’t mind it in the background, it’s in a lot of Bruichladdich, but when it moves up like this… yikes.

Malt Nuts - Peated Bruichladdich Round 2 - 12

After this tasting, I’m feeling less sure about single casks of peated Bruichladdich, though not by much. Instead of being 100% sure on them, I’m down to about 85% sure, which means I’ll still be buying them, though not from Alexander Murray and Boutique-Y. I’ve been burned by them too many times. Though this does make me wonder…

The vomity note is a light background note in a lot of Bruichladdich, including OBs, but what if they’re letting the really funky ones out to the IBs? Maybe having the IBs be hit-or-miss is a distillery tactic to keep people coming back to the OBs? It could work, but that would take a ton of work so that’s of course silly and cynical… but then again…

Despite some of the major letdowns of this round, it was still a great tasting all-in-all and it was immeasurably educational to try those awful Bruichladdich SiBs, to dive into the shallow end of the pool and see what it’s like when things go wrong. Though, obviously, more of it went right. Especially that Chorlton.

Till the next time, cheers!

Malt Nuts - Peated Bruichladdich Round 2 - Full Lineup

The post Malt Nuts: Peated Bruichladdich Part 2 appeared first on The Whiskey Jug.

Happy Hour Live with Scotch Whisky Legend Jim McEwan (Episode 886, August 4, 2021)

We’re going into the #HappyHourLive webcast archives for this episode! Legendary distiller Jim McEwan joined us last February on the webcast, shortly before he announced his retirement from the Scotch Whisky industry, and this was one of his final interviews. He shared stories and answered your questions for nearly two hours that night, and we thought it was worth sharing with more of you. Video Version

We’re going into the #HappyHourLive webcast archives for this episode! Legendary distiller Jim McEwan joined us last February on the webcast, shortly before he announced his retirement from the Scotch Whisky industry, and this was one of his final interviews. He shared stories and answered your questions for nearly two hours that night, and we thought it was worth sharing with more of you.


Video Version

Virtual Tastings – May 2021

It’s almost May and we have more virtual tastings on the cards. We’re kicking off with a tasting of Bruichladdich, Port Charlotte and Octomore with header distiller Adam Hannett; and following that with a dive…

Originally published on The Whisky Exchange Blog – Virtual Tastings – May 2021

It’s almost May and we have more virtual tastings on the cards. We’re kicking off with a tasting of Bruichladdich, Port Charlotte and Octomore with header distiller Adam Hannett; and following that with a dive into the latest Watt Whisky bottlings.

May’s line-up

Bruichladdich tasting

6 May 2021, 7-8.30pmBruichladdich, Port Charlotte and Octomore with head distiller Adam Hannett: We’re big fans of Bruichladdich, and with the distillery’s Port Charlotte 10 Year Old currently our Whisky of the Year, it wasn’t a difficult decision to ask head distiller Adam Hannett to join us for a virtual tasting. He’ll be leading us through Bruichladdich Classic Laddie, Port Charlotte 10 Year Old, Port Charlotte 2010 OLC:01 Heavily Peated, the new Port Charlotte 2011 PAC:01 and Octomore 10.3 Islay Barley.
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Watt Whisky tasting

26 May 2021, 7-8.30pmWatt Whisky Virtual Tasting with Mark Watt, Kate Watt and Billy Abbott: This is a tasting I’ve been looking forward to for a while – a chance to taste through the latest Watt Whisky releases with the Watts themselves: Mark and Kate. We’ll be digging into five of their latest drams and a new rum: Tomintoul 2010, Arran 2012, Caol Ila 2010, an anonymous Highland 2005, 2010-vintage blended whisky and a Foursquare 2007-vintage rum. Come along to hear about their exploits over the years, and, based on previous tastings, at least one thing that will shatter the romance and mystery of whisky forever. One not to be missed.
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Coming Soon

This isn’t our only tasting for May, so keep an eye out for another coming soon. On top of that we’ve got Rum Show and Whisky Show scarily soon.

Originally published on The Whisky Exchange Blog – Virtual Tastings – May 2021