News: Tomatin Cask Strength Release

Tomatin Cask StrengthTomatin have announced  a new addition to the Tomatin Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky core range – The Cask Strength Edition. Matured in a combination of Bourbon and Oloroso Sherry Casks and bottled at 57.5%, this addition to the range showcases the true Tomatin style in its most natural state.

“This whisky is the first Cask Strength expression to be added to the Tomatin Highland Single Malt Scotch
Whisky core range, allowing us to showcase the true Tomatin style in its most natural state – natural colour,
no chill filtration, full strength. Batch 1 was released in February 2015 at 57.5%. A marriage of full maturation
Bourbon and Oloroso Sherry casks, it is spicy, sweet and smooth and an excellent addition to the range.”

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News: Cù Bòcan Virgin Oak Release

Cu Bocan Virgin OakTomatin have announced a new limited edition Cù Bòcan release – The Virgin Oak Edition – the second release in the trilogy showcasing the influence of each cask type which makes up Cù Bòcan; Sherry, Virgin Oak and Bourbon.

“This exclusive limited edition showcases the influence that Virgin Oak has on our lightly peated single malt. Clean and zingy with hints of smoke and warm spice, this fully matured Virgin Oak limited edition will not disappoint!”

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Press Launch & Review: Glenmorangie Tusail

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Glenmorangie Tùsail

Recently Glenmorangie launched Tùsail, the 6th release in their yearly Private Edition series of malts… most of which form some part of experimentation by Glenmo’s main man, Dr Bill Lumsden. (See below for my review tasting notes.)

GlenmoTuasilThis years experiment \ release is comprised of Maris Otter barley, floor-malted by hand, and non chill-filtered.

A rich winter variety of barley first introduced in 1965, Maris Otter was bred specifically to meet the demand for a high quality brewing malt and recognized for its ability to impart rich, rustic malty flavours. The variety at the time was much loved by brewers and created great ale’s, however the variety started to fall out of love and started being replaced with newer varieties that had greater alcohol yields until it was revived by a dedicated company and is now revered as one of the best malts for brewing once again.

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News: anCnoc 1975 vintage released

 

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anCnoc 1975This February anCnoc Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky has unveiled its latest creation – anCnoc 1975 Vintage. Bottled late in 2014 this is the oldest expression ever released from Knockdhu Distillery and promises to be the ultimate treat for anCnoc fans and the most discerning whisky drinkers around the world.

The whisky comes from only three American oak and Spanish oak ex-sherry casks laid down in 1975. The release consists of 1590 bottles. The whisky comes in its most natural form, it has not been chill-filtered or coloured and is presented at the cask strength of 44.2% ABV.

The recommended retail price is £300. anCnoc 1975 Vintage will be available in several key markets around the world including the UK, USA, Russia and Canada.

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News & Reviews: Aultmore’s 3 new malts (12yo, 21yo & 25yo)

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“John Dewar & Sons Ltd. has unveiled a new range of proprietary bottlings from Aultmore distillery, forming part of its ‘Last Great Malts’ of Scotland range, with Aultmore 12-year-old, Aultmore 21-year-old (in Travel Retail only) and Aultmore 25-year-old.”

Back at the end of last year I was lucky enough to go around all of Dewar’s distilleries and I tried the 3 Aultmore’s at that point, you can read about my trip and my initial impressions here. However, below is my further thoughts / tasting notes now that the range has officially been launched.

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My Dewar’s Last Great Malts Trip – Day Two

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So, I’ve been on a Last Great Malts trip, kindly put on by Dewar’s… To read about day one of the trip, go here.

Day 2, and it’s a bright and early start. Actually, I tell a lie, it’s an early start with a sore head, but a good full Scottish breakfast and coffee later and the world seems just about right again. Which is a good thing as we’re straight back onto the coach for the next part of our tour. It’s a different coach to yesterday, we won’t mention the mishap the day before.
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My Dewar’s Last Great Malts Trip – Day One

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Last week I was one of a lucky few to be invited up to Scotland by Dewar’s to look around their distilleries. Termed the ‘Last Great Malts’, Dewar’s have taken the step to release single malt whiskies from their distilleries which, until now have mostly only been used in blending or seen as single malts in the independent bottlers world.

This is great news within the category because Dewar’s are rather going against the grain here… their releases all have age statements, and where the bottles are new to market they’re being released at 46% non chill filtered and with no colour, with existing releases (Aberfeldy 12yo for example) being changed over time to match. Big congrats to Dewar’s for this as many other brands at the moment are increasingly releasing more and more no age statement whiskies which are filtered, coloured and reduced to within an inch of their lives with water.
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News & Review: Cutty Sark 33yo Art Deco

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Cutty Sark Launches 33yo Art Deco Limited Edition

cutty_sark_33Cutty Sark have a great set of blended whiskies in their range, and they’ve recently announced their oldest release, the 33 year old Art Deco release. Below you’ll find my tasting notes and thoughts on the blend, but first, here’s the PR info:

This new 33 Year Old bottling has been released to continue the exploration of the rich history, heritage and origin of Cutty Sark, with a specific focus on the exciting Art Deco period of the 1920s and early 1930s. Celebrating a time when Cutty Sark found its way into America, flourished within the emerging cocktail culture and changed the pace of Scotch whisky forever.

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News & Review: Bunnahabhain Ceòbanach

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‘Smoky Mist’ descends… Bunnahabhain Introduces Limited Release Ceòbanach

Regulars will know I’m a big fan of Bunnahabhain, I always have been… Bunna 12yo was one of the drams that started me on my journey. Therefore imagine my excitement to get hold of an official sample of Bunnas latest release, Ceòbanach. Below you’ll find my notes and thoughts, but first let’s take a look at the official PR…
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Review: Craigellachie 13yo, 17yo, 19yo & 23yo

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I’m off to visit Craigellachie Distillery in the coming week, so now seems a great time to have a quick review of their official range which has been launched recently!

Here’s some of the official PR info, and at the bottom is my tasting notes of the range…

John Dewar & Sons Ltd. has unveiled a new range of proprietary bottlings from the Craigellachie distillery, bringing to light more of the hidden gems in its single malt portfolio, the ‘Last Great Malts’ of Scotland.

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