Category Archives: Whisky

News: New independent blending and bottling company Hunter Laing & Co opens its doors

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Hunter Laing & Co Ltd begins trading under the guidance of Stewart Laing and his sons

Hunter Laing l-r Scott, Stewart, Andrew Laing lo res 07[27]

With the fortunes of the Scotch whisky industry continuing to rise, a new company has been formed by experienced whisky entrepreneurs, Stewart Laing, and his two sons, Andrew and Scott, to capitalise on the opportunity and provide the ever-developing audience of whisky drinkers with new products.

Formed on 11th February 2013 and trading from today at its new headquarters in Park Circus, Glasgow, independent bottler and blender Hunter Laing & Co begins operations with considerable key assets that have been retained by Stewart Laing following the de-merger of Douglas Laing & Co’s ownership, which was formalised yesterday.  These assets include the whisky brands Old Malt Cask, Old & Rare, Douglas Blend, John Player Special and Sovereign, plus a bottling plant, a workforce of eight (not including shareholders) and three generations of whisky business knowhow.
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News: Big Peat Islay Blended Malt Releases A Limited Edition ‘Private Bottling’

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BigPeat PB

Big Peat, the unique Small Batch Islay Blended Malt Whisky from Douglas Laing & Co, launches a new limited edition bottling this month.

Launched by Douglas Laing in 2009, Big Peat has become a firm favourite with whisky enthusiasts worldwide offering them a distinct and unique taste of the magical whisky island of Islay. Big Peat is created from a selection of the finest Islay Malt Scotch Whiskies – from Ardbeg to Bowmore, Caol Ila to the now legendary Port Ellen plus a couple of blender’s secrets!
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News: Talisker Introduces New Port-finished Single Malt Whisky

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talisker-port-ruighe_mediumresFollowing the successful launch of TALISKER STORM™ in March, the famous Single Malt Scotch Whisky from the Isle of Skye is now acquiring another new family member, this time enriched by double maturation in port cask wood.

It has been named TALISKER PORT RUIGHE™, after the principal town and port on the Isle of Skye, and as a tribute to the great Scottish trading-houses such as the Cockburns, Grahams and Symingtons who braved the high seas and were instrumental in the creation and global growth of the port wine trade.

TALISKER PORT RUIGHE combines the powerful smoky maritime character of Talisker with succulent sweet notes of rich berry fruits for a superb contrasting taste experience.
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Review: Glenfarclas – 2003 – Nickolls & Perks Exclusive

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NPGlenfarclas2003Glenfarclas – 2003 – Nickolls & Perks Exclusive Selection Cask #1448 – 57.5%

Special release of Glenfarclas Family Cask, produced to celebrate Nickolls & Perks 215th Trading Anniversary.

Rusty orange gold in colour.

Gentle nutty wood on the nose; subtle sherry wood notes with spiced jellied winter fruits and hessian sacks. For a cask strength this has a remarkably smooth set of aromas.
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News: Burn Stewart acquired by South African Distell Group

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DistellBurnStewart

Distell buys top Scotch whisky producer, Burn Stewart Distillers

The Distell Group, Africa’s leading spirits, wines and ready-to-drinks business has acquired top-performing producer of Scotch whiskies, Burn Stewart Distillers Limited, for just over R2,2 billion (£160 million) from the Scottish based CL World Brands Limited and Trinidad and Tobago based Angostura Limited, owners of Hine Cognac and Angostura Bitters respectively  amongst other global brands.
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Review: Ledaig – 1993 – Connoisseurs Choice

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GM_Connoisseurs_Choice_Ledaig_1993_43_70cl_WebLet’s start off by saying… yes, I know some of the reviews on the blog here are of whiskies that are totally unaffordable for most people, myself included (I just get samples to try). So here’s a review of a whisky that’s affordable, and good! Shocker eh.

Ledaig – 1993 (17yo) – Connoisseurs Choice – 43%

Refill sherry, giving a light golden colour.

Nose is fairly light, maybe a little closed, but there’s sweet light peat smoke notes with winter fruits and malt, a nice gentle start to what is often quite a beefy smoke monster. There’s a nicely sherried background that seems well integrated to the soft peat.
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News: Talisker Distillery’s New Visitor Centre Opens After £1 Million Revamp

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Talisker

The world-famous Talisker Distillery on the Isle of Skye has opened its doors to its spectacular new visitor centre following a £1million redevelopment.

Distillery manager Mark Lochhead officially opened the new centre in time for the Easter tourist season following a major revamp and expansion of the distillery’s visitor facilities.
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Review: The Antiquary 21 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky

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the-antiquary-21-year-old-whiskyThe Antiquary 21 Year Old – (Tomatin) – 43%
Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2013 – 93/100

This is an exclusive blend which combines fine Speyside and Highland malt with a splash of Islay and the fragrance of Lowland grains to create a truly exceptional whisky. All the whiskies used in this blend are at least 21 years old – and together they deliver a taste of unrivalled sophistication.

Official tasting notes are…

Nose – Fresh and invigorating, very malty sweet treacle toffee with hints of bitter orange and lemon.
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