GLENDRONACH LAUNCHES THE FINAL THREE BOTTLINGS IN ITS 2016 LIMITED RELEASE PROGRAMME

The multi-award winning, Elgin based BenRiach Distillery Company, has today announced the launch of three new expressions from its GlenDronach single malt whisky range.

GlenDronach Grandeur 25 Year Old Batch 8 (50% ABV) Limited to 1,505 bottles, has been matured in Oloroso sherry casks, and is said to be full of luscious fruity aromas and dark chocolate flavours.

GlenDronach: Grandeur 25yr Batch 8  - 14yr Marsala Finish - Cask Strength Batch 6

GlenDronach 14 Year Old Marsala Finish (46% ABV) was first matured in European oak casks, before being finished in Marsala hogsheads, and is said to deliver notes of stem ginger, fresh green apples and vanilla fudge.

GlenDronach Cask Strength Batch 6 (55.3% ABV) has been matured in a combination of Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez sherry casks, and is said to deliver notes of dark chocolate, ripe figs and yellow plums.

These latest three bottlings from the Highland based distillery, which have had their casks hand selected by Master Distiller Billy Walker, are the final releases from GlenDronach’s 2016 limited release programme.

GlenDronach's new Grandeur 25 Year Old Batch 8, 14 Year Old Marsala Finish and Cask Strength Batch 6, will be available later this month from specialist retailers, for the respective RRP’s of £384.99, £59.99 and £57.99.

Posted by Steve Rush

THE MACALLAN LAUNCHES NEW LIMITED EDITION COLLABORATIVE SINGLE MALT

The Macallan, has announced the launch of a new limited edition expression, produced using seven handpicked cask types from four different Spanish bodegas.

The Macallan Edition No.2 (48.2% ABV) is said to unlock the workings of the intricate whisky making process and give consumers the chance to explore how the whisky was created. From the provenance of the oak to the expert crafting of the cask.

The Macallan - Edition No.2

Produced as part of a collaboration between Bob Dalgarno, The Macallan’s Master Whisky Maker and the Roca brothers, co-founders of El Celler de Can Roca, this latest release from the Aberlour based distillery, has been shaped not only by the use of seven exceptional oak cask types, which contribute up to 80% of the character of The Macallan, but by the creative spirit of each of the collaborators.

Spain is a key element in the story of Edition No. 2. Not only is it the home of the Roca brothers, it is one of the most influential factors in the final character and profile of The Macallan, due to the extent of the cask production and seasoning that takes place across the country. The seven cask types that underpin Edition No. 2 have been taken from four Spanish bodegas – Vasyma, Diego Martin, Jose Miguel Martin and Tevasa.

The European oak Tevasa casks selected by Bob Dalgarno are said to define and carry the shape of Edition No. 2, with characteristic notes of rich, dried fruit. This is closely followed by notes of green wood and toffee from the Diego Martin casks selected by Joan Roca.

The notes of allspice and ginger are said to come from the European oak Jose Miguel Martin casks selected by Josep Roca. The notes of citrus and light vanilla combine from the American oak Vasyma butts and puncheons chosen by pastry chef Jordi Roca.

Commenting on the news, Bob Dalgarno, The Macallan’s Master Whisky Maker, said: “By collaborating with the Roca brothers we have combined our knowledge of whisky making with their creative culinary expertise. The result - a single malt that challenges expectations. The driving force behind the Edition Series is the freedom we have to explore different and distinctive casks, some that might not typically be used in other Macallan whiskies.”

He went onto say: “With wood at the very heart of this series, we very much enjoyed the opportunity to delve into each individual cask, discovering the style and the special influence it can impart on the resulting whisky. The harmony and balance of Edition No. 2 reflects not only the hand selected casks but the relationship that we have been developing with Joan, Josep and Jordi over the last few years – it is a powerful collaboration and one that I have loved being a part of.”

The Macallan Edition No.2, will be available later this month from specialist retailers for a RRP of £65.00.

Posted by Steve Rush

WALSH WHISKEY DISTILLERY ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF TWO NEW CASK STRENGTH BOTTLINGS

The Walsh Whiskey Distillery, has today announced the launch of two limited edition cask strength bottlings, from its ‘The Irishman’ and ‘Writers Tears’ Irish whiskey brands.

The Irishman Cask Strength 2016 (54% ABV) limited to just 1,800 bottles, is a vatting of single pot still & single malt whiskey’s, matured in first-fill bourbon casks. Writers’ Tears Cask Strength 2016 (53% ABV) limited to just 2,640 bottles, is a triple-distilled blend of aged single pot still and single malt whiskey’s that have been aged in bourbon barrels.


The Irishman & Writers Tears 2016 Cask Strength bottlings

Both of the new releases from the multi-award winning Royal Oak, County Carlow based distillery, are uniquely numbered and signed by distillery founder Bernard Walsh. The Irishman Cask Strength 2016, also comes presented in a specially commissioned wooden case.

Commenting on the launch, Bernard Walsh said: “The Irishman Cask Strength, is matured and aged in oak bourbon casks that I personally hand-selected to showcase the pinnacle of Irish whiskey. This whiskey is ripe, full and elegant. Delicate forest fruits dovetail with mellow spices and orchard berries, all giving way to a long gentle finish of barley and dark chocolate bursting with complexity and flavour. I hope the lucky few who acquire this release enjoy every moment.”

He went onto say: “Writers Tears Cask Strength, presents elegant and luscious notes of poached pear, sweet barley and creamy oak. It offers the palate hints of white chocolate and red fruit and, to finish the experience, we get delicate mandarin tones with oak powering through single pot still spice. I am proud to commend it to old and new followers of Writers’ Tear alike.”

Last month, Walsh Whiskey Distillery announced the launch of a 17 Year Old single cask ‘The Irishman’ bottling, in celebration of the company's 17th anniversary.

The Irishman Cask Strength 2016 and Writers’ Tears Cask Strength 2016, will be available later this month from specialist retailers, both with a RRP of €120.

Posted by Steve Rush