Tuesday, December 05, 2017

TULLIBARDINE LAUNCHES NEW 52 YEAR OLD CUSTODIANS COLLECTION BOTTLING

The Tullibardine Distillery, has today announced the launch of a new limited-edition expression, from its Custodians Collection series of single malt Scotch whiskies.

Tullibardine 1962 (40.1% ABV) has been matured exclusively in American oak casks for 52 years.
Tullibardine 1962

Tullibardine 1962, which is the contents of the Perthshire distillery’s last two casks of the rare malt distilled on the 27th of December 1962, follows on from the first two; 1952 and 1970 vintages in the brand’s Custodians collection.

This latest release from the Highlands based distillery, is said to deliver notes of lush green meadows, citrus fruit, parma violets and allspice on the nose, followed by notes of zesty lemon, pineapple, desiccated coconut and smooth dark chocolate on the palate.

Commenting on the launch, Keith Geddes, Master Blender at Tullibardine, said: “The Tullibardine 1962 is a work of art, capturing the essence of Tullibardine and the effects of the surrounding environment. This is reflected in this special release, which following a lot of patience has blossomed to become a complex and luxurious whisky.”

Limited to 250 bottles, Tullibardine 1962 will be available later this month from specialist retailers, for a RRP of £1,990.

Posted by Steve Rush

Friday, December 01, 2017

BENRIACH LAUNCHES NEW 21 YEAR OLD FOUR CASK MATURED BOTTLING

The multi-award winning, Elgin based BenRiach Distillery Company, has today announced the launch of a new 21 Year Old, four cask matured, single malt Scotch whisky.

BenRiach 21 Year Old (46% ABV) has been matured in a combination of bourbon, virgin oak, Pedro Ximenez and red wine casks.

BenRiach 21 Year Old

The four cask types were blended together by the BenRiach Master Blender, Rachel Barrie. Each cask is said to amplify unique notes of bourbon vanilla, virgin oak spice, PX sweetness and vinous red fruits developing from BenRiach’s signature sweet barley and fruit-laden style.

This latest unpeated single malt is one of two BenRiach expressions to be released at 21 years old. The other, its richly peated partner, will appear early in 2018.

Commenting on the launch, Rachel Barrie, said: “At BenRiach we have developed a reputation for innovative maturation using an eclectic mix of cask types. BenRiach 21 year old is the next step on this innovative journey, bringing together four eclectic casks in one single malt: bourbon barrels at its core enriched by virgin American oak, Pedro Ximenez and red wine casks.”

She went onto say: This new unpeated expression is likely to both surprise and delight, as it opens with fresh summer fruit compote, soft vanilla and vibrant candied peel, developing into tangy red fruits, barley sugar and the warmth of chocolate ginger. I look forward to sharing this enigmatic malt with all intrigued to discover more.”

BenRiach 21 Year Old, will be available later this month from specialist retailers, for a RRP of £125.

Posted by Steve Rush

JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL LAUNCHES NEW GHOST AND RARE BLENDED SCOTCH WHISKY SERIES

Diageo has announced the launch of the first bottling in a new series of limited edition, Johnnie Walker Blue Label expressions.

Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare (46% ABV) has been blended using whiskies from "ghost" distilleries that have long since closed, along with a selection of other rare Scotch malt and grain whiskies.

Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare

Each bottling in the new limited-edition extension series of its premium Johnnie Walker Blue Label blended Scotch whisky range, will feature one incredible whisky at its heart, the first being Brora.

Crafted by Johnnie Walker Master Distiller, Jim Beveridge, Ghost and Rare is said to be a rich, velvety smooth blend of eight treasured Scotch whiskies, including three "ghost" whiskies from the silent distilleries of Cambus, Pittyvaich and the Highland single malt, Brora, which lies at the heart of this special release bringing a light peatiness and sophisticated subtle sweetness.

The additional five whiskies are rare expressions of malt and grains from the existing distilleries of Royal Lochnagar, Clynelish, Glenkinchie, Glenlossie and Cameronbridge.

Commenting on the launch, Jim Beveridge, said: “Over the years of crafting fine Scotch whiskies, I've had the remarkable privilege of working with some of the rarest spirits ever to come out of Scotland. I'm lucky that we have stocks from more than 30 distilleries from every region of Scotland from which to choose the perfect casks to craft each blend. It gives us a richness of character, flavour and age that no other scotch can match.”

He went onto say: “Whiskies from these ghost distilleries are becoming increasingly rare. From our library of irreplaceable casks that we keep exclusively for Johnnie Walker Blue Label, I've chosen a few uniquely full-bodied expressions of these precious malts and grains to let people explore, in a new way, the extraordinary richness found in our pinnacle whisky.”

Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare, will be available later this month from specialist retailers, for a RRP of £220.

Posted by Steve Rush