JURA ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF NEW PRESTIGE RANGE

The Jura Distillery, has today announced the launch of the first two expressions in a new Prestige Range of single malt Scotch whiskies, which are said to showcase some of the brands oldest and rarest whisky stocks.

Jura Rare Vintage 1988 (53.5% ABV) Limited to 1,406 bottles, it was initially matured in American white oak small batch ex-Bourbon barrels, before being aged for several years in 20 Year Old Tawny Port Pipes. Jura 28 Year Old (47% ABV) was initially matured in American white oak ex-Bourbon barrels, before being finished in aged Amoroso sherry butts.

Jura announces the launch of new Prestige Range

Jura Rare Vintage 1988, is said to have been created to capture unique moments from the whisky’s island home, and has been looked after by three distillery managers: Willie Tait who originally laid down the cask in 1988, Willie Cochrane who took over the roll in 2005 and currently Graham Logan who took over in 2016.

Jura 28 Year Old, which is said to embody the ingenuity of Jura’s whisky makers through the years, is a new permanent expression, which will be available exclusively in global travel retail.

In March, Jura announced a full brand relaunch, which included the launch of a new sweet and smoky house style of whisky.

Commenting on the news, Gregg Glass, Whisky Maker & Blender said: “As an island, Jura has been dedicated to producing the finest whiskies by generations past and present and we are in an exceptionally privileged position to have a range of rare and aged stocks. Both our new expressions are a fitting way to celebrate and share our island’s incredible heritage of whisky making with our growing, global community.”

Jura Rare Vintage 1988, will be available later this month from specialist retailers, for a RRP of £650.00. Jura 28 Year Old, will be available later this month from global travel retail outlets, for a RRP of £399.00.

Posted by Steve Rush

GLENFARCLAS LAUNCHES LIMITED-EDITION FAMILY CASK TRUNK

Glenfarclas, has announced the launch of a limited-edition Family Cask Trunk, which is believed to be the largest collection ever released by one distillery.

Following on from the hugely successful Family Cask collection, the Speyside based distillery has gone one step further by releasing The Glenfarclas Family Cask Trunk, which contains every vintage from 1954 to 2003.

Glenfarclas Family Cask Trunk

The collection comes housed in a custom-made trunk, resembling a contemporary interpretation of a traditional shipping trunk. Inside sit fifty individual 200ml bottles of Glenfarclas single malt Scotch whisky.

The trunk also contains: 4 tumblers, 4 nosing glasses and a water jug (all crafted from crystal by renowned Scottish glass manufacturer Glencairn Crystal) 4 slate coasters, 3 hand printed and bound leather books - one containing the history of the distillery, another with George Grant's tasting notes for each vintage and the third with space for the buyer to write their own personal tasting notes.

Commenting on the launch, George Grant, Sales Director and 6th generation of the Grant family, said: "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to buy a full collection of vintages in one complete set. It is the first - and last - chance to purchase this, as some of the vintages contained in the trunk are from the last casks of their respective years. We are thrilled to bring this ambitious project to fruition, one which could only be realised due to my grandfather's foresight in laying down casks as far back as the 1950s."

Limited to just 60 sets, The Glenfarclas Family Cask Trunk, will be available later this month, for a RRP of £100,000.

Posted by Steve Rush

BASIL HAYDEN'S LAUNCHES NEW LIMITED-EDITION 10 YEAR OLD BOURBON EXPRESSION

Beam Suntory, has announced the launch of a new 10 Year Old expression, from its Basil Hayden’s bourbon brand.

Basil Hayden’s 10 Year Old Bourbon (40% ABV) has been produced using brand's trademark high-rye bourbon recipe, aged longer in American Oak barrels to offer what is described as an additional layer of complexity to an already distinctive whiskey.

Basil Hayden's 10 Year Old

Launching this month in limited quantities, Basil Hayden’s 10 Year Old Bourbon, will be released annually on the run up to Christmas.

Basil Hayden's 10 Year Old Bourbon, follows on from the brands Two by Two Rye release earlier this year, and their Rye Whiskey bottling in 2017.

Commenting on the launch, Rob Mason, Vice President of Whiskey at Beam Suntory, said: "Basil Hayden's has always been a crowd-pleasing choice, especially during a time when people are getting together to share drinks or a celebratory meal. With the release of Basil Hayden's 10 Year Old Bourbon, we wanted to give our fans an expression that could be that 'special something' to enjoy when spending time with family and friends over the holidays or when picking out a great gift."

Basil Hayden's 10 Year Old Bourbon, is now available from specialist retailers across the US, for a RRP of $59.99 -750ml.

Posted by Steve Rush

BENROMACH LAUNCHES NEW 1978 VINTAGE BOTTLING

The Benromach Distillery Company, has today announced the launch of a new limited-edition 40 Year Old, single cask vintage bottling.

Benromach 1978 (56.3% ABV) which was matured in refill sherry hogshead cask no: 2608, is said to deliver notes of honey, vanilla, ripe fruits, lime, butterscotch and fresh ginger on the nose, followed by notes of pear, kiwi, chocolate, spices and a touch of subtle peat smoke on the palate.

Benromach 1978

Limited to just 184 bottles, this latest release from the multi award winning, Speyside distillery, comes presented in a decanter-style bottle, inspired by the curving shapes and silky textures of the distillery’s copper stills. The bottle nestles inside a rich, dark oak wooden box, reminiscent of the wood used in the original distillery washbacks.

Commenting on the launch, Keith Cruickshank, Benromach Distillery Manager, said: “Over the 40 years that this intriguing whisky was maturing, it drew incredible depth, character and flavours from the wood. Outside the cask, the distillery was evolving and changing. After it closed in 1983, the distillery lay silent for more than 15 years before it was purchased by the Urquhart family in 1993 and reopened in 1998."

He went onto say: “Our carefully chosen Heritage single cask releases give Benromach lovers the opportunity to taste moments in time from the distillery’s rich history. We are confident our 1978 vintage will surpass expectations and are proud to be releasing such a rare and precious whisky during the 20th anniversary year of distilling restarting here at Benromach.”

Benromach 1978, will be available later this month from specialist retailers, for a RRP of £1,250,00.

Posted by Steve Rush