WATERFORD DISTILLERY BRINGS FORWARD NEW WHISKY RELEASES

Following the success of their recently released first commercial bottlings, the Waterford Distillery has brought forward the release of two new Single Farm Origin series bottlings, along with a second edition of its first two whiskies.

The Single Farm Origin series, is an “uber-provenance” range of limited-edition whiskies, that explore Irish terroir one farm, once place, at a time, showcasing barley flavours derived from individual Irish farms and harvests.

Waterford Distillery brings forward new whisky releases

The two new bottlings are comprised of:

Ballymorgan: Edition 1.1 (50% ABV) grown by Robert Milne on one of Ireland’s premier malting barley terroirs - the famous Clonroche Series in Co. Wexford, with its loamy, clay soils derived from slate and granite.

Sheestown: Edition 1.1 (50% ABV) grown just outside the historic town of Kilkenny on an undulating, well-drained, lowland terroir predominantly derived from limestone, by Phil O’Brien, father of one of our distillery workers.

The second editions of their first releases, are comprised of:

Bannow Island: Edition 1.2 (50% ABV) now 3 months older, was grown by Ed Harpur on the extreme southern coast of Co. Wexford, where salt-laden Atlantic winds and sandy soils create a unique, if challenging, terroir.

Ballykilcavan: Edition 1.2 (50% ABV) now 3 months older, uses barley grown by David Walsh-Kemmis west of the Barrow in Co. Laois in the barley heartlands, where his fertile fields are sheltered by ancient woodland.

Commenting on the news, Mark Reynier, Waterford Distillery Founder & CEO, said: "We knew there was great interest from the inquisitive, curious and open-minded in our unique philosophy but we were totally unprepared – and mighty humbled – by such an enthusiastic reception. We know this has meant some frustration for people getting their hands on a pair, but please bear with us.”

He went onto say: “Our distributors say this is the most successful launch of a new distillery brand they have ever seen, and we have all been taken off guard. Everyone associated with Waterford Whisky from farmers to maltsters to distillers to warehousemen should be very proud. Sure, it’s early days, but our novel, traceable, transparent, terroir approach seems to have found a niche appreciated by today’s enlightened consumers."

All four of the new Waterford Single Farm Origin series bottlings, will be available later this month from specialist retailers, for a RRP of £70.00.

Posted by Steve Rush

LOCH LOMOND LAUNCHES ITS LATEST OPEN GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP BOTTLING

Loch Lomond, has announced the launch of a new limited-edition bottling, created to celebrate The 149th Open golf championship, which was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Loch Lomond 12 Year Old - The Open Special Edition 2020 (46% ABV) has been matured in American oak barrels and created from a Chardonnay wine yeast, is said to showcase the spirit produced in the distillery’s unique straight neck pot still.

Loch Lomond 12 Year Old - The Open Special Edition 2020

Loch Lomond, became The Official Spirit of The Open in 2018, and although the Championship will not be played as planned in 2020, it will now be played at Royal St George’s in July 2021, with The 150th Open at St Andrews moving to 2022.

Loch Lomond 12 Year Old - The Open Special Edition 2020, which was created by by Master Blender, Michael Henry, is said to deliver notes of grapefruit, vanilla syrup, cinnamon and lime juice.

Commenting on the launch, Michael Henry, said: “It has been a real pleasure crafting this limited edition to mark The 149th Open. We are one of very few distilleries currently using wine yeasts in the fermentation process, which brings a unique and vibrant flavour to the finished liquid. As a distillery we are perfectly placed to be able to develop these rare expressions, which is ideally suited to our preference for longer fermentation times, combined with the control we have over the final character using our straight-necked stills.”

Limited to 3,000 bottles, Loch Lomond 12 Year Old - The Open Special Edition 2020, will be available later this month from specialist retailers, for a RRP of £50.00.

Posted by Steve Rush