ISLE OF ARRAN DISTILLERS LAUNCHES THE FINAL BOTTLING IN ITS SMUGGLER INSPIRED SERIES

The multi award-winning Isle of Arran Distillers, has today announced the official launch of the third and final release in its Smugglers’ Series.

Arran Smugglers’ Series Vol.3: The Exciseman (56.8% ABV) is a no-age statement cask strength single malt whisky, which has been matured in bourbon quarter casks and Madeira casks.

Arran Smugglers' Series Vol.3: The Exciseman

The Madeira casks used in this final volume, are similar to the ones utilised by Arran’s illicit distillers, who often stored and transported locally produced whisky in old Madeira casks brought over from the continent by their smuggling counterparts. The use of Quarter Casks is a nod to the type of small vessels which would have been the easiest to transport.

This latest release, marks the conclusion of the much-lauded trilogy which honours the exuberant character of those striving to outwit the Government’s representatives in the pursuit of the production of the famed ‘Arran Waters’.

Like proceeding volumes, ‘The Illicit Stills’ and ‘The High Seas’, Smugglers’ Series Vol.3: ‘The Exciseman’ is presented in packaging that mimics a beautiful hardbound book, complete with a cut-out compartment that conceals the bottle.

Commenting on the launch, James MacTaggart, Master Distiller of the Isle of Arran Distillery said: “Smugglers’ vol.1 and vol.2 were tremendously popular, selling out within days. There is a real desire for whisky with a story, something the Smugglers’ Series has in abundance. As the first legal distillery on the island in over 160 years we draw a great deal of inspiration from Arrans whisky-making heritage and are delighted to be able to share it through this, the final bottling of the Smugglers’ Series.”

Limited to just 8,700 bottles, Arran Smugglers’ Series Vol.3: The Exciseman, will be available from July 12th, from specialist retailers for a RRP of £89.99.

Posted by Steve Rush

GLEN MORAY LAUNCHES 120TH ANNIVERSARY LIMITED EDITION BOTTLING

The Glen Moray Distillery, has announced the launch of special limited-edition bottling, to commemorate its 120th Anniversary.

Glen Moray Mastery (52.3% ABV) is a marriage of five different vintages, which were hand selected by Master Distiller, Graham Coull.

Glen Moray Mastery

Three of the five vintages used were laid down by Graham's Glen Moray forefathers, Robert Brown (manager from 1959-1987) and Edwin Dodson (manager from 1987-2005).  Two of Graham's own vintages are in there too, as well as evidence of techniques first employed by Glen Moray's original pioneers, James Haddow (manager from 1913-1927) and his son, Alexander Haddow (manager from 1927 -1959).

With great skill and finesse, Graham experimented to find the ultimate composition, using whisky matured in different fortified wine casks (sherry, madeira and port) to form the backbone of the 120th Anniversary release.

By using the sweetness of port to bring out the best in the heavier flavours emanating from the sherry and Madeira, Graham has added his own 'twist' to the Glen Moray classic taste profile, bringing sublime smoothness and balance to the masterpiece.

Commenting on the launch, Graham Coull said: “The Madeira casks that we’ve chosen to form the heart of the whisky relate back to the genuine traditions of Glen Moray experimenting with different, innovative techniques in maturation. It’s me putting a twist on the spirit that was made by previous generations of master distillers.”

He went onto say: “I wanted to bring in something from 1978, some of the oldest whisky in the warehouses, that represented whisky made by Robert Brown, the 3rd generation of Master Distiller, who was at the helm of Glen Moray from 1959 until 1987 as well as casks filled in the 80's and 90's by my predecessor, Ed Dodson.  We’ve intertwined these with whisky that has spent its full term in first-fill sherry casks and also a proportion that has been finished in port, to develop the layers of complexity in the overall bottling. The port finished whisky brings a little lightness, which we felt perfectly balances the more robust flavours of the sherry and madeira casks in the blend.”

Limited to 1000 individually numbered decanters, Glen Moray Mastery, will be available later this month from specially selected retailers, for a RRP of £800.00.

Posted by Steve Rush

BOWMORE LAUNCHES ITS FIFTH AND FINAL BLACK BOTTLING IN THE US

Beam Suntory, has announced the US launch of the fifth and final edition of its limited-edition Black Bowmore 1964 bottling.

Black Bowmore 1964 - 50 Year Old (40.9% ABV) has spent the last 50 years maturing in first fill Oloroso sherry casks, in Bowmore’s No.1 Vaults at its distillery on Islay.

Black Bowmore 1964 - 50 Year Old

Black Bowmore 1964 - 50 Year Old, is the second expression in the Bowmore 50 Year Old Collection, a series honouring the rare single malts that were first distilled and began aging in the No. 1 Vaults during the 1960s.

Limited to a global release of just 159 bottles, this last Black Bowmore bottling, which first launched in the UK in November 2016, was distilled on November 5th 1964, and since its first release in 1993, has become one of the most sought after and collectable single malt Scotch whiskies in the world.

Commenting on the US launch, David Turner, Distillery Manager at Bowmore, whose Grandfather worked on the original bottling over 50 years ago, said: “Black Bowmore is one of those whiskies that are spoken about in hushed tones by collectors and aficionados around the world. To have the opportunity to try Black Bowmore now – at the ripe old age of 50 years – is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

Black Bowmore 1964 - 50 Year Old, will be available next month in the US, as part of the Bowmore 50 Year Old Vault Legends Collection, for a RRP $25,000.

Posted by Steve Rush