MICHTER'S DISTILLERY ANNOUNCES NEW MASTER DISTILLER

Michter's Distillery in Louisville – Kentucky, has announced its new Master Distiller.

From next month, current Distiller Dan McKee, will be taking over the role of Master Distiller from Pamela Heilmann, who will be retiring from the role on May 1st. Also as part of Michter’s succession plan, Distillery Manager Matt Bell will be taking over the role of Distiller.


New Michter's Master Distiller: Dan McKee

Dan McKee, previously worked at the Jim Beam Distillery in Clermont as a Distillery Operator and later was promoted to Distillery Supervisor at the Booker Noe Distillery.

Next month will see the release of the 2019 bottling of Michter's 10 Year Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon, which will mark the final Michter's release during Heilmann's tenure as Master Distiller.

Commenting on the news, Dan McKee, said: "I am so grateful to Pam. To work with her and learn from her has been an honour and a privilege. We will do everything we can to continue Pam's work and pursue Michter's goal of producing the greatest American whiskey."

Michter's 10 Year Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon – 2019 (47.2% ABV) will be available next month in the US, for a RRP of $130,00.

Posted Steve Rush

BENROMACH LAUNCHES NEW CASK STRENGTH EXPRESSION

The Benromach Distillery Company, has today announced the launch of a new vintage cask strength expression, as part of its Classic Range of single malt Scotch whiskies.

Benromach Cask Strength Vintage 2008 - Batch 1 (57.9% ABV) which is limited to 5,500 bottles, was matured in first-fill Sherry and Bourbon casks.

Benromach Cask Strength Vintage 2008 - Batch 1

Distilled and laid down to mature in 2008 before being bottled in 2019, Benromach Cask Strength Vintage 2008 - Batch 1, is said to have notes of cracked black pepper, fruits and milk chocolate, with a delicate smoky edge on the palate.

This latest release from the Speyside based distillery, will replace the Benromach 100° Proof expression in its Classic Range. The new expression will provide single malt Scotch whisky fans with subtle variations on the flavour profile of Benromach 100° Proof, with small strength and natural colour variations reflecting different batches.

Commenting on the news, Keith Cruickshank, Benromach Distillery Manager, said: “By offering the opportunity to own and enjoy batch releases, we are able to further showcase the expertise of our distilling team while determining the right time to bottle each batch  to take full advantage of the remarkable single malt whiskies we produce. We believe this expression will allow Benromach drinkers to understand more about the provenance of the whisky they are drinking.”

He went onto say: “Every whisky we release has been carefully handcrafted by our close-knit team of distillers. While retaining the overall flavours that Benromach consumers have enjoyed in Benromach 100° Proof, the new Cask Strength Vintage release will differ subtly in both strength and flavour profile, reflecting the specific casks chosen from the vintage year.”

Benromach Cask Strength Vintage 2008 - Batch 1, will be available later this month from specialist retailers, for a RRP of £59.95.

Posted by Steve Rush

WHISKY PRODUCTION BEGINS AT THE NEW ARRAN LAGG DISTILLERY

Isle of Arran Distillers, has today announced that whisky production has begun at its new Lagg Distillery.

The first middle cut of spirit was recorded on March 19th at 14.35. Following this, the commissioning phase has now been completed and Cask Number One; a sherry butt, was filled on April 10th.

Whisky production begins at the new Arran Lagg Distillery

Cask Number One, is reserved exclusively for members of the Lagg Cask Society, and has been filled with a heavily-peated (50ppm) spirit, at a filling strength of 63.5% ABV.

This spirit is expected to mature into the rich, earthy, smoky, Lagg single malt, which will be very different in character to what the distillers currently produce at their original distillery in Lochranza.

Commenting on the news, James MacTaggart, Master Distiller, said: “It’s incredibly exciting to be taking the very first steps in producing what will eventually be a magnificent Lagg whisky and something truly unique to anything we’ve produced previously.”

The Lagg Distillery and Visitor Centre is due to open early this summer, and is expected to increase visitors numbers to both Arran and Lagg sites to 200,000 by 2020.

Posted by Steve Rush