BIG PEAT LAUNCHES ITS ANNUAL CHRISTMAS BOTTLING

Scotch whisky specialist Douglas Laing & Co, has announced the launch of its annual limited-edition Big Peat Christmas bottling.

Big Peat Christmas 2021 (52.8% ABV) is an Islay blended malt Scotch whisky, which is said to be “packed with earthy, leathery, ashy charm, balanced by a wonderfully warming sweetness”.

Big Peat Christmas 2021

This latest release rounds off a big year for the Big Peat brand, which has seen it take home a Gold Award at the San Francisco World Spirits Awards and the Master Medal at the Spirits Business Awards.

Commenting on the news, Fred Laing, Chairman of Douglas Laing & Co, said: “Our family business is truly grateful and pleased to know that our Big Peat Christmas bottling has become something of an annual ritual for other Islay Whisky-loving families all over the world. It is so heartwarming to receive messages from keen consumers for whom opening that special bottle of Big Peat Christmas marks the beginning of the festivities with friends and family. At the figurative helm of our family sits Big Peat himself – and so, from our family to yours, we wish you a very Merry Christmas indeed.”

Big Peat Christmas 2021, will be available later this month from specialist retailers. RRP (tbc).

Posted by Steve Rush

HIGHLAND PARK LAUNCHES NEW 15 YEAR OLD BOTTLING

Highland Park, has today announced the launch of a new core range single malt Scotch whisky expression.

Highland Park 15 Year Old (44% ABV) has been produced using whisky matured in a combination of first-fill European Sherry, first-fill American oak Sherry and refill casks.

Highland Park 15 Year Old

This latest release from the Orkney based distillery, which was created using casks selected by Highland Park, Master Whisky Maker, Gordon Motion, is said to deliver notes of charred cinnamon, mellow heathery smoke, vanilla sponge cake, lemon zest and fresh pineapple.

Commenting on the news, Gordon Motion, said: “Our insistence on specially constructed sherry casks delivers a richness of flavour. Vanilla and citrus notes lead and combine with the unique fragrant peat and creamy mouthfeel synonymous with Highland Park. The hand selection of quality first-fill and refill casks for Highland Park 15 Year Old delivers a rich colour which is 100% natural.”

Highland Park 15 Year Old, will be available later this month from specialist retailers, for a RRP of £80.00.

Posted by Steve Rush

MACALLAN LAUNCHES NEW 30 YEAR OLD DOUBLE CASK BOTTLING

The Macallan, has announced the launch of a new expression in its Double Cask range.

The Macallan Double Cask 30 Year Old (43% ABV) is a single malt Scotch whisky, which has been matured in a combination of sherry seasoned American and European oak casks.

The Macallan Double Oak 30 Year Old

The European oak was sourced from the forests of northern Spain and southern France, and the American oak was sourced from the forests of Ohio, Missouri and Kentucky. Both types were hand crafted into casks and toasted over an open-air fire in the cooperages of Jerez, before being filled with the finest sherry wine and left to season for up to 18 months.

For this latest release, Macallan collaborated with acclaimed American artist and photographer, Erik Madigan Heck, to showcase the signature tastes and unique and distinctive flavour profile of the whisky.

Erik shares many of Macallan’s values including Nature, Legacy, Artistry, Creativity and Craftsmanship. Taking his inspiration from the natural landscape on the Macallan Estate and the complex flavours and natural colour of the whisky, he captured powerful imagery evoking the single malt’s character, depicting its flavours, textures and colour in a unique and contemporary way.

The Macallan Double Cask 30 Year Old, is said to deliver notes of fresh honeycomb, sweet toffee, red apple, fig and vanilla pod on the nose. Followed by notes of cinnamon, ginger, Madagascan vanilla, dried fruits and oak on the palate.

Commenting on the launch, Kirsteen Campbell, Macallan’s Master Whisky Maker, said: “The Macallan Double Cask 30 Years Old is a modern take on our classic 30-year-old and is an exceptional aged single malt. With a rich combination and depth of flavour and a complex character, it is a whisky to be savoured, exhibiting notes of cinder toffee, fresh honeycomb, rich vanilla and red apples.”

Kirsteen, went onto say: “The Macallan Double Cask brings together sherry seasoned American and European oak casks to create the perfect balance of flavours. It is the oak that gives the whisky its natural colour and is the single greatest contributor to the quality, distinctive aromas and flavours.”

The Macallan Double Cask 30 Year Old, will be available later this month from specialist retailers, for a RRP of £3,000.00.

Posted by Steve Rush